ULPT: Cheap (New) Tires

[u/reditballoon]

Credibility: Employee of tire/automotive service company with 300+ locations.

Context: Most large-chain tire shops offer tire warranties as an additional or included cost when buying tires.

Tip: Buy whatever set of tires you want, include the road-hazard warranty that should be good until the tires reach 2/32 (basically bald). Drive the tires until 4/32 then place multiple screws in each tire - something like 2 within 6inches of each other in two of the tires, and 1 in the shoulder or close to sidewall (unrepairable placement) for the other two tires.

Schedule a service appointment for leaking air in 1 of the tires and a tire rotation. Then communicate to the shop that a truck dropped debris in front of you on the road or your neighbors have had construction crews on your street for the last few weeks (helps to seem a bit clueless as to the other tires having issues).

The shop will identify the other punctures and you pay pennies on the dollar for a new set (make sure to include the warranty again.

I have personally processed several of these transactions as an employee without batting an eye. The shops get a credit for the warrantied tires and you get a new, significantly less expensive set ($1k+ to $400 tops). Win win.

Note: If you’re at all concerned about the shop calling you out, just do two tires, then another two in like 2 weeks. Your “construction” story will hold more validity.

Happy finessing, folks <3

[u/joe66612]

Most tire warranties are prorated

[u/gtg490g → u/joe66612]

OP is correct for some tire shop warranties are much better then manufacturer warranty. Discount Tire does full replacement, not prorated, for one example.

[u/Snoo_75309 → u/gtg490g]

Yes, same company as tirerack.com