He showed up with two tires, a performance car, and a reasonable expectation: mount and balance the rears and send him on his way. Instead, a simple tire install turned into a lesson in why modern performance cars sometimes need more than just a tire machine, and why a $10 tool can stop a $100 job cold. In a viral TikTok clip that’s been viewed more than 946,000 times, Phoenix-based car seller Tyler Worthem (@tyautoinvestments) makes his second stop at a local tire shop to have two rear tires professionally installed on his Mercedes AMG. And he drives away from the Discount Tire facility, still needing to finish the job, thanks to the center caps on his car that are too wide to remove with standard tools. “I just figured you could take a regular kind of wrench with a rag, and I know that's not the proper way to do it,” he said to the attendant, who informed him the center caps would cost up to $200 each to replace if they’re damaged. “Now I have to spend $10 on this stupid Mercedes part. This is why I should have bought a BMW.” Mercedes-AMG wheels often use press-fit or locking center caps that require a specific extractor tool designed to evenly distribute pressure during removal. Mercedes sells those tools directly through its parts network, and aftermarket versions are widely available online for under $20. Using anything else can deform the cap or mar the wheel face, particularly on forged AMG wheels that use tight tolerances. Worthem ultimately agrees to order the tool and return later, though he doesn’t hide his frustration. 'They Saved Your Center Caps' For national tire chains like Discount Tire, situations like this are governed less by willingness than by liability. While Discount Tire regularly mounts and balances customer-supplied tires, it also operates under strict guidelines regarding potential wheel damage, especially on high-end or specialty vehicles. Unlike dealerships or performance-focused independent shops, chain tire stores are optimized for volume and consistency. That means technicians are often instructed not to proceed if a job requires non-standard tools they don’t have on hand. If a wheel or center cap is damaged during service, the company can be on the hook for costly replacements, which is why employees are often trained to stop before forcing a part that doesn’t come off easily. The employee in Worthem’s video explicitly says that he could attempt removal with pliers, but doesn’t want to risk breaking a part that could cost hundreds of dollars to replace. Many praised his caution. As the clip gained traction on TikTok, the comment section quickly shifted from sympathy for Worthem to support for the shop. One of the most-liked responses summed it up bluntly: “You didn’t get denied. They saved your center caps.” Other commenters pointed out that specialty tools are common on modern performance cars, comparing the situation to locking lug nuts that require a specific key. Many argued that owners should carry those tools in the car, particularly on vehicles that don’t come with spare tires. In fact, many Mercedes-AMG models ship with tire inflation kits instead of spares, meaning owners may never check whether removal tools are included in the trunk. Some viewers pushed back, arguing that a large national chain should be equipped to handle popular luxury brands. But even among dissenters, few disputed the core issue: forcing the caps off without the correct tool would have been risky, and potentially expensive. Are Chains Better Than Local Tire Stores? The video also reopened a familiar automotive debate about where to get tires installed. Several commenters suggested visiting smaller independent shops, or “llanteras,” that charge significantly less for mounting and balancing. Prices as low as $20 per tire were commonly cited, compared to the roughly $95 Worthem was quoted for both rear tires at Discount Tire. But lower prices often come with tradeoffs. Independent shops may be more willing to take risks, use older equipment, or skip documentation altogether. Chain stores, by contrast, typically include balancing, rotations, flat repairs, and warranty support as part of the install price. Discount Tire, for example, offers free flat repairs and rotations even for tires not purchased there, a policy that has helped build its reputation among mainstream drivers. For performance car owners, the choice often comes down to risk tolerance. A cheaper shop might get the job done faster, but if something goes wrong, recourse can be limited. What ultimately made Worthem’s video resonate wasn’t outrage, but recognition. Many enthusiasts have experienced a similar moment: a seemingly simple job complicated by proprietary parts, tight tolerances, or manufacturer-specific tools. As cars become more specialized, especially in the performance and luxury segments, routine maintenance increasingly requires advanced preparation. That means knowing your wheel specs, understanding what tools your car needs, and calling ahead before showing up at a shop expecting a quick turnaround. In Worthem’s case, the solution was simple and inexpensive. The tool he needed cost less than the price of lunch, and once it arrived, Discount Tire said it would have no issue completing the install. The real takeaway isn’t that the shop refused service, but that it refused to gamble with someone else’s expensive hardware. Motor1 reached out to Worthem via email and direct message. We’ll update this if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team