9 Tips for Buying Affordable Tires
Every component of an automobile must be maintained well so that it works fine. The tires, in particular, need special attention as they wear out quickly due to friction between the rubber and the road. One may need to replace the tires if their tread depth drops, and they do not provide sufficient grip. But since tires can be expensive, one must follow the right tips to save money without sacrificing quality.
1. Set a budget
Dealerships have tires from different brands. The ones from top tire companies boast exciting features like all-season traction and optimized tread patterns. But these are usually expensive. Without a budget, customers may pick up these tires even though they do not need the fancy features, leading to a waste of money. So, setting a spending limit before heading to the store is important. The budget can vary from person to person. While some may set a limit of R$900, others might be okay paying R$2,000 or more. Regardless, one can rest assured of finding a tire in their budget range.
2. Rea d reviews online
Reading online reviews is the best way to determine if a set of tires is worth the price. People who have purchased new tires sometimes review them, talking about the price they paid and their experience with the product. Reading such reviews may help one make a well-informed decision when buying cheap tires. Good reviews are a sign that a tire is super reliable, and one can consider getting it.
3. Visit multiple stores
Some people enter a store and buy a tire immediately if they find it the cheapest. This can be a mistake. There’s a good chance one may find an even cheaper tire at another store. So, one needs to keep their options open. Visiting multiple stores and dealerships will help one make a more informed selection and pick the most affordable option.
4. Use search tools
The internet is the best place to find the most affordable tires. Using relevant search terms online, such as “cheapest tires nearby,” “tire deals online,” or “top tire companies for affordable tires,” should provide a range of search results that one might find useful. That said, one shouldn’t blindly buy any tire that appears cheap online. It is important to research each result by checking standard metrics like stop distance, quietness, comfort, tire life, and cost-per-tire. A few online tools compare tires in terms of prices, performance, and features. Using such tools may help one find quality affordable tires.
5. Look for financing
An excellent way to save on new tires is to opt for financing. Many tire retailers offer eligible buyers six-, nine-, and 12-month financing options. For instance, if one purchases four tires for R$2,000 and opts for financing over 12 months, they might have to pay about R$167 monthly. While this method will help one make affordable payments each month, an interest rate could be added to the amount.
6. Use coupons
If a retailer does not offer discounts to make tires more affordable, one can always look for coupons online. Various third-party websites have tire coupons, which one can apply at checkout when buying tires online. Besides tires, the coupons might offer discounts on car accessories, spare parts, and auto-related services.
7. Buy during the festive season
Manufacturers and retailers usually slash the prices of tires during the festive seasons. This is an ideal time to pick up fresh tires, as they might be more affordable than the usual rate.
8. Negotiate
If one wants a specific tire brand and model but cannot find financing offers or discounts, negotiating is the best way to make the purchase affordable. One should speak to the sales representative or contact customer service to inquire about the product and decide on a price that’s lower than what’s quoted.
9. Go DIY with installation
When one purchases tires, dealerships usually charge for installation. But not everyone may need this service. If one knows how to change tires, they can do it themselves and ask the retailer to exclude the price from the bill. This step could make the tire purchase more affordable. If one isn’t a professional mechanic, one could look for deals on installation to reduce the price.
Tips to choose tires
If someone does not buy the right tires, they might have to return them, which can involve paying return charges. One must think before finalizing a product and check a few important things to avoid such unnecessary expenses.
- Check the tire size by looking at the sidewall. A tire’s sidewall usually has a set of numbers printed, starting with a letter. They represent the vehicle type, tire width, aspect ratio, and rim diameter.
- Assess the speed limits and load ratings of the tire. The speed rating refers to the optimal speed the tire can safely handle, while the load rating is the amount of load it can carry.
- Check which season the tire is made for. The price will vary depending on whether the tire is made for winter, summer, or both seasons.