Tire Rack Review

Tire Rack Review for 2024

Why Can't I Seem to Stop Shopping at Tire Rack?

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Last Updated: March 13, 2023

As a car enthusiast, I have always believed in the importance of having the right set of tires on my vehicle. And when it comes to buying tires, Tire Rack has been my go-to destination for years. In all my experiences with Tire Rack, I have never been disappointed with their service. Tire Rack has always gone above and beyond to ensure my satisfaction, from the easy-to-use website to the knowledgeable customer service team.

Tire Rack recently merged with Discount Tire in December of 2021, and they have only improved. The combination of these two leading tire companies has created a powerhouse in the industry, and I have seen the benefits firsthand. Not only do they continue to offer a wide selection of tires, but their prices are also unbeatable. Tire Rack has always been known for their competitive pricing, and this merger has only enhanced that reputation.

With a tire selection that ranges from top-rated performance tires to budget-friendly options, Tire Rack truly has something for every driver. In addition, their website is incredibly user-friendly and allows for easy comparison shopping, making it simple to find the perfect set of tires for your vehicle. And if you ever have any questions, their customer service team is always available to help.

Overall, I have nothing but positive things to say about my experiences with Tire Rack. As a trusted name in the tire industry, they continue to deliver exceptional service and value to their customers. If you are into stories, I shared my very recent experience with Tire Rack when ordering my Michelin CrossClimate2 tires for my BMW 535i xDrive from them just a few months ago.

Tire Rack and Discount Tire Merger

Discount Tire, a major independent retailer of tires and wheels, has acquired Tire Rack, a leading independent tire tester and consumer-direct source for tires, wheels, and performance accessories. The acquisition is expected to close on December 31, 2021. After the merger, the combined company will operate nationwide and employ over 25,000 people. Discount Tire CEO Dean Muglia will continue as CEO of the merged company, with Tire Rack CEO Mike Joines joining the organization as CEO of Tire Rack. In addition, the Veldman family, founders of Tire Rack, will have representation on the Board of Directors of Discount Tire. The retail tire company intends to use the Tire Rack brand name and continue the online and mobile installation business.

Source: PR Newswire

Pros and Cons of Tire Rack

Pros

An extensive range of tires
Excellent customer service
Competitive Pricing
Quick deliveries
Free shipping for orders cost more than $50
2-year road hazard warranty for most tires
Direct shipping from your nearest installer
Opportunity to shop tires by price, model, brand, and size
Extremely helpful customer service

Cons

Lack of free ad-ons, like balancing and rotation
The return policy is a little complicated
You need help from a local shop to install your tires and the choices that are provided for you aren't very attractive. I kept ending up finding myself at Discount Tire to mount my tires.

Tire Rack Overview

Tire Rack is a legit online part of a company that has been in the industry for over 40 years. Mike Joines-co-founder of Tire Rack, started this platform with his father-in-law when he could not find any tire for his Open in any tire shop. They started it as a typical retail shop, where they stocked a few of every tire. Shortly, they added a mail-order ram to their retail shop. This side of the shop got so busy that Tire Rack started selling exclusively through the mail.

The first official website of Tire Rack was created in the 90s. The platform owners posted their results, testimonials, and customer reviews on the website to pursue new customers before phoning in an order. Within no time, Tire Rack grew their website as one of the biggest partners in the tire industry.

The mature and highest-quality tires of Tire Rack are sure to fit your and your vehicle's needs. Tire Rack claims that you'll find 60 wheels and 26 major tire brands on its website, ready to deliver by the next day.

Purchasing Tires on Tire Rack

Buying tires from Tire Rack is the most uncomplicated thing to do. When you visit the official website of Tire Rack, you will see different tire options to choose from. When you click "Shop Tires," enter your vehicle's model and make it with your ZIP code. This information will help the Tire Rack only to show that results fit the specification of your car well. Then, you can click "View Results" to see the available selection of tires.

Whether you want to streamline your search by entering your car's trim level or size, Tire Rack lets you find the best match of what you're looking for. With its massive selection of branded tires, the search results of Tire Rack can be overwhelming. But you can filter these results by brand, delivery date, price, and speed rating. You can also explore the "Specials and Closeouts" box to see the current markdowns and deals.

The Tire Rack also has an automated "Tire Decision Guide" on its website to help you find a suitable pair for your vehicle. You need to enter the specification of your car and answer a few questions, such as what tire characteristics are most important to you and what type of tires you want to buy. The automated guide will use this information to recommend that the tires meet your specific criteria. Tire Rack also displays its customer review on the website to help you make sure that the tire you're considering performs well in every situation. You can email or call Tire Rack for more personalized assistance buying tires online.

Once you've found your desired tire, you can ship it directly or to the recommended installer. You can also pick up your deliveries from a nearby distribution center. Both shipping options of Tire Rack are free, but you'll get a special discount if you pick up the tires by yourself. In addition, tire Rack allows you to submit your payment using a credit card, PayPal Credit, or Affirm.

Tire Rack is famous for its quick, free ground shipping to most U.S. locations.

The company has 11 distribution centers nationwide to ship your deliveries within 1-2 working days. Tire Rack generally dispatches your order via UPS Ground shipping. You will receive emails to track.

When buying tires online from Tire Rack, you will find that the retailer offers exclusive perks, including special discounts, free shipping, competitive rates, and many more. Unfortunately, the company does not provide free ad-ons, such as tire rotation, balance, and maintenance. You will have to schedule and for these services separately.

Cost of Tires at Tire Rack

The cost of tires at Tire Rack varies widely depending on the specifications of the tire. For example, if you drive a newer car with high-profile tires, you must pay less than a car with low-profile tires. On the other hand, you will need to pay more if you choose premium-quality tires. Generally, the average price of tires at Tire Rack range between $100 and $300, depending on your car's model, make, and trim level.

The online retailer has earned an excellent reputation for its installation quality and waiting areas at recommended installers. Always filter the results by the "Specials and Closeouts" box to lower your overall rate.

Installation of Tires

You can't have your vehicle tire installed by an online retailer like Tire Rack. So, the platform is partnered with 10,000+ independent installers across the country. You can use the online locator of Tire Rack to find the recommended installer in your nearby area. The installation of the Tire Rack will cost an additional fee for tire installation.

Before installing a tire, get a quote from a few tire centers to determine exactly how much installation will cost. You can also compare the benefits and costs before deciding where you have your tires shipped.

Return Policy and Warranty of Tire Rack

Tire Rack offers a 30-day return policy with its tires. If your selected tires do not fit your needs well, you can return them up to 30 days from delivery. It is worth mentioning that tires are only eligible for return if they are not damaged or have not been driven. Only immediate exchanges will be accepted if you pick up your order from a distributor center.

Tire Rack's passenger, SUV, and light truck tires provide free two-year road hazard protection and the manufacturer's limited warranty. If any of your tires get damaged on the road, you will get a replacement worth up to $599. Additionally, the free protection of the Tire Rack includes tire coverage of up to $40 per tire per occurrence.

Final Thoughts: Is Tire Rack Worth Your Investment?

We have not found any red flags about the Tire Rack's services. It is a great marketplace to shop for the best tires online. The vast selection of branded tires and competitive rates make Tire Rack one of the best online platforms. Along with the finest-quality tires, you will enjoy free shipping and quick deliveries of Tire Rack.

The Car Data Tire Testing Methodology

We take pride in providing thorough and unbiased reviews of the latest tire models. To ensure that our ratings are accurate and consistent, we have developed a rating methodology that considers various factors and incorporates statistical analysis.

Performance: We test tires for their performance in various driving conditions, including wet and dry roads, snow and ice, and off-road terrain. We also consider factors such as handling, braking, noise, and ride comfort. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures, and the results are analyzed using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
Durability: We assess the durability of tires based on factors such as tread life, resistance to punctures and cuts, and sidewall strength. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures, or data gathered from third-party websites where real users share their experiences with the products that we are reviewing. We then analyze the results using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
Value: We consider the price of the tire and compare it to its performance and durability to determine its overall value. We pay close attention to how long the tires last, reported life-span of the tires, as well as the ratio of those metrics when compared to the price.
Customer reviews: We consider the experiences and opinions of other drivers who have used the tire. We do our best to disregard what seems to be fake reviews (good or bad), and make judgement calls based on our ability to filter bogus reviews well. We are human, therefore mistakes can be made. The best reviews that we provide are always the ones where we get to extensively test the products ourselves and share real-life experiences with our readers.
Expert opinions: We consult industry experts and gather their insights and opinions on the tire. An expert can even consists of a person that has extensive knowledge through the use of the tires and has practical experience with them.

Our ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. We strive to provide detailed and comprehensive reviews that give drivers the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. Overall, this methodology, which incorporates statistical analysis, allows us to provide accurate and reliable ratings for the tires we review on our site.

Steven Dillon

Author

Steven is the founder and product tested for The Car Data, that has extensive knowledge in automotive industry. While most of his free time he participates in typical "car guy" activities, his passion for cars, data analytics, and tech, always has his looking for the next cool tool, software, trend, etc. to share with his audience on The Car Data or on his Instagram.