Tire questions, straight answers
The stuff people actually email us about. How the tool works, where the prices come from, and when to buy. No fluff.
Tread getting low? Read this first.
Most questions below come down to two things: where our tire prices come from, and when to buy. If your tread can wait a few weeks, the timing answers alone can save you real money.
Do you sell tires?
No. We compare tire prices — you buy from the retailer with the best deal. We never touch the sale, the shipping, or the installation. Think of AmericaTire as the friend who calls five shops for you, except it takes a minute instead of an afternoon.
Where do your prices come from?
Public listings from major US tire retailers and online shops. We pull them daily, match them by exact size and model, and layer in published rebates. No retailer feeds us special prices, and none of them pay to rank higher.
How fresh are the prices?
Updated daily. That said, retailers change prices whenever they want — sometimes hours after we check. Always confirm the final price at checkout. If you spot a stale price, tell us; it helps the pipeline.
Is the discount tire data accurate for my zip code?
Online prices, yes. Local store prices vary more — some chains price regionally, and a discount tire promo in Texas may not run in Ohio. We flag prices as online or store-level so you know which is which. When in doubt, the online price is the one to negotiate against.
What tire size do I need?
Check the sticker inside your driver's door jamb — it lists the size your car shipped with, something like 225/65R17. The sidewall of your current tires works too, unless a previous owner went off-spec. Our guides break down what those numbers mean.
Are cheaper tires safe?
Cheap because it's on sale? Completely safe — it's the same tire. Cheap because it's a bargain brand? Usually fine for everyday driving; every tire sold in the US has to meet DOT standards. The real differences show up in wet braking, treadwear, and noise. Our guides cover which budget brands test well and which don't.
When are tires cheapest?
October and April, historically — retailers push tire deals before winter and summer driving seasons. Black Friday and July 4th weekends are strong too. If your tread can wait a few weeks, waiting often beats buying. Power Saver members get the seasonal sale calendar early for exactly this reason.
Do you include installation costs?
Where retailers publish them, yes — we show the tire price and estimated out-the-door cost side by side. Mounting, balancing, and disposal fees typically add $15–$45 per tire, and a "cheap" tire with expensive install can lose to a pricier one with free installation. The tool does that math for you.
Why is the same tire priced so differently?
Retailers buy inventory at different times and volumes, run different promos, and price for their local market. A $40–$60 spread on the same model in the same week is normal. Our founder's $58 spread on a single tire is why this site exists — the story's on the about page.
Do you cover light-truck and SUV tires?
Yes — passenger, light-truck (LT), SUV, and crossover sizes, including all-terrain and highway tread. If your truck takes an LT285/70R17, we track it the same way we track a sedan size. Trailer and commercial tires aren't covered yet.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Two clicks in account settings. You keep paid features until the billing period ends, then move to the free Starter plan. Your saved alerts pause but don't get deleted. Details on the pricing page.
How does AmericaTire make money?
Subscriptions. That's it. No retailer commissions for rankings, no ads, no selling your data. If the rankings ever felt off because someone paid us, the whole product would be pointless — so nobody pays us.
Still wondering if you're overpaying?
One search answers it. Free, no card.