Tires can be shockingly expensive – a full set of four often runs anywhere from $400 up to $1,800 or more depending on quality and vehicle. The good news? You can often find much better prices by shopping online, with potential savings of 10-30%. This guide will show you exactly how to find the best deals on quality tires.
What You'll Learn in This Guide:
Why Buying Tires Online Saves Money
There are a few simple reasons online tire shopping can cost you less:
Lower Overhead
Online shops don't have the same showroom and staffing costs as a traditional tire store. With less overhead, they can sell tires for cheaper.
More Competition and Deals
Many online retailers compete heavily, running seasonal promotions, clearance sales, and manufacturer rebates that brick-and-mortar shops can't always match.
Easy Price Comparisons
Shopping online lets you quickly compare the same tire model across different sellers without driving around town. This transparency means you're much less likely to overpay.
Convenience and Time Savings
You can browse and buy tires from home, any time of day. Many sites will ship right to your door or directly to a local installer.
Taken together, these factors mean real savings in your pocket. As one auto advice site put it, buying tires online "is often more cost-effective" because you can easily find deals and a wide variety without leaving home.
How to Save When Buying New Tires
To get the lowest price on new tires, be an informed shopper and use every advantage. Here are some tried-and-true tactics:
Money-Saving Tire Shopping Tips
- Compare prices across retailers. Use price-comparison websites or tools that focus on tires. Enter your car's details and see pricing from multiple sellers. Even a small search can reveal differences of $20–$50 per tire.
- Look for rebates and coupons. Tire manufacturers (like Michelin, Goodyear, etc.) often run mail-in rebates or online coupon codes, especially in spring and fall. Check manufacturers' sites and coupon sites before buying. Sometimes you might get $50–$100 back per set of four.
- Watch for seasonal sales. Plan your purchase around peak sale times. Tire retailers frequently discount inventory as seasons change. For example, major promotions are common on spring and fall car-care weekends, and big holiday sales (Labor Day, Black Friday, etc.).
- Sign up for newsletter alerts. Many retailers give their email subscribers or loyalty members early access to deals. It's often worth signing up for the newsletters of a couple of big online tire sellers (they usually send welcome coupons too).
- Check free shipping and installation deals. Free shipping can save $50–$100 on a set of four tires. Look for retailers that waive delivery fees or even include free professional installation.
- Buy in bulk if possible. Tire experts often say it's smart to replace all four tires at once. While one new tire is cheaper than four, purchasing a complete set can trigger bulk discounts or free-installation offers.
Should You Buy 4 Tires at Once?
This is a common question. Replacing all four tires together has pros and cons:
Pros of Buying 4 at Once
- You get a completely new set, so all tires have the same tread depth and brand
- Even wear makes handling more predictable
- Keeps your car balanced – especially important if you have an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle
- Prevents drivetrain strain in AWD vehicles
Cons of Buying 4 at Once
- Higher upfront cost
- May be unnecessary if your current tires still have good tread life (more than 50%)
Important Safety Tip: If you decide not to replace all four, make sure you at least do pairs of two. For front- or rear-wheel-drive cars, you can usually get away with replacing two tires at a time. But there's an important rule: put the new tires on the rear axle. This counterintuitive tip keeps the car more stable.
Best Online Retailers
A number of online tire stores offer good prices and service. In general, look for tire-specialty sites and major e-commerce shops that:
- Let you search by car make/model or tire size so you can't order the wrong ones.
- Have detailed customer reviews or ratings on tires. (These help you avoid cheap brands that won't last.)
- Offer free shipping or discounted installation with local service centers.
- Maintain solid policies (good return/exchange terms and clear warranties).
Consumer Reports actually surveys tire retailers, both online and in-store, to rate their shopping experience. This is a helpful reference if you want to see which sellers get top marks.
When Tires Are the Cheapest
Timing your purchase can make a big difference. Tire prices fluctuate seasonally and around holidays. Here are the best times to buy:
| Time Period | Why It's Good | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (March–April) | Shops clear out winter tire stock and prepare for summer driving | Rebates of $70–$100 per set |
| Early Fall (September–October) | "Tire Changeover" season and "Car Care Month" with sales events | 20–40% off deals and substantial rebates |
| Major Holiday Weekends | Memorial Day, Labor Day, Presidents Day, Black Friday | Percentage discounts or "buy 3, get 1 free" offers |
| End-of-Month/End-of-Year | Shops lower prices to meet sales goals | Extra rebates or clearance sales |
Pro Tip: Winter tires actually hit their lowest prices before winter arrives – late summer/early fall, when demand is still low.
Mistakes to Avoid
When buying tires online, be careful to steer clear of common pitfalls:
Common Online Tire Shopping Mistakes
- Don't buy blindly from unknown sellers. Always check the retailer's reputation first. There have been reports of counterfeit or unsafe tires appearing online. Stick with established sites that have customer reviews.
- Double-check fit and size. Enter your vehicle's exact year/make/model to ensure you get the right tires. Mismatched sizes or types can be dangerous.
- Read the return and warranty policy. Before you pay, confirm what happens if the tires don't fit or you change your mind. Some retailers charge hefty restocking fees, or only allow returns within a limited window.
- Watch for hidden fees. Check if free shipping is really free, or if installation is extra. For example, mounting and balancing four tires can add around $100 to your bill. Also ask about disposal fees for old tires.
- Avoid impulse upgrades. A slick website might upsell you to premium-brand tires you don't need. You can often save by choosing a mid-range, fuel-efficient, or well-reviewed budget tire instead.
- Don't buy just one unless necessary. If you need to replace only one tire (say due to damage), make sure it's the same model and tread depth as the others. Replacing a single tire (especially on an AWD vehicle) can cause handling issues.
Conclusion
Shopping online for tires can feel daunting at first, but with the right approach it pays off. You can get the same quality tires that a local shop sells, for a fraction of the price. Remember to compare prices, use coupons and rebates, and time your purchase to coincide with sales.
Check seller reviews and make sure you're buying the correct tires for your car. If you do your homework, you'll likely end up paying 10–30% less than you would in-store.
In short: buying tires online doesn't have to be risky. Plan ahead, shop around, and use the tips above. Before you know it, you'll have four fresh tires and hundreds of dollars saved – all without leaving your driveway. Happy savings (and safe driving)!