Douglas tires are for a specific user community. They’re not like premium-quality tires you use for fancy driving or off-road. Instead, they serve you great for regular driving experiences. You’ll get satisfactory output for the price, of course.
And, if you look for the history of Douglas tires and ask “Who makes Douglas tires?”, here’s the answer.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company make these tires. Douglas Tires is a brand that is under this company. The company manufactures these tires, and only Walmart has the right to sell them both in-store and online.
Feel free to know everything about Douglas tires including what are the types, how they serve in different weather conditions, how you can maintain them, and more.
All About Who Makes Douglas Tires
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought a company in 1935 named Kelly Springfield Tire Company. In 1992, Goodyear registered through Kelly Springfield and made an agreement with Walmart.
The Goodyear company never sells these tires; they only manufacture them. They have been given the right to Walmart to sell them exclusively.
Goodyear is an American company and has research labs in Akron, Ohio. They produce different kinds of raw materials from rubber trees, petroleum, etc. Usually, the finished products are assembled in China and distributed all over the world.
We all know that Walmart is popular for selling different products at such an affordable price. Many think that low-cost things are not that great, but Walmart is the winner in selling high-quality products.
It’s true that Douglas Tires isn’t on the list of the top three tire manufacturers in the world but you can expect great quality tires from the brand at an affordable price. The tires are not even available anywhere except at Walmart.
Material of Douglas Tires
Douglas tires are made of rubber, metal, and polymer composites. Below are the details of which materials are there in Douglas tires.
Rubber
Walmart says that natural latex is used in Douglas tires as rubber. It is taken out from the rubber tree, making it durable. But there is not much information about which type of rubber is used for different types of Douglas Tires. So, we can’t call it premium quality.
Metal
The metal used in Douglas tires is aluminum. Aluminum is used because it is very strong to resist tire pressure. It is used to mold the beads in the tires.
Polymer
A lot of industries have been using polymers for a while now. Polymers are used because it helps make the tire strong and thin simultaneously. That is why polymer composites are used in the making of Douglas tires.
Types of Douglas Tires
Basically, there are two types of Douglas tires available in the market.
Douglas All-Season Tires
Douglas all-season tires are ideal for use throughout the year. Whether it’s winter, rainy, or summer, these tires are suitable for every occasion.
No matter you have a minivan, a mid-size sedan, or a crossover, these tires are designed for all types of passenger cars including any compact vehicle.
And, as expected, the price is not high; even cheaper than brands like Uniroyal, General Tire, Riken, and Kumho. But don’t expect top-notch performance from these tires because they’re only great for daily use.
If you have an older vehicle and you have a tight budget for running the tires, having Douglas will be a win though. The All-Season tires offer good traction and grip on dry roads.
But…yes, there’s a but. The All-Season tires do not perform amazingly in rainy conditions. Of course, premium tires with advanced tread compounds will provide you with a hundred times better performance than the Douglas on wet roads.
Similarly, their performance on snowy roads will not be that great as well. Things can go wrong on icy roads.
It’s because there is less information on Walmart regarding which type of rubber is used to make the tires. So, you shouldn’t take the risk to use them on harsh winter days.
Let me close the chapter with a positive side of the All-Season tires. They are quite enough which gives so much comfort if you don’t like noisy tires.
Douglas High-Performance Tires
What makes the High-Performance tires better than the All-Season ones is that they’re more responsive. Speaking of that, they also feel a lot better behind the steering wheel compared to the All-Season tires.
However, don’t expect that the steering will be razor-sharp as you can experience on premium tires. But you’ll like the performance for the price.
They also lack the edge of premium tires although they provide great control on dry roads. And, just like the All-Season tires, these ones perform poorly in rainy conditions.
You’ll notice how quickly the traction and grip of the High-Performance tires deteriorate after using them on wet or damp roads.
The tread compounds are not as great as premium tires so they don’t work great at adhering the wheels to the road.
About the cornering grip, we rate the tires below average. It’s not surprising since the tires have cheap tread compounds. So, yes, you should think twice before using them on harsh winter days as well.
Are Douglas Tires Good?
Douglas tires are not as great as premium tires but they’re great products for the price. Below are some reasons why Douglas can be just the right fit for you.
Budget-Friendly
The first and foremost reason why Douglas tires are widely sold is that they’re extremely cheap. While a set of Michelin or Goodyear tires costs more than $500, you’re getting a set of Douglas for $230 or even less.
So, people who are not interested in spending quite a lot on a set of tires will find a great fit for them.
However, remember the lines “you get what you pay for” and don’t look for top-notch, premium qualities in the tires. Get them only if you do day-to-day driving and nothing too fancy or off-road.
We’ll discuss other factors like the warranty and the comfort the tires offer. And, based on such calculations, you’ll become happy with what you get.
Performance
Regarding the performance of Douglas tires, most customers don’t have great things to say. We’ve collected user reviews and most of the praise isn’t overwhelming.
The tires work perfectly on dry roads, they’re easy to handle but the sharp corners should’ve been better. Although there are Douglas tires called ‘All-Season Tires’, they’re not great on rainy or snowy days.
The main fact is that most customers agreed that the performance and grip need improvement in the rain. So, you can’t call them ‘All-Weather Tires’.
People who live in heavily snowy areas should spend a decent amount on tires because it’s highly risky to use tires with average-quality materials in such areas.
Comfort And Noise
One of the best things about Douglas tires is that they’re very comfortable and quiet. Other cheap tires tend to become rough and bump after a while but you’ll notice the smoothness and silence of Douglas tires.
So, if you’re a fan of tires that don’t produce annoying noise even at highway speeds, Douglas will be your favorite.
Ample Amount of Safety Features
Although Douglas tires do not last a lifetime, they ensure safety as long as they’re running. Since Walmart has been selling tires over the decades, the safety features and overall design have improved a lot.
To determine how safe the tires run on roads, the manufacturer put these tires to go through a number of tests before supplying them to the market. Safety tests usually confirm that the battery is okay and can solve a problem swiftly if it occurs.
Availability
Douglas tires are easily available in every Walmart store as well as online. Nearly 4,000 Walmart stores are situated worldwide. You can visit your nearest store whenever you need it. Regardless of which model you want to purchase, the tires are always in stock.
Warranty
The best thing about Douglas Tires is that this brand gives a warranty of 40k-45k mile treadwear. If anything serious happens, you can claim the warranty and receive a new tire immediately without any cost.
However, you still have to pay for the service charges and taxes. But we can bear this expense happily if we get a new tire for free.
Worth noting, the tires must be mounted at a Walmart store to qualify your Douglas tires for the warranty. In case, the tires are installed anywhere else, you won’t get the warranty.
What Are The Negative Aspects of Douglas Tires?
Since Douglas Tires are not perfect for all-level users, there are some aspects that might seem negative for you if you have high expectations from the tires.
Short Tread-Life
Let me admit, the tread life of most Douglas tires is only around 20,000 miles or 25,000 miles if you’re lucky. It may sound less, but you’ll feel that the tires are made of good American rubber and they provide sufficient tread for the price.
Also, there could be variations in tread life because of your driving style and how you maintain the tires. The tread-life is nothing great or wonderful of course, but you’ll be happy with that if you expect average.
Below-Average Wet, Snow, and Ice Traction
As we’ve mentioned earlier, Douglas tires are not ready for very cold conditions. They provide below-average traction on wet, snowy, and icy roads.
Seek a set of tires with a silica-based rubber compound for the above-mentioned situations because Douglas isn’t enough for freezing temperatures.
Yes, high-quality tires will cost higher as well but the safety you’ll get justifies the asking price.
How Often Should You Change Douglas Tires?
If you can’t tell when you should replace the tires of your vehicle, you just increase the risk of accidents in challenging driving situations.
Below are some tricks you can follow to measure the treads of the tires so you can be sure when it’s time to get new tires.
Mileage
Since Douglas tires are cheap and (let’s admit less reliable), you shouldn’t risk it and replace them at 15,000km. However, if the tires are in excellent condition because you use them rarely, it’s okay to replace them at 20,000km.
Tread Wear
You may know an old-school rule to measure tire tread depth; inserting the quarter first of a penny in the tread. After interesting it, if you see the top of Washington’s head is in contact with the tread, it’s still safe to use the tires.
But if the top of Lincoln’s head is with the tread, it’s high time you replaced the tires.
Not only tread wear, but you must also have a look at other forms of damage that indicate the tires need a fast replacement. Below are the details about it.
- Sidewall Damage: Give a regular check around the sidewalls of your tires and check whether there is any cut or deep crack. The tires will stop serving soon if there’s any deep gouge on the sidewalls so be careful.
- Vibrations: Feeling unnatural vibrations during driving indicates a major or minor problem. It can be an indication of your tires being worn down unevenly. Get your tires checked if you feel slight vibrations and replace them immediately if you notice strong vibrations.
- Bumps: Check your tire for bulging or bumps on its surface. If there’s any, chances are the steel ply inside the tires is failed. Avoid driving with such tires because there are chances of bursting. So, replace such tires as soon as you can.
Apart from these signs of wear, if you notice any other symptoms of unusual wear and tear, replace the tires in no time. Ignoring any signs of a technical problem can cause further damage.
How to Pick The Right Tire Size
Before you buy Douglas tires, you need the right size of tires your vehicle needs and it’s not hard to tell.
Check the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website that tells your car’s make and model. The website has all the details about the standard tire size and all the details of your vehicle.
But in case you have a secondhand car that has aftermarket rims, check the tire’s sidewall. You’ll notice a sequence of numbers that looks something like “P202/55R16”.
The first few numbers of the example “202” refers to the width of your tires in millimeters. And, the “R” in the example refers that your tire is a Radial. And, the extra letter will tell the speed rating of your tires.
Bonus Tips to Maintain Your Douglas Tires
Now, we’re close to the end of the discussion and we saved some tips on how you can keep Douglas tires in top condition for a long time. You already know that the shelf-life of tires depends highly on your driving habits and how you take care of them.
- Keep the tires inflated to the recommended air pressure: There’s a recommended air pressure for your tires that is stated by the manufacturer. Usually, it’s around 30 pounds psi (Per Square Inch).
Keep a tire gauge near so you can check the tires once a month. But what’s wrong with under-inflated tires? Well, they do not roll over the pavement evenly which creates more resistance between the road and the tires. Eventually, it leads you to have poor fuel economy.
- Rotate the tires every 6k-8k miles: The fact is, tires tend to wear differently based on the side of the car they’re situated. When you rotate the tires regularly, you ensure that the wear on every side of the tires is even.
- Ensure the alignment of your wheels: Have the tires aligned so it minimizes uneven wear on the tires. It’s because wheels that are misaligned will have more wear. Check whether your steering wheel is pulling to the right or left. If it pulls, consult a professional to align the wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Douglas tires cheap?
In a word, yes. Douglas tires are cheaper and more affordable than most of the other tires. The price is very budget-friendly, and anyone can afford it. However, these tires are inexpensive and have a great warranty with a 40,000-45,000-mile treadwear.
2. Is there any alternative to Douglas tires?
Douglas tires are fantastic with their top quality and affordability. However, there are some other brands that also manufacture great tires. Cooper, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Goodyear; can be the alternative tire brand to Douglas.
3. How can I keep my Douglas tires in good condition?
We can give you some tips to keep your tire in good condition. Keeping the tires inflated to the proper air pressure, rotating the tires frequently, and keeping the wheels aligned accurately, will help keep the tires in good condition for a long time.
Although Douglas tires are affordable, you can save a lot more bucks if you take good care of the tires. Taking proper care will help the tire roll over easily without any problem and save fuel.
Final Words
We hope we have covered all the related information about who makes Douglas tires. Walmart is known for providing quality products at low prices. Moreover, the Goodyear company is one of the top brands for making tires. Overall, Douglas tires are a good choice for daily use.
Many people think low-price tires may not be as good as expensive tires. But in the Douglas tires case, they have impressed us with their features, quality, and performance. Nevertheless, we recommend taking the tires to professionals occasionally so that you can avoid any misfortune.
So, if you are on your budget, you can give it a try. We can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
