This might be useful if others aren't already doing something similar: I was coming up on 25k miles and due for a 5k mile tire rotation. This was the first time my PiP was out of the initial two years free maintenance window and I didn't also need an oil change at the same time - auto maintenance shops will often throw in a free tire rotation with an oil change. I went to a local America's Tire shop and was pleasantly surprised - no appointment needed and they rotated my tires for free. When my car was ready I noticed tire dressing was also applied. Still a lot of life on the OEM tires, so it was pretty nice for them to do it free of charge as it wasn't part of any purchased tire maintenance package.
Yes, but one day, and this day may never come, they may call on you to do a favour.... I'd try to discourage them from slopping on the tire dressing, besides possibly messing up traction (if it gets on the tread) it's a pure cosmetic, and can turn the sidewalls brown colour.
help me understand. you went to a tyre place that you've never purchased anything from, didn't purchase anything that day, and asked them how much to rotate your tyres, and they did it for free?
All correct. I planned on calling a few places to get some quotes, and called them first. My wife bought tires from a different location of theirs 3-4 years ago, but they didn't know that and didn't have me in their file. I asked how much and they said nada and just drive in. Did some shopping down the street and 40 minutes later got a call the car was ready.
unheard of. by me anyway. that is excellent service. if it's meant to bring me in for tyres someday, it would work.
Humph, do my own rotations. Well, in conjunction with swapping over to snow tires and back. It's meditative. Also a good chance to clear stuff outa the treads, check for nails and whatever. Also a quick look at the brakes, suspension.
I change oil once a year and at the same time I do a tire rotation and check other parts like brake, suspension and the other fluids.
A reliable source told me the national tire chains will (also) match warehouse club pricing on tires.
Good luck getting a tire rotation at a club store, the wait will be 3 hours. I rotate tires as needed when I do my oil changes, get charged 5 bucks and I'm good again
I had a flat on December 24 one year, I went to the store with 5 minutes to closing..they fixed it free for me with a smile. I have been an Americas tire store customer ever since,,,that was back in 1997
Discount Tire told me they will price match anyone. Once they did it for me at Tire Rack price quote.
Les Schwab, a giant chain that started in Eastern Oregon, USA in the 1940s and has now spread up the West Coast of the US and into parts of the intermountain West, would probably rotate for free, even if you did not buy there. They fix flats for free, often even if you did not buy there. I no longer patronize Les' place, because since he died I have seen service go downhill in the two local stores near me, but other people still rave about the stores. Their prices tend to be on the higher side, also. Like Mendel, I rotate my own tires. I draw the line at fixing my own flats, though
I used to draw that line too, but have done a couple of plug repairs so far, with this Prius. Got a good kit with carrying case, was pretty straight forward.
The plugs to fix a flat are a life saver! You can get them from any auto store. You dont even have to take the tire off the car to fix the problem. Plugs do not work on the sidewall. Some people claim plugs are only temporary but, Ive used the plugs on both cars and motorcycles and used them for thousands of miles without them leaking or anything.
