What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Consumer Reports’ 2026 survey named Les Schwab Tire Centers its top-rated tire retailer and identified Mavis Discount Tire, Pep Boys, and Walmart Auto Care Centers as its three lowest-ranked. It did not publish a six-best and six-worst list. Its results offer a useful starting point, but they reflect members’ reported experiences—not a guarantee about a particular store or your next visit.
What the 2026 Consumer Reports survey found
Consumer Reports surveyed members who had bought tires in the preceding 12 months. More than 24,500 members responded to a survey conducted in fall 2024; CR published its findings on March 3, 2026. The results describe customer-reported purchasing and installation experiences. They are not inspections of every branch, and they cannot predict how an individual visit will go. CR reported a 40-point spread between its top- and bottom-rated retailers; that is a score difference, not a percentage.
CR’s findings are best read as a comparison of reported service, not a universal verdict on every location. The survey considered overall satisfaction, installation quality, sales help, selection, installation time, waiting area, appointment access, checkout ease, free perks, other services, and purchase cost. Installation quality and sales help contributed most to overall satisfaction in the survey.
CR’s highest-rated and recommended retailers
Les Schwab Tire Centers
Les Schwab was CR’s number-one retailer and the only one to receive its top-tier rating. Survey respondents rated it especially well for installation quality, sales service, free perks, ease of checkout, and other services such as wheel alignment. CR described it in March 2026 as a regional chain with more than 600 locations across 15 states; check whether a nearby branch serves your area.
#1 Best Overall
- Product Overview: The Fullway HP108 are 205/55R16 91V SL-Standard Load, 4 Ply Rated Performance Tires Manufactured For Passengers
- Driving Conditions: All Season Traction, UTQG 380AA
- Styling and Construction: Four Black Sidewall, Radial Construction, 16 Inch Tires
- Load Index and Speed Rating: Load Index 91 Supports up to 1356 lbs Per Tire and Speed Rating V Certified to 149 mph
- Additional Note: Tires Only - Rims/Wheels Not Included
Point S Tire
Point S was one point behind the top-ranked retailer and received strong marks across categories. CR also reported one of the lowest survey purchase costs per tire. That survey finding is not a current quote: compare the installed price at the branch you plan to use.
Discount Tire and Tire Rack
CR noted Discount Tire’s broad presence, online shopping, and Treadwell tire-matching tool. It also described included rotation and balance, flat repair and checks, and among the survey’s lowest installation costs. CR said Discount Tire and Tire Rack shared survey results and ratings. Confirm which services and prices apply to your location and purchase.
Rank #2
- 50,000 mile warranty
- All-Season Touring Tire
- Ideal for consumers looking for plenty of miles, good traction and fuel economy
- M+S Rated (mud and snow)
- Manufactured by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Other CR-recommended names
CR’s other recommended retailers were Discount Tire Centers, Dunn Tire & Auto, Fountain Tire, Sullivan Tire, Costco, OK Tire, and America’s Tire. These are not all options for every shopper: Fountain Tire and OK Tire are Canadian chains, and other retailers serve particular U.S. regions.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
CR reported that Costco included installation and several complimentary services, while noting that its tire selection may be more limited than some competitors. Check the local selection and the services included with the specific tires you are considering.
Rank #3
- Patented tread pattern: Provides a comfortable and quiet ride
- Efficient fuel-saving tread compound: Offers grip in wet, dry, snow, and ice
- Specially formulated rubber compound and tread features: Low rolling resistance, for eco-friendly driving
- Optimized contact area with the road: Provides reliable tread life
The three lowest-ranked retailers CR named
CR listed these three at the bottom of its survey, in this order:
- Mavis Discount Tire
- Pep Boys
- Walmart Auto Care Centers
CR said this matched its preceding survey. The evidence supports naming these three—not adding three more to create a “worst six.” A chain-level result also does not establish that every branch performs poorly.
Rank #4
- Product Overview: The Fullway HP108 is a 215/55R17 98W XL-Extra Load, 4 Ply Rated High Performance Tire Manufactured For Passengers
- Driving Conditions: All Season Traction, UTQG 380AA
- Styling and Construction: One Black Sidewall, Radial Construction, 17 Inch Tire
- Load Index and Speed Rating: Load Index 98 Supports up to 1653 lbs Per Tire and Speed Rating W Certified to 168 mph
- Additional Note: Tire Only - Rim/Wheel Not Included
Why another 2026 ranking puts retailers in a different order
J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) measures customer satisfaction with tire replacement on a 1,000-point scale. Its listed results differ substantially from CR’s member survey: Pep Boys is near the top of J.D. Power’s listed retailers but among CR’s three lowest. The studies use different methods and populations, so their orders are not interchangeable.
| Retailer or measure | J.D. Power 2026 ASI tire replacement score |
|---|---|
| Meineke Car Care Centers | 856 |
| Pep Boys | 850 |
| Discount Tire | 847 |
| Big O Tires | 846 |
| Midas | 843 |
| Goodyear Auto Service | 840 |
| Les Schwab Tire Centers | 835 |
| Costco | 825 |
| Sam’s Club | 823 |
| Segment average | 822 |
| Walmart | 780 |
| Mavis Discount Tire | 766 |
J.D. Power cautions that its rankings are based on numerical scores and are not necessarily statistically significant. Use the scores as one distinct satisfaction measure, not as a direct replication of CR’s ranking or a guarantee about a local shop.
Best Value
- Product Overview: The Fullway HP108 are 215/60R16 99V XL-Extra Load, 4 Ply Rated Performance Tires Manufactured For Passengers
- Driving Conditions: All Season Traction, UTQG 380AA
- Styling and Construction: Four Black Sidewall, Radial Construction, 16 Inch Tires
- Load Index and Speed Rating: Load Index 99 Supports up to 1709 lbs Per Tire and Speed Rating V Certified to 149 mph
- Additional Note: Tires Only - Rims/Wheels Not Included
How to compare tire retailers for your car
Compare the same tire and the full installed price
An advertised tire price alone does not tell you what a set will cost to buy and install. Ask each retailer for a quote on the exact tire size and model you need, with installation and fees included. Confirm that the tire matches your vehicle’s required size and ratings.
Check the service terms for the specific location
Before booking, ask whether the tire is in stock, how soon the shop can fit you in, and what the appointment includes. Confirm the warranty, any road-hazard coverage, and whether rotations, balancing, flat repairs, or other services are included. Benefits can vary by retailer, purchase, and location, so get the terms that apply to your quote.
Balance quality, convenience, and price
CR’s results suggest paying attention to installation quality and sales help alongside cost, selection, appointment access, installation time, and included services. A nearby dealership may also be a reasonable option: CR gave car dealerships an Overall Score of 70 and described them as a solid, convenient choice for many car owners.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Call ahead or order online when timing matters
CR recommends calling ahead or ordering online to save time. If a shop does not have your preferred tire model, ask whether it can obtain it and how long that would take. If a flat needs immediate replacement, availability may matter more than waiting for a preferred combination of shop, price, and perks.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
