The process of finding the right tires for your car should not be underestimated. There are plenty of features that you need to consider in order to fight the perfect auto tire for you. Aside from seeking the best size for your car, one should also look for good tread to avoid slipping while driving on unstable roads, as well as longevity that will help you get your money’s worth. Brands such as Grand Spirit tend to come to mind for the potential tire purchaser, and they usually are presented to the buyer within the confines of wholesale distributors.
Grand Spirit Company Information & Background
Grand Spirit Tires are owned by the TBC Corporation. The entity started off in 1956 as a tire retailer group before officially rebranding as ‘Tire & Battery Corporation’ sixteen years later in 1972. The TBC corporation garnered some financial success throughout the next eleven years and decided to become a publicly traded company.
In 2005, Japanese-based trading company Sumitomo Corporation of America purchased the TBC Corporation and subsequently merged with Michelin in 2018 to become a national tire wholesaler.
Currently, TBC Brands are self proclaimed as the largest marketer of private brand tires within North America; representing over a handful of company-owned and market specific proprietary tire brands. Their primary goal is to service independent wholesale and retail dealers and expect to continue their reputation of having good quality, value, and overall safety. TBC also has other branches in Mexico, and ‘TBC International’ which distributes everything outside of North America.
Grand Spirit Cost & Pricing
If you’ve been driving for a few years, you’ll know that replacing your auto tires do not usually come cheap. As far as pricing is concerned, you may be able to get a bargain on Grand Spirit tires depending on which retailer you decide to go to. TBC does offer retail opportunities, so if you’re a distributor or shop interested in buying in bulk, that might be cheaper for you in the long run.
Usually you would think that buying all four tires would cut down the price, however the cost/replacement tire stays the same regardless of how many tires you end up purchasing. While there are well over a handful of sizes offered from TBC, the average Grand Spirit tire can be found for as low as $66, and as high as $500+ dollars depending on the model.
Grand Spirit Warranties
The Grand Spirit tires generally have an 85,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty, regardless of what size you purchase. Since this mileage takes most driver’s a long period of time to reach, purchasers should feel comfortable knowing they have an extended “test period” with these tires, and have the ability to work with the manufacturer if they do encounter a defect and/or scenario where the quality of the tire isn’t up to par.
Grand Spirit Tire Options
A downside of the Grand Spirit tires is that there aren’t many options outside of size. TBC Corporation offers around 16 different tire sizes, which gives you plenty of opportunity to utilize this tire no matter what type of vehicle you drive. As far as models are concerned, there isn’t much of a variety to choose from, so you will be limited in what to pick for your car.
Grand Spirit Technologies & Features
One of the Grand Spirit Tires most valuable characteristics is their versatility. No matter what weather you need to drive in, these tires will be able to perform well enough to keep you as safe as possible. While the treadwear for the Grand Spirit tires are considered to be average, they have the ability to effortlessly go through poor terrain such as rain and snow.
Some models such as the XL Grand Spirit Touring L/X offer a noise-free riding experience that also has high speed stability so that you could drive without concern of losing control, whether you’re on the highway or the racetrack. Another benefit of this tire is the reinforced large block shoulder area which helps provide confident cornering capability and compliments the vehicle’s handling.
Durability & Longevity
Based on a number of consumer reviews, the Grand Spirit tires tend to last relatively long in comparison to the average replacement tire. On the downside, the only feature that had potential to lack is the tread, which could potentially wear off within the 85,000 mile warranty period. If you have the average 2-wheel drive vehicle, you may be required to rotate your tires earlier than expected, which is something to keep in mind before making that final purchase.
When it comes to any tire, you’ll need to stay on top of the air pressure depending on the weather. The perfect tire inflation will allow you to get the most out of performance and help you efficiently leverage the gas in your tank. In addition, poor tire psi could negatively affect the durability and tread of your tires, costing you more money long term if you cause damage to your tire well, rim, sidewall, and the tire itself. In the absolute worst case scenario, a driver could lose control of the car due to low tire psi.
While it depends on tire brand and car type, the average psi for an auto tire is around 30-35 psi. This measurement will be a useful benchmark when monitoring the Grand Spirit Tires. Anything less could destroy the tread and cause the tire to bend. This typically occurs in cold weather due to the air being thinner, subsequently lowering the psi.
Anything higher than the average psi isn’t recommended, however it has been said that drivers have better steering response. The downside is that you are more likely to damage the tire when running into a pothole or other street debris that is left on the road.
Summary & Overall Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a well performing, cost-efficient replacement tire, the Grand Spirit tire should be a brand to consider. Whether you are in the dry Arizona climate, or riding on the wet, snowy Vermont roads, the Grand Spirit tires from TBC corporation are versatile enough to meet your driving needs. These tires from Grand Spirit aren’t considered heavy duty, they aren’t the most notable tires on the market, however the subtle design and comfortability demand the price-conscious consumer to take a shot and see what the tires have to offer.
The Grand Spirit Tires fit the criteria for a reliable auto tire.
Upon purchase you could expect a comfortable tire that could withstand some of the most callous terrain possible, with a fair warranty period that will assure you the best quality auto tire available in the current market. With that being said, there aren’t too many options to choose from outside of size, so if you’re the type of person who likes to have a variety of choices before making that final decision, you may decide to look at another brand for your car.
Overall, if you’re searching for an affordable alternative for your car’s needs, the Grand Spirit Tires will meet even the most critical auto-guru’s expectations. The durable sidewall and reasonable tread are built to withstand any type of road condition, regardless of the weather you’re driving in. With values consisting of high quality, safety, and value, you could rest assured that you will have a great experience with Grand Spirit tires.
Grand Spirit Tire Models
High Performance All Season Tire
- Vanderbilt Grand Spirit Touring L/X