PerkCalendar
Sign InSubscribe
Best Time to Buy Tires

2026 Buying Guide

Best Time to Buy Tires

Best in October$60-$100+ rebates per set
Quick Answer

October is the best month to buy tires, when manufacturers like Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental run their largest rebate programs of the year ($60-$120 back on a set of four) to drive pre-winter sales. April is the second-best window, with spring rebate season offering $50-$100 back per set.

Best MonthOctober
Top Savings$60-$100+ rebates per set

Tire pricing follows a predictable rebate cycle driven by manufacturers rather than retailers. Unlike most consumer products where the store sets the sale price, tire discounts come primarily through manufacturer mail-in rebates offered 3-4 times per year. Understanding this cycle lets you time your purchase to save $60-$120 on a set of four tires -- on top of any retailer promotions.

The total cost of new tires goes well beyond the sticker price. Mounting, balancing, valve stems, disposal fees, and a potential alignment add $80-$200 to the bill. Knowing where to buy and what services are included can save as much as timing the purchase itself.

Month-by-Month Price Calendar

When prices are lowest throughout the year

Jan
Wait
0-10%Quiet period after holiday spending; minimal manufacturer rebates and retailer promotions
Feb
Wait
0-10%Few deals available; some winter tire closeouts if inventory remains from fall
Mar
Great
15-20%Early spring rebates begin; Goodyear and Cooper often launch programs ahead of competitors
Apr
Best
20-25%Peak spring rebate season with $50-$100 back per set from all major manufacturers
May
OK
10-15%Tail end of spring rebates; Memorial Day promotions from some retailers and manufacturers
Jun
Wait
5-10%Gap between rebate cycles; occasional small promotions from individual brands
Jul
Wait
5-10%Minimal tire deals; Prime Day occasionally includes tire discounts on Amazon
Aug
Wait
5-10%Pre-fall quiet period; not a strategic time to buy unless you have an urgent need
Sep
OK
10-15%Early pre-winter rebates launch from some manufacturers; Labor Day retail promotions
Oct
Best
25-30%Best month to buy tires; all major manufacturers run their largest rebate programs of the yearBest
Nov
Great
15-25%Black Friday brings strong online deals from Tire Rack and Amazon that stack with rebates
Dec
Wait
0-10%Post-rebate season; winter tire demand pushes prices up and popular sizes sell out
Best Great OK Wait

Best Months to Buy Tires

October: Pre-Winter Rebate Season ($60-$120 back per set)

October is the single best month to buy tires. Every major manufacturer -- Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Cooper, and Hankook -- runs aggressive rebate programs to capture pre-winter demand. Michelin typically offers $70-$80 back on a set of four, Bridgestone runs $70-$100 rebates, and Continental often leads with $80-$120 back. Retailers like Tire Rack, Discount Tire, and Costco stack their own promotions on top. The Prime Big Deal Days event in October also brings tire deals to Amazon.

April: Spring Rebate Season ($50-$100 back per set)

The second major rebate cycle hits in spring as manufacturers target drivers replacing tires after winter wear. Spring Sale events align with manufacturer promotions. Rebates are slightly smaller than October but still substantial. This is the ideal window for all-season and performance summer tires. Costco often runs tire installation promotions in spring as well.

November: Black Friday Online (15-25% off + rebates)

Black Friday has become a significant tire-buying event, especially online. Tire Rack runs its biggest sale of the year with instant savings that stack with manufacturer rebates. Walmart and Amazon discount house brands and popular models by 15-25%. Costco occasionally offers additional installation savings during this period.

Secondary Buying Windows

  • March: Early spring rebates begin; Goodyear and Cooper often start their programs a month earlier than the competition
  • May (Memorial Day): Tail end of spring rebate season; some manufacturer rebates extend through the holiday weekend
  • September (Labor Day): Some manufacturers launch October rebates a week or two early around Labor Day

What to Buy When

All-season tires are the most popular choice and can be purchased during any rebate window. They handle light snow, rain, and dry conditions. Best bought in April or October. Expect $100-$200 per tire for quality options from Michelin (Defender series), Continental (TrueContact), or Bridgestone (Alenza for SUVs).

Winter/snow tires should be purchased in September or early October before demand spikes. Waiting until November means popular sizes sell out and prices firm up. Top performers: Michelin X-Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, Continental VikingContact. Budget $120-$250 per tire.

Performance tires see the best deals in spring (April-May) when enthusiasts are preparing for driving season. Category leaders: Michelin Pilot Sport, Continental ExtremeContact, Bridgestone Potenza at $150-$350 per tire.

The True Cost: Beyond the Sticker Price

A set of four tires advertised at $150 each ($600 total) actually costs $680-$800 installed. Add mounting and balancing ($15-$25 per tire), valve stems ($3-$8 each), disposal fees ($3-$5 each), and TPMS sensor service ($5-$15 each). If your vehicle is due for a wheel alignment ($80-$120), factor that in too -- new tires on misaligned wheels wear unevenly and cut tire life by 25-50%.

Where to Buy

Best Overall Value

  • Costco: Tire prices are competitive, and installation includes lifetime balancing, rotation, flat repair, nitrogen inflation, and a road hazard warranty -- services worth $100-$200 over the tire's life. The drawbacks: limited brand selection (primarily Michelin and Bridgestone) and longer appointment wait times.

Best Selection

  • Tire Rack: Widest selection, excellent comparison tools, competitive pricing. Ships to your door or to a local installer from their network. Installation is separate ($20-$30 per tire at partner shops). Their Black Friday sale is the best online tire event of the year.
  • Discount Tire: America's largest tire retailer. Matches competitor prices and frequently runs buy-three-get-one promotions. Good for in-person shoppers who want same-day installation.

Budget

  • Sam's Club: Includes lifetime balancing and rotation similar to Costco. Aggressive pricing on mid-range brands.
  • Walmart: Lowest upfront price on brands like Hankook and Cooper. Best for budget-conscious buyers.

Key Sales Events for Automotive

Full calendar

Spring Sale

March 20 - 31

1 day away

Memorial Day Sales

May 23 - 25

65 days away

Labor Day Sales

September 5 - 7

170 days away

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

October 7 - 8

202 days away

Black Friday

November 27

253 days away

Cyber Monday

November 30

256 days away

Buying Tips

  • Stack manufacturer rebates with retailer promotions for maximum savings; buying Michelin tires at Costco during an October rebate can save $150-$200 on a set of four
  • Check your tire size before shopping -- it is printed on the sidewall (e.g., 225/65R17) and in your owner's manual; wrong-size tires are a safety hazard
  • Do not buy tires based on price alone; the difference between a $100 tire and a $150 tire in wet braking distance can be 15-30 feet at highway speeds
  • If you need two tires instead of four, always put the new tires on the rear axle regardless of drive type -- this prevents dangerous oversteer in wet conditions
  • Ask about road hazard warranties before purchase; Costco includes one free, Discount Tire sells certificates for $20-$30 per tire, and they cover pothole and debris damage
  • Replace tires at 4/32-inch tread depth, not the legal minimum of 2/32 inch; wet traction drops dramatically below 4/32 and stopping distances increase by 50% or more
  • Manufacturer rebates are almost always Visa prepaid cards with 6-8 week processing times; submit the rebate form immediately and keep copies of all receipts

Recommended Reading

Tire Comparison

Best Tires for Every Budget in 2026: Premium vs Mid-Range vs Budget Compared

We compared 40+ tire models across three price tiers to find the best options whether you have $50 or $250 per tire to spend.

12 min readRead Article →

Frequently Asked Questions

Major manufacturers (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear) run 3-4 rebate programs per year, typically in March-April, May-June, September-October, and November. The October and April programs are consistently the largest, with $60-$120 back on a set of four tires.
For most buyers, yes. Costco's installation package includes lifetime balancing, rotation, flat repair, nitrogen fills, and road hazard warranty -- services worth $100-$200 over the tire's life. Their prices are competitive on Michelin and Bridgestone. The main downsides are limited brand selection and longer wait times for appointments.
Most quality all-season tires last 50,000-70,000 miles with proper maintenance (regular rotation every 5,000-7,000 miles, correct inflation, and alignment). Budget tires may last only 30,000-40,000 miles. Regardless of tread depth, tires should be replaced after 6-10 years due to rubber degradation, even if they look fine.
All-season tires work for mild winters with occasional light snow. If you regularly drive in temperatures below 45 degrees F, on icy roads, or in heavy snow, dedicated winter tires provide dramatically better traction -- stopping distances can be 30-40% shorter than all-season tires in cold conditions. Consider a second set of wheels with winter tires if you live in a cold climate.
Online (Tire Rack, Amazon) offers the best selection and price comparison. In-store (Costco, Discount Tire) offers convenience and bundled installation. The best strategy is to research and compare prices online, then check if your local preferred installer can match or beat the price. Tire Rack ships to partner installers, combining online pricing with local installation.
Speed rating (H, V, W, Y) indicates the maximum safe speed for the tire. Load index is the maximum weight each tire can support. For everyday driving, match or exceed your vehicle manufacturer's specifications found on the door jamb sticker or in the owner's manual. Never downgrade speed rating or load index from the original equipment specification.

Never miss the best price

Get deal alerts timed to when automotive prices actually drop lowest.

Get Deal Alerts
Last updated: March 2026All Buying Guides