Tire prices have increased 24% in the past four years.

One reason is that starting last month the tariff was increased on Chinese tires from 4% up to 39%.

Also, now many cars require H & V rated tires. These used to be for only high-end or sports cars but are now on sedans and mini-vans.

Plus, some sizes aren't available in less expensive tire lines.

Brian Dooley is the manager at Don’s Service Center. He says consumers who go to wholesale outlets to buy tires need to keep a few things in mind. “Sometimes you'll go to a wholesale outlet to buy tires and in some instances, not all, you're buying tires that are obsolete where the manufacturers are cleaning out some warehouses, or they don't make the tire anymore and so the outlets buy these in truckloads and clear out warehouses and they can offer customers a decent deal. The only thing is if you're a year down the road have a tire problem you're not going to be able to match that one tire.”

Dooley says owners used to trade-in cars every 2 to 3 years so they didn’t have to replace tires. Now that they are keeping cars longer many are surprised at the prices.