Questions about Star Tire & Automotive

We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and closed weekends. Walk-ins are welcome during those hours. For a bigger job, a quick call ahead helps us get you in faster.

We give free estimates. Bring it by or call and we will tell you what checking it out involves before anything starts, so there is no surprise on the bill.

No. We call before we touch anything and tell you what your car needs and what it does not. Nothing gets fixed until you say go. Customers write about us handing the keys back with no charge when the fix turned out to be nothing.

It is one of the cheapest things you can do for your car, and we keep it fair. Have it done while you are in for an oil change and it takes almost no extra time. Call for the current price at (208) 286-9245.

Yes. Every used tire is inspected before it goes on your car and carries a 10-day replacement warranty. If something is wrong with it, bring it back.

We honor the manufacturer warranties on the parts we install, and used tires carry a 10-day replacement warranty. If something is not right after we worked on it, bring it back and we will make it right.

For a lot of drivers, yes. A good used tire gets you safely down the road for a fraction of new, which matters when money is tight or the car is close to trade-in. Every one we sell is inspected first, and we will tell you honestly if a new tire is the smarter buy.

We sell new tires in every major brand. Tell us the vehicle and your budget and we will pull real prices and options, rather than push one line.

Put a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is worn to about 2/32 of an inch and it is time. Cracks in the sidewall, uneven wear, or a tire more than six years old are also reasons to replace. Bring it by and we will look for free and tell you straight.

Most new tires last 40,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on the tire and how you drive. Rotating them every oil change and keeping the alignment straight makes them last longer. A good used tire has less life left but still gets you safely down the road for a lot less.

A nail or screw in the tread can usually be patched safely. A puncture in the sidewall, a gash, or damage from driving on it flat means the tire needs replacing. We will show you where the damage is and give you the honest call, not push a new tire when a patch will do.

Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles for most cars, which lines up with your oil change. Rotating that often keeps the tread wearing evenly so the tires last longer and the ride stays smooth.

Yes. We are a listed Tire Rack installer, so if you bought tires online we will mount, balance, and install them for you. Give us a call to set it up.

No. Walk-ins are welcome for tires and most repairs. If it is a large job or you need a specific tire size pulled, call ahead at (208) 286-9245 and we will have it ready.

Most cars on synthetic oil go 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes; conventional oil is closer to 3,000 to 5,000. We will check what your car actually calls for and tell you, not just sell you the shortest interval.

A steady light usually means you can drive to us to get it scanned soon. A flashing light means stop driving and call, because it points to something that can damage the engine. When in doubt, call (208) 286-9245 and we will tell you straight.

Often, yes, especially for tires, flats, batteries, and oil changes. We are a busy shop, so call ahead at (208) 286-9245 and we will tell you honestly what the day looks like.

It depends on your car. Many newer engines are built for synthetic and will say so in the owner’s manual. Synthetic costs a little more but goes longer between changes and holds up better in heat and cold. We will check what your car calls for and tell you honestly, not just sell you the pricier oil.

Listen and feel. Squealing that comes and goes often means the pads are getting low. Grinding means metal on metal and you should come in now. A soft or low pedal, pulsing when you stop, or the car pulling to one side are all reasons to have them checked. We will look and give you the honest number before any work.

Grinding means the pads are worn through and metal is scoring your rotors, which gets more expensive the longer you wait and stops you slower. Get it in soon. Call us at (208) 286-9245 and we will get you looked at.

If the car pulls to one side, the steering wheel sits crooked when you are going straight, or the tread is wearing faster on one edge of the tire, the alignment is off. Left alone it wears your tires out early. A quick check tells us for sure.

A slow crank when you start, headlights that dim at idle, a battery light on the dash, or a battery more than three to five years old are all signs. Cold snaps finish off weak batteries fast. We test the battery and the charging system, so you are not replacing a good battery when the real problem is the alternator.

No. Driving on a flat ruins the tire and can damage the wheel. If you have a spare, put it on. If not, drive as little as possible or call us before it does more harm. We are at (208) 286-9245.

Usually, yes. We have taken in everything from daily drivers to a 66 Chevy C-10 that other shops would not touch. Give us a call with the year and make and we will tell you straight whether we can help.

That is exactly the call we will help you make. We diagnose the problem first, then tell you straight what the repair costs and whether it makes sense against what the car is worth. Sometimes the honest answer is that it is not worth it, and we will say so.

We are at 207 S Star Rd, on the corner of Star Road and State Street (ID-44) in Star, Idaho. Look for the white building with the yellow stripe and the metal star. Walk-ins welcome.