Discount Tire is a national chain that sells tires, wheels, and related services at retail prices
Discount Tire operates over 1,000 locations across the United States and is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. The company sells passenger car tires, truck tires, and wheels from major manufacturers like Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Continental, as well as its own house brand. You can shop in person at a physical location, order online for in-store pickup, or order online for home delivery in some areas.
The word "discount" in the name refers to the business model — selling high volume at lower margins — rather than a clearance section. Prices are competitive with other national tire retailers like Costco, Sam's Club, and Tire Rack, but not necessarily cheaper. What sets Discount Tire apart is the breadth of locations, same-day service at most stores, and a straightforward return policy.
Key Takeaways
- Discount Tire sells new tires and wheels from major brands at standard retail prices, not discounted prices — the name refers to their business model, not a sale.
- You can buy online and pick up the same day at most locations, or have tires shipped to your home and installed by a local shop if Discount Tire does not deliver to your area.
- Installation, balancing, and valve stems are included in the quoted price at Discount Tire locations; at other retailers you may pay extra for these services.
- Discount Tire offers a road hazard warranty on most tires, which covers punctures and impact damage for a one-time fee added to your purchase.
- You can return or exchange tires within 30 days if you change your mind, as long as they have not been driven on or have been driven fewer than 50 miles.
How pricing works and what is included
When you see a price for a tire at Discount Tire, that price includes mounting, balancing, and new valve stems. You do not pay extra for these services the way you might at an independent shop. The price does not include the road hazard warranty, which is optional and costs between $15 and $30 per tire depending on the tire's price.
Discount Tire also charges a disposal fee for your old tires if you are replacing them — typically $4 to $5 per tire. This fee is separate from the tire price and is disclosed before you complete your purchase. Some locations offer free tire rotation for the life of the tire if you purchase from them, though this varies by store.
Prices at Discount Tire are generally in line with what you would pay at Costco, Sam's Club, or online retailers like Tire Rack. The advantage of Discount Tire is that you can walk in, get service the same day, and return tires easily if they do not work out. The trade-off is that you cannot shop around as easily as you can online, and you may pay more than you would if you spent time comparing prices across five different websites.
Buying online and picking up in store
Discount Tire's website lets you enter your vehicle's year, make, and model, then shows you available tires sorted by price and customer rating. You can add tires to your cart and choose a nearby store for pickup. Most locations offer same-day or next-day pickup if you order before a certain time in the morning — usually 10 a.m. or noon.
When you arrive to pick up, you pay at the counter, and a technician mounts and balances the tires while you wait. The entire process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how busy the store is. You do not need an appointment for pickup orders, but calling ahead to confirm they have your tires in stock and to ask about wait times is a good idea on weekends.
If you order online and the store does not have the exact tire in stock, Discount Tire will usually offer to order it and have it ready within a few days. You can also choose to pick a different tire that is in stock when ready.
Home delivery and installation options
Discount Tire ships tires to your home in some areas, but the company does not install them at your house. Instead, you receive the tires and arrange installation through a local tire shop, mechanic, or service center. Discount Tire provides a list of affiliated shops in your area that will install tires purchased from Discount Tire, often at a discounted installation rate.
If you live in an area where Discount Tire does not have a physical location or does not offer home delivery, you can still order tires online and have them shipped to an independent shop of your choice. You will pay for installation separately at that shop. The cost of installation at an independent shop varies widely — typically $15 to $30 per tire — so call ahead to confirm the price.
Home delivery is useful if you do not have a car that runs, if you need tires urgently and your nearest Discount Tire location is far away, or if you prefer not to visit a store. The downside is that you pay for shipping and installation separately, which can add $100 to $200 to your total cost compared to picking up in store.
The road hazard warranty and what it covers
Discount Tire's road hazard warranty covers punctures, impact damage, and sidewall damage from potholes or curbs. If a covered tire cannot be repaired, Discount Tire will replace it at no charge. If the tire can be repaired, the repair is free. The warranty lasts for the life of the tire's tread, which is typically three to five years depending on how much you drive.
The warranty does not cover wear and tear from normal driving, blowouts from overloading, damage from underinflation, or damage from racing or off-road use. It also does not cover tires that fail due to a manufacturing defect — those are covered by the tire manufacturer's warranty instead.
The road hazard warranty costs between $15 and $30 per tire and is added to your purchase price. Whether it is worth buying depends on your driving habits and your risk tolerance. If you drive mostly on highways in good condition, you may not need it. If you drive on rough roads, in areas with lots of potholes, or in a climate with severe weather, it may be worth the cost.
Returns, exchanges, and the 30-day policy
You can return or exchange tires at Discount Tire within 30 days of purchase if they have not been driven on or have been driven fewer than 50 miles. If you return tires, you get a refund of the tire price, but not the installation, balancing, or road hazard warranty fees. If you exchange tires for a different model or size, you pay the difference if the new tires cost more, or receive a credit if they cost less.
To return or exchange tires, bring them back to the Discount Tire location where you purchased them with your receipt. You do not need to have the tires removed from your vehicle — Discount Tire will do that for you. If you purchased tires online and picked them up in store, you can return them to any Discount Tire location, not just the one where you picked them up.
If you purchased tires online and had them shipped to your home, you will need to arrange to have them removed from your vehicle and shipped back to Discount Tire. Contact Discount Tire customer service to start the return process and get a prepaid shipping label.
Comparing Discount Tire to other retailers
Discount Tire competes primarily with Costco, Sam's Club, Tire Rack, and independent tire shops. Costco and Sam's Club require a membership and often have lower prices on popular tire models, but they have fewer locations and longer wait times. Tire Rack has the widest selection and lowest prices on many tires, but you have to arrange installation yourself. Independent shops offer personalized service and may have better prices on specific brands, but quality and pricing vary widely.
Discount Tire's main advantage is convenience: you can walk in without an appointment, get service the same day, and return tires easily if you change your mind. The main disadvantage is that prices are not the lowest available if you are willing to shop around and wait for shipping.
If you value speed and simplicity over finding the absolute lowest price, Discount Tire is a reasonable choice. If you have time to research and are willing to wait a few days for shipping, you may find better prices elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy tires at Discount Tire and have them installed somewhere else?
Yes. You can purchase tires from Discount Tire and take them to any tire shop or mechanic for installation. You will pay for installation separately at that shop. Some independent shops offer discounts on installation for tires purchased at Discount Tire, so call ahead to ask.
Do I need an appointment to get tires installed at Discount Tire?
No. You can walk in without an appointment at most Discount Tire locations. However, wait times can be long during busy periods like weekends or the start of winter. Calling ahead to ask about wait times is a good idea, especially if you need service urgently.
What happens if a tire goes flat after I buy it?
If you purchased the road hazard warranty, Discount Tire will repair or replace the tire at no charge. If you did not purchase the warranty, you pay for the repair or replacement. A puncture repair typically costs $15 to $25 at Discount Tire or an independent shop.
Can I return tires if I drove on them for 100 miles?
No. Discount Tire's 30-day return policy requires that tires have been driven fewer than 50 miles. If you have driven more than 50 miles, you cannot return them for a refund. You can still exchange them for a different model or size if you pay the price difference.
Are Discount Tire's house brand tires as good as name brands?
Discount Tire's house brand tires are manufactured by other companies and meet the same safety standards as name brands. They typically cost less and come with the same warranty coverage. Customer reviews are generally positive, though they may not last as long as premium brands like Michelin or Bridgestone.