Are you tired of frequent signs of wear and tear in your tires? Do you know that it mainly happens if you use the wrong tire set in the summer or winter months? So, you must know about the best time to buy tires to save some money and ensure optimum safety.
April is the best time if you want to buy an all-season tire that you can use throughout the summer and spring. But if you are looking for a winter tire that comes with deeper groves and more traction, you must buy it in October.
However, there is no specific rule for selecting the right time to buy tires, as it depends on various other factors, such as your driving pattern, road conditions, and the snowfall you receive during the winter months.
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When Should You Replace Your Tires?
You need to check your tires regularly to assess the actual condition. Typically, there are four major signs by which you can easily identify if you need a tire replacement or not.
- Irregular Wearing: You need to check all over the outer area of your tires to know if it is wearing equally from everywhere. If you find any irregularities, it means the tire alignment is compromised, and you need a replacement.
- Damaged Sidewall: If you can find any visible damage or any sign of tears in the sidewalls of your tire, it means it needs a replacement, as sidewalls shouldn’t show any sign of damage.
- Tread Depth: You need to make sure that the tread of the tire must have at least a depth of 2/32 inches. If you don’t have any measurement tool, you can insert a penny in the tread and check the depth.
- Out Of Rotation: You need to rotate and balance all four of your tires according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Typically, it is between 5,000 and 7,000 miles. Once you complete a full rotation cycle, you must go for a replacement.
Besides being your own mechanic to identify the need for tire replacement even before it is actually required in a true sense, you can also work as a motor mechanic and help your friends and family members.
And being a motor mechanic is definitely among the best money-making hobbies that pay pretty well.
Choose April For All-Season Tires
You need to get that first; there is no best time to buy tires, as it entirely depends on what type of tire you are looking for. April is the best time if you are looking for an all-season tire, as you don’t need added traction to ride over snow.
Many states in the USA receive a fair share of snowfall till March every year. So, it is better to wait till April to install all-season tires. And these tires will be the best fit during the spring and summer months.
All-season tires wear slower than winter tires and provide a better grip in dry road conditions. You can also use winter tires in the summer, although they will start wearing rapidly. So, it is best to buy two sets of tires: one for spring to summer and another one exclusively for winter.
Best Tire Tread For All Seasons
All-season tires must have lesser tread depth than winter tires, as you don’t need that much traction during summer or spring like the way you need in winter to drive on snowy and icy road conditions.
The tread of all-season tires should be designed in such a way that it can deflect rainwater away from your car.
The tread pattern of all-season tires must have to be less intricate than winter tires, as it needs lesser grip but faster speed.
However, only a tire mechanic in your own locality can guide you the best, as the tire requirement can vary depending on the driving and weather conditions.
Choose October For Winter Tires
October is surely the best time to buy tires if you are looking for a new set to use during the winter months. In most states in the USA, October denotes the start of fall but receives a fair share of warmth.
So, you must utilize that time to prepare for the snowy winter months. Most people wait until the end of November or early December to buy winter tires, as they believe they should buy them after the snow starts.
However, most companies hike the price of their winter tires during those months. On the contrary, you will get great deals on winter tires if you purchase those early, in October.
But, if you live in warmer weather conditions, you should not install those winter tires until the temperature drops below a certain point.
Winter tires are made so that they remain soft and pliable even in harsh cold weather. So, if you install those in warmer conditions, they will start wearing at a rapid pace.
Best Tire Tread For Winter Months
Winter tires come with deeper grooves and thicker treads to deal with snowfall and icy road conditions. If you use all-season tires with mild grips in the winter months, those will not be able to deliver the traction you need.
And the car handling will be heavily compromised. Winter tires also should have more intricate tread patterns than all-season tires to ensure better grip and stability.
Besides, winter tires are made with composite rubber that keeps those soft in cold weather conditions. If you apply pressure on a winter tire with your finger, it should feel softer than all-season tires.
10 Best Places To Buy Tires At A Discounted Price
It is not everything to know about the best time to buy tires, as you must also know about those companies offering various tires from reputed brands at a discounted price.
And here are the ten best places from where you can purchase a new set.
1. Discount Tire
Discount Tire is not just a website where you can buy affordable tires, but it is among the very few places that offer repayment plans.
So, even if you have a money crunch, you can still buy a set of tires for your car and pay it in monthly installments. Depending on your budget, you will have various buying options on this site.
And if you go for a high-quality tire set, you can get it in as low as just $500. The only downside of this company is that the customer service is pretty slow, and you may need to wait for a long to get a response.
2. Goodyear
For the last 122 years, Goodyear has almost dominated the western tire market. And there is no best time to buy tires if you stick to Goodyear, as this company is primarily known for manufacturing high-quality all-season tires.
And depending on your driving style, you can buy the perfect set from this company. A single tire produced by Goodyear can cost you around $180, although you can get a set of four within $600 or so.
And if you visit your nearby Goodyear center, the technicians will also guide you about the alignment, tread, and many more. You can now even get Goodyear tires in Walmart.
3. Big O Tires
Big O Tires is currently the second largest tire retailer in the world. And for the last 57 years, it has been delivering comprehensive tire protection and replacement services throughout the United States.
Besides, this company now also offers a repayment plan for its customers. However, the interest rate can be as high as 16% annually.
You can buy a high-quality tire from this company for $170, whereas a complete set will cost you around $500 to $650. However, tires from this company are known for their durability, and you don’t need to change them before 60,000 miles.
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4. Tire America (NTB)
Tire America is one of the most popular online stores that primarily deals with tires and various other car accessories.
You can get tires from reputed brands, such as Goodyear, Michelin, and Sumitomo, from this online store. And it is also known for super-fast delivery.
Besides buying new tires for your car, you can also check out the list of accredited tire installers in your locality on this website.
This company currently offers both the Tire Protection Program and Road Hazard Protection Program for its loyal customers. However, it currently only ships to US cities.
5. TireBuyer
TireBuyer is one of the most trusted online tire retailers in the United States. This company is known for affordable but high-quality tires and super-fast shipping.
Depending on driving conditions and weather needs, you can buy various kinds of tires from this store.
During the holiday seasons, this company also offers great deals on tires, where you can get a complete set with up to 50% discount on MRP.
Besides, you also don’t need to worry about after-sales support, as this company has an integrated customer service team to assist customers during purchase and after-sales service.
6. Tire Rack
There is no best time to buy tires if you rely on Tire Rack while buying new tires, as this company offers attractive discounts and deals throughout the year.
And it is also among the very few places where you can purchase a full set of tires for just $500. From Michelin to Goodyear, you will find tires from various manufacturers from all over the world.
And as this company directly takes supplies from manufacturers, you will get an unbeatable price, even for the specialized tires. This company also offers express shipping facilities throughout the United States.
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7. PriorityTire
If you are planning to purchase any specialized tire from any reputed tire manufacturer. Consider Bridgestone, Firestone, AMP, Michelin, Accelera, or PriorityTire.
These are the best places from where you’ll get the lowest price quotation. And this company made this possible by tying up directly with the actual manufacturers.
You will get your tires home-delivered through FedEx express shipping all over the USA. And it comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
During the holiday seasons, this company also offers up to a 55% discount on the MRP. Besides, it also often offers introductory prices for newly launched tires in the automobile market.
8. OE Wheels
If you have already determined the best time to buy tires but can’t find any trusted seller, you better check out OE Wheels.
Headquartered in Florida, this company now provides express tire shipping throughout the United States. And it also offers unbeatable prices.
All their products undergo extensive testing procedures covering x-ray checks and pressurized immersion. So, you don’t need to worry about the quality of the tires.
You can get tires from reputed brands from this company, such as Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear.
9. Tire Kingdom
Not every tire retailer sells specialty tires from reputed global brands, such as Yokohama, Michelin, Nitto, Bridgestone, and Hankook.
Tire Kingdom is probably among the few places in the United States where you can get all those. Besides, this company offers a 30-day ride guarantee and free lifetime tire rotation.
You can use the locator service on this website to know about the nearest outlets of this company. Besides, this company can also ship your tire all over the USA. And you can typically expect around 25% to 40% discount on MRP.
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10. Pep Boys
Pep Boys is a specialized automobile company that primarily deals with auto parts. And there is no best time to buy tires from this company, as it offers a year-round discount for customers.
And you can get a full set of tires for just $600, that too, with a 20,000 miles warranty. This company operates and ships exclusively in the United States.
And you can get various brands, such as Goodyear, Cooper Tires, and Kumho. You will have a 90-day price matching advantage after buying tires from this outlet. Besides, they offer a yearlong roadside assistance service as well.
Tips For Buying New Tires
Depending on the road and the weather conditions, you need to buy the perfect set of tires to maintain optimum car handling conditions.
Besides, installing the right set at the right time can also eliminate any chance of rapid wear and tear. And there are four standard rules you must follow while buying a new set.
- Tip 1: You need to check your tires visually to identify any irregularities or deformation. Besides, you must also check if there is any visual sign of wear and tear. And not just the outer face, you must also check the condition of the sidewalls and your tread depth.
- Tip 2: Besides the actual set, you must also check the condition of your spare tire. You must also inspect that spare tire to know if it also needs a replacement or not.
- Tip 3: Go for a whole set of tires rather than buying a single piece. If you just replace one tire that is showing any sign of damage, your car may feel off-balanced. Besides, purchasing a full set can save you some money as well.
- Tip 4: Even after buying and installing new tires, you need to check those regularly, especially in the winter months, to know if they are in optimum condition. Besides, you must also rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.
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What Is The Advantage Of Buying All Four Tires At Once?
You must have already known about the best time to buy tires. But it will be better if you go for a full set rather than buying just one.
Buying a full set can save you some headaches during the winter months, as there is no guarantee that even the good tires won’t start wearing during winter.
If you replace the whole set, your car will be more balanced, as the thread thickness will be the same in all four tires. And if the thread thickness is equal in all four tires, you will achieve better traction.
Moreover, buying a complete set can save you some money as well, as most companies offer around a 10% to 25% discount on the whole set.
What Are The Symbols To Check While Buying New Tires?
If you live in the United States, you must check for two distinct signs in any new tire before buying them. It is even more crucial if you are going for a winter tire.
Any winter tire manufactured or marketed in the USA must have a snowflake and three-peak mountain signs.
These symbols denote the tire has special traction needed for winter road conditions. Besides, you must also use those tires in icy fields and roads after a heavy snowfall.
But it’s not just tires; you may also need a key replacement for your car. And there are so many places for keys made near me that you can also try if you live in the USA.
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What To Look For While Buying Used Tires?
If you have a money crunch or don’t want to invest more than $500 to get a new set, you can surely go for a used one. But April to October is still the best time to buy tires, even if you are planning to buy a used one.
Although there is no harm in buying used tires, you must check the conditions properly to be on the safe side.
First, you need to check if there is any visible sign of wear, tear, deformities, and irregularities in the face and sidewall of used tires. Besides, those tires must not have any cut mark or bump. And you must also check if the thread thickness is even throughout the tire.
While buying a used tire, you must ensure that the thread thickness is larger than 2/32nd of an inch. You can use a penny and insert it in the groove to ensure it meets the ideal tread thickness.
Besides being your own advisor about tires, you can also help your friends to select the best set, as it is one of the ideal ways if you don’t know how to make money without paying anything.
Why Should You Buy Tires Before You Need Them?
According to the guidelines stipulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you must replace your tire every 6 to 10 years.
However, you must replace them even before showing any visual sign of wearing or deformities. And if you find any damage, you can buy a new set in October, as it is the best time to buy tires.
You need to understand that keeping a new set of tires is no harm, as it can save you a lot of headaches in the coming months. Besides, you can also get the best deal if you plan to buy tires a little early than it is actually needed.
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Conclusion
We all know that vehicles are among the best physical assets to buy. But it needs a lot of maintenance and regular inspection to keep the car in the right shape.
Besides, you also need to save some money beforehand to stay prepared during the best time to buy tires.
But don’t fall for cheaper or locally-made tires, as those can heavily jeopardize your safety. It is always better to stick to reputed brands.
FAQs
When should we buy new tires?
You must replace your tire with a new one as soon as you find any visible sign of wear and tear on the face or the sidewalls.
However, the NHTSA suggests that you must replace your tires every 6 to 10 months, even if they are not showing any visible sign of damage.
What is the best month to buy tires?
If you want to go for an all-season tire that you can use throughout the summer and spring months, you must buy it in April.
But, if you are looking for a winter tire that ensures better traction in icy road conditions, October is the best time to buy it.
Should you buy all four tires at once?
Yes, if you don’t have a financial constraint, you must buy a complete set of tires rather than buying just one.
Installing the full set not only ensures better traction but will also deliver better car handling. Besides, buying a whole set can save you some money as well.
How much should you pay for a good tire?
An average all-season tire will cost you between $80 to $150, although it can be up to $200 if it is from a reputed brand.
And you might need to pay $50 more to buy a winter tire. And a full set of tires in the USA will cost you around $500 to $800, depending on the manufacturer.
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Hello there, I’m Siva Mahesh, an MBA Finance post-graduate and a Remote Career & Personal Finance blogger for 5+ years. Over the years, my work has been featured on US News, Entrepreneur, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, EverQuote, Legal Zoom, The Simple Dollar, Databox, Business.com, Business News Daily, Venngage, Score.org, and more. My primary mission is to help our readers maximize their earning potential with legitimate online business ideas, side hustles, and passive income ideas we publish on Dreamshala. Currently, more than 100,000 readers from all around the world visit this blog every month and learn new ways to improve their finances.