If you've decided that you want Sumitomo tires on your car or truck, it's not very difficult to find those tires, no matter where you live. Thanks to the Internet, even if your local tire store doesn't carry them, you can still purchase the tires you want, and take them to a reputable shop near your house for installation. Many local shops and national chains will also allow you to place special orders for tires they don't have in stock.
Locate tire shops in your neighborhood in the phone book. Call them to see if they carry, or can order, Sumitomo tires for your vehicle. Be prepared to give them the exact make, model and year of your vehicle, so they can retrieve the most accurate information. If that doesn't work, or if you've already tried this and had no luck, proceed to Step 2.
Call your mechanic, and see what it would cost to have him install a set of tires that you bring him. Usually, shops give you a discount on mounting and balancing tires if you purchase those tires through them. If you bring them tires that you bought elsewhere, mounting and balancing usually costs more. If you're dissatisfied with the quote your mechanic offers you, shop around with other local mechanics.
Go to tire-specific websites, such as Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com) and National Tire and Battery (www.ntb.com). Both of these websites are Sumitomo dealers. In the case of NTB, they also have shops located around the country. Use their shop locator to see if there's one in your area. If that doesn't work, order a set of Sumitomo tires for your vehicle from Tire Rack, and take them to your mechanic to have them mounted, balanced, and installed on your vehicle.
