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How to Prepare for a Tire Dealer Visit

The more prepared you are before visiting a tire shop, the better your purchase. Know your tire size (from the sidewall of your current tires or the door placard), think about the weather conditions and road types you regularly encounter, and know your driving priorities. Michelin's Tire Selector tool lets you find compatible tires and print or send the results before your appointment. This page provides the questions to ask the dealer and the information to have ready.

What information should you prepare before going?

The more prepared you are before coming to the dealer, the more assured you can be to find the right tire for your driving needs and have confidence in your purchase.

First, make sure you know what tire size is compatible with your vehicle using our Tire Selector tool, looking on your current tires, or in your vehicle’s manual or tire information door sticker.

See how to find my vehicle's tire size

Next, think about what you need your tires to be able to do for you: what weather or road conditions will you drive in, how you like to drive, etc.

  • If you’ve done all of this using our Tire Selector tool, you can easily print out your search information or send it to your cell phone/email. The information pack will have all the information on your search, your selected product, and other compatible alternatives.

5 questions to ask the dealer

  1. What type of tires do you recommend for my vehicle and my specific driving needs (weather conditions, types of roads, driving style, etc.)?
  2. For that type of tire, what specific product do you recommend?
  3. Why do you recommend this tire over others?
  4. Does its price include mounting and balancing?
  5. Are any other services included?

Availability and price

  • If a tire you’ve selected is not immediately available at your dealer, you can ask them to order it.

  • Remember that a good price does not always reflect good value: tires that lasts longer can help you save on fuel and help keep you safe, offering better value in the long run.

FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions.

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  • Your vehicle's make, model, year, and trim level (this determines the OE tire spec)

  • The current tire size (found on the sidewall of any tire on your car or on your door jamb placard)

  • Your annual mileage and typical driving conditions (city, highway, mixed; summer only or year-round)

  • Whether you're replacing all four or just two

  • Any concerns about your current tires (vibration, pulling, wear pattern)

A knowledgeable dealer will use this information to narrow recommendations rather than simply defaulting to the most popular or most profitable option.

  • Does this tire have the 3PMSF certification for Canadian winter use?

  • What's the tread life warranty, and what does it actually cover?

  • Is this tire OE-approved or OE-designated for my vehicle?

  • Does the price include installation, balancing, and valve stem replacement?

  • Do you include a free rotation with purchase?

  • What's the road hazard policy if I get a puncture?

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