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How to Buy a Set of New All-Season Tires

How to · Auto

How to Buy a Set of New All-Season Tires

A practical guide to timing your tire purchase, negotiating the total, and using a 0% intro window.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $800 before anything else
Across the 0% window $44.44/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $800 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A good set of all-season tires keeps you planted on wet highway off-ramps and cuts down on winter sliding without the swap hassle. Keeping them fresh is just part of running a car, but four new corners usually run about $800 once you add mounting, balancing, and disposal fees. May tire safety promotional events are one of the best times to buy because manufacturers drop rebates and shops compete for your business before the summer road trip rush.

You should always negotiate the out-the-door price of the rubber and installation before you ever talk about how you are paying for it. A financing window is just a tool to spread out the cash flow for the deposit and the extras, not a blank check to ignore the bottom line. Getting quotes from a few local shops and big-box clubs will keep the price soft before you lock in your payment plan.

Remember that the 0% intro window is a strict deadline, not free money, and any remaining balance left over when those 18 months run out will get hit with standard interest charges.

The steps

  1. 01

    Check your tread and pick the right tire

    Measure your tread depth with a quarter to see if you actually need new rubber now. Look for all-season models with strong wet-braking scores rather than just the cheapest option on the rack. Your safety depends entirely on how well that small patch of rubber grips the pavement.

  2. 02

    Shop around for the total installed price

    Call three different shops and ask for an out-the-door quote that includes mounting, balancing, valve stems, and old tire disposal fees. Online tire retailers often ship straight to a local installer for a flat fee, which gives you a solid price anchor. Use those competing numbers to get your preferred shop to match the lowest total.

  3. 03

    Time your buy for May promotions

    May brings heavy tire safety promotional events with mail-in rebates directly from major manufacturers like Michelin or Goodyear. Combine those factory rebates with shop installation discounts to shave off a chunk of that $800 total. Buying during a promotional window often gets you free rotations for the life of the tires too.

  4. 04

    Set up your payment window

    If you want to spread out the cost, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. Spreading an $800 bill across that window means paying about $44.44 per month to clear it before the deadline. Automate those monthly payments so you do not have to think about them.

  5. 05

    Keep up with rotations and alignments

    Protect your new investment by getting a wheel alignment if your steering wheel pulls or your old tires wore unevenly. Schedule tire rotations every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to keep the tread wearing evenly across all four corners. Most shops include free rotations if you bought the set from them.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

When is the best time of year to buy new tires?

May promotional events and October pre-winter sales are the two best times to buy because manufacturers run heavy mail-in rebates. Shops also run volume discounts during these months to capture seasonal switchover traffic.

What extra fees should I watch out for when buying tires?

Always ask if mounting, balancing, valve stems, and state disposal fees are included in the quote. Some shops quote just the price of the tire and then tack on an extra twenty bucks per wheel at the register.

How long do all-season tires actually last?

Most quality all-season tires are rated for 60,000 to 80,000 miles, which translates to about four to six years of normal driving. Real-world lifespan depends on your alignment, driving style, and how often you check your tire pressure.

Should I replace all four tires at once?

Replacing all four is ideal for balanced handling and uniform grip, especially on all-wheel-drive vehicles. If you only replace two, put the new tires on the rear axle to prevent the back end from sliding out on wet roads.