How does Costco’s tire warranty compare to the competition? – Jalopnik

Costco’s tire warranties are extremely competitive. For starters, members get an installation package and lifetime maintenance services with every purchase. It also includes mounting, balancing, tire rotations, puncture repairs, and tire pressure checks until the tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch (1.6 millimeters), which is the legal minimum for the tire’s tread depth before it deteriorates to the point of messing up your car’s bark distance. Additionally, the installation package includes new rubber valve stems (TPMS valve stems are an additional cost and are, unsurprisingly, available at Costco), while each new tire is inflated with nitrogen, because regular air is so yesterday.

That alone makes Costco tires a temptingly good deal, but there’s more. All tires purchased at Costco are eligible for the discount chain’s road hazard warranty, which differs from the tire maker’s standard warranty. It covers road defects (including cuts, impact damage, or unrepairable punctures) for 60 months or five years from the date of purchase, or until the tire’s tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch, whichever comes first.

The black and white includes requirements such as providing the original purchase receipt, signing a Costco Wholesale Tire Adjustment Form, and ensuring your vehicle’s steering and suspension remain in top shape to claim the warranty. So yeah, Costco’s tire warranty isn’t exactly a given. However, the coverage is impressive and the installation and maintenance packages are hard to ignore, especially if you’re a Costco member anyway. But if you’re wondering how it compares to the likes of Mavis and Discount Tire, that’s what this piece is about.

Mavis has come a long way since it was initially founded as Vic’s Cycle Shop, circa Westchester County, New York, in 1949. What started as a small bicycle repair shop was renamed Mavis Tire Supply in 1972 and is now one of the largest tire retailers in the US.

In addition to offering manufacturer warranties, Mavis offers a limited warranty on new tires to cover defects in material or workmanship. Buyers will receive a replacement tire at a prorated price (depending on the remaining tread depth of the rubber) if the tire is found to be defective.

Meanwhile, Mavis also has a wear warranty, which promises to give buyers pro-rated credits toward a new tire. But instead of looking at tread depth, credits are adjusted based on the percentage of miles not achieved on the original deal. Finally, Mavis has a three-year road hazard warranty that covers collision fractures, irreparable punctures, cuts and bruises for three years from the date of purchase or until the tread reaches 2/32 of an inch. Buyers will receive credits based on wear rate and original purchase price.

Founded in 1960 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an initial inventory of just six tires, Discount Tire is now the largest independent tire and wheel retailer in America, and it’s probably on your radar if you’re into cars. Their selection is notable, but Discount Tire does not offer additional guarantees like those of Costco or Mavis down the road.

Instead, Discount Tire offers what they call repair, refund, or replacement certificates, and this could be what you’re looking for because of its no-nonsense claims procedures. It does mean you’ll have to pay more for the certificate, but it covers repairs, an exact replacement, or a full refund if the tire sustains unrepairable damage from road hazards or manufacturer defects within three years of the date of purchase (or until the tread depth reaches 3/32 of an inch).

Certificate holders can get the full purchase price back and use the credits to purchase new tires, without pro-ratings or mileage adjustments. Buyers have 30 days from the original purchase date to obtain the certificate, and redeeming it is as simple as calling or going to the nearest Discount Tire store for validation.