Tires Aren’t Cheap But Here are Ways You Can Save

That moment when you realize you have a flat tire is one you wish you could forget. You know that you have to have it fixed; and you hope against hope that it’s something that can be easily patched for a paltry $40 at the local tire store rather than a full replacement. After all, you’ve been told time and time again how dangerous it is to buy only one new tire at a time, so you’re going to have to buy two – unless you already have new-ish tires and then you’re probably good to go. However, you still don’t want to put forth the money for new tires. They’re expensive. Tires are not cheap, even if you have a smaller car that’s not worth much money in the first place. If you have a big SUV, sports car or high-end tires, forget it; you’re paying a lot to have that replaced. Fortunately, we have a few suggestions that might make your new tires just a bit less expensive.

Shop Around

Don’t let just one salesman at one tire store tell you what you need and then go from there. Do your research. Shop around; you’ll either find something cheaper somewhere else or you will know that you are getting the best price where you are. And be sure you know what you need, and do not let a tire salesman tell you what you need. Use your guidebook for reference and stand your ground. Tire salesmen often work on commission and some are out for their best interests and most profitable sale only.

Consider All-Inclusive Costs

Try to find a tire store that offers the ‘extras’ at an all-inclusive rate. For example, if you are getting new tires and need mounting and balancing, remember that you’ll need that for all the new tires you’re getting. Try to find a place that will charge you one price for that rather than four times to mount and balance your tires. An extra $30 might not seem like much for these extra services, but it is when you’re paying times four.

Stand Your Ground

It’s not uncommon for salesmen to start putting your tires on and ask you if you would like them to go ahead with an oil change, brake pads or even alignment while it’s up there. Don’t fall for it. Unless you’ve noticed that your car is pulling heavily to one side or your old tires have worn unevenly, you don’t need an alignment. Additionally, you should know how long it’s been since your last oil change, how close you are to a new one and how long it’s been since you’ve had new brakes installed.

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