15 Savvy Tips for Saving Big Money on Tires

You may be paying much more than you should when it comes to tires. By shopping around, you can avoid wasting money and keep your ride running smoothly.

The average price of tires increased by 21.4% after the pandemic. But that doesn't mean there aren't ways you could still be cutting down your costs.

Here are some tips that could help you save big money when it comes time to buy tires.

Here's a common shopping strategy that definitely applies to tires. By shopping around, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars.

For example, if you were looking in the middle of February, Walmart was running discounts on Goodyear Assurance All-Season tires. They were offering them for about $91, down from $110, compared to $102 at Pep Boys and $108 at Goodyear.

One idea to keep in mind when comparison shopping for tires is to check on price matching. You can do your homework and find the tires you want for the lowest price and then head to your trusted store to ask about price matching. You'll probably find that many stores are willing to match a verifiable price.

You might want to check out online tire suppliers. You could find great savings by going this route to get what you need.

Keep in mind a few things when shopping online. You may need to figure out where to have the tires shipped and where to have them installed.

Many shoppers are familiar with rebates at certain stores but perhaps not at places offering tires. That could be a costly mistake.

Tire makers regularly offer rebates that could save a driver $100 to $200. You can check with the store or go online to the website of the manufacturer. You may be able to get the rebate when you make the purchase, or you may need to submit a rebate form.

If you start doing your research on ways to save money on tires, you may find that many sources suggest not buying used tires. That advice comes despite the fact you may save up to 50% with used ones.

However, those used tires come with some risks. You don't know how they've been used, you won't have a warranty, you won't know about recalls, and they won't last as long as new tires. If you know a reputable tire dealer, you might be able to find some trustworthy used tires at a good discount.

You might already know that many tire deals are advertised around big holidays. Those could include Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving. It might be worthwhile to hop online or look through the mail to see any tire deals.

The time of year you shop for tires could make a big difference in how much you'll pay. Spring and fall are especially good times to look. Those are times of the year when deals are typically offered.

You want to know the final prices when comparison shopping. That's why it's vital to ask about installation and other costs when discussing prices.

You may even find some stores offer additional services such as future checks on air pressure in installation costs.

If you belong to a warehouse club, you might want to check there first for tire prices. You might find discounts and better prices. In addition, some clubs offer special services such as future rotations to members who buy tires.

Here's a tip to potentially save you money and headaches. You'll want to be sure you know what kind of tires you need before you start shopping. You could figure it out for yourself, do online research, or call your dealer or a trusted store.

Here's an idea that may be new to you. Takeoff tires are those bought by a driver and returned within a specific window of time. You can ask if these are available. They're typically put back on the shelf and sold at much lower prices.

This is a tip that some drivers may not care to follow, even though it could save them significant amounts. You can focus on features and not brand names. That means looking at lesser-known brands that still have the same features at lower prices.

It can save you money by purchasing one set of tires instead of two. That means instead of buying summer tires and winter tires, you choose all-season ones. Keep in mind that this may not be possible in all areas and climates.

You might see savings if you buy a complete set of tires. If you just need one, this may not make financial sense. But if all of your tires are in need of replacing, you could buy a set and save some money.

You might not be able to find the best deals if you wait until you absolutely need new tires. You may not have time to shop around if there's an urgent need.

You can save money shopping by looking around and finding deals when it comes to tires. In general, you may find that places like Walmart and Sam's Club offer some of the best prices.

As you're shopping for tires, keep safety top of mind. You don't want to wait until you're in a dangerous situation with your tires to start looking for replacements.