Wheel Alignment after New Tyres from Costco

browser on 26/09/2018 - 09:30
Last edited 26/09/2018 - 11:50 by 1 other user

Most of the time Costco has pretty good deals on a set of 4 tyres from Michelin or Bridgestone, problem is that they don’t have a licence to carry out mechanical work, such as alignment.

Do you get your new tyres from Costco and then go elsewhere just for the alignment? Or just not worried about alignment at all?

From what I’ve read, alignment is highly recommended, especially when changing a new set of tyres, so I don’t want to ignore it.

I guess the tyre shops wouldn’t be too happy to see cars with new tyres just there for the alignment, so they would either charge more (because have to take the wheels off again) or not doing it properly or make you wait longer or all of that, which negates any savings from Costco.

What’s your thought on this? New tyre time, tyre shop is $20 dearer per tyre, so $80 in total. Only If I had remember the rebate from Michelin (not Costco) that ended in August, tyre shop would have been cheaper.

Automotive Tyre Wheel Alignment

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Comments

  • dust on 26/09/2018 - 09:37
    +1

    Would recommend Tempe Tyres. Great price and pretty good service. (Although it's quite a busy shop now!)

    • browser on 26/09/2018 - 10:50

      Thanks for bringing up Tempe Tyres, have heard of them for a long time, will check them out.

    • swapsey on 26/09/2018 - 14:16

      Yeah unfortunately I have a counter-story about Tempe Tyres…. booked car to get new set of specific tyres, called ahead to check they had them and book. Sat there in the waiting room for 1 hour and then a guy comes back with my key saying the tyres weren't there so they didn't do the job.

      • HighAndDry on 26/09/2018 - 14:17

        Did the tyres get bought between your call and your booking?

        • swapsey on 26/09/2018 - 14:18

          The call and the booking were the same, one call.

          • HighAndDry on 26/09/2018 - 14:43

            @swapsey: Sorry no, as in when you actually went in. I know they can check stock levels for you, but I don't think they put aside any stock in reserve, so it might just have sold by the time you actually went into the shop.

            • swapsey on 26/09/2018 - 14:55
              +1

              @HighAndDry: If you book a car you have to have the tyres promised when the booking was made. Otherwise, you can't take the booking. A booking guarantees the tyres.

              What made matters worse was that they didn't tell me until one hour after I sat down with a coffee in the waiting area. I wasn't pissed, just won't go back cause the risk of wasting an hour is not worth saving a few bucks.

              • HighAndDry on 26/09/2018 - 15:13

                @swapsey:

                What made matters worse was that they didn't tell me until one hour after I sat down with a coffee in the waiting area

                Ah, never really asked about tyres being set aside on booking - that does make sense though. And yeah ^ that is pretty inexcusable. Free coffee is nice and all, but I wouldn't have an hour spare to sit around for no reason either.

  • Presence on 26/09/2018 - 09:49
    +1

    Alignment and tyre balancing are different. No need to take wheels off the car for an alignment.

    Costco would defs balance them.

    Alignment is recommended.

    Mechanics are just business people - why the hell would they care where you bought your tyres? They aren't gonna be vindictive.

    • browser on 26/09/2018 - 10:53

      Kind of makes sense, I guess it comes down to if the extra trip/wait is worth the saving.

      Usually I only see one or two technicians working at the tyre area, so potentially could be a long wait at Costco (not necessarily a bad thing if there's shopping to do).

  • JimB on 26/09/2018 - 11:02
    +2

    Alignment aren't 100% required if your tyres have been wearing evenly and car doesn't pull to a side, but I always get them done.. $60 or $80 whatever is cheap insurance if you're spending $800 or whatever on tyres.

    If you need an alignment, just ask the tyre place who would do the alignment to price match Costco. Costco tyres aren't that cheap anyway. Savings driving around to 2 places.

    • browser on 26/09/2018 - 12:10

      I kind of leaning towards getting it done at the same place. Tempe Tyres' has the best advertised price, and they can do better when I get there, so that closes the gap somewhat.

      Still kicking myself for missing out on the $100 gift card last month: https://michelinpromo.campaign.net.au/620_giftcard_2018

      Edit: interestingly Tempe Tyres is not in the list of dealers, while all the other majors and some independants are in the list. Probably because they do parallel imports.

  • pogichinoy on 26/09/2018 - 12:29

    Alternative to Tempe Tyres is St George Tyre Service.

  • doctordv8 on 27/09/2018 - 18:05

    A wheel alignment is optional in certain circumstances. If you are asking this question, you may need to ask for assistance in reading your tyres and wear patterns for a educated answer.

    If the car drives straight without wandering or veering(flat road - not cambered), tyres lasted for the expected kilometers for what they are, your vehicle, your style of driving and locations, they showed perfectly even wear patterns and no scrubbing or feathered edges, you alignment is deemed ok.

    Some vehicles are 2 wheel alignment, some are 4. 90% of all vehicles now are only Toe adjustment, which takes minutes, although setting up the machine and heads on your rims takes longer. Many vehicles are also rear wheel adjustable, Toe, with some Suv's and imports have some extra adjustments available as well, but all in all, usually max is 1 hr or less all done.

    An alignment at a tyre store is cream money for them, they don't care where or when you get tyres and the price is the same unless there is a promotion with a tyre package.

    Oh, they don't take wheels off to do an alignment in a standard situation these days, unless there is an issue that needs finding/sorting.

    It is like insurance, do I/ don't I… Get one at least once a year for average driving/k's, because once edge wear starts, it is very difficult to stop the tyre continuing to run that edge and prematurely go below safe wear limits yet the rest of the tyre has ample tread depth.

  • browser on 28/09/2018 - 12:48

    Thanks guys! Costco is having rebates on Michelin tyres again: https://costcoau.blob.core.windows.net/cmsstorage/media/cost… ($50 for 16" and below, $100 for 17" and above)

    I guess it comes down to dollar vs time/convenience.

    Ended up went to the first shop I called, though not as cheap as Tempe Tyres but I was happy with their previous services and would happily re-visit.

    Within an hour, I drove away with 4 new tyres, peace of mind that alignment was checked, and pink slip done. And all that was before Costco even opened at 10am.

    Could easily wasted half a day had I gone to Costco for tyres.

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