Monday, December 2nd
2024 Tire Store Reviews
Wheel Hero
- Selection: 40 brands
- Price Range: $69.97 to $221.25/tire on 2021 Toyota Corolla; $199 to $474.99/tire on 2024 Tesla Cybertruck
- Installation Fees: N/A
- Extra Benefits: Free shipping on select brands, Road Hazard Warranty available (for a fee), financing available through Affirm
- "A+” rated by the BBB
- In business since 1992
Wheel Hero is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has been serving customers online since 2013 after over 20 years of retail experience in Miami. They carry about 40 brands of tires, and their SEMA-Certified tire specialists are on standby to help you figure out which tires are the best for your vehicle.
Make sure you know your tire size
Of course, you can always use the website if you don't need that kind of assistance: just select the year, make, and model of your vehicle, and then if you want tires, wheels, or a wheels/tires package. If needed, you'll be prompted to answer additional questions, so that Wheel Hero can recommend tires that will be the perfect fit. Unlike some of its rivals, though, Wheel Hero doesn't give you trim levels that can tell you the right tire size; if you don't have that information committed to memory, be prepared to go out to your car and take a look.
Test cases: excellent selection for both Cybertruck and Corolla
How did this tire store do on the two vehicles we used in our comparison? We're happy to say that for both the 2021 Toyota Corolla LE and the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck AWD, there were tons of options. On the Cybertruck, we were given 55 different tires guaranteed to fit, from the $199/tire IronMan All Country AT2 to the $474.99/tire BFGoodrich HD-Terrain T/A KT. For the Corolla, Wheel Hero had 61 options, from $69.97/tire for the Prinx HiCity HH2 to $221.25/tire for the Bridgestone Turanza Quietttrack.
More for DIY-comfortable car experts
This definitely feels like a tire store for people who know their way around cars. There aren't a lot of explanations of features or details on the benefits of any of the tires they sell. If you aren't as familiar with your car's tires, this may not be the most comfortable place to shop. And, from what we could tell, unless you order a wheels-and-tires package, there's no installation help offered through Wheel Hero.
Pay extra if you want shipping insurance or hazard protection
When you get to the checkout, you'll be offered a wheels package if you haven't already selected one; otherwise, just add the tires to your cart and proceed. At that point, you'll also find out that you'll have to pay an extra $20 if you want "shipping insurance” to protect your order against transit damage. Shouldn't they be covering that anyway? If your tires get lost or damaged, Wheel Hero will handle the claim and send a replacement right away, but only if you've paid that $20. You'll also be offered a $60 Road Hazard Warranty package; we recommend reading the terms and conditions to see if that's right for you.
1 financing option
Need help with financing? Wheel Hero lets you apply through Affirm if you're trying not to add your tires to your credit card, or if you'd rather not pay with PayPal or AmazonPay. You'll see that link during checkout.
Good reputation with the BBB
Wheel Hero has earned an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. There were just 12 complaints filed with the BBB against this tire store in the last year, and 55 total over the last three years. On ShopperApproved, the company earned over 12,000 5-star reviews - but before you get too impressed, most of those seem to come from people who visited the website, not necessarily ones who made a purchase or who can speak from experience about how the tires performed after installation.
Customers aren't huge fans
That's important, because some of the feedback we found elsewhere - from Wheel Hero customers who actually ordered tires here - was pretty negative. One review said that they received used tires (which was confirmed by two independent local tire shops), another pointed out that Wheel Hero charges the customer for return shipping on warranty claims, and a third said they were sent an "open box” wheel that was damaged and were refused a full refund.
Not a tire store we recommend
Wheel Hero is missing a lot of the benefits we'd like to see - ones that are offered by many of the tire stores on our list. You'll get no help with installation, no post-purchase maintenance benefits (like free rotations and balancing) that we could find, and not a lot of information on the tires themselves. And, even if you're really comfortable with the DIY approach, customer feedback says you might not even get the new tires you paid for. All of this earns Wheel Hero a less-than-heroic rating from us.
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The 10 Best Tire Stores
Which Tire Store is the Best?
Buying tires can seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can easily navigate the process and find the best tires for your vehicle. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through it.
Start by assessing your driving habits and the conditions you frequently encounter. Do you drive mostly on highways, in the city, or off-road? Are you dealing with snow, rain, or extreme heat? The answers will help you decide whether you need all-season tires, summer tires, winter tires, or a specialized type like off-road or performance tires.
Tire Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Look at your current tires to gather important information. You'll find the tire size on the sidewall, which includes a series of numbers and letters (such as 225/65R17). This tells you the tire width, aspect ratio, construction type, and rim diameter. Make sure the new tires match these specifications unless you're making a deliberate change for a specific reason.
Use online resources to research tire brands, types, and models. Many websites offer tools where you can input your vehicle's make, model, and year to get tire recommendations. Read customer reviews and professional ratings to get a sense of how different tires perform in areas like traction, handling, comfort, and durability.
Feeling overwhelmed? We've got a shortcut for you: just shop for your tires online. Most of today's popular tire stores can walk you through all of those things we just mentioned. Enter your make, model, and year (or, for some online stores, just your license plate or VIN), and you're good to go. You'll usually be able to see the research those retailers have done and benefit from their expertise, along with reviews from other car owners, in order to make your choice.
Once you've chosen your tires, the next step is to arrange for installation. If you're an automotive pro and you want to install the tires yourself, you do you (just make sure the store allows for that; some tire shops require professional installation in order to make a purchase). But, if you'd rather let an actual pro do the dirty work, check the options on offer. Usually, the tires will be shipped directly to the installer you indicate, and you can schedule an appointment to have them mounted and balanced on your vehicle. Some online stores even offer mobile installation services where a technician comes to your location to install them.
Still not sure which tire store to use? No worries. Here are a few criteria that can narrow down the options:
- Selection. Does the tire store carry options suitable for your vehicle? Most websites have options for the vast majority of vehicles, but if you have something higher end or unusual (hello, Tesla Cybertruck), your choices may be fewer.
- Installation options. Do you plan on going the DIY route, or would you prefer a professional? Is mobile installation something you need?
- Costs. The price of the tire isn't the only thing you should take note of. How much will the installation be? Are there any other fees that work their way into the process?
- Benefits. Some tire stores sweeten the deal by offering free roadside assistance or maintenance over the life of the tire, like balancing, repairs, and pressure checks.
- Reputation. What are people saying about the tire store? Does it get reviews from repeat customers who wouldn't even consider going somewhere else? What does the Better Business Bureau think of the company? Also look at customer feedback on specific tires as you browse the tire store's inventory.
Ready to get rid of those worn-down treads? The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched and ranked some of today's most popular tire stores. Use our information to find the perfect set of tires for your ride. Let the good times roll!
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