Tire Shop With Good Prices and Expert Installation? (Fairfax: movers, home)

[Carlingtonian]

Can anyone recommend a tire shop that has good prices but also knows what they're doing? Anywhere along Route 50 or 66 would be fine--as far out as Fairfax Circle.

We've used BJ's before, and I think they were OK. But we didn't really shop around.

Now I need four new tires and want to make sure they don't screw up my car or overtighten the lug nuts.

Thanks.

[car54]

No recommendations, just a tip.

A lot of modern tires are "symmetrical" meaning there is an "inside" and an "outside" stamped on the sidewalls. I bought four Michelins like that at Alban Tire. I thought an outfit that specializes in every type of tire including those for humongous earthmovers would really know what they're doing. Wrong. They put three of the four on backwards. That's not a dangerous situation, but the tires do not perform as designed when mounted wrong side out. The "pros" at Alban apparently didn't know that.

You can ask that they hand torque the lugs, but unless you're watching them, you don't know if they did.
I always drive straight home and immediately re-torque them myself.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by car54

No recommendations, just a tip.

A lot of modern tires are "symmetrical" meaning there is an "inside" and an "outside" stamped on the sidewalls. I bought four Michelins like that at Alban Tire. I thought an outfit that specializes in every type of tire including those for humongous earthmovers would really know what they're doing. Wrong. They put three of the four on backwards. That's not a dangerous situation, but the tires do not perform as designed when mounted wrong side out. The "pros" at Alban apparently didn't know that.

You can ask that they hand torque the lugs, but unless you're watching them, you don't know if they did.
I always drive straight home and immediately re-torque them myself.

Thanks--good tips! I may just have my trusted mechanic order them. But he's not open on the weekend, and I don't like waiting. Maybe I will, though.

[1969351]

After several bad dealings with 2 of the local big name tire stores, both now owned by a Florida company, I now order my tires from TireRack and have them shipped to the mechanic I use and he installs for me. He had never had an issue with me doing this, and only charges 8.00 per tire to install and balance.

Another option that I have not used, but have heard no complaints on is Costco, if you are a member

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by 1969351

After several bad dealings with 2 of the local big name tire stores, both now owned by a Florida company, I now order my tires from TireRack and have them shipped to the mechanic I use and he installs for me. He had never had an issue with me doing this, and only charges 8.00 per tire to install and balance.

Another option that I have not used, but have heard no complaints on is Costco, if you are a member

Thanks. I did TireRack once, for snow tires. It worked OK. But it's slightly troublesome to transport the tires to my mechanic. (Especially since the car that needs them is a two-seater.) I may just order them through my mechanic, though it means a few more days of waiting.

[need_more_light]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Thanks. I did TireRack once, for snow tires. It worked OK. But it's slightly troublesome to transport the tires to my mechanic. (Especially since the car that needs them is a two-seater.) I may just order them through my mechanic, though it means a few more days of waiting.

You could ask your mechanic if you could have the tires directly delivered to your mechanic and all you have to do is bring your car to them.

[mdcrim]

Tire Rack can ship the tires directly to many shops. We just ordered some to be shipped to our local mechanics. It only took about two days for them to arrive. Super easy. Our mechanics are in Ashburn though so may not be helpful for you. But they have agreements with lots of shops- check their website.

[Carlingtonian]

Thanks, you guys. I'd forgotten they can deliver directly to a mechanic. Think that's what I'll do.

[acgood]

Yes this is good to know as an option for times. Since we're here, are any of the posters willing to name the preferred mechanics in the area that they were referring to? Thanks in advance if so

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by acgood

Yes this is good to know as an option for times. Since we're here, are any of the posters willing to name the preferred mechanics in the area that they were referring to? Thanks in advance if so

What make of car? (The shops we use are make-specific.)