Tire Shop Software: Manage Inventory, DOT Numbers, and Installations

Manage tire inventory, track DOT numbers, and invoice tire installations fast. Mechanics is shop software that works for tire shops too.

THE CHALLENGE

Why Tire Shops Need Different Software

Tire shops operate differently than general repair shops. You're juggling fast inventory turnover, DOT number tracking for recalls, TPMS sensor information, seasonal changeovers where customers store sets of tires, and quick invoicing on high-volume transactions.

A generic POS doesn't track DOT numbers so you can't respond to recalls. A repair shop system isn't built for the speed of tire transactions or seasonal storage. You end up with spreadsheets for inventory, paper records for DOT numbers, and no way to quickly tell a customer where their winter tires are stored.

FOR YOUR SPECIALTY

What Tire Shops Need From Software

Fast Inventory Lookup

Customer walks in asking for 225/60R17 all-season tires. You need to know instantly: What do we have in stock? What's the price? What brand? Can we mount it today? Mechanics searches your inventory in seconds.

DOT Number Tracking for Recalls

When the NHTSA issues a tire recall, you need to respond fast. You track which DOT codes you've sold, to whom, and when. A tire recall tracking system saves you from liability and keeps customers safe.

TPMS Sensor Tracking

Every tire installation involves TPMS. You need to log what sensors are used, whether they're reused from old tires or new, and reference this when the customer comes back with a sensor issue.

Quick Invoicing

Tire installations are high-volume, fast transactions. You need to invoice quickly and get the customer out the door. No complicated estimating process. Just ring it up, mount it, invoice it.

HOW IT WORKS

How Mechanics Handles Tire Installations

Tire SKUs in Inventory

Add tires to your inventory with all the details: brand, model, size (225/60R17), load index, speed rating, DOT week/year, price, and location in your shop (rack A, bay 2, storage). Search by size, brand, or customer need instantly.

Michelin Defender LTX T+H
Size: 225/60R17
Load Index: 99T
DOT: 5924 (week 59, 2024)
Price: $142
Qty in Stock: 8
Location: Storage Rack A

DOT Number Tracking

Every tire sold is logged with its DOT number. When a recall hits, you search by DOT code and see instantly which customers bought that tire. You can reach out proactively. Plus, you're protected from liability because you have records.

Tire Sale Record
Customer: John M.
Vehicle: 2018 Honda Civic
Tires: 4x Michelin Defender LTX T+H (225/60R17)
DOT: 5924 (week 59, year 2024)
Date Installed: 2024-03-10
Tech: Maria
Recall Alert Example:
"NHTSA recalls DOT codes 5920-5924 for this model. John M. was notified 2024-06-15."

TPMS Sensor Notes

Log TPMS information on each tire installation: reused sensors from old tires, new sensor installation, sensor swap, or sensor replacement. When a customer calls with a TPMS light, you know exactly what happened during their tire install.

Tire Installation Notes
TPMS Status: All 4 sensors reused from old tires
Sensors: Toyota part# 42607-02100, all functioning
Pressure Set: 34 PSI all four
Notes: Customer aware sensors are reused, ~5 years old

Fast Tire Installation Invoicing

Create a work order for the tire job. Select the tires from inventory, log labor (mounting, balancing, TPMS programming), and apply the install fee. Mechanics calculates tax and total. Print or email the invoice. Total time: 2-3 minutes per vehicle.

Tire Installation Invoice
4x Michelin Defender LTX T+H (225/60R17): $568
Mounting & Balancing (4 wheels): $80
TPMS Programming: $20
Disposal/Recycling (4 old tires): $20
Subtotal: $688
Tax (8.5%): $58.48
Total: $746.48

SEASONAL MANAGEMENT

Manage Seasonal Tire Changeovers and Storage

Tire shops profit from seasonal swaps. In October, customers want to switch from summer to winter tires. In May, they switch back. You need to track: where their tires are stored, when they're due for a swap, and be able to remind them.

Store Customer Tire Sets

When a customer installs winter tires, log their summer set as "in storage." When they switch to summer, mark the winter set as "in storage." Mechanics tracks which sets belong to which customer, vehicle, and status.

John M. | 2018 Honda Civic
Winter Set (STORED):
Blizzak WS90, 225/60R17, DOT 5822, Stored since 2024-04-15
Summer Set (IN USE):
Michelin Defender LTX, 225/60R17, DOT 5924, Installed 2024-04-15

Automatic Swap Reminders

Set seasonal reminders in Mechanics. "In late September, remind all winter tire customers for October swaps." "In late April, remind all summer tire customers for May swaps." Automatic emails keep customers coming back.

Email Template
"Hi John, it's time for your spring tire swap! Your winter set is ready
for storage, and we'll install your summer tires. Schedule today."

Revenue from Storage and Swaps

A seasonal swap generates: mounting/balancing ($80), TPMS reprogramming ($20), disposal fee ($10-20), and the possibility of selling new tires. Mechanics makes sure you don't forget a customer or miss a seasonal opportunity.

PERFECT FOR

Built for These Types of Tire Shops

Dedicated Tire Shops

100% of your business is tires. High volume, fast transactions, seasonal swaps. Mechanics is built for tire operations.

General Repair Shops with Tire Business

You do repairs but also sell and install tires. Mechanics lets you manage the tire side without being a repair shop system.

Multi-Location Tire Chains

Multiple shops, shared inventory policies, need to see tire recalls and DOT tracking across locations. Mechanics scales with you.

Tire Retailers

Online retailers, Big Box stores, or independent shops selling tires. You need fast invoicing, inventory tracking, and DOT documentation.

REAL RESULTS

What Tire Shops See With Better Software

-50%

Faster Invoicing

From 5-10 minutes per tire job to 2-3 minutes. More jobs per day.

+25%

More Seasonal Swaps

Automatic reminders mean more customers return for spring and fall swaps.

-90%

Recall Response Time

From manual lookup to instant DOT tracking. Protect customers and your business.

THE DIFFERENCE

Generic POS vs. Mechanics

FeatureGeneric POSMechanics
Tire SKU TrackingGeneric products, no tire-specific fieldsBrand, size, load index, speed rating, DOT code
DOT Number DocumentationNo DOT tracking capabilityEvery tire logged with DOT, searchable for recalls
Recall ManagementManual lookup, requires digging through receiptsSearch DOT code, instantly see all affected customers
TPMS TrackingNo TPMS field, no sensor documentationLog reused, new, or replaced sensors per installation
Seasonal StorageNo storage management, customer tires not trackedTrack stored tire sets per customer, set swap reminders
Seasonal RemindersManual email to customers, easy to forgetAutomatic seasonal swap reminders by month
Invoice SpeedCan be slow, designed for retail not serviceBuilt for fast tire installation transactions
Service DocumentationReceipt only, no service historyFull service record per tire, mounting, balancing, TPMS

Real Example: NHTSA Tire Recall Response

Scenario: NHTSA issues a recall for Michelin Defender LTX DOT codes 5920-5924 due to a sidewall separation issue. You need to respond immediately.

The Old Way (Manual)

You read about the recall. You dig through paper invoices from the last 2 years. You find maybe 20% of affected sales. You manually call customers. The recall response takes weeks. You might miss customers. If someone has a failure, you're liable.

With Mechanics

NHTSA recall issued. You search Mechanics for DOT codes 5920-5924. Results: 47 customers affected. You mark all as "recall notified." Mechanics generates an email to all 47 customers with recall info and appointment link. Within 24 hours, you've reached everyone. You're protected. Customers appreciate the proactive outreach.

Mechanics Recall Search Results
Search: "DOT 5920-5924" + Michelin Defender LTX
Matches: 47 customers (all 4-tire sales from Jan 2022 - present)
Customer List:
1. John M. | 2018 Honda Civic | Installed 2024-03-10
2. Sarah K. | 2020 Toyota Camry | Installed 2024-02-15
3. Mike R. | 2016 Ford F-150 | Installed 2023-11-08
... (44 more)
Action:
Send automated recall notice + repair appointment link

SIMPLE PRICING

Affordable Tire Shop Software

Tire inventory, DOT tracking, invoicing, and seasonal management. One flat rate per user. No per-transaction fees. No hidden charges.

All plans include a free 30-day trial. No credit card required.

Stop Managing Tire Inventory With Spreadsheets

Mechanics is built for tire shops. Fast invoicing, DOT tracking, seasonal management, and TPMS documentation. Manage your tire business with confidence and protect your customers.

Start Free

Free for 30 days. All features included. No credit card required.