Tires are not made to last forever, and from time to time, you will need to change them. Choosing the tires is not the end of this issue. After you purchase the tires, you must also pay for their installation and balancing. Walmart is known as a go-to place for many things because they are affordable. That even includes Walmart tire installation costs, which are very affordable.
Installing a single tire at Walmart costs $15, which applies only if you bought the tires at Walmart. If you bought tires somewhere else, the price per tire will rise to $25, which is still a competitive price. One-time tire rotation service costs $5 per tire, while lifetime balancing costs $15 per tire.
But is it a good plan to buy and install tires at Walmart? Do they offer any other tire services besides installation and balancing? Stay with us, and we will cover Walmart and their tire service altogether.
Is Walmart Tire Service Trustworthy?
Yes, it sure is. In Walmart, tire replacement and tire balance is done by professionals. People at the tire installation service are specially trained to do that work. They are not shifted through the wide Walmart network of operations. They do the installation and tire maintenance exclusively.
Another great thing about Walmart is that they offer a wide and great selection of tires. They may not have every type of tire in stock all the time. But, if you decide to order it, it will be available quickly.
Service Quality
Back in the day, there was some bad-mouthing of the Walmart employees at their auto care centers. In certain locations, they were working slowly and sometimes without experience and knowledge. Now, that completely changed.
In every auto care center, there are workers designated to work exactly there and on those jobs. They went through extensive training, and they are certified auto care technicians.
When you work with tires every day through the whole shift, you become an expert. Now, you don’t even need to think about whether the mechanic will do his job properly. He will, and you will get the car and the tires in the right condition and ready to drive.
Check Out This Video on Should You Buy Tires At Walmart?:
Affordable
A wide selection of tires is just one segment of the affordability of tire installation in Walmart. You can choose inexpensive tires, or you can go all out for the best-quality tires. There are all kinds of tires for everybody’s needs and the depth of a pocket. The price for tire installation depends on the package you choose and not on the price of the tire.
Convenience
Installing tires at Walmart is convenient. Their service network is wide and accessible. They have all the services combined in a single location. There, you can make a tire purchase and choose an appointment time for tire installation. There is often a line at the Walmart Auto centers, so it is best to make a tire installation appointment to avoid losing time. In most cases, you will need to wait a day or two at most.
But, in Walmart, you can do so much more for your car than just replace the tires. They also offer oil changes and other basic services.
What Is the Cost Breakdown of Walmart Tire Installation?
The price list of all tire-related services at Walmart is lined up below:
- Tire mounting (specialty): $11 per tire
- Tire mounting (carry-in): $11 per tire
- Lifetime balance/rotation: $15 per tire
- Tire rotation: $5 per tire
- Road hazard warranty: $11 per tire
- Valve stem installation: $3 per tire
- Lug nut replacement: $3.5 per lug nut
- Flat tire repair (tubeless): $15 per tire.
How Walmart Stacks Up Against Other Service Providers?
When compared to other tire retailers, Walmart offers cheap tire installation and other services.
| Service providers | Tire installation | Rotation/balancing of a tire | Repair of the flat tire |
| Costco | $18.99 | $18-21 | $18.99 |
| Pep Boys | $15.73 | $14.99 | $19.99 |
| Firestone | $65 | $9.99 | $20 |
| Walmart | $15 | $5 | $15 |
Walmart Tire Installation Packages: What’s Included?
You can choose a basic tire change package and that will cost you $15 per tire. This is the cheapest tire installation option at Walmart. This price is applied if you bought the tires at Walmart. If you don’t, the price will rise to $25 per tire. In this package, you get:
- Tire mounting and installation
- Balancing and rotation every 7,500 miles
- New valve stems and valve stem installation
- Re-torquing of the lugs after 50 miles of drive
- Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) service. If the TPMS sensors aren’t working, you will need to pay to be replaced. This is not included in any tire plan.
You can also choose the value plan. It can only used if you buy the tires in Walmart. This plan costs $25 per tire. In this package, you get everything that you got in the basic package. On top of that, you also get a road hazard warranty for the tires. If anything happens to the tires because of the road conditions, you will be covered. Of course, there are exceptions, and they are listed in the contract.
Tire Balancing and Rotation
There are two options regarding tire balancing and rotation. There is a lifetime option that costs $15 per tire and a one-time option that costs $5 per tire.
Valve and Pressure Check
Any Walmart Auto care center has tire pressure gauges and air available for their customers. Sometimes it is free, and in other cases, it costs a certain fee. That depends on the store and the state. Before you decide to do a tire pressure check, ask around if is it free of charge.
Disposal of Waste Tire
Walmart offers a service of disposing of old, used tires only in case you buy and install new tires at their shop. You cannot just take your old tires and take them to Walmart for recycling. If you decide to leave your old tires at Walmart, they will do it for a price. To our knowledge, the last price for this service is $2.5 per tire, but it may vary by state.
Hidden Costs You Should Be Aware Of
Additional Fees and Surcharges
You should know if you decide to leave your old tires after installation at Walmart, that will cost you at least $1.50. The price may vary depending on the state. Also, the price for installing the tires that you didn’t buy at Walmart is not $15 per tire but $25 per tire. Besides those, there are no hidden or additional fees to look out for.
Upsell
Yes, Walmart offers some upsell options, but most of it is worth it. There is an option to add $10 per tire for a special road hazard warranty. That way, you are insuring your tires for some time. That is not a bad option, especially if you bought expensive tires.
How to Save Money on Walmart Tire Installation
There are several ways you can save up when buying tires at Walmart. Those include special offers, discounts, and gift cards.
Promotions and Discounts
Keep an eye out for any promotions that Walmart always announces online. From time to time they will offer some crazy good deals. There are also seasonal sales in April and October. Then the drivers change their tires for other types of tires. You can then expect some special discounts that you may find interesting.
Use of Walmart Gift Cards or Credit Cards
Walmart is well-known for its gift and credit cards. You can use them to buy almost anything at a better price. You can also use them to buy tires and tire services at better prices. These cards can be used directly in the store, or when buying online.
Bulk Purchase
Since Walmart offers low-cost tires, they do not offer any discounts on bulk purchases.
What Are Walmart Tire Center Hours?
Walmart Tire Center’s working hours are between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. throughout the week.
FAQs
Is Installation Free When You Purchase Tires From Walmart?
No, installation is not free when you purchase tires from Walmart. Depending on the service plan, you can choose to pay $15 or $25 per tire.
How Much Does It Cost to Mount and Balance Tires at Walmart?
Mounting a tire at Walmart costs $15, while balancing is $5.
How Long Does It Take Walmart to Install Four Tires?
It doesn’t take more than an hour to install four tires at Walmart. Of course, that depends on whether someone is waiting for the same service before you. If there is a line, you will have to wait it out. Or you can schedule a tire installation. The time of tire rotation is included.
Are Walmart Tires Cheaper?
Yes, tires are usually cheaper at Walmart. Their tire deals are better for most of the tire models when you compare them to other retail centers.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a place to buy and install tires can be a difficult task. Sometimes, you are well-equated to the workers and the process in your old auto center and don’t want to change it. But, sometimes, the price and the overall quality of the service is an incentive to try something new.
Walmart is known as a place where you can buy almost anything at a great price. Tires fall into the same category. On the plus side, you can also install your tires right at the Walmart Auto Care Center. You will get a decent service and great price, and you can choose from so many different tires.
Choosing a Walmart before any other well-known tire center is a good choice. You will save some money and get a decent service.
