How to Save Money When Buying Tires

American consumers share their spending experience and savings from a special survey conducted by Consumer Reports.

By Jeff S. Bartlett

Buying tires can be tough these days since they're getting more and more pricey, making it hard to know which one is perfect for your vehicle and won't break the bank.

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The survey offered a glimpse into the habits of consumers when it comes to purchasing habits, what they value, and the retail experience. In this section, we'll delve into the major findings on buying habits and offer practical advice from our team of tire specialists, who annually purchase hundreds of tires.

What Drives Tire Purchases

Most customers (61 percent) purchased new tires when their existing tires had reached the end of their life due to wear, whereas a considerable 17 percent opted for a new set due to problems (such as flats, vibrations, or noise) or premature wear (14 percent) the current tires were experiencing.

We operate test tires 24/7, covering over 1,000 miles per day. Our tires, for cars and trucks, are driven until reaching 16,000 miles, and we use tracking data to forecast their lifespan.

To get the most out of your tires, we advise checking and adjusting the tire pressure each month. As time passes, all tires gradually lose some air, and temperature changes can cause air density to shift, affecting tire pressure. Notably, pressure usually drops as temperatures drop, making it especially crucial to keep on top of this during the colder months. Properly inflated tires will help wear evenly and improve safety.

Another crucial maintenance task is to switch the tire's position every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This also ensures they wear down uniformly, offsetting the additional wear the front tires endure and making up for slight misalignments in the suspension.

A recent survey of Porsche drivers found that many are doing a good job of rotating their tires regularly. One third, or 33 percent, change their tires every 5,000 miles, while 20 percent exchange them with each oil change. Thirteen percent are diligent and follow the car's manufacturer guidelines exactly. However, many owners are not as responsible, with 14 percent having issues that led to premature tire replacement. Unfortunately, some owners shirk this responsibility altogether, with 9 percent admitting they never rotate their tires. Interestingly, regular maintenance can ultimately save time and money in the long run, just like taking care of one's personal health.

Shopping Priorities

In selecting their next tires, more than seven in ten Consumer Reports members place a strong emphasis on handling, wet traction, tread life, and ride comfort. Despite the economic downturn, this group of buyers is putting weight on performance characteristics rather than price, which was considered a top priority for just about 40 percent of survey respondents.

When it comes down to it, price is only one aspect of what determines the value of a product. For tires, to get a true sense of their value, you should look at the Overall Score. This score combines performance and how well a tire wears out over time. Many times, spending a bit more on a higher-scoring tire is a good idea. Just keep in mind, to get the most out of your investment, you need to take proper care of your tires.

Tire Savings Tips
Saving money on tires doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some simple tips to help you get started:
1. Rotate Your Tires Regularly: Regular tire rotation can significantly extend the life of your tires. It can also improve your gas mileage and make your vehicle more responsive.
2. Check Your Tire Pressure: Underinflated tires can wear down faster and lead to uneven tread wear. Make sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips.
"Properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by up to 3%," says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
3. Maintain Proper Tread Depth: Check your tread depth regularly. If it's worn down to 2/32 of an inch or less, it's time to replace your tires. Proper tread depth ensures better traction, especially during inclement weather conditions.
4. Shop Around: Compare prices at different tire retailers to find the best deals.
5. Consider Discount Tire Stores: Retailers that specialize in tires often offer discounts, promotions, and loyalty programs.
6. Look for Online Deals: Keep an eye on manufacturer websites and online retailers for promotions and discounts.
7. Buy Last Year's Model: Consider purchasing last year's model or an older version of the tire model you want. It may be cheaper and still offer great performance.
8. Buy Used Tires: Purchasing used tires from a reputable seller can be a cost-effective option, but make sure to inspect the tires thoroughly and consider the warranty.

Most people in our 2023 survey reported that they were happy with their experience buying tires from tire retailers. Specifically, 53% said they were completely satisfied, while 35% said they were very satisfied.

To get the best deal on tires, consider purchasing them from a reputable retailer when you don't need them right away, as generally well-regarded retailers offer competitive prices and high-quality installations.

You can take some time to compare prices at your preferred tire retailers and also wait for available rebates from tire manufacturers. Rebates on four-tire sets can often be found on website of tire companies and tire retailers. If rebates aren't currently available, it's not uncommon for new ones to emerge at the start of each month.

It's helpful to be flexible with timing since your local store may not have the exact model and size you're looking for in stock because they offer many different sizes for each model.

Before making a purchase, consider talking to a salesperson at a local store about price. Many retailers will match a lower price if they can find it at another store. In our poll, a large majority of people didn't negotiate, but 63% who did were successful at getting a better deal. Using this strategy saved these consumers an average of $37 per item.

Make sure to ask about any additional incentives they might be offering. The majority of members (83 percent) who bought or got their tires replaced at a retailer received at least one of these bonuses or services as part of the deal. About half of all members who got at least one of these perks got their tires rotated for free (46 percent) or balanced (44 percent). Just as many got free tire mounting (39 percent), and about a third got their tires checked or had flat tire repairs done for free. These extra perks help build loyalty with the store, but they also offer real savings. Our top pick among them is the free tire rotation offer, because it can potentially save you $100 or more per year, and it also encourages good tire maintenance by getting you to come back to the same tire shop.

What About Road-Hazard Protection?

Many car owners are protected from damage caused by road hazards, such as potholes and curb strikes, which can cause tires to wear out prematurely. This protection, typically available for free or as an add-on, provides a prorated replacement for tires close to but not yet reaching the end of their expected lifespan. According to a survey, nearly half of Consumer Reports members who have road-hazard warranties received them free of charge from the tire manufacturers. For those without these warranties, some retailers may still offer them for free, while others can be purchased as an extended warranty.

The average cost for a set of four road-hazard/service contract warranty varieties was as follows: $62 for all-terrain, $53 for all-season, $50 for all-weather, $48 for ultra-high-performance summer, and $46 for snow/winter tires. The average cost for adding this protection was $53, with brands ranging from $45 for BFGoodrich to $63 for Continental.

About a quarter, or 24 percent, of car roadside assistance contracts were actually utilized at the time of a member survey.

Bottom Line

To begin buying tires, first look for models that have safety features you want, such as smooth braking on wet surfaces, good traction in winter, and preventing tires from losing contact with the road when encountering water. Next, prioritize tires that have long tread life and find a reliable seller with a discount offer, which is often available on the manufacturer's or retailer's website as a savings on the whole set. Additionally, it's a good idea to have some room to negotiate.

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