With gas prices still high, many drivers are searching for the best time to buy tires. Here's what a tire expert says about when, where and why you should buy tires for your car.
From keeping them properly inflated to ensuring they have enough tread, your car’s tires are critical not only to safe driving but also to saving on gas. Tires are a vitally important safety feature on your car, as they’re the only part of the vehicle that touches the road. It’s important to know when the best time to buy tires is, so that you have the right tires for the season, weather and type of driving you do most often. Believe it or not, there are car gadgets that can make driving safer too.
To find the best time to buy tires, we spoke with Will Robbins, director of consumer product strategy at Bridgestone Americas. Robbins shares his expert opinion on the top signs your car needs new tires, tips to help you save money the next time you buy tires, the difference between old and new tires, and the best time to buy tires. Are you ready for a vehicle upgrade, to live free on the road or simply take more comfortable road trips? Find out the best time to buy a new car and the best time to buy an RV too.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicles with worn-out tires are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than tires with sufficient tread depth. Thankfully, measuring tread depth is easy for anyone to do with the penny test. Turn the penny upside down and dip it into the tread of your tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you need a new set of tires. If the tread is between his eyes and the top of his hair, you need to start planning for the best time to buy tires.
It’s also recommended to work with a trusted tire professional to check your tires regularly to make sure they are wearing evenly.
Here are the top signs your tires are wearing down:
Finally, Robbins notes that it’s recommended to have your tires inspected by a professional every five years, to determine if a tire is still road-worthy.
Because they are the only part of the vehicle that touches the road, tires are a critically important safety feature on your vehicle. Robbins points out that tires are sophisticated pieces of technology, tasked with carrying the full load of your vehicle. Tires are responsible for transporting you, your kids, pets and family safely every single day. Therefore, it’s important to know the best time to buy tires, and then make that pivotal purchase the moment you need them, without waiting.
Drivers in winter climates typically make the switch to winter tires in October or November to get their cars ready for winter, then convert back to all-season or summer tires in March or April. Retailers in colder climates often align promotions with these months, which would end up being the best time to buy tires. Additionally, retailers will sometimes offer promotions ahead of the busy summer travel season, as they know drivers are prepping their vehicles for more time on the road.
♦ Best time of year to buy tires March, April, October and NovemberRemember that the best time to buy anything is usually before you’re in desperate need. This means that the worst time to buy tires could be when you delayed checking the tread and examining the sidewalls, and you suffer a tire blowout on the side of the road. Without the ability to shop around and wait for the best time to buy tires, you will ultimately spend more out of an urgent need to replace your damaged tires.
Robbins urges drivers to focus more on buying the right set of tires for their vehicle, personal preferences and individual driving habits than saving money on tires. This will ensure optimal tire performance, lifespan and safety. In addition, you’ll want to:
Bridgestone strongly advises against purchasing used tires because of the known safety concerns. A damaged, improperly repaired or used tire can cause a wide range of incidents that can not only total a vehicle, but cause injuries. Even minor damage to a tire can cause serious problems, including tread separation and sidewall blowout. Here are the tires car experts buy for their own vehicles.
New tires can be purchased from many different places, from dealerships to AAA locations, big-box stores, local auto body shops and online retailers. It’s best to find a local retailer you trust and have a good relationship with, because tire and automotive care is critical to safe driving. They can also help you understand what the numbers on your tires mean.
While prices and specials will vary from retailer to retailer, these are consistently the best places to go for great tires at the best prices:
The best time to buy tires is before you are in desperate need of them. This will allow you to shop around, wait for holiday specials and get the best deal possible on tires. Waiting too long to replace your tires is one of the driving mistakes too many drivers make.
It all depends on the retailer. While some will have winter sales on winter tires, others will see the surge in demand as a time to actually increase prices.
According to Bridgestone, all-season tires offer the average driver a perfect blend of capabilities that provide acceptable performance in wet and dry conditions, and even traction in snowy conditions, meaning there is never a bad time to buy all-season tires.
Now that you know the best time to buy tires, check out the best time to buy a house.
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Life would be so much easier if we were given a manual at birth explaining things. Wouldn't having a guide walking you through the necessary steps in life be grand? You could flip to page 175 for instructions on finding the right career path. Turn to page 233 for the perfect bearnaise sauce recipe.
Unfortunately, we must learn many things independently as we go through life's journey. That's why you turn to specialists for assistance. While we can't help you with a tasty French sauce to flavor your steak, we can guide you through vital facts like when to get new tires.
Many people wait to buy tires until it's too late and possibly experience a blowout. But that's dangerous. There are more signs it's time for a tire upgrade than just a blowout. Tap here for our article describing symptoms you have bad tires. If you have time to plan, there are ways to save money. Let's discuss the best time to buy new tires and other keys to getting the deals.
You never want to experience a tire blowout. It puts you, your passengers and anyone else on the road in danger. One thing to watch for to stay as safe as possible is tread depth.
We never recommend driving on unsafe tires or tires you know to be beyond the recommended mileage or tread depth. Don't know how to check for tire tread depth? Tap here for three DIY tire tread tests.
Now we'll give you some buying tips to help you find the best deals.
When purchasing new car tires, timing can play a significant role in securing the best deals. You might ask, "When do car tires go on sale?" and "What time of year is the best to buy new tires?" Here are some suggestions.
Car tires typically go on sale during specific periods of the year, aligning with seasonal changes and related factors. Here's a breakdown of the best times to keep in mind.
Seasonal tire sales: Spring and fall tire deals
Spring and fall are excellent times to find deals on tires. Many retailers offer promotions and discounts during these seasons to encourage you to switch from winter to all-season or summer tires and vice versa. Tire retailers aim to clear out old inventory as temperatures shift, making way for new models.
End-of-the-year tire sales
The end of the year, particularly during the holiday season, often brings about tire sales. Many retailers and tire manufacturers offer special promotions, rebate programs or bundled deals during this time to boost sales. It's worth watching for Black Friday tire sales and Cyber Monday tire deals, as they often include significant savings on automotive products, including tires.
Discounts and promotions on tires throughout the year
Tire Agent offers many deals throughout the year to help you save money on tires. The best way to know when deals are happening is to watch Tire Agent's deals page for manufacturer rebates, coupons, sales and other discounts. You can check it out and bookmark the page here.
While timing plays a crucial role in finding the best deals, it's important to consider other factors when purchasing car tires. Here are a few.
Tread and safety
Prioritize your safety and that of your passengers by regularly inspecting your tire tread depth. If your tires are nearing the wear indicator or have shallow tread, it's essential to replace them regardless of the time of year. Safety should always take precedence over waiting for a sale.
Weather conditions
Consider the climate and driving conditions in your area. Investing in winter tires before the cold season arrives is a good idea if you live in a place with severe winters. Similarly, switching to summer tires can enhance your vehicle's performance and safety if you live in a region with scorching summers.
Research and tire price comparison
While timing can influence pricing, conducting thorough research and comparing prices is easy using online resources like Tire Agent. Consider the brand's reputation, tire performance ratings and warranty coverage while comparing prices.
Pro tip: Don't just buy one tire at a time. When it's time for a tire upgrade, buy four new tires simultaneously. This way, your tires will wear at the same rate and you won't be surprised when an unreplaced tire has a blowout. Tire rotations are also crucial to equal wear rates. But we get it, the price of one tire versus a full set is, well, four times more. That's why Tire Agent provides access to several payment plans, which you can learn about on our Financing Options for Tires and Wheels page.
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