You will eventually need new tires for your car. With that being said, you want to budget for new tires, so how much does it cost to replace tires?
In this article, I will look into a few of the overall factors to consider when pricing tires. I will also share a few tips to potentially help save you some money on your tires.
How Much Do New Tires Cost?
Generally, a set of 4 tires will generally cost you between $400 and $1500; this can change depending on the tire type, vehicle, quality of tire, and how or where you get them installed.
For cheap tires, you could potentially land on $50 each but for some vehicles these 4 new tires can easily reach $1500 or more.
Now that we have a quick answer of general costs, let’s get more specific about the various pricing factors involved.
Factors Affecting Cost to Replace Your Tires
#1. Tire Size.
The biggest factor influencing your expense will be the tire size. You will find tires in all sizes intended to fit a multitude of purposes. If you have a compact car, you will find the cheapest tires, potentially even $50 each.
Of course, high-performance cars, large pick-up trucks, specialty off-road vehicles, and SUVs will cost more. A good thumb rule is to remember the bigger the tire, the greater the price tag.
#2. Brand.
There are just as many tire brands as there are sizes. A lot of tire shops specialize in providing one budget brand while carrying hundreds of name brand tires.
You will spend less to go with the no-name brand, but consider the quality.
After all, if you save money today by going with this brand, does it really pay off if you end up having to buy tires again too soon? You may additionally receive a much longer mileage warranty with quality tires versus lower priced tires.
If you choose a premium tire brand like Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Bridgestone, you will obviously pay more, however you will have some peace of mind in knowing you are getting a quality tire that is going to last and keep you driving.
#3. Installation Cost.
Most tire shops do not make a lot of money on the installation of tires. The job usually takes a short time and the cost can often be covered in the cost of the tires.
On average, you should expect most shops to charge $20-$40 per tire for installation. If you visit a warehouse club, that amount will be significantly less.
#4. Tire Disposal.
On top of all this, you don’t get to leave your old tires behind without paying a price. Tire shops need to pay to get the old tires recycled, so that cost will show up somewhere in those tire prices.
On average, tire disposal costs will run $2-$10 per tire. If you like to save money, you can take them to the landfill or tire recycling yourself.
#5. Road Hazard/Warranty Protection.
In addition to the regular cost of your new tires, you have the option to add more warranty protection. With road hazard warranty, you are covered for a hole in your tire or a blow-out on the road.
However, you have to be careful who you get road hazard from. Not all companies are going to stand behind the guarantee and you may end up paying for ‘protection’ that is worthless when something actually goes wrong.
#6. Wheel Alignment.
When you install your new tires, you will have to get a wheel alignment done. If you get your alignment done when installing the tires and have aligned tires, it will make them last even longer.
Wheel alignment will likely cost you $75-$200 to have done, depending on how many are actually being aligned. This money can be viewed as an investment to make sure your tires will provide transportation for as long a time as possible.
How to Save Money on Tires?
#1. Shop Around.
The first and foremost important one is that you have to shop around. You can call one shop and get a price for certain tires and then call another shop for the same exact tires and get an entirely different price.
While you are shopping around, be very mindful of a couple costs. You’re going to have the cost of tires, then you will have the installation costs and any fees charged by the shop. Don’t forget to ask for the “out the door total,” so you can compare apples to apples.
#2. Watch for Sales.
You can snag a fantastic deal if you shop during a sale. Of course, you may not be able to get an appointment to swap tires or wait for the next sale, however, if you are looking at some time before you have to replace the tires, this is an awesome way to save.
Tire shops will run various sales throughout the calendar year. You may get a “buy 3, get 1 free” deal or a certain percentage off. Most tire sales are associated with holidays, so you could see one right around the corner.
#3. Check for Rebates.
Tire shops usually don’t make too much on the tire, so discounts could be limited. However, the manufacturers do like to offer rebates throughout the year.
Most of the rebates will be mailed, but you can also find them online. The tire shops have the inside scoop on what is available, so be sure to ask.
#4. Ask about Takeoffs.
Buying a used tire is not always the smartest move, but a takeoff is a different animal altogether. These tires were put on brand new and only used for a couple of days before the owner decided it wasn’t for them.
It could have been they didn’t like the ride, or they just wanted something else. Either way, the tire shop will give you the incompatible tires at a price that is discounted, so be sure to ask about what they have for takeoffs, especially in a popular tire size.
#5. Use All-Season Tires.
If you are in a cold climate with decent snow, you may have two sets of tires. Most people that live in these conditions will have summer and winter tires. If you have two sets of tires, then you have many more dollars out, especially every time you have to switch.
If you are not going to actually drive in the snow, it may be better to use all-season tires all year. While this may not be helpful in deep snow, there is no sense in spending more money if you do not need to. Decide if you can operate on one set of tires for the entire year.
FAQs.
How long do tires last?
The lifespan of a tire depends on the type of tire, the type of driving you do, and the climate. Generally, tires will last anywhere between 50,000 and 80,000 miles and will last about 6 years.
If you drive in city traffic all the time and have heavy braking, your tires may not last as long.
Additionally, tires that are often low on air or with bad wheel alignments may wear faster.
When should I change my tires?
If your tire tread is close to 2/32″ of tread depth or below, it is time to change your tires.
Most tire manufacturers advocate changing tires every 6 years, regardless of how many miles were driven.
The reason is because tire rubber breaks down with time, even if the tires have not been run. Car tires that are over 6 years of age should be assessed by a trained professional to determine their safety for use.
Can I replace two tires, instead of four?
If your car is two-wheel drive, you can replace two of the tires on the same axle rather than four. However, be aware that your car may handle differently with two new tires compared to four.
If you are only replacing two tires, most tire companies recommend putting the new or best tire on the rear axle, since this enhances traction and stability.
However, with most 4WD and AWD cars, if the tires do not have the same diameter, you may damage the transmission or differential, should you replace only 2 tires. Therefore, it is advisable to replace all four tires on 4WD vehicles, and in many cases car brands, like Audi and BMW, require this.
How do I get the right size tire?
You need to write down your old tires dimensions and bring that to the tire shop. Alternatively, you can always call your authorized dealer or check your owner’s manual in case you have stock wheels.