Here at Car Talk, we spend most of our time researching and examining the best ways to keep your vehicle in top shape. We know, first hand, how much time and money goes into proper maintenance and care of a vehicle. One of the most important aspects of car health, safety and maintenance are your tires.
A new car will come with a pretty solid set of brand new tires. The manufacturers take the time to choose a tire that is an excellent balance of durability, price and performance. Depending on how much you drive that new set should last you 4 to 5 years. If you buy a used car, we always suggest that you inquire about the age of the tires, and if possible, request a new set before you agree to the sale.
There comes a time in every vehicle owner's life when they need to shop for new tires. This can be a daunting task to some, so Car Talk has tried to take the confusion out of this process. Below we have compiled all the best deals on tires from reputable companies. Each of these sites will help you find excellent deals on tires that fit your make and model of car.
Discount Tire has been a long-established name in the tire world since 1960. Since then, the company has expanded to over 1,000 retail locations and a huge online presence in the tire industry. Discount Tire offers a huge variety of brands at very reasonable prices. Their website is easy to navigate and allows you to sort tires by what will fit your make and model of car.
For more in-depth information, read our full Discount Tire review.
Online tire prices are usually less than in store
SimpleTire is a well reviewed, one-stop-shop for finding new tires at a good price and also scheduling installation, all at the same time. The company maintains a large network of partner shops nationwide, so they can serve a wider range of customers. SimpleTire features a vast array of trusted tire brands as well as some good options you may have not heard of. The company offers financing in house, and their website is easy to use. The company will help you decide which tire is right for your budget, your vehicle and driving style.
For more in-depth information, read our full [SimpleTire review (https://www.cartalk.com/tires/simpletire-review).
Great prices, wide selection and unmatched convenience
Goodyear is not only one of the longest running tire companies in the world, they also have a very well thought out website for their online shoppers. The company offers some of the most dependable, durable products on the market today. Goodyear offers tires for a wide variety of driving conditions and the company is known for their technical innovations in the tire industry.
For more in-depth information, read our full Goodyear Tire review.
Excellent prices and wide variety
Tire Rack is a very well established brand in the tire industry. The company has been in business for more than 40 years, starting with a retail shop and then expanding online in the 1990s. Today, Tire Rack has the largest selection of any online retailer in the business. The very intuitive website helps you choose tires based on price, performance, size and trim. They also have an extensive review system which allows you to read through customer reviews as well as road tests.
For more in-depth information, read our full Tire Rack review.
Online tire prices are usually less than in store
On Amazon, you can shop for almost anything you need, right from your computer or phone. They also offer tires and many other accessories for your automotive needs. Just make sure to do your research about the type and size tires you need before you make a purchase, as Amazon doesn't offer a tire specialist to help you decide on what is right for you like the companies above.
Read more on Amazon Deals here.
Great prices and availability
These days, many larger, big-box retailers have gotten into the automotive parts game. You can now buy tires at these larger stores in your area. While the convenience of getting your tires at the same place you get your groceries and your garden tools is tempting, just make certain you do your research as to which tire would work well for your vehicle. A specialty tire retailer will have very specific knowledge and advice about the product and what might work best for your needs. However, the prices at these huge retail giants might be a bit better, depending on the product you select. Make sure to research and compare prices to find the best option at the most reasonable price point.
Check out these options for big-box retail tires.
At Car Talk, we will always suggest that you support your local independent shop, as much as possible. Your local tire dealer will be able to walk you through the tire purchasing process, answer your questions, and help you feel confident about your decision. They also might be willing to price match for that set of Michelins you found at Tire Rack for 20% less in order to get and keep your business.
We have had luck many times with doing all our research online about which tire we need, finding the best price online and then walking into our local tire shop and asking if they'd be able to match it. This way, we got the tires we wanted, at the right price, and had them installed by our local shop with confidence that we made a good decision.
Car Talk's very active online Community has many interesting and thoughtful perspectives on the best tire brands in the industry, based on real life user experience and knowledge.
Read more on the Best Tires in the industry according to the Car Talk Community here.