If you are in the market to replace your tires, you may be in for a bit of sticker shock. Over the past few years, the price of replacing your tires has gone up. Regulations have been passed down over the years, which has made the process complicated. In some states, they have phased out lead wheel weights and introduced tire pressure monitoring systems. Larger rims have also increased the prices, and tires and their installation can be more expensive than what you are thinking.
Brand of Tire
When you start to look for your tires, you will need the size, and it might not hurt to have your make and model of your vehicle. From there you can look around at the price of tires depending on brands. Brands that are more well known may be higher, while lesser known brands may be more expensive. Expensive does not always mean bad, and cheap does not always mean better. You should look at the reviews for the tire brand before making a decision on which tires you should get. Reading reviews will help you to make the best choice for your budget and your vehicle. Once you have found the tires you would like, you can go to the tire dealer to have your tires installed. Keep in mind you will be paying extra for other services.
Mounting and Balancing
Typically, you will be paying anywhere from $10 to $50 to get your tires mounted and balanced. This price will go up with the size of the tire. Some tire companies will charge the aspect ratio, and some others will charge by the diameter. If the rim is large, you can expect that the price is more. This is due to the fact that your tire will require more weights, which means more labor.
Valve Stem
For the new valve stems, you can expect to pay around $2-$5 for a vehicle that is made before 2007. While you might not think about replacing your valve stems, it is always a good idea to do so. This is important if you live in an area where extreme weather temperatures are the norm.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
If you own a vehicle made after the year 2007 and you must replace tires, it will have the new TPMS or tire pressure monitoring system. Typically, you will not need to replace the sensors when you replace the tire unless it is breaking down. It is important to only let a technician who is experienced with this system work your tires in case it breaks. You can expect to pay $100-$150 if this was to break.
Tire Disposal
When you consider whether or not it is time to replace tires, you will have to pay a tire disposal fee as tires are considered hazardous waste. You can expect to pay around $2 to $6 per tire depending on the tire company’s policy.
Alignment
When you purchase new tires you should consider getting an alignment. An alignment will make sure that your tires are aligned properly, and that you will not have any issue with your tires wearing down quicker than they should. Typically, you should expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $150 for alignments.
As you can see, purchasing new tires can be quite expensive, and it is important to make sure that you have budgeted for this amount. Take your time, and make sure that you have found the right company for your tires as well as the right brand. While purchasing new tires may be expensive, it is a necessity to protect yourself and other drivers on the road.