How Much Does it Cost to Replace All Four Tires?

In this article we are going to look at tires, why you need to replace them and how much this might cost you. We fully understand that for many out there money is still tight but if you are going to operate a vehicle you need it to be roadworthy and bald tires do not make for a good thing.

Why Do You Need to Replace Tires?

In the world of car wheels there’s only really one place you should see a smooth bald tire and that is on a high level motor racing event. Those however are special tires that are designed to become sticky as they get hot.

Those tires are known as slicks and the vast speeds on which they are driven create a sticky surface which holds the roads in cornering. I can guarantee you that your road car does not have the power nor should it be driving fast enough to use slick tires so if your tires are bald you are in big trouble.

The tread on our tires is what helps create friction on the road surface and as a result traction. If the tread on your tires is almost gone not only are you breaking the law but you are also a danger on the road.

Aside from bald tires which should be replaced without delay if you get damage to the tire sidewall or a serious puncture that can not be repaired you will need at least one tire replaced. Generally speaking if that tire is a drive wheel then you should replace any other drive wheel tires at the same time. This is because uneven tread can cause issues for your transmission over time.

How Much Do New Tires Cost?

This is one of those questions with a rather variable answer because tire prices depend greatly on the type of tire, the vehicle, the quality and where you get them installed. As an average estimate though you can be paying between $400 - $1,500 for a full set of new tires.

You might be able to get tires for $50 each and if you have the right equipment replace them yourself for $200. Putting a new tire on a wheel is not all that easy however so unless you know what you are doing you will likely be paying some labor costs as well.

What Are the Factors Affecting Tire Replacement Costs?

The Size of the Tires

You may not realize this but not all tires are the same size and certain cars require certain tires. As you might imagine the bigger the tire the higher the potential cost. Those hoping to pay $50 a tire will probably have to be driving a compact car.

Bigger tires on trucks or ones designed for high performance vehicles are going to cost more money, sometimes up to $1,500 a set if not more.

Brand Named Tires

We know in all aspects of life that brand names bump up the price. Your local tire shop will likely carry one budget brand and several branded tires that they will want to upsell you on. The big names like Goodyear and Bridgestone cost more money and the no-name budget brands will save you money in the short term.

The important thing to remember is that big name brands will tend to have a more quality product so although they cost more they may last longer than the cheap tire brand. In fact a quality set of tires might out last two or even three sets on the budget brand.

Cost of Installation

You might be surprised to learn that a tire shop generally doesn’t charge a lot in installation costs chiefly because they have the right equipment to make it a very easy job. You might expect to pay $20 - $40 per tire in labor costs on average.

Interestingly though if you can get your tires changed at a warehouse club you might pay even less in labor costs making it worthwhile to have experts to do the job rather than going the do it yourself approach.

Tire Disposal

This is an expense that we don’t always think of because once you have new tires what happens to the old ones? Well the tire shop can’t just throw them in a dumpster they have to dispose of them for you. They do this by paying for them to be recycled, a cost that gets tacked onto your replacement bill.

The fees are not ridiculous, often between $2 - $10 per tire but you do have the option to dispose of them yourself. Remember though if you are going to do so make sure it is done correctly. If you get caught disposing of tires illegally you may face fines from local authorities. So $8 - $40 isn’t that much extra to make sure it’s done right.

You Can Pay for Extra Warranty

This is an optional extra beyond the standard tire warranty which will just cover you against wear over a certain distance driven. This warranty covers you for road hazards which may damage your tire. The idea is that they replace the tire for you.

It should be noted though that you should only take this warranty from a reputable tire shop as some will sell the coverage and find reasons to deny the service should the need arise.

You Will Need Wheel Alignment

This is part of the process for changing tires; it ensures that the wheels are correctly aligned and that they will not wear unevenly. Ultimately it will help the tires last longer but sadly it is not cheap. A wheel alignment can range from $75 - $200 depending on how many you get done.

Money Saving Tips

The above breakdown of prices may have alarmed you a little but for your sanity's sake let us give you a few money saving tips which might help you out.

Call Around

Tire shops don’t charge the same so there is nothing wrong with calling around to a few shops to get some over the phone quotes. If you are going to do this make sure you know what kind of tires you need. Always use this phrase “What is the out the door price?” This should get you a quote of the exact amount you pay including all of their fees.

Keep an Eye Out for Sales

If you have a little time before you have to get this done you might be able to wait until a sale comes up at one of the local tire shops. Like any business from time to time they need to clear out old stock to make room for new. They will run a sale such as buy 3 get one free.

Learn About Rebates

Some of the major manufacturers will run rebate programs when you purchase their tires. The shop may tell you about this or there may be posters advertising it. You usually have to apply by mail for this rebate but you might be able to get a little money back after a few weeks.

Consider Used Tires

This is not ideal but if you are really in a bind financially some places have a stock of tires that still have tread left on them. They may have been returned by a customer who decided they didn’t want them. Known as takeoffs these will be cheaper as they are used.

Consider All-Season Tires

In areas that have warm summers but brutal winters some people will actually own two sets of tires which they change seasonally. This can be a costly endeavor over time but getting all-season tires instead may be more expensive for a single set but cheaper than buying two.

If you have changeable weather conditions where you live it might be wise to get these all-season tires to cover you year round.

How Much Tread Is Not Enough?

As mentioned earlier if your tire tread is too shallow you should replace your tires without delay. If your tread is less than 2/32” in depth then it must be replaced. This is not just a personal safety thing but in many states you can receive major fines for having such shallow treads on your wheels.

Conclusion

Tire replacement is not the cheapest thing in the world; it can cost between $400 - $1500 depending on the tires and the vehicle they are being attached to. This is not an insignificant amount but when it comes to your safety and that of other road users replacing your tires should not take a back seat.

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