iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%47+25.6Reliability 24%21+5.1Value 14%96+13.6Replies to reviews 7%30+2.1Craft & service penalty81−1.9Momentum penalty5−9.5Experts Score= 35Grade D: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.35SCORE
DGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#58 of 60 towing servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 3%
4.5★★★★★395 Google reviews · 18 photos
84%five-star reviews
3.92★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
16%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Car-X Tire & Auto 4.5 out of 5 based on 395 reviews. Positive feedback highlights quick turnaround times, transparent pricing, and staff who explain repairs clearly, often performing minor fixes like tire patches without charge. However, critical reviews describe inconsistent appointment adherence, unresponsive customer service, and concerns regarding the quality of parts or the accuracy of diagnostic estimates for complex repairs.
Google rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 395 reviews (84% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 394 Google reviews (309 with written comments, 4 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 25% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 25, 2026.
Service: Towing Service serving Ames, Iowa.
Data from Google, last updated October 26, 2026.
Score profile vs other towing services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and craft & service; weakest: momentum.
Car-X Tire & AutoTowing Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Car-X Tire & Auto: 47/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.C
47
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Car-X Tire & Auto: 21/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.D
21
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Car-X Tire & Auto: 81/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
81
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Car-X Tire & Auto: 96/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
96
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Car-X Tire & Auto: 5/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.F
5
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Car-X Tire & Auto: 30/100 on this factor. Category median: 67.D
30
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
394 Google reviews we collected
4.5of 5
5 stars33084%
4 stars154%
3 stars133%
2 stars62%
1 star308%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 309 written reviews
93%praise
Praise51493%
Complaints367%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
93%fair
Great price1275%
Reasonable16%
Overpriced16%
Not sure213%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude14326%
Speed & response9517%
Quality & results8916%
Price & value8816%
Would recommend6211%
Honesty & trust529%
Communication214%
What customers talk about
We read 309 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Super fast and friendly service, especially from Matt Brooks!”
“Sometimes folks really get pushy bout tire brands but Matt understood immediately when I said I was more concerned about today's price than tomorrow's.”
“I had to go through a very lengthy slow process to get the appointment.”
“I’ve always had great service at Ames CarX and today was more of the same.”
“Customer service is horrible.”
“Trustworthy, reasonably priced, and go out of their way to explain the problem, even showing you when possible.”
“As someone who worked for dealerships myself and just don’t have the $$ for a tire change/balancer machine to do it myself, what a rip off.”
“I highly recommend Car-X for their expertise, their willingness to do a good job and go above and beyond for the customer especially myself.”
“will NEVER do business here again and I highly recommend no one else does.”
“In the past I've had shops upfront say it's going to take a few weeks and end up taking months.”
“These guys are NOT honest and had the audacity to tell me to replace parts I had just replaced and were the reason why I wanted to check the alignment.”
“He walked me through it all outlined things I could cut and the impact it would have clearly.”
People customers mention
Nathan13 reviews
Danny9 reviews
Doug5 reviews
David4 reviews
Nate4 reviews
Daniel3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Car-X Tire & Auto for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Brad2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
Matt was exceptional and the service is always great. My preferred place to get work on my Highlander done. They always get me right and are very informative. 10/10
Daniel6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
When I needed my third brake light replaced, but knew I couldn’t do it myself, I took my Ford Escape to Car-X. They got me in, and out in good time. The tech was great!
Electrical repair
Joe12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Been using them for years on all of my vehicles. Trustworthy, reasonably priced, and go out of their way to explain the problem, even showing you when possible. These guys have always been good to me, and I'm sure they'll be good for you too.
Great price
Katelyn3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Such kind staff! Always so flexible and generous! Patched my tire same day with no charge💕thanks guys!!
Talan2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
These guys are amazing. Had a snapped bolt in the top mounting bracket of my alternator and took care of it for me, amazing folks!!
Ryan2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Super fast and friendly service, especially from Matt Brooks!! Highly recommend them for all your car needs!!
Tl;Dr Great service, staff, and culture. Would recommend.
I'd already got quotes from a few other places but all were outside of my budget or would really crunch things.
I called Car-X and spoke to Matt who was great. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. Sometimes folks really get pushy bout tire brands but Matt understood immediately when I said I was more concerned about today's price than tomorrow's.
I stopped in later to check out their payment structure partner and found out they handle more than just tires! So Matt gave me some estimates on their cheapest tires and info on a special they had running. Along with individual quotes for the other work I need done. This way I could mix and match work.
He walked me through it all outlined things I could cut and the impact it would have clearly. I went home talked it through to my wife and called back just shortly before closing. Instead of getting upset bout calling so late on a Saturday he said they could get me in that Monday!
In the past I've had shops upfront say it's going to take a few weeks and end up taking months.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Tires, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Service not listed
Brad2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Brad has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Matt was exceptional and the service is always great. My preferred place to get work on my Highlander done. They always get me right and are very informative. 10/10
Response from the owner · 3 days ago
Thank you, Brad, for sharing your fantastic feedback! We're happy to hear that Matt and the team at Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames consistently provide you with exceptional service. It's wonderful to know that we are your preferred choice for your Highlander's needs and that you find our team informative. We appreciate your perfect rating and look forward to continuing to serve you!
Daniel Hartman6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Daniel has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
When I needed my third brake light replaced, but knew I couldn’t do it myself, I took my Ford Escape to Car-X. They got me in, and out in good time. The tech was great!
Services: Electrical repair
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thank you, Daniel, for sharing your experience with us! We're happy to hear that our team at Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames could assist you with your Ford Escape's brake light replacement efficiently. It's wonderful to know that our tech provided great service. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to helping you again in the future!
Joe Weyers12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Joe has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Been using them for years on all of my vehicles. Trustworthy, reasonably priced, and go out of their way to explain the problem, even showing you when possible. These guys have always been good to me, and I'm sure they'll be good for you too.
Price assessment: Great price
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thank you, Joe, we're so happy to hear that you've been trusting Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames with your vehicles for years. It's wonderful to know that our team's efforts to explain issues and provide reasonable pricing have made a positive impact on your experience. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to continuing to serve you well!
Katelyn Davis3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Katelyn has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Such kind staff! Always so flexible and generous! Patched my tire same day with no charge💕thanks guys!!
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank you, Katelyn, your kind words about our staff's flexibility and generosity mean a lot to us. We're so happy to hear that our team at Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames could assist you promptly and at no cost. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again!
Talan Shah2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Talan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
These guys are amazing. Had a snapped bolt in the top mounting bracket of my alternator and took care of it for me, amazing folks!!
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank you, Talan Shah, we're so happy to hear that our team at Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames could assist with the snapped bolt in your alternator's top mounting bracket. It's wonderful to know you found our team amazing. We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you with any future auto repair needs!
Melinda Buechel4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Melinda has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Thank you, Melinda, for your 5-star review! We're happy to hear that you experienced super fast and friendly service at Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames. Our Ames team is always eager to provide efficient and welcoming service to our valued customers. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to serving you again!
Ryan Buechel2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ryan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Super fast and friendly service, especially from Matt Brooks!! Highly recommend them for all your car needs!!
Services: Tires
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you, Ryan, for your awesome review! We're happy to hear that Matt Brooks and the team at Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames provided you with super fast and friendly service. Your high recommendation means a lot to us, and we're grateful for your trust in handling all your car needs. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Chad Dolphin2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Chad has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I picked up a screw and called Caleb at Car-X in Ames, he got me right in and I was able to make it in to work on time.
Appreciated the urgency and care they took doing the job right.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Tires
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you, Chad, for sharing your experience with us! We're happy to hear that Caleb and the Car-X Tire & Auto team in Ames were able to assist you promptly and ensure you made it to work on time. Your appreciation for our urgency and care means a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Samantha Dales4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Samantha has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Great experience! Super helpful staff that explained what was happening with my car. Definitely would come back again.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Vehicle Inspection
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you, Samantha, for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're happy to hear that our team was super helpful and provided clear explanations about your car. It's fantastic to know you'd choose to come back to Car-X Tire & Auto in Ames. We look forward to assisting you again in the future!
