$100 rotate and balance?

[Evergreendean]

Truck is in for tonneau replacement (yay!), and I asked them to rotate and balance tires (I do drive off-road quite a bit and noticed a little vibration at or above 80mph). They quoted me $60, then today I reminded my tech that I absolutely need balancing at same time, and he advised me that is an extra $40. Apparently they had already rotated and didn’t balance as I requested. Is this out of line? I’ve never paid that much for a rotate and balance. Most tire shops do it free after a purchase. Anyway, just curious about others’ experiences.

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[mkg3]

I don't know the laws in CO, but in CA, each repair/action has an established time associated with it.

The shops are legally allowed to take the set time (to rotate, to balance) for each action and multiply by the allowable mechanic's rate for the shop.

Does not surprise me what they charged you. I buy my tires at Costco so I cannot recall the last time I paid to have my tires rotated.

I've read that Discount Tires (in some states its America's Tires, like in CA) will rotate Rivian tires for free on this forum from the members.

 

[CrazyOne]

I don't know the laws in CO, but in CA, each repair/action has an established time associated with it.

The shops are legally allowed to take the set time (to rotate, to balance) for each action and multiply by the allowable mechanic's rate for the shop.

Does not surprise me what they charged you. I buy my tires at Costco so I cannot recall the last time I paid to have my tires rotated.

I've read that Discount Tires (in some states its America's Tires, like in CA) will rotate Rivian tires for free on this forum from the members.

Got mine done for free in Seattle area at Discount tire.

 

[DuoRivian]

Not a surprise as it is $60 for rotation. So balancing is extra.

 

[gsqrd]

interesting. My R1S got rot/bal at discount tire for 100$. Required tire package purchase. Free for rest of tire life which i dont expect but one more rotation till EOL.

 

[GeezFullSleeve]

In Orange County, CA. America's tire rotates my OEM tires for free. I did pay for lifetime balance, so that was extra.

 

[lefkonj]

Seems totally fair and reasonable.

 

[Polar]

Rare to get tires rebalanced for free - that’s a LOT more labor than a simple rotation.

 

[ads75]

I just had my tires rotated and balanced earlier this month at an independant shop, for $68, in Pennsylvania. I also paid $78 for a Pennsylvania state inspection, which I believe requires at least one tire to come off (maybe more) to check the brakes, so the rotate & balance may have been discounted since a tire already had to come off anyway. The shop told me they always balance when someone asks to rotate the tires, which I have no problem with, I think they should be performed at the same time.

$100 sounds high for a rotate and balance, but not highway robbery. Check other shops in the area, not all of them want to deal with EVs. Not all shops have lifts rated to lift something as heavy as a R1T.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

The rotation seems high and the balance seems very reasonable for the amount of work involved.

If your still within the adjustment warranty (1y or 12,000 miles) they should not charge for balance.

At $40 balance is only $10 a wheel. Very reasonable.

I suspect Rivian charges $60 for rotation because most of those are done by mobile techs and it cost them more to send a mobile tech to your home or office.

 

[Evergreendean]

That makes sense. I’m at 27k so no adjustment period.

 

[Feetdry]

In 3 million miles of driving, I have never paid for a rotation or balancing. Through the years I have even had stripped out studs on the wheels replaced for free. I don't expect to pay for any of those services, for the rest of my life. Oh, I buy all my vehicle tires at Les Schwab....

 

[R1Sky Business]

I don't know the laws in CO, but in CA, each repair/action has an established time associated with it.

The shops are legally allowed to take the set time (to rotate, to balance) for each action and multiply by the allowable mechanic's rate for the shop.

Does not surprise me what they charged you. I buy my tires at Costco so I cannot recall the last time I paid to have my tires rotated.

I've read that Discount Tires (in some states its America's Tires, like in CA) will rotate Rivian tires for free on this forum from the members.

Correct. Varies by shop though.

 

[SwaziCAR]

In 3 million miles of driving, I have never paid for a rotation or balancing....Oh, I buy all my vehicle tires at Les Schwab....

I guess you're special then, because Les Schwab absolutely charges for balancing with a new tire purchase.

 

[sub]

I agree that $40 is unreasonable. Unreasonably low. Discount tire has always charged me $80 for a ballance.

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