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The tyres are the only part of the vehicle in contact with the road and therefore play a fundamental role in the safety and performance of your vehicle, making the choice of tyre an important decision.
Wet road conditions, cold weather and loose gravel are conditions that really put our tyres to the test. Braking distance increases considerably when tyres are worn, making it important to keep an eye on your tread depth – better treads can dispel or evacuate the water quickly away from the wheel and remain in contact with the road surface.
When it comes to buying a new set of tyres, we are often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choice, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Tyres perform differently depending on compound materials used and the tread pattern and size, when shopping for the right tyres there are several considerations to be taken into account, these include the following:
Fitment and Compatibility
The first obvious step is to find the right size tyre for your vehicle – correct fitment is very important as tyres come in many sizes and types. A large SUV will require a very different set of tyres to a small city car designed for short runs.
There are several ways to check the required size of tyre for your vehicle, this information can be found in the manufacturer’s manual, or on the sidewall markings of the current tyres – if you are not familiar with deciphering the markings, there is plenty of information available online to help. It is also possible to measure your own tyres, this involves measuring the section width, wall thickness, rim diameter, and noting down the type of tyre – either radial (R) or ply (P), the load rating index and the speed rating index. Or alternatively, take your car to your local garage for professional tyre advice.
Further Considerations
Type Of Use
What type of journeys do you typically make and what is your average annual mileage? Are your journeys mainly short trips in urban areas, rural driving, predominantly motorway and long-distance driving, or a mixture?
Handling Performance
The choice of tyre can affect the handling of the vehicle, improve performance and increase safety or have the opposite effect if the wrong tyres are chosen.
Noise
The tread pattern of the tyre can affect how much noise it makes, especially when driving at high speeds on concrete surfaces. The finer and more detailed the tread pattern is, the less noise it will make on the road. Whether you actively shop for quieter tyres or not will very much depend on personal preference.
Fuel Efficiency
Tyres and driving style can make a significant difference to fuel consumption as different tread patterns vary in terms of their rolling resistance. Tyres with lower rolling resistance, ultimately consume less fuel.
Premium and OE Tyres – Are They Worth It?
Premium tyres come with a premium price tag but do tend to last longer as these types of tyres have typically undertaken more extensive research and testing than their cheaper counterparts. A high- performance sports car or a large SUV may require premium tyres.
OE (original equipment) tyres are chosen by the vehicle’s manufacturer and fitted to the vehicle when the car leaves the factory, they are specifically tailored to suit the make and model of the vehicle. The development of OE tyres is a lengthy and rigorous process that often takes several years, making them a premium choice. It is worth noting that not every car is fitted with OE tyres.
Cheap Tyres
Part worn tyres can be considerably cheaper, these do however, compromise on safety as they have already been worn down and are therefore less safe than new tyres.
Tyre Rating Labels
The EU tyre label assigns a rating graded A to G with A being the best – the rating is based on a series of tests that grade the performance of the tyre in three key areas, wet grip, fuel efficiency and noise. Checking the EU label and its rating is a straightforward way of getting important information on the tyre. Always check the safety rating when purchasing new tyres.
Our Services
Longmynd Service Station is one of the largest garages in South Shropshire and stock a comprehensive range of tyres to accommodate most makes and models of vehicle, we can also have tyres delivered on the same day they have been ordered. For more advice on our tyre services, general services or MOTs get in touch today.