Replacing the tires on your car is an unavoidable expense. Still, there are ways to make sure you’re getting the best available deal.
In this article, I’ll take a close look at Discount Tire Direct, which I found to be an affordable online tire store. I researched the process and pricing at Discount Tire Direct to get an idea of what you can expect when buying your tires from the online retailer.
This article was updated in February 2024 and I review it every 12 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
5 Things To Know About Discount Tire Direct
Discount Tire Direct is an online tire store that’s been in business for over 25 years. On the website, you’ll find tires and wheels from 68 manufacturers. Among those, you’ll see major brands including BFGoodrich, Continental, Cooper, Firestone, Goodyear and Yokahama.
While you’ll find a great selection and prices, there are some key differences to keep in mind between ordering your tires online and buying them in-store. Before you order your next set of tires, consider these five things to know about Discount Tire Direct:
Below, you’ll find detailed information about Discount Tire Direct including how to place your order, how the prices compare to other tire centers, where to have your tires installed and ways to maximize your savings.
1. How Does Discount Tire Direct Work?
When you first visit Discount Tire Direct online, you’ll see the option to shop by vehicle, size or brand. For most of us, shopping by vehicle is the easiest way to find a selection of tires that will fit your car. To get started, click “shop by vehicle” and enter your vehicle’s year, make, model, trim and tire size. (You should be able to find the intended tire size for your vehicle in the owner’s manual.) You can see below where I’ve added a Toyota Camry and have the option to add more vehicles.
Once you’ve entered your vehicle’s information, you’ll be able to browse tires, wheels and accessories that fit. Discount Tire Direct also offers tire and wheel packages.
After you’ve made your selection, you’ll be able to enter your billing and shipping information. If you plan on getting your tires installed by a local professional, you can have your tires shipped to the installer (just be sure to call ahead of time and let the installer know). Still, Discount Tire Direct recommends that you have your purchases shipped directly to your door.
When you’re ready to submit your payment, you can use an American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa card as well as PayPal, ApplePay and more. You can see a full list of accepted payment methods online. Discount Tire Direct also offers year-round financing promotions.
As you shop for tires at Discount Tire Direct, you’ll find a great selection, low prices, free shipping and more. Unfortunately, you won’t find many perks such as installation or tire maintenance. Keep in mind that you will have to schedule and pay for these services separately after.
2. How Much Do Tires Cost at Discount Tire Direct?
Compared to other stores, Discount Tire Direct offers low-to-average prices on tires with a median per-tire price of $202 according to Consumer Reports. For my 2017 Toyota Camry, tire prices ranged from $69 to $398 in February 2024.
To get a better idea of how Discount Tire Direct’s selection compares to other tire retailers, I looked up the prices of two specific popular tires at each store. Then, I checked out the range of prices and availability of tires for two popular vehicles.
In the table below, you’ll see prices for a Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack 215/55R17 tire that fits my 2017 Toyota Camry and for a Michelin Defender LTX M/S 20″ tire that fits the popular Ford-F150. Prices are accurate as of February 2024.
| Cost of Bridgestone Turanza 215/55R17 Tires | Cost of Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 20” Tires | Price Range for Tires That Fit a 2017 Toyota Camry | Price Range for 20” Tires That Fit a 2020 Ford F150 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | $209.99 | $286.99 | $156.99 to $259.99 (22 options) | $228.99 to $310.99 (14 options) |
| BJ’s Tire Center | $212.99 | $312.99 | $134.99 to $254.99 (32 options) | $229.99 to $330.99 (19 options) |
| Tire Rack | $209.99 | $286.99 | $93.90 to $245.13 (103 options) | $175.45 to $379.91 (107 options) |
| Sam’s Club | $209.99 | $286.77 | $98.77 to $262.77 (47 options) | $181.88 to $450.77 (41 options) |
| Discount Tire Direct | $210 | $286.99 | $69 to $398 (141 options) | $123 to $489 (137 options) |
| Walmart | $209.99 | $292.28 | $61.23 to $282.81 (335 options) | $113.03 to $344.50 (366 options) |
If you choose to have your tires installed at one of the company’s partner brick and mortar stores you’ll find that the installation prices average around $24 per tire. However, you can probably find cheaper installation at Walmart, Costco, or BJ’s Tire Center. Walmart is the only tire center among these four that will install tires purchased elsewhere.
In addition to great prices, Discount Tire Direct says it also offers price matching if you find a better, advertised deal on an identical item. To get the price match, you can call a sales specialist or submit a lower price online. Just click the “Found it Lower?” link by a product’s price on the website. Once you submit your information and a link to the lower advertised price, the company’s website says you’ll be contacted within a business day with Discount Tire Direct’s offer.
Finally, be sure to check out the promotions page to take advantage of current deals and rebates. At the time of writing, there were four offers available. Among those were instant savings for up to $80 off select sets of Michelin, Pirelli and Falken tires.
3. How Long Does Shipping Take?
According to Discount Tire Direct’s shipping policy, you can expect fast and free shipping with your order. The company primarily ships via ground services and has warehouses throughout the country. To ensure the fastest possible delivery time, your order will likely be shipped from the warehouse closest to you.
Customers in the 48 contiguous states will receive free ground shipping on all in-stock tires and wheels according to the website. If you need expedited shipping, the additional cost will be calculated during checkout for next-day or second-day shipping.
For more information on Discount Tire Direct’s shipping policy, including information on shipping to Hawaii and Alaska, visit the company’s website.
4. Where To Have Your Tires Installed
Of course, you can’t have your tires installed by an online tire center. Instead, Discount Tire Direct has several brick & mortar partners that can install your tires for an additional fee.
According to Discount Tire Direct’s website, “The installation of your tires and wheels can vary in price based on the installer you decide to use. Discount Tire offers the most competitive pricing at the highest quality industry standard, but you can use any installer you prefer.”
Before deciding where to have your tires installed, be sure to call the tire center ahead of time to find out exactly how much tire installation will cost. If you live near more than one installer, it never hurts to call a few of them and compare prices before placing your order.
To find partnering installers near you, including Discount Tire stores, enter your ZIP code online.
5. Discount Tire Direct’s Return Policy and Warranty
According to Discount Tire Direct’s website, all tires come with the standard manufacturer’s warranty which covers workmanship and material defects.
Additionally, you can purchase “Certificates for Repair, Refund or Replacement” that cover your tires for up to three years regardless of a road hazard or wear as long as they have at least 3/32″ of tread depth. When I shopped around for tires that fit my car, the certificates ranged in price from $8-$15 per tire. Of course, this price can vary based on tire brand, type and size.
But the standard manufacturer’s warranty should be enough to cover your tires. In fact, Consumer Reports argues that tread life warranties are next to useless, and money expert Clark Howard never buys extended warranties.
“My position on extended warranties remains the same always,” says Clark. “I don’t like them, and I don’t buy them at any store.”
If you aren’t completely satisfied with your order, you will have 30 days from the date of purchase to return it. You’ll have to call Discount Tire Direct at 1-800-385-3322 to get a return label. At that time, you’ll also be able to make arrangements for your return, and packaging materials are available upon request. If you use the tires at all, you can’t return them.
You can find more information on the company’s return policy online.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Discount Tire Direct is a great place to shop for tires online. You’ll find a great selection of popular tire brands and low prices, on average, compared to brick and mortar tire centers. The shipping is fast and free, but you will have to schedule and pay for installation separately.
If you decide to purchase your tires from Discount Tire Direct, follow these tips to maximize your savings:
- Visit the promotions page to take advantage of offers, rebates and instant savings.
- Take advantage of the price match if you see a lower advertised price. Even if you find a lower price after you’ve purchased your tires, you can still call the company to discuss a refund or credit in the amount of the difference.
- Consider installing the tires yourself using Discount Tire Direct’s Installation Guidelines. If you don’t feel comfortable installing your own tires, take the time to compare the prices of installation at nearby tire centers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
In addition to these tips, be sure to check out Discount Tire Direct’s Learning Center. There, you’ll find helpful articles and videos on how to take care of your tires so that they’ll last as long as possible.
Have you ever bought tires from Discount Tire Direct? Tell us about your experience in our Clark.com Community!
Article Updates
- February 24, 2024: Updated tire prices and selection at Discount Tire Direct as well as across all competitors for comparison
- February 24, 2024: Updated current deals and promotions available at Discount Tire Direct
