Shoppers hunting for bargains this holiday season could put a new set of tires near the top of their list.

With budgets tight and tires running an average $100 apiece, consumers have been delaying such purchases. But with replacement sales expected to drop 6% this year, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, retailers are offering year-end sales to boost business. Where retailers may have offered one code or sale last month, many are currently offering three or more.

Already, the strategy appears to be piquing interest: Consumer searches for auto parts and tires have more than doubled this winter compared with last, reports price comparison search engine PriceGrabber.com. This is one of the biggest seasons for auto part merchants, says Andrea Woroch, a spokeswoman for sale site PromotionalCodes.com.

But is this the right time to act? It could be, since manufacturers are in the process of raising prices. Goodyear increased its prices by 6%, effective Dec. 1, while Bridgestone plans a 5% hike for Jan. 1. In September, the U.S. government also imposed a 35% tariff on Chinese imports. Now those once-cheaper brands are on par with U.S. prices, which effectively created a floor, says Lawrence Orlowski, the primary credit analyst covering Goodyear for Standard & Poor's. Manufacturers have cut production substantially, but are unlikely to start a price war.

First, determine if you need a new set. The average tire lasts 40,000 miles, an estimate that can vary widely based on factors including your driving habits and exposure to the elements, says Michael Calkins, the manager of the AAA Approved Auto Repair network. Check your car owner's manual for manufacturer recommendations. You can also self-assess. Insert a quarter into a tread; making sure George Washington goes in headfirst. If you can still see the top of his head without removing the quarter, it's time for new tires.

Here's how to get a good deal:

Consider all the options

Getting the same set of tires your car came with is a safe bet, but one that often comes with a premium price, says Calkins. Someone replacing tires on a 2004 Toyota Corolla CE would pay $74 apiece at TireRack.com for the Goodyear Integrity tires Toyota used. But that's just one of 45 options for that model Toyota, 28 of which come in with lower price tags. The cheapest: $51, which would save you $92 on the set.

Different sets may improve performance or fuel efficiency, but they can also affect noise or how well the car handles. For example, high-performance tires hug the road well -- and may only last 7,000 or 8,000 miles because of that extra wear, Calkins says. Read expert and consumer reviews on sites like retailer TireRack.com or reviewer Consumer Reports, with an eye to experiences on cars similar to yours. Reviews can also point out potential problems with a particular brand or model of tire, such as a high rate of blowouts or poor handling on wet roads.

Hunt for coupon codes

There are plenty to be had, Woroch says. For example, JC Whitney offers $40 off orders of $200 or more with code DAWBMX9, or free shipping on orders of $75 or more with code SJMC147. Both deals expire on Dec. 31. Sears is currently running a sale on all Michelin and Bridgestone tires.

Visit the warehouse club

Like many other big-ticket items, tires can be as much as 30% cheaper at the warehouse club than at other retailers. They can buy them in such massive bulk that they can pass those savings on, says James Bell, an executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. For example, a Michelin Pilot MXM4 215/55R16/XL 97H goes for $195 at 1010Tires.com, and $168 at Costco -- a 14% savings. Costco has the added advantage of filling tires with nitrogen instead of oxygen. That maintains tire pressure better, in turn improving fuel efficiency, Bell says.

The catch: Clubs may not have a wide selection of available models. There might be some compromise there, he says.

Haggle with your mechanic

A reputable repair shop won t balk at installing tires purchased elsewhere. But ask before you buy tires and they may be willing to meet that other supplier s (or online retailer's) lower price, Calkins says.

Price compare

Very specific model numbers make it easy to hunt online, says Bell. A Google products search for the Michelin Primacy 205/60R16 92V brought up eight results ranging from $118.87 to $183.84. You could save up to 35%.