Costco Tire Centers

[RangersRule99]

Costco often has special discounts on the tires. I usually wait for the discounts and get my tires there. I have probably bought 5/6 sets in the last decade with no issues....

[boardjnky4]

I don't understand the rotation thing with multiple shops.

If you're getting oil changes at a shop, usually they rotate for free also. As long as you have that documented, your tire mileage warranty should be fine and there's no need to go to Costco for the "free rotation".

You also don't need an alignment with every rotation.

[skaternum]

Originally Posted by boardjnky4

I don't understand the rotation thing with multiple shops.

If you're getting oil changes at a shop, usually they rotate for free also. As long as you have that documented, your tire mileage warranty should be fine and there's no need to go to Costco for the "free rotation".

You also don't need an alignment with every rotation.

It isn't the rotation that's the problem. Those are indeed free. It's the balancing -- which I do with every rotation. Those cost extra unless you bought the tires there.

I know you don't need an alignment with every rotation. I never said you did.

[boardjnky4]

Originally Posted by skaternum

It isn't the rotation that's the problem. Those are indeed free. It's the balancing -- which I do with every rotation. Those cost extra unless you bought the tires there.

I know you don't need an alignment with every rotation. I never said you did.

You don't need a balance with every rotation either.

[Futuremauian]

I went to a independent tire shop to get an alignment done recently (car started pulling slightly left). They said I needed new tires not an alignment. (Lexus dealer agreed.)

Took the car to Maui Costco where I purchased them. They said the tires were still useable. Five-year warranty expires in 2 months although the tires only have 36 thousand miles with a 60 thousand mile warranty.

Long story short, after contacting Costco Corp and having a meeting with the local assistant manager, they won't warrant the Michelins because of "uneven wear". The notes they add at the end of each bill has a list starting with something like "Always follow Manufacturer's recommendations". A few times the receipt also stated "check alignment" among other things. I assumed it was CYA boilerplate. Never once did anyone say or write, "your tires are wearing unevenly" or anything similar.

As a result I will have to spend $600-$800 on new tires when an $85 dollar alignment would have saved these tires. According to Costco's manager, the document history shows this alignment problem was already going on when I purchased the tires 5 years ago.

WHY NOT MENTION IT TO ME THEN OR ANY TIME SINCE! We all count on our mechanics and service personnel to let us know when they spot a problem with our cars. There is a disconnect here, between the mechanics and the front counter and they really let me down.

I am still a fan of Costco after more than 20 years as a customer there and at Price Club before it. To her credit, the manager handled the issue very professionally.