The Complete Guide to Sourcing Discounted Auto Tires Online
Replacing a set of tires can be a significant expense, but shopping online gives drivers more opportunities to compare brands, prices, reviews, warranties, and promotions before making a purchase.
The trick is to focus on overall value rather than simply choosing the cheapest tire. A low-priced tire may not be a good deal if it has poor performance, an unsuitable size, limited warranty coverage, or expensive installation costs.
Online tire retailers can make the process easier by allowing shoppers to enter their vehicle information, compare different models, and arrange professional installation.
Here's how to find discounted tires while making a smart and safe purchase.
1. Start by Finding Your Exact Tire Size
Before searching for discounts, determine exactly what your vehicle needs.
Your tire size can usually be found on:
- The driver's-side door-jamb placard
- Your vehicle owner's manual
- The sidewall of your current tire
A tire size might look something like 225/65R17.
However, size isn't the only specification that matters. You should also pay attention to the appropriate load index and speed rating for your vehicle. Online tire-shopping tools commonly use your year, make, model, trim, and original-equipment tire size to verify fitment.
Don't buy a discounted tire simply because the numbers look similar.
2. Compare the Total Price, Not Just the Tire Price
One of the biggest mistakes when shopping for discounted tires is comparing only the advertised tire price.
Your final cost may include:
- Four tire prices
- Shipping
- Installation
- Mounting
- Balancing
- Valve stems or TPMS service
- Tire disposal
- Taxes
- Road-hazard coverage
Some online retailers offer shipping to an installation location, while others may charge additional delivery fees. Installation packages can also vary considerably.
A tire advertised at $90 isn't necessarily cheaper than one advertised at $105 if the first option has significantly higher additional costs.
Use this simple calculation:
Total Cost = Tires + Shipping + Installation + Fees + Taxes
This gives you a much more realistic comparison.
3. Compare Several Online Retailers
Don't stop after checking one website.
Search several established tire retailers and compare the exact same tire model and size.
Look at:
- Current price
- Shipping
- Installation options
- Warranty
- Return policy
- Rebates
- Promotions
- Customer reviews
- Availability
Some retailers also provide price-match programs or online-only promotions, so checking several sources before ordering can potentially reduce your final cost.
4. Search for Manufacturer Rebates
A manufacturer rebate can make a significant difference when purchasing a complete set of tires.
Look for promotions from major tire manufacturers and retailers before completing your order.
You may find:
- Instant discounts
- Mail-in rebates
- Seasonal promotions
- Buy-three-get-one-style offers
- Installation promotions
- Store pickup discounts
However, always read the terms carefully. A promotion may require purchasing a specific number of tires or submitting a rebate claim within a certain period.
5. Consider Value Brands
Premium tires aren't always necessary for every driver.
If you're primarily driving around town, commuting, or using your vehicle for normal highway driving, a reputable mid-range tire may provide a better balance between price and performance.
Consider:
- Expected tread life
- Wet-weather performance
- Noise
- Ride comfort
- Warranty
- Fuel efficiency
- Your typical driving conditions
A tire's initial price doesn't tell the entire value story. A more expensive tire that lasts substantially longer can sometimes have a lower cost per mile.
6. Don't Sacrifice Safety for a Cheap Deal
Tires are a safety-critical component of your vehicle.
They're responsible for maintaining contact with the road, affecting braking, handling, traction, and ride stability. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration emphasizes the importance of tire condition, inflation, tread, damage, and age.
Avoid choosing a tire solely because it is the cheapest option available.
Instead, make sure it is:
- Correctly sized
- Suitable for your vehicle
- Appropriate for your climate
- Appropriate for your driving conditions
- In good condition
- From a reputable seller
7. Check the Tire's Manufacturing Date
If you're purchasing discounted tires, checking the manufacturing date is particularly important.
Tires have a DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) on the sidewall. The last four digits indicate the week and year the tire was manufactured.
For example:
1023 = 10th week of 2023
NHTSA recommends checking tire age when purchasing tires. Tire aging can occur even when a tire has seen little road use, and manufacturers may have their own replacement recommendations.
A very old tire isn't necessarily a bargain simply because it has never been driven.
8. Look at Tire Reviews and Testing
Price tells you what a tire costs. Reviews and testing can tell you what you're actually buying.
Before purchasing, investigate performance in areas such as:
- Wet braking
- Dry handling
- Road noise
- Ride comfort
- Tread life
- Snow and ice performance
- Fuel efficiency
Independent testing and customer reviews can be especially helpful when you're comparing two tires with similar prices. Tire Rack, for example, provides testing information and customer reviews to help shoppers compare tire options.
9. Choose the Right Tire for Your Climate
The cheapest tire isn't useful if it doesn't perform well in the conditions where you drive.
Your options may include:
All-Season Tires
Suitable for many drivers who experience moderate weather throughout the year.
Winter Tires
Designed for drivers who regularly deal with cold temperatures, snow, or ice.
Summer Tires
Designed for warmer conditions and often focused on handling and dry/wet performance.
All-Terrain Tires
Useful for drivers who regularly combine highway driving with off-road or rough-road use.
Climate and road conditions should be considered alongside price when selecting a tire.
10. Look for Local Installation Options
Buying online doesn't necessarily mean installing the tires yourself.
Many online retailers allow customers to have tires shipped to a participating installation center. Some even allow you to schedule the installation during checkout.
Before ordering, check:
- Installation price
- Mounting and balancing
- TPMS service
- Tire disposal
- Alignment availability
- Warranty support
- Road-hazard coverage
A convenient installation option can make an online purchase much easier.
How to Find the Best Tire Deals
Use this simple process when shopping:
Step 1: Identify Your Vehicle
Enter your vehicle's year, make, model, and trim into a reputable tire-shopping tool.
Step 2: Confirm Your Tire Size
Verify the size from your door placard or owner's manual.
Step 3: Choose Your Tire Type
Consider your climate, road conditions, driving style, and expected mileage.
Step 4: Compare Multiple Models
Compare several tires based on price, reviews, tread life, warranty, and performance.
Step 5: Search for Promotions
Check retailer discounts and manufacturer rebates.
Step 6: Calculate Installation
Add shipping, installation, taxes, disposal, and other fees.
Step 7: Check the Manufacturing Date
Make sure the tires aren't unnecessarily old.
Step 8: Order and Schedule Installation
Choose a reputable installer and have the tires professionally mounted and balanced.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Buying the Wrong Size
A bargain isn't a bargain if the tires don't properly fit your vehicle.
Looking Only at the Sticker Price
Always calculate the complete out-the-door cost.
Ignoring Tire Age
Check the DOT date code, especially when purchasing heavily discounted inventory.
Choosing Based Only on Brand
A famous brand doesn't automatically mean the particular model is the best option for your vehicle.
Ignoring Your Driving Conditions
A tire designed for one environment may perform poorly in another.
Forgetting Installation Costs
A low online price can become much less attractive after installation and additional fees.
Can You Save Money by Buying Tires Online?
Yes, online shopping can make it easier to compare a large selection of tires and find promotions. Some retailers also provide online-only discounts, shipping options, price matching, or bundled installation services.
However, the cheapest tire isn't always the cheapest option over its entire lifespan.
Consider the tire's expected mileage, warranty, fuel efficiency, performance, and installation costs when calculating its real value.
