When it’s time for new tires or your car needs repair, do you choose national chains like Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus or go with a local auto shop?
These big tire and service franchises promise affordability and convenience with hundreds of locations across many states. But how exactly do Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus compare when you need tires, maintenance, or other basic auto repairs done right?
This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus in critical categories like pricing, services, availability, and customer reviews.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Tire Kingdom | Tires Plus |
| Locations | 350+ stores in 12 states | 150+ stores in 21 states |
| Tire Brands | Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, more | Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental, more |
| Services | Oil changes, brakes, batteries, tire repair, more | Similar maintenance and repair services as Tire Kingdom |
| Warranty | 12 months/12,000 miles parts and labor | 12 months/12,000 miles parts and labor |
| Reviews | Mixed, depends on local franchise | Also mixed, varies by location |
| Pros | More locations, especially in Southeast | Broader national coverage |
| Cons | Sales pressure complaints | Fewer store locations |
Overview of Tire Kingdom
Founded in 1972 in South Florida, Tire Kingdom is one of the largest retail tire and automotive service providers in the country. They promote themselves as the place to go for all tire brands at affordable prices with knowledgeable technicians.
Some quick facts on Tire Kingdom:
- Operates over 350 stores across 12 states, mostly in the Southeast region.
- Sells major tire brands like Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Pirelli.
- Provides maintenance services like oil changes, batteries, brakes, alignments, AC repair.
- Offers free flat tire repair and rotations.
- Provides 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty on parts and services.
Overview of Tires Plus
Tires Plus is another national player when it comes to tires and auto repair. Founded in 1976 with headquarters in Minnesota, they now have over 150 stores in 21 states nationwide. Their focus is on total car care from tires to batteries and beyond.
Some background details on Tires Plus:
- Sells popular tire brands including Bridgestone, Cooper, Michelin, Continental, Goodyear.
- Performs maintenance like brake repair, shocks and struts, batteries, fluid flushes, tune-ups.
- Provides free lifetime tire rotation, flat repair, alignment checks, and nitrogen inflation.
- Offers 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty on parts and service.
- Promotes ASE certified technicians and coupons for savings.
Also Read: Comparison Between Tires Plus And Discount Tire
Key Differences Between Tire Kingdom And Tires Plus
Now that we’ve provided an overview of each company, let’s compare them across key factors:
1. Store Availability and Locations
In terms of number of locations, Tire Kingdom has the advantage with over 350 stores versus just over 150 for Tires Plus.
Tire Kingdom concentrates heavily in the Southeast with stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and other neighboring states.
Tires Plus has broader national reach with locations coast to coast. They are strongest in the Midwest, parts of the South, and some Western states like Colorado and Utah.
For sheer number of stores, Tire Kingdom wins out. But Tires Plus may be more convenient if you live outside the Southeast.
2. Range of Tires Offered
When it comes to tire selection, both Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus provide several leading tire brands and models. Here’s an overview:
Tire Kingdom
- Sells Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, and other major brands.
- Includes touring, performance, light truck/SUV tires.
- Provides budget brands like Hercules and Ironman.
- Specializes most in passenger tires.
Tires Plus
- Also offers Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Cooper, and more.
- Carries touring, performance, SUV/truck tires.
- Includes economy tire lines like Primewell.
- Wider selection of commercial truck tires.
The tire inventory is very comparable between the two chains. Both provide tires for everything from compact cars up to light trucks and SUVs. Tires Plus has a slight edge for commercial vehicles.
3. Services and Repairs Offered
For basic maintenance and many common repairs, Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus are similar in their capabilities. Here are the core services each provides:
Tire Kingdom
- Oil changes, brake jobs, alignments, batteries
- Tire rotations, balance and repairs
- AC, heating, electrical repair
- Shocks, struts, chassis work
- Check engine light diagnostics
Tires Plus
- Oil changes, brake repair, wheel alignment
- Tire services – rotation, nitrogen fills, repair
- Heating, A/C, radiator, and electrical systems
- Suspension – shocks, struts, steering, ball joints
- State inspections, tune-ups, and fuel system service
Overall, routine maintenance and repairs are well covered by both. Bigger jobs involving engines or transmission may require a more specialized auto shop.
Also Read: Comparison Between Maaco And Caliber Collision.
4. Pricing and Warranties
Pricing and warranties are very similar between Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus. Both chains regularly offer promotions and coupons to help attract budget-minded drivers.
Typical offers include discounts on oil changes, brake specials, buy 3 get 1 free tires, percentage off select services, free battery testing, etc. Their websites will list latest deals.
The parts and labor warranty is 12 months / 12,000 miles at both chains. Tire warranties will vary by manufacturer. Most tire brands provide at least a 40,000 – 60,000 mile tread life warranty.
For the most part, pricing and warranties are comparable, with regular sales and specials to help save money. Checking for current coupons is advised before visiting either chain.
5. Customer Service and Reviews
Looking at customer feedback provides helpful insight into the real experience of dealing with Tire Kingdom vs Tires Plus for service and repairs. Here are some key themes from reviews:
Tire Kingdom
- Mixed feedback on pushy sales tactics; quotes can vary between locations.
- Service quality depends heavily on local staff.
- Prices fair compared to dealers and other chains.
- Store comfort and amenities vary.
Tires Plus
- Also some inconsistencies noted between franchises.
- Good experiences with knowledgeable efficient service.
- Some complaints about trying to upsell unnecessary work.
- Prices competitive but shop around for best deal.
For both chains, reviews indicate experiences can differ by location and franchise owners. Doing your research helps find the best service shops.
Watch this review video:
Pros and Cons of Tire Kingdom vs Tires Plus
To summarize, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus:
Tire Kingdom Pros
- Wider availability with over 350 locations, especially in Southeast.
- Good selection of major tire brands and models.
- Reliable maintenance services and repairs.
- Typical national chain prices and regular discounts.
Tire Kingdom Cons
- Mixed reviews on sales tactics pushing extra services.
- Quality depends on local franchise and staff.
- Less convenient outside Southeastern states.
Tires Plus Pros
- 150+ locations provide decent nationwide access.
- Sells all major tire brands for any vehicle type.
- Provides full range of standard auto repair services.
- Discount coupons and typical chain prices.
Tires Plus Cons
- Also has inconsistent reviews between shops.
- Limited mostly to basic maintenance and repairs.
- Total locations less than competitors.
Also Read: Comparison Between Aventon And Pedego Ebikes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus for quick guidance:
Yes, Tire Kingdom offers free air for tires. They will check pressure and fill your tires with air at no charge anytime you visit.
Tire Kingdom provides free tire pressure checks. Their technicians will measure PSI in each tire and let you know if inflation needs adjusted.
Yes, Tires Plus can fill your tires with pure nitrogen. They promote nitrogen inflation as holding pressure longer than regular compressed air.
Key tire types and differences are:
Touring – Balance ride comfort and handling, common for passenger cars.
Performance – Optimized for grip and speed, used on sports cars.
SUV/Truck – Rugged tread and reinforced, made for 4WD and hauling.
Economy – Basic affordable tires sacrificing some performance.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the choice between these big tire and service chains comes down to location, price, and service reputation. Having hundreds of stores makes it convenient to find either brand. See who offers the best deals and check reviews for your local shops before deciding.
An independent mechanic may provide more personalized service. But the national chains have their advantages with wide availability, established pricing tiers, and specialized in high turnover services like tires, oil changes, and brakes. This allows getting basic auto work done quickly without an appointment.
Do some research to find the best option matching your needs and budget. And inspect work carefully, as quality can vary between franchises at both Tire Kingdom and Tires Plus. With the right shop, you can get good tires and repairs at fair prices by leveraging these major national chains.