Learned the Costco Lesson Today

I have been looking for a new set of tires for my Gen II and finally settled on the BFG KO2. My original tires are 265/65-17 and in this size I can only find a load rating E, so I figured out that by moving to a 265/70-17 that I could get the tire I wanted with a softer load rating C. Looked on Costco website BFG KO2 265/70-17 black sidewall load rating C, done deal order the tires and wait a week and a half for them to be delivered. When to have them installed today and found out that Costco won't install them because they are 3.4% larger diameter than was originally on the vehicle. Not happy at this point, took my tires and left. Went right across the street to Firestone and they said it's not a problem and they will mount them for me. Thursday morning I have an appointment at Firestone to have them installed and get this project finished.

So the lesson for today is if you want to buy non-standard sized tire from Costco plan on cash and carry and having them installed at the dealer of your choice.

 

Get the lifetime alignment if you dont have it. forgot if they still offer it. make sure they toss in lifetime rotation and balance too. may be extra but great to have. it varies on firestone/wheel works but the one near me the alignment guy is spot on.

 

I must say that many companies offer alignment packages such as Firestone because it is considered as a high margin sale. What this means is the alignment person, if paid by the job, likely gets an insulating amount of money for the job. So, if using a lifetime warranty be sure to take care of the alignment person by tipping him/her.

Not trying to assume anything by your post, but having worked at a shop I understand the frustrations from our mechanics for customers abusing the "free" alignments. Just trying to shed light.

 

Just had this truck aligned a month ago do you think I will need to have it done again after installing the new tires. I wanted to make sure I didn't have any suspension issues before I spent the money on new tires. Of course I hadn't originally planned on increasing tire diameter either.

 

I would get it aligned again.

 

Tires are affected by alignment, but they do not affect the alignment.

IE you can align a vehicle with no tires, because it's the hubs that are being aligned.

I'd never roll the dice with a big box shop like Firestone. Find a shop that specializes in truck alignments AND has a long history of satisfied clients. Yea, it costs more, but worth it IMHO.

Alignments require calibrated equipment and techs that can think through issues. Big box places sometimes have both components, but many don't. I don't feel all that lucky.

As far as the Costco thing. I went from 215 to 235. But I took them empty wheels to have the tires mounted on.

BTW, here is lesson two. If you buy another set of tires from them in the same size, they'll mount them. Because that's what you have on the vehicle.

The issue is 'corporate liability', not reality.

 

yah def a good call out. there are def the folks out there that abuse it. I have my truck in for regular service and only have one guy I would take it to. Recommend him for anyone that needs their truck aligned. Mainly was a suggestion if you wheel alot its a great option instead of forcing over $100 or so every few months. Def tip the guys not like you paid or the "free" visit.

 

Americas/Discount Tire is a good place for carry in tires as well.

 

Would not have thought Discount Tire was a place to carry in tires. The installers at our local Discount Tire are not ones I would recommend either.