[sfm6s524]

Dealer has a program called "Express Tires For Loyalty" offered free of charge that basically pays for new tires during the first 5 years, as long as you take your car there for all scheduled maintenance. Maybe all Honda dealers offer this. So I'm trying to decide if I'm going to bite and let them do all the maintenance, which I usually do myself. Some of the fine print:

• Tires must be worn to 3/32" to be replaced.

• Damage due to misalignment, road hazards, mechanical defects, improper inflation, overloading, or abnormal wear not covered.

• All factory recommended maintenance must be performed at issuing dealer.

• Must change oil and filter every 5,000 miles (or per owners manual or per oil life monitor) and rotate and balance tires (if recommended) every other oil/filter change at issuing dealer.

• Doesn't cover mounting, balancing or sales tax.

I assume for me it may be 1 set of tires since it will be driven about 12,000/year, which would probably come out to about $700. I've gotta think the dealer will somehow get all or some of that money from me if I take the car there during the first 5 years. And perhaps a disagreement about tire pressures or other issue will void everything anyway. Maybe I should just let them do everything at least until the first set of tires. And I admit for the first few years it is nice since they can catch some of the warranty items or TSB's. Any experience from others with one of these programs?

 

[Flyboy]

The only part I would worry about is that the tires are not covered for misalignment, road hazards etc.

Most tire retailers will sell you a road hazard guarantee for a couple of dollars per tire which I have used in the past sue to flats that are run on. If you get a nail in a tire and drive it even a couple of miles with very low pressure you will ruin the tire. That is usually covered under the road hazard warrantee. Also the dealer can stick you for the mounting and balancing. If you go for this warrantee will they cover the tires if you bring in the car for an oil change and they notice that you are getting unusual wear due to an alignment issue? Sometimes you can't tell that the car is out of alignment until you see uneven wear.

 

[RyRy]

Dealer has a program called "Express Tires For Loyalty" offered free of charge that basically pays for new tires during the first 5 years, as long as you take your car there for all scheduled maintenance. Maybe all Honda dealers offer this. So I'm trying to decide if I'm going to bite and let them do all the maintenance, which I usually do myself. Some of the fine print:

• Tires must be worn to 3/32" to be replaced.

• Damage due to misalignment, road hazards, mechanical defects, improper inflation, overloading, or abnormal wear not covered.

• All factory recommended maintenance must be performed at issuing dealer.

• Must change oil and filter every 5,000 miles (or per owners manual or per oil life monitor) and rotate and balance tires (if recommended) every other oil/filter change at issuing dealer.

• Doesn't cover mounting, balancing or sales tax.

I assume for me it may be 1 set of tires since it will be driven about 12,000/year, which would probably come out to about $700. I've gotta think the dealer will somehow get all or some of that money from me if I take the car there during the first 5 years. And perhaps a disagreement about tire pressures or other issue will void everything anyway. Maybe I should just let them do everything at least until the first set of tires. And I admit for the first few years it is nice since they can catch some of the warranty items or TSB's. Any experience from others with one of these programs?

So they'll just replace with whatever came stock or do you get to choose?

 

[sfm6s524]

Says "exact make/model tire or comparable." Just looked at TireRack and they have Goodyear Eagle LS-2's (235/45R-18) for $102 each.

 

[JohnnySasakiMGS]

It's a sales gimmick. Just like the "lifetime guarantee" on brake pads at Monro or Meineke. Sure the pads are free. But we'll charge you up the rear for labor and rotors. Tires can always be found cheaper online and shipped to your door. I'm sure the dealer will charge at least $180 a piece for those.

 

[on2]

It's a sales gimmick. Just like the "lifetime guarantee" on brake pads at Monro or Meineke. Sure the pads are free. But we'll charge you up the rear for labor and rotors. Tires can always be found cheaper online and shipped to your door.

I agree. Too many questionable. Too many variables that can make them not want to change the tire for you or what tires they will equip your car with.

I have found recently that Costco has the best price on tires when you factor in all the costs involved, not to mention lifetime rotation and balance for the tire.

 

[sfm6s524]

It's a sales gimmick. Just like the "lifetime guarantee" on brake pads at Monro or Meineke. Sure the pads are free. But we'll charge you up the rear for labor and rotors. Tires can always be found cheaper online and shipped to your door. I'm sure the dealer will charge at least $180 a piece for those.

[SARCASM]
You mean the dealership and salesman aren't looking out for my best interest! I'm shocked! Completely shocked!
[/SARCASM]

Yeah, I think you're right. I'm not going to worry about it.

 

[Gearhead82]

Even though it ****s buying new tires, it is nice to get rid of what are usually crappy oem tires and choose whatever you want for the 2nd set. And judging by some of the long term reviews Tire Rack has on the Eagle LS2 we may all be happy to get rid of them when (or before) they finally wear out. Having said that, I'm pretty happy with them so far with a little under 4k on them.

 

[Flyboy]

I agree. Too many questionable. Too many variables that can make them not want to change the tire for you or what tires they will equip your car with.

I have found recently that Costco has the best price on tires when you factor in all the costs involved, not to mention lifetime rotation and balance for the tire.

Costco has only one drawback. They will not make reservations for tire balance and rotation. This ploy is to get you to spend as much time as possible in the store. I bring my car in when they first open the doors in the morning. However, they offer a wonderful road hazard warrantee. I had a flat tire on the freeway and had to drive on it to get to the shoulder. When I brought the tire to Costco they not only replaced it, based on tread wear. but also replaced the one on the other axel because the matching tire was no longer available.

 

[thenewjs]

I thought the oil change deal was illegal.