Here’s the Best Time to Buy Tires (to Save BIG!)

In this post, I’ll tell you when the best time to buy tires is, and how you get the best deals when you next buy a set of wheels.

When is the Best Time to Buy Tires?

The best time to buy tires is in October or April. Buy at these times and you’ll save the most money on a new set of tires.

Here’s why:

• October: During October, tires go on sale to encourage customers to buy before winter – when people are often looking for tires for the colder weather.
• April: In Spring the weather starts to get warmer and people start thinking about trips to the beach, road trips and other getaways and excursions that require driving and therefore a new set of wheels. So again, tires go on sale.

Purchase a set of tires in April or October to save the most money.

When you purchase isn’t the only way to save money on a new set of tires.

There are a few more things you can do to get the best deals, like shopping at the right place…

Best Place to Buy Tires

Purchasing a new set of wheels at the right time will save you money. But if you need to purchase tires and it’s not April or October, you can still get a good deal.

You just need to buy them at the right store.

The best places to buy the cheapest tires are:

• Walmart
• Sam’s Club
• Discount Tire

Now, while you can get the cheapest tires from these places, they are not necessarily the best quality.

If you’re looking for a set of quality wheels that are reasonably priced, check out:

• Tire Rack
• BJ’s Tire Center
• Costco

They offer reasonable prices but have higher overall ratings.

While Costco can be a little pricier, the service it offers can be better and the warehouse often has deals available to its members.

By the way, to take advantage of the best time to buy tires at Costco, sign up for their free newsletter and keep an eye on their promotions. During different times of the year Costco offers discounts on select brands of tires by $70 to $80 off.

And what makes it even better is that they also offer installation for just 1 penny per tire. Most places charge an average of $15 to $45 per tire installed. That alone can save you big bucks!

When to Replace Your Tires

So, when exactly do you need to replace your tires?

It’s simple.

You need to replace your tires before the tire tread gets between 2/32 inch. To main proper braking and handling, replace them sooner than that. Or before your tires expire.

It can be tempting to wait until April or October to get great deals. But that’s not safe. Never wait to replace unsafe tires just because you want to catch a sale. Safety should always come before saving money.

Other Ways to Get the Best Deals on Tires

If you need tires and it’s not during April or October, then there are other ways to save money on them.

Shop during Black Friday or Cyber Monday

Although you’ll get lots of deals in April and October, the best time to buy tires is when they go on sale.

That’s why days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday are good times to purchase a new set of wheels.

Buy Online

Purchase your tires online for some awesome deals. You also tend to get a larger selection to choose from. You can often take advantage of closeout deals if you buy online. Do keep in mind though that you’ll need to have a way to get the tires to a local tire shop for mounting. So this may not be an option for everyone.

Purchase used tires

One tip I have if you’re really short on cash is to purchase used tires.

Years ago when money was really tight, my husband would buy used tires for our car. I have to say that they don’t last long. And really investing in a new set is the way to go.

But you could purchase them used while you save some cash to purchase a new set. If you do decide to purchase a set of used tires, make sure you check for recalls and the date the tires were made/expire.

Save your receipt and warranty paperwork

Okay, so if you purchased a set of tires only to find that they have a defect or they wear out prematurely, then the manufacturer will prorate your next set.

You will need to have all of your paperwork, like your receipt and warranty. Some places offer additional coverage with your purchase. While keeping your warranty paperwork and receipt won’t save you money on the initial cost of the tires, it can save you money in the future and help you to avoid additional expenses.

Take care of your tires

When you take care of your tires, they last longer, meaning you don’t have to buy them as often. This saves you money. So keep your tires properly inflated (these places offer free air for tires) and rotated to stop them wearing out prematurely. And you should be on the lookout for uneven wear because this can be a sign of an alignment issue that needs to be fixed. And one of the main reasons that tires wear out early is improper wheel alignment.

Not only taking care of your car tires helps you save money on tires by keeping your tires on the road for longer, but it can also save you money on gas. For example, under-inflated tires cause drivers to use more gas.

Look local

Some local chains will match the prices on their website or even online and in-store prices from other stores. So it’s always worth asking whether they’ll do a price match.

Ask for freebies

Some local shops may offer perks like road-hazard warranty coverage or lifetime tire rotations. And they’re often free!

These little extras can provide you with protection if your tires get damaged before they wear out, saving you money in the future.

Costco, SimpleTire, BJ’s Tire Center, TireBuyer, and Tire Rack all provide road-hazard protection.

So sometimes it’s worth looking at what extras a store is willing to give you, rather than just going with the store with the best prices.

Closing Thoughts

There are so many ways you can save money on tires for your automobile, but really buying them at the right time is the best way to ensure you get awesome deals!