Buying tires at Costco - Are they the same at tire stores, or are they a diff tire?

So I have seen some people mention other stores dont sell the same tire as you would buy at a branded tire store. Recently picked up a membership at Costco and was wondering if the tires there are special "For Costco" type tires, or are they the same as I would pick up at a Goodyear or BFG store?

They have some pretty good prices on some K02's I am looking at...

Thanks!

 

I have heard they have their own lines, like a one off Michelin just for Costco. But I would think a KO2 is a KO2

 

Sweet! Thank you for the quick response! I had a brain fart and just went to see if Costco lists a BFG part# and they do. Matches up with the same part number on their website! 66255

 

Will Costco install non-OEM sizes? My Taco came with 265/70/16 and I want to go to 236/85/16.

 

They had a policy of not doing that but my information is old and it may have changed in the last five or six years.

 

They will not install a tire that is more than 3% larger than the stock tire size. They were willing to sell and install 265/75/16's at my local Costco, it just barely fell in the acceptable range.

 

My local Costco would not mount 265/70-17’s....that was about 2 years ago when I was tire shopping.

 

If the tire size is different than what's listed on the door jam of your truck - Costco will not install it period.

 

They sell well-known brands, but my in opinion you should avoid places like Costco and BJ's tire centers like the plague...

BJ's broke one of my TPMS sensors and all four of my center caps, then denied it!

 

Corp policy, per my store manager

As mentioned above, they'll install a small bump up, around 3%.

Unless..............

You already have 'big tires' on the vehicle, they will replace them with the same size, regardless of whatever.

Example.

My OE size is 215/70/15 and I run 235/75/15, so +7.6%. No go for the first change up.

Now that I'm rolling 235's they will replace the 235s with same no questions.

 

Support your LTS!

 

Thrilled to do so when they'll at least meet the Costco program.

If they have the tires you want, you'll be hard pressed to do better elsewhere. Especially with the perks they offer.

 

Good for you.

Don't you wonder where they come up with that stuff?

 

I think that's an urban myth. I've had good luck with Costco tires myself. The manufacture dates on them are more recent than some tire shops. I believe that's because of the sheer volume they move. Americas Tire will match Costco's price, but my experience with them is the warranty is going to cost you more$$$$. I'd only be worried if the tire said Kirkland on the side.

 

From the horse's mouth as they would say! Maybe difference in East/West coast? Dunno - they refused my request to move up a tire size in 3 Bay Area Costco's.

 

You can order the tires online, pick them up and install them elsewhere.

Might not make the deal as attractive, since you lose some of the perks like rotations, balances and extended road hazard warranty. But it's an option.

 

Old thread but really wanted to go through Costco. Never purchased tires through them before but figured I'd take advantage since they sell KO2's. Problem is, I'm in an OR and the 265/70/17 will probably throw me out of acceptable range from Costco. Guess I'll be going through America's Tire and having to purchase the protection plan.

 

Make sure they don't over tighten the lugs. They torqued my wife's 4Runner to about 200 foot pounds. For this and the grease they use on the wheels when mounting the tire takes about a year to go away even after scrubbing. I just go to Discount Tire now. They have the same tires, better service and price match.

You can opt out of the protection plan at Discount Tire/America's Tire around here. I get it on the wife's car because she feels it is her duty to pick up everything on the road but I never get it on mine.

 

Went into Costco today to ask about the KO2's. He did not say anythimg about not being able to mount the size I wanted and even mentioned they put on "big ass tires" on a previous customers truck. Also, he told me to wait till september 9th because they will have a sale on all BFG tires. Something like 70$ off on all 4 tires he said.

 

You can also wait around every so often they run 1 cent installation. My last sedan I got tires for less than 350 installed, that was basically 150 off. Usually they swap every month from Michelin to BFG and back