Discount Tire, Evans, etc - concerns about servicing Taycan?

[Cdeedee]

This might be a ridiculous question, but I’m nearing having to replace tires for the first time on my Taycan. Inthe past I’d go to a nearby Discount Tire shop (for various BMWs). However it occurred to me there might be hard points or specific areas to consider when servicing taycans with the battery on bottom. Is there something i should point out when taking the car in? Anyone use these types of tire shops vs dealer?

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[mikezhang31]

When the car goes on the lift it need to be put into Jack mode because of the air suspension. It’s in the PCM settings

 

[whitex]

I’ve serviced all of our family cars at a local Discount Tire for the past two decades, which including a number of EV’s. They always did a great job, looking up the lift points, etc. I had them remount my 8 tires for my Taycan (swapping tires/rims). I always get to watch through a giant glass window.

That said, as with all service, this is probably location specific, you YMMV.

 

[whitex]

Oh, one more thing to add, while they will lookup how to put the car in jack mode, they appreciate if I do it and tell them it’s already done and I will take it out of jack mode when done. I also told them I will take care of tpms learning, so they didn’t have to look it up. Taycan took a few miles to learn new sensors, but a much shorter drive when I swapped winter tires out to all-seasons which the car has seen in the past, so perhaps it remembered them.

 

[mjw930]

Like every Porsche ever built, there are specific jacking points that are described in detail in your owners manual. Read the section on jacking and tire replacement, it will tell you everything you need to know so you can communicate that to the guys at Discount Tire. It also includes the section telling you how to set Jack mode in the PCM.

also like every modern Porsche, there are Jacking pucks available from the aftermarket that add extra protection to the undercarriage.

https://evsportline.com/collections...lifting-jack-pad-pucks?variant=40478627102860

https://creative-steel.com/shop/porsche/taycan/porsche-jack-pads/

One last thing, I’ve been using Discount Tire for the last 25 years here in Central Florida and every one of them get all the local exotics and usually take extra care. Just make sure to insist they DO NOT use their scissor lifts, they need to use 4 individual floor jacks and lift each side in pairs meaning both front and rear raised at the same time. My local Discount has a couple guys who make a show of it with one on each side pumping a Jack with each hand. The car goes up and down like it was on a 2 post lift. They always treat me right and I always tip them well.

 

[Vzx]

I might be in the same boat in a few months. Nearing 17k miles and tires need to be changed soon. I’m in Orlando. Which central Florida shop did you use for your Taycan?

 

[mjw930]

It’s been 16 years since I lived in the Orlando area but the Discount Tire store in Apopka treated me right. I’m in Ormond Beach now and use the Discount store there and they have been great too.

They have had a couple turnovers in management over the last 5 years so it’s a new crew but they still are my go to shop.

 

[PNWTaycan4S]

I've had a couple of sets replaced with a high mileage Taycan. Discount did the first set with excellent results including smart location of the wheel weights. I've used them for years on several cars, including for my 911. Other local shops may differ, however. Discount did a much better job than the dealer did on the second Taycan set.

 

[tbinmd]

Any car on the road has jack point locations, car has to be lifted correctly.

 

[Jayyvr890]

Why people take their cars into dealers for tire work is beyond me... Most dealers I know will just outsource it to the local tire shop down the road anyway but will charge you 'porsche prices' lol

 

[WattTurbo]

Why people take their cars into dealers for tire work is beyond me... Most dealers I know will just outsource it to the local tire shop down the road anyway but will charge you 'porsche prices' lol

Mine does it themselves. I have the gloss black and body colored mission E wheels and they have the nice matching weights for the balancing. The ones from Discount Tires do not look good for these rims. I use DT for all of my other cars including my 911, but they all have those regular alloys. Also, I always am able to get the dealer to match DT’s price on tires, but the labor is $50 more, which is acceptable to me.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

I've had a couple of sets replaced with a high mileage Taycan. Discount did the first set with excellent results including smart location of the wheel weights. I've used them for years on several cars, including for my 911. Other local shops may differ, however. Discount did a much better job than the dealer did on the second Taycan set.

@PNWTaycan4S and @whitex - which DT locations have you used?
I have an appointment with Redmond this weekend, hopefully that's on the good list?

I've used them once before - they were fine, albeit well behind schedule - my usual location was the BelRed one, but they're too busy lately.

 

[Hami]

OP let me know where you end up going and how it turns out. My time is also coming up and the first round I did it at the dealership, this time I plan on taking it to Discount Tire, Poway, Mira Mesa or Miramar road.

 

[whitex]

@PNWTaycan4S and @whitex - which DT locations have you used?
I have an appointment with Redmond this weekend, hopefully that's on the good list?

I've used them once before - they were fine, albeit well behind schedule - my usual location was the BelRed one, but they're too busy lately.

I've been going to the location below in Bothell for 20 years with all family cars (multiple Porsches, VWs, Toyotas, Lexuses, Teslas). I did once use the Redmond location ~20 years ago, for a 911 actually, and they did a pretty good job, same tires as the Porsche dealer but at a decent discount (which was significant to me as the 911 chewed up tires like no other car I ever owned, first tire change was after 3-4 months, wires worn out to actual blowout). The Redmond location was the reason I started going to the Bothell location once I moved north from Redmond.

I usually wait for the work to be done, and can watch it done through their large glass window (and/or when weather is ok, I walk around the parking lot often on work calls, while I keep an eye on my car). Their estimates are approximate but usually within 30 minutes if I take it in with an appointment, no time guaranteed if I need to be squeezed in due to a flat I need fixed asap. I like the fact that they lookup details for a particular car model to find out thigs such as lift points or recommended torques for example (then use a torque wrench on wheel bolts).

Side note, went to Les Schwab in Mill Creek last weekend as my wife's eTron had a flat in the afternoon and it was the closest shop. They were nice, free fix, but left a bunch of dirt fingerprints all over the light leather interior - my wife got it all off, but not likely going back there again - will stick with the DT location I've been going to for years. Discount Tire guys where I go have never (knock on wood) left the interior a mess.

 

[Hanny]

Quite interesting that over the pond, you seem to have budget/mainstream place that take a bit of pride and thought into their work.

In the UK…….well, the concept of the cowboy may of originated over there but oh lawdy, the UK budget/non dealership tyre places has taken the ‘cowboy’ and completely reinvented it to a whole new level of bodgit-n-scarper and a unique dose of ‘you should be grateful I’m serving you’ demeanour.

To them it’s ALL about turn over targets, don’t give a dam about jack points or specified tyres, just get any on with ‘the more expensive the better’ as it helps with the sales targets. As to repeat customers…..nah, plenty more mugs out there to prey on.

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