Good tires are a necessity to get you from point A to point B. Excessive wear or dry rot puts you in danger. Even without visual evidence of wear, it is recommended that you replace your tires every six years. Many people delay new tires due to the high cost. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can save some cash on your tires.
Use a Coupon
Usually, you think of coupons for places like grocery stores and restaurants. You might be surprised what kind of discount tire deals you can find. If you don’t have your heart set on a certain brand, you can find even better specials. Some coupons lower the price, give you money back, or offer gift incentives.
Comparison Shop
The price of tires does not just vary by brand. It also can greatly vary by location. Before you let your regular mechanic upgrade your tires, make sure you call several places for quotes. Places to price check include local mechanic shops, dealerships, Costco, Sam’s Club, Discount Tire, and Walmart. Discount Tire is known for price matching competitors.
Shop the Right Month
Tires will go on sale seasonally. You can usually get the best deals in October or April. The sales in October are to encourage drivers to get fresh tires before hard winter weather. April includes sales to catch those planning fair weather road trips.
Correctly Size
Purchasing the correctly sized tires can save you money in two ways. Larger tires cost more money, so you want to avoid sizing up if possible. A bigger circumference will also mean more trips to the gas station from poorer fuel economy. The most reliable place to check what size you should purchase is your owner’s manual.
Perform Maintenance
The better you maintain your tires, the more likely you will get a full life out of them. Do not rely only on your car’s sensors to tell you when your air pressure is low. It’s beneficial to manually check your pressure with a tire gauge. You should also track and maintain a rotation schedule for even wear. Tire rotation is recommended every 10,000 to 15,000 miles.
Buy What You Need
It can be easy to get distracted by expensive, specialty tires. However, they are a quick way to rack up a high bill. Consider what you need before making your purchase. If you won’t commonly be driving fast, in harsh weather, or off roads, you will probably be safe with a standard set.
Check Recalls
Like many other parts of your car, tires can be recalled. You can search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website by tire brand. If your tires are subject to a recall, you should contact the manufacturer. They are required to correct the issue at no cost to you. That might mean a free set of new tires.
Your vehicle’s tires are vitally important to your safety. Make sure you maintain them and shop for the best deal when it is time for their replacement.