A: AutoSquad is a new concept in tire replacement. With AutoSquad:
- You select your new tires on our website, or by phone (855.484.3778), from our broad selection of all major brands. If you'd like our unbiased advice, our courteous and knowledgeable tire experts will be happy to help - just give us a call; or you can use our online Tire Wizard to determine what tire are best for your needs.
- Once you have purchased your tires from AutoSquad, we bring your new tires to you, and professionally install them at your home or workplace while you are doing, well, whatever you prefer!
- We avoid expensive real estate and high overheads, and pass the savings along to our customers through our fair, everyday low tire prices. In fact, we GUARANTEE it.
- AutoSquad also offers a 60-day no questions asked satisfaction guarantee on our service and our customers have complete access to the full manufacturer warranties offered on their new tires.
A: AutoSquad is easy; watch this short video to learn how simple it is to buy new tires and have them installed at your home or work by AutoSquad.
A: We work hard to bring you the finest tire installation service available. First, we use the best equipment, which delivers unmatched quality in proper tire mounting and wheel balancing techniques. Our mounting equipment is designed to protect today's premium alloy wheels from damage, and our computer-controlled patented balancer provides the most advanced vibration-reducing and pull-eliminating balancing method available (Road Force®). For more information, visit our Installation Technology page.
Second, our technicians are professionally trained and certified. We routinely service the most demanding high-performance cars, and are proud of our reputation with car enthusiasts (like the BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Corvette clubs). Not a car buff? Not an issue. We provide the same high level of care and attention to all customers and ensure your tires are properly mounted, balanced, and installed. Our technicians even use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts, which are manually set to spec by our techs, ensuring you won't have over-tightened or stripped lug nuts.
Third, we guarantee your satisfaction. If you experience any issues with your new tires in the first 60 days, we will make it right.
As you know, not all tire installations are created equal. Watch this video to learn how you can differentiate between an average and a good installation.
A: At AutoSquad, we work hard to give you the best prices on tires around. On average, our customers find AutoSquad's tire prices to be about 10-20% cheaper than brick-and-mortar tire stores, and as much as 40% cheaper than car dealers. We offer Everyday Low Prices (instead of participating in tire sale gimmicks*) to all our customers and back our tire prices with AutoSquad's Lowest Price Guarantee.
Our installation prices are competitive with local tire store installation fees, and our prices include all parts, labor, and disposal of old tires - with no hidden charges! As a mobile operation, we do charge a small fee to help offset the cost of fuel, tolls, and truck. You will still find our overall cost of tires and installation to be lower than tire store prices! So, AutoSquad saves you both time AND money!
A typical installation for a standard profile tire runs about $25 and includes mounting, professional computerized 2-axis dynamic balancing, weights, stems and tire disposal. Lower profile tires may require a slight additional charge, as do certain optional services such as Road Force® Balancing, Road Hazard Insurance etc. Click here to get an exact tire quote for your vehicle.
*Before you purchase your next set of tires, we suggest you watch the video below to better understand the common sales tactics that you may find at your local tire store.
A: AutoSquad is based in Sterling, VA
A: It's simple; we work hard to run an efficient organization with low overhead. We specialize in tires and we avoid the costs of providing other services (like tune-ups, lube jobs, or muffler replacement). We don't have retail tire shops so we avoid expensive real estate. Our patented equipment (we use the finest) fits in a mobile van. We avoid stocking inventory in all of our local locations, which allows us to offer you an unlimited selection of tires from all major brands, including Goodyear, Michelin, Firestone, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Kumho, Yokohama and many more. Finally, serving our customers online can be cost-efficient. So, overall we operate at lower costs than a traditional tire store, and you save money.
A: AutoSquad currently offers its mobile tire installation service throughout the greater Washington, DC metro area.
A: Our service hours are from 8am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday. Our phone lines are open from 8:30am - 6pm Monday - Friday, and 8:30am - 1:00pm on Saturday. We are closed on the phones on Sunday but our state of the art website is available to you 24/7.
A: We realize that not everyone is familiar with AutoSquad just yet (although, we can't believe it!), so we do want to share some things we have done and continue to do to build your trust in us. AutoSquad has been an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau for several years with an A+ rating. We have served and surveyed thousands of customers and we currently enjoy a cumulative satisfaction rating of 4.7 on a 5-point scale (5 = best, 1 = worst). Read our customer reviews. AutoSquad has earned Angie's List Super Service Award for 3 years in a row (2011, 2010, 2009) and we also enjoy high cumulative ratings on independent review sites like Yelp!, Insider Pages, etc.
AutoSquad's website is completely secure and is tested daily for credit/debit card transactions. Also, all of our technicians go through training, certification and background checks to ensure the safety of our customers.
We want you to rest assured that your satisfaction is our number one goal, and we'll do whatever we can to make sure you have the best tire buying experience you've ever had!
A: Yes, we do. Employees/members of eligible employers and groups have access to service discounts along with other valuable (and free) services through the AutoSquad Advantage Program. To learn more about the program or to verify if your employer currently participates in the program, please visit our For Employers page. If your employer does not currently participate in the AutoSquad Advantage program, then we recommend that you forward our information to the right individual (generally in the HR department) within your company. It's free, easy, and fast to sign up!
A: We recommend that you reach out to your company's benefits coordinator (generally in the HR department) or visit the discount or work/life page on the intranet of your company for specific code that we have assigned to your organization. If your organization's HR department is unable to assist then please give us a call at 855-484-3778 and we will try to assist you.
A: Encourage your employer or group to become an Advantage Partner. A typical company offers AutoSquad Advantage through the Human Resources/Benefits department. Companies/groups interested in learning more should request more information through the For Employers page or call us at 855-484-3778 and ask for Advantage Partner information.
A: Click here to see a complete listing of our current partners or please give us a call at 855-484-3778 for verification.
A: Absolutely! We pride ourselves on our tire knowledge and are more than happy to ensure that you get the right tire for your needs and budget. There are three ways we can help narrow down the tire selection for you:
- Our knowledgeable tire specialists can help you over the phone; just give us a call at 855-484-3778.
- Our proprietary and industry leading Tire Wizard can help you choose the right tire through our website. All you have to do is answer a few questions and the wizard will help narrow down the options quickly.
- You can search for all the tires available for your vehicle on our website and compare the tires yourself. There is a vast amount of information, tire details, tire comparisons, and proprietary tire ratings available for you to peruse as you are making your final decision.
No matter what you drive, we can help! Remember - we have no pressure to sell what's "in stock" since we don't carry inventory at our local outlets, so we will never steer you towards a tire that isn't perfect for you!
A: Our team works hard to "do it right" the first time, so the chance of problems after a AutoSquad installation is very low. In the unlikely event that you do experience an issue with your installation, we will be happy to come back to correct the problem. Our guarantee to you is simple: We stand behind our work. For 60 days after your installation, if you experience any handling or ride issues, we will come back and make it right at no cost to you.
A: Sorry, we do not currently offer same day service. AutoSquad can normally fulfill your order and install your tires at your home or work within 2-3 business days.
A: AutoSquad accepts all major credit and debit cards - Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. For the safety of our customers and staff, we do not accept any cash, check, or money order payments.
A: Yes, AutoSquad offers road hazard insurance through a third party provider that is a national provider with relationships with over 50,000 tire shops in the country. In case of an emergency, you will have access to a 24/7 toll-free number which will direct you to the closest available service provider. So, unlike the programs offered by other brick-and-mortar tire stores, you are not limited to AutoSquad for service.
A: At AutoSquad, everything we do is geared towards making our customer's life easier. During the order process, we ask you to select a preferred block of time for the work to be completed on your selected day of choice. Then, two (2) days prior to the appointment, we send you an email with an exact appointment time within the time window you had originally selected. We are proud of the fact that our technicians run on-time (within 15 minutes of scheduled time) or early over 90% of the time! If you have any special scheduling needs, please note them while placing the order on our website or call us at 855-484-3778 to discuss them with one of our customer service experts. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
A: In most cases, AutoSquad can come out and install your new tires at your home or work within 2 business days. However, in some cases, we may require additional time if your tires are not readily available at our central facility.
A: You can schedule your installation up to 30 days out from the day you place your order.
A: You can cancel your order by calling AutoSquad Customer Service at 855-484-3778. We are unable to accept order cancellation requests by email. Orders cancelled more than 24 hours after placement will incur a $25 restocking fee. Also, orders cancelled within 24 hours of appointment time will incur an additional $25 missed appointment fee.
A: Yes, you can absolutely reschedule your appointment. We realize that schedules can change and we are committed to making the entire tire buying process as easy as possible for you. All we ask is that you call us at 855-484-3778 to reschedule a new appointment time as soon as your schedule changes.
A: As a mobile installer, we charge a small fee ($20) per job (not per tire) whether or not you purchase tires.
A: AutoSquad requires a minimum order total of $60 (before taxes) in order to service a vehicle. If your order does not meet this minimum threshold, you will be charged $60 plus associated taxes for the order to be accepted.
A: Absolutely! Our service is perfect for premium wheel owners. We use the same specialized equipment required by luxury car manufacturers (like BMW and Porsche) for warranty work. This tire mounting equipment uses special gripping technology that protects your wheels from damage, and our balancer includes the patented Road Force® technology, which is one of the most accurate ways to balance a tire and reduce the risk of vibration. We also use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts, which are manually set to manufacturer specifications by our techs, ensuring you won't have over-tightened or stripped lug nuts. Read more about our specialized equipment at our installation technology page.
A: Yes, AutoSquad does offer a tire-rotation service. Since we dispatch a technician to accomplish the tire rotation at your home or work, our minimum trip fee ($60) does apply. The greatest benefit to you is the time savings!
A: AutoSquad currently does not offer alignment service to its customers. There are two primary reasons why we do not currently offer this service - 1) The mobile nature of our business adds an additional dimension of complexity to the alignments process and we believe that the cost of an alignment service at your home or work may outweigh the benefit of the service, and 2) counter to tire shop recommendations, alignment is not required each time your tires are replaced. In fact, 4 out of 5 of our customers have not needed an alignment with their new tire purchase! The following video explains when you may actually need an alignment. Remember, you can always request a complimentary visual inspection from our technicians at the time of installation.
A: No, AutoSquad only sells brand new tires to its customers.
Please refer to your vehicle's Owners Manual if you need to verify the correct Year, Manufacturer, Model and/or Sub-Model of your vehicle.
A: Your tire size is always stamped on the sidewall of your tire. It is very important that you verify your tire size prior to or immediately after you place your order with AutoSquad. Please click here if you are unfamiliar with how to read your tire size.
A: Yes, we do offer flat repair service to our customers. However, please note that due to high demand and the nature of our business, we generally book orders 2-3 days in advance. Therefore, in case of an urgent need or an emergency situation we recommend that you consider other alternatives such as AAA, local gas stations, etc. For pricing and availability of our flat repair service, please call and speak with one of our specialists at 855-484-3778.
A: AutoSquad technicians generally require a level, paved area with at least 4-5 feet of space on all sides of the vehicle to complete their work. For the safety of our technicians, we request that if you generally use street parking to please make your vehicle available on a street with low volume of traffic. Due to height limitations, we are unable to offer service inside a parking garage; however, a loading dock or an adjacent surface parking can be a good alternative. If you park in a garage, on a steep hill, or simply do not have enough room at your home/work location, then please call us so we can coordinate a mutually agreeable location such as a shopping center, gas station, shopping mall, etc.
A: Yes, we do. Some higher-end wheels use tape weights (or sticky weights) and all of our trucks are equipped with them. We request that you leave us a note during the order process if your wheels require, or you prefer, tape weights for your vehicle. Please be advised that as a rule of thumb, our technicians will balance your tires using the same weights that you currently have on your wheels.
A: A torque wrench is a special tool used to apply specific torque to lug nuts in order to prevent over-tightening. As part of our service, all AutoSquad technicians are required to use a torque wrench to tighten bolts to manufacturer recommended levels.
A: An AutoSquad truck is equipped to service wheels ranging from 13-inch to 24-inch in diameter. Please give us a call if you have specific questions about the capabilities of our equipment!
A: Each AutoSquad auto center is outfitted with industry leading Hunter equipment. We currently use TC3700 tire changer for mounting and dismounting of tires and we use GSP9700 for balancing of tires. The GSP9700 unit allows our technicians to offer dynamic 2-axis as well as Road Force balancing.
A: No, we do not offer Nitrogen fill for tires. We believe that the cost of service to the consumer outweighs the benefits at this time. Here's a video that better explains our position on the topic.
There are a number of things that may alert you to the need for a brake inspection. Below are some of the warning signs:
- Brake or ABS warning light comes on
- Squeaking or loud, screeching, metallic noise when braking
- Jerkiness or vibration when braking
- Difficulty engaging the brakes when pressing the brake pedal
- Your car pulling to one side or the other when braking
- Excessive heat coming from wheels after short drives
- Fluid leaking near wheels
- Smoke emanating from brakes
- Dirty brake fluid or low fluid level
Our technicians look for any signs of worn brake pads or rotors.
In order to thoroughly examine your complete brake system, our technicians will first remove the wheels. Please note - for our complimentary brake inspection service, we only remove the wheels for the tires we are replacing. With wheels off, it’s time for your AutoSquad tech to get to work. Your tech will evaluate the following brake parts using measurement tools and visual inspection:
- brake pads
- calipers
- rotors
- wheel cylinders (brake pistons)
- hardware (springs and adjusters)
- hoses
- parking brake cables
- wheel bearings and grease seals
AutoSquad only performs full pad and rotor replacement. We do not refinish rotors or replace only pads. Here’s why - rotor refinishing (or “turning”) is not a major cost savings over OEM replacement and does not guarantee the same braking performance as new. Similarly, replacing pads only (called a “pad slap”) mates a new pad surface to an old rotor surface, virtually guaranteeing premature pad wear and decreased braking efficiency.
Call us at 855.484.3778 to learn more or to schedule brake service.
Pressing the brake pedal activates the cylinder that sends brake fluid to the wheel cylinders in the calipers, which, in turn engage the brake pads. The pads apply pressure to the rotors, which creates the friction that tops your car.
For your brakes to function properly and ensure your safety, each part of the system must perform accurately and in conjunction with the other parts.
We recommend that you have a AutoSquad certified technician examine your brakes at least once per year. If you are noticing any of the warning signs such as squeakiness or low responsiveness, you should consult a brake specialist immediately.
There are a number of things that may alert you to the need for a brake inspection. Below are some of the warning signs:
| Brake pads |
Make contact with rotors to create friction necessary to stop your car. |
| Rotor |
Rotors are connected to the actual wheel assembly and thus, spin with the tire. The brake pads press against the rotor to stop the spinning of the rotors and hence, the tires. |
| Caliper |
Applies pressure to brake pads. Calipers require brake fluid to function properly. |
| Brake hose |
The device through which fluid travels to the caliper. |
| Brake fluid |
When pressure is generated in the brake fluid lines, energy is distributed to your brake parts so they can perform their main job — stopping your car. Without the right amount of fluid, your car will be difficult to stop or may not stop at all -- a situation nobody wants to incur. Always use the fluid specified in your vehicle manual- different types are not interchangeable! |
Why, yes we do. In fact, your driving style can have a significant impact on the health of your brakes. If you’re a city dweller, your brakes will wear faster due to the stop and go nature of city driving. The frequent stopping causes pads to wear down and rotors to warp more quickly.
One thing you can do is to avoid riding your brakes. More simply put, brake gradually and only when necessary. Excessive braking creates heat, which warps rotors and wears down brake pads. By keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and avoiding tailgating, you can reduce the amount of braking necessary. In other words, don’t be a tailgator!
In addition, carrying unnecessary weight in your vehicle can really add up in increased wear and decreased fuel economy. So leave the kitchen sink in the kitchen.
Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule on brake life- we have seen rotors and pads needing replacement after 15,000 miles and not until 80,000 miles. Brake life all depends on the vehicle, the parts and the driving.
Typically, you get what you pay for - if you use low-end parts you will likely see a decreased brake lifespan and braking performance. Similarly, if you are an aggressive driver, ride your brakes, overload your vehicle, or brake hard and suddenly with regularity, the life will be shorter. In general, front brakes will wear out faster than rear due to the weight distribution of most vehicles.
Calipers and brake lines typically have a longer life but heat, salt and harsh weather can cause corrosion. But don’t worry, your AutoSquad technician will thoroughly examine your calipers and advise you on any repairs.
All of our brake technicians are factory certified meaning they have gone through extensive industry training. We then provide additional hands-on training with our own Master Technicians. Our technicians employ top-of-the-line tools to ensure the most accurate diagnostic of brake trouble and enable the highest quality repair and installation. In addition, we use OEM-equivalent (or better) parts to ensure maximum performance and longevity.
Best of all, we come to you. We even work on Saturdays so you can enjoy the great outdoors, catch your favorite team on TV, or just relax.
We stand behind our brake work with a 60-day, no hassle warranty on all brake services.
We utilize the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) color-coding system that employs the same color meanings as your basic traffic light. The MAP system set consistent standards for recommending and selling parts and services to consumers. Under the MAP system, red means STOP. Specifically, any part with a Red rating needs repair or replacement. Most often, you will be better off replacing the part. Any missing parts will also show up with a Red Mark.
Yellow marks indicate that a part may be near the end of its useful life. In addition to a visual evaluation, your AutoSquad technician will reference the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. Often, something rated Yellow, will quickly deteriorate to Red. With Yellow ratings - proceed with caution.
When you see a Green, mark, it’s time to take it easy. Green means that everything is okay for now. We know you like Green, we do too!
Call us at 855.484.3778 to learn more or to schedule brake service.