It’s finally Spring which means road trips and vacations are on the way! If you’re planning a road trip (like me!) you’ll want your car to be in tip top shape…and that may mean spending money on new tires. Check out these tips and secrets to scoring discount tire deals.

11 Discount Tire Secrets Revealed

1. Use Rebates

You may be surprised by this but tire manufacturers offer rebates ALL the time. A great way to get a nice deal on tires is to use these rebates. Tire Rack’s Rebate Page is updated often and has rebates for a variety of brands. You can also check your brand of tire’s company website for rebates as well.

2. Shop Online

Shopping online is a great way to find affordable tires AND make sure your not being ripped off from your local store.  Tire Rack and DiscountTire.com are great sources for inexpensive tires. Both sites have large selections and are priced very competitively. By checking out these sites you can also find a baseline for how much a certain brand or style of tires should cost you.

3. Negotiate

If you choose not to buy online it’s important to negotiate with your local stores. First, check out prices online and then call your local store and ask for a quote. Ask if there are any tire coupons or promotions and compare the cost with those online. If there price is higher ask if they can match the price or offer a better discount. Negotiating helped save Bargain Babe writer Megan  $1,000 on a new car, so it’s worth the extra effort.

4. Shop Warehouse Stores

Do you have a Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s membership? Then you’ll want to check out their tire deals! Bargain Babe writer Yazmin found the third cheapest price on tires a Costco WITHOUT a coupon. Combine this with a tire coupon that it mailed to members in their monthly coupon booklet and the price may be your lowest option. Wow! You can check in-store but looking online will offer you an ever better selection.

Note –  Even if you don’t have a membership you can still shop at Sam’s Club and BJ’s. While you’ll have to pay an extra 10%-15% it may be worth it if you find a great deal.

5. Lifetime Service Promotions

To get the most out of your tires it’s important to take care of them. This means getting them rotated regularly. Often, stores will offer lifetime service promotions for free or for a lower cost when you buy tires. For example, Goodyear offers a free tire rotation every six months up to 24,000 miles with your tire purchase and Pep Boys has a lifetime wheel balancing service starting at $15.99.  Maintaining your tires will help you reduce tire wear and increase fuel efficiency.

6. Check for Recalls

When cars are recalled it’s a HUGE deal and unlikely to pass by without you noticing but the same isn’t true for tire recalls. Before you spend money on new tires check The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s interactive recall page to see if your tires have been recalled. Just head here, click on Tires, and search by brand name. If your tires have been recalled contact the manufacturer. By law the manufacture is  required to remedy the problem at no charge to the owner…which means you could get your new tires for FREE.

7. Buy Just What You Need

There are TONS of different tires to choose from and many offer a variety of traits that you may not need. Off-road or Z-rated tires are great for four-wheeling or traveling at high speeds BUT if you mainly use your car for your daily work commute buying them doesn’t make sense. Instead, choose tires that meet your driving needs to avoid paying for extra benefits you won’t be utilizing. Consumer Report’s Best Tire Buying Guide will help you determine what you do and don’t need.

8. Buy Tires During April Or October

If you’re looking for the best prices on tires you’ll want to buy in April and October. During these months tires are discounted more than ever. Tires go on sale during April (just around the corner!) when the weather is finally warm enough for buyers to begin thinking of vacations and road trips. They go on sale again in October to encourage consumers to buy new tires before winter.

9. Buy More Than One Tire

Many stores offer discounts for buying tires in bulk. For example, the rebates I mentioned above are ALL for four tire deals. For this reason buying all four tires at once may be your best bet. It’s also easier to negotiate a discount when buying in bulk.

10. Befriend Your Mechanic

Local mechanics and service centers are looking for repeat business…so they’re going to work to get you the best deals. Befriend your mechanic and you’re sure to get great deals. My Dad has been able to get discounts from $50- $150 off tires because of his relationships with mechanics!

11. Don’t Wait Until You NEED New Tires

It’s easy to forget about getting new tires when your car seems to be running great BUT if you wait until you need new tires (ie. have a flat) you’re at the mercy of the retailer. Instead, search for deals and don’t be afraid to buy a tire or two when prices are really low. It’s always good to have a spare on hand for emergencies…especially if it was a bargain!

Where do you buy tires?