Rideshare drivers bear the expenses necessary to run their business, including maintaining good tires. Discount Tire is a popular tire retailer offering low prices and many tire services to keep your car in business.
Check out my Discount Tire review to see if it’s the best option for you, whether you do short or long-distance rideshare drives.
Discount Tire Overview
Discount Tire opened its doors in 1960 in an old plumbing supply building in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bruce T. Halle, the founder, started with an inventory of six tires and worked as a salesperson, cleaning crew, technician, and accountant.
Those humble beginnings led to a national footprint as early as 1970; by 1990, they had 200 stores. Today, they are the country’s largest independent tire and wheel retailer, with over 1,100 stores in 38 states.
Today, they offer tires, wheels, windshield wipers, wheel and tire packages, and various accessories. Their friendly staff helps you determine what your car needs while sticking within your budget, which is incredibly important for rideshare drivers, whether you drive for Uber or Lyft.
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How Discount Tire Works
In my Discount Tire review, I purchased tires for my personal vehicle. Here’s how it went.
1. Create an Account (or Not)
First, you don’t need an account to buy from Discount Tire, but like most retailers, it makes it much easier to track your purchases and manage your appointments. Creating an account is free, so I recommend doing so for convenience.
Whether you create an account or not, you’ll see a pop-up on their home screen guiding you in the tire purchasing process.
2. Search for Tires
You can search for tires by vehicle, tire size, or brand. I find it easiest to search by vehicle because then you know you’re buying tires meant for your car.
You can even skip the data entry steps of providing your vehicle’s year, make, model, and trim by entering your license plate so Discount Tire can instantly get all the information about your vehicle.
You can use the Treadwell tire guide if you want more hand-holding when choosing your tires. This personalized guide walks you through choosing tires like a salesperson at the counter at Discount Tire would offer.
3. Choose Your Tires
After entering the necessary information, Discount Tire will present many options for your tire purchase, including standard, high-performance, or winter tires.
During this step, pay close attention to any deals or sales that are being offered. They run sales frequently, including dollar-off savings when you buy four tires or deals on tire and wheel packages.
4. Make Your Appointment
After selecting your tires, choose your location and schedule your appointment to install the tires. If you don’t want Discount Tire to install them (which I highly recommend they do), you should consider calling the store and ordering the tires over the phone.
If you pay online, you must have them installed at Discount Tire; you’ll see the installation charge as a part of your total.
Keep in mind your tires may not be in stock when you order, so you may have to wait a few days for your appointment.
Pros and Cons
Understanding the pros and cons of using Discount Tire for your tire needs is important as a rideshare driver. Here’s what I found that I like and dislike about the service.
Pros
- Offers many deals and promotions, so you rarely have to pay full price
- Includes free tire rotation and balance for the tire’s lifetime
- Has a large selection of tires for many vehicles and different needs
Cons
- You must have Discount Tire install the tires if you purchase online
- Not all tires are in stock, so you may have to wait a few days
- The wait time at the store can be lengthy in some locations
Products and Services
Discount Tire offers many products and services, giving you one place to handle all of your tire needs.
Types of Tires
You’ll find a large selection of tires to meet all your driving needs. Before choosing the type of tire, I recommend evaluating the conditions you drive in the most.
For example, if you live in the Northeast, where winters get bad, you may want to spend money on winter tires while driving all-season tires for the remainder of the year, or if you live in a hot and dry climate, you may want summer or performance tires to withstand the heat.
The tires you’ll find at Discount Tire include:
- All-season: These tires are good for rideshare drivers on a budget who won’t purchase summer or winter tires as their climate dictates. You’ll lose some of the performance value you’d get from summer or winter tires in harsh conditions, but you may save money.
- Summer or winter tires: Tires meant for a specific season handle the climate and conditions better than all-season tires. They are meant to handle extreme warmth or cold, along with winter’s slippery conditions, but don’t perform well in ‘regular conditions.’
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Tire and Wheel Services
Best known for selling ‘discount tires’ online and in-person, they also offer various other services, including tire installation and many more:
- Air pressure checks: Anyone can pull up to a Discount Tire and check their vehicle’s air pressure for free. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t purchase your tires at Discount Tire. This is a great way to ensure the longevity of your tires.
- Flat repair: Flat tires happen, and Discount Tire is there for you when they do. They’ll inspect your tire according to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association guidelines. If it can be safely repaired, they will do so; otherwise, they’ll discuss options to replace the damaged tire.
- Rotation and balance: If you bought your tires at Discount Tire, they offer these services for free for the life of the tires. If not, you can pay for the service and lengthen the life of your tires.
- Tire inspection: A frequent tire inspection is important for rideshare drivers. This free service ensures your tires are in good standing; if not, a technician can provide suggestions to prevent serious issues while on the road.
- TPMS services: Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System measures your tire’s air pressure and alerts you when it’s low. If your TPMS lights up, Discount Tire can check the tires and the system’s battery to ensure the monitor is accurate. If they find it’s faulty, they will discuss your options to replace it.
- Windshield wipers: Discount Tire sells TRICO windshield wipers at a discount to keep you safe on the road in wet conditions.
- Mobile installation: Some Discount Tire locations offer mobile tire installation, which means they come to you. This service has premium pricing but can be convenient if you can’t get to your local store.
- Wheel alignment: Some Discount Tire stores offer wheel alignment for an extra charge. This ensures your suspension is aligned and doesn’t wear out your tires prematurely. This is only available at select locations.
- Road force balancing: If your ride doesn’t feel smooth, consider Discount Tire’s road force balancing, which is a more in-depth analysis of your tire’s balance beyond a regular tire balance and rotation.
- Wheel or rim repairs: Cosmetic damage can be a big deal when you’re a rideshare driver, and select Discount Tire locations offer repairs and/or refinishes to make your wheels look like new again.
Pricing and Discounts
As the name suggests, Discount Tire aims to be the lowest-cost tire retailer. In fact, they offer a low price guarantee that promises they offer the lowest price on tires installed, and if you find a lower price elsewhere, they will beat the competitor’s price.
The company’s pricing includes shipping, installation, tire disposal, taxes, the environmental fee, and a free lifetime rotation and balance.
Shipping
There are no shipping fees; if they do, it’s wrapped into the tire charge. Many tires you purchase online will already be in stock at your local store, but those that aren’t typically don’t have shipping charges.
Installation
Discount Tire uses upgraded touchless equipment, and they torque the lugs according to each vehicle’s requirements.
Installation Cost Includes:
- Labor
- Mounting
- Balancing
- Disposing of the old tires
- Valve stems or TPMS kits
Life of Tire Maintenance Service
Your tire purchase also includes the following:
- Tire rotation and balance
- Flat tire repair
- Prorated tire hazard protection
- Air pressure checks
- Tire safety checks
Required Taxes and Fees
Each state has required taxes and fees on tire purchases, which is passed on to you at Discount Tire. You’ll see this itemized in your total, but it isn’t something you can avoid.
Return Policy and Warranty
Returns are on a case-by-case basis at Discount Tire. They do their best to accept most returns, but it depends on the situation, especially regarding tires. If you have a damaged or defective tire, it will be subject to the manufacturer’s limited warranty and Discount Tire’s free prorated road hazard warranty.
Company Overall Rating
When considering whether Discount Tire is right for you, it helps to see what others think.
- Better Business Bureau Rating: A+
- Consumer Affairs: 2.8 out of 5 stars
- Trustpilot: 2.4 out of 5 stars
Most negative reviews have to do with customer service, which can vary by location, as many five-star reviews are specifically about the great customer service received.
FAQs
Discount Tire is popular in many states and claims to offer the lowest prices around. Here are some common questions people have about it.
Is Discount Tire Worth It?
Discount Tire can be worth it, especially if you wait for one of their great sales, usually around the major holidays. I don’t recommend ever paying full price at Discount Tire, and if you have the time, shop around because if you find a cheaper deal, Discount Tire will beat the price.
Does Discount Tire Fill Tires for Free?
Anyone can pull up to a Discount Tire and have their air pressure checked and tires filled. This is a great service for rideshare drivers who drive frequently, as it lengthens the life of your tires.
What Maintenance Services Does Discount Tire Provide?
Discount Tire offers tire balance and rotation. In some locations, they also offer summer and winter tire installation, air pressure checks, flat tire repair, TPMS services, wheel alignment, and wheel repair.
Can Rideshare Drivers Schedule Tire Services Online?
Rideshare drivers can schedule tire services at their local Discount Tire online. Creating an account is the easiest way to schedule and manage your appointments.
How Many Discount Tire Locations Are There, and Are They Easily Accessible for Rideshare Drivers?
Today, there are 1,100 Discount Tire stores across 38 states, so they cover a good portion of the country, making them a convenient option for rideshare drivers.
Drivers Take
Rideshare drivers must choose their products and services carefully.
This Discount Tire review should help you determine if it’s a solid option for your car, helping you save money while ensuring you maximize your car’s capabilities to help you earn money as a rideshare driver.
