Tire Scam
Tires are another area where shops try to make a profit by selling a flat tire. A common tire scam is to sell a new tire, not a flat tire. The truth is that most flat tires can be repaired safely and easily.
Another way to make extra money is to insist on buying a more expensive big brand or the same tires as the car. Tires have a universal sizing system and can be used as long as they are the same size. While some tires and brands are better than others, many cheap brands are manufactured in the same factory as the big names.
Even worse, many shops insist on changing all four tires at the same time on modern vehicles, especially 4WD models. Read the user manual for more information. Subaru states that each tire is 1/4 inch thick (or tread wear must be within 1/16) for 25%. According to Audi, the difference is 1/2 inch, so about 50% wear of the tire tread, and it doesn’t matter if you only change one or two. Don’t sell four new tires because the same tire has a flat tire.
Have you or someone you know been taken advantage of? Many states have a state agency that handles complaints against auto mechanics. Got a new scam we haven’t discovered yet? Email and let us know.