How to Choose the Right Car Tyres

 

We show the difference between tyre types, then steer you in the right direction

Buying car tyres is easy. It’s finding the right ones for your car that can be difficult.

Get it wrong, and you can hobble your car’s performance and its ability to tackle any type of weather.

Since car tyres usually need to be replaced every three or four years, here’s a refresher course on how to make sure you’re getting the right ones.

Most car tyres fall into three main types: all-season, summer, and winter. Most people buy all-season tyres because it’s easier and cheaper than buying one set for the winter and another for summer. All-season car tyres deliver a good, well-rounded performance but are never outstanding in any way. Summer tyres deliver on handling and dry/wet braking, but they have dismal snow traction. By contrast, winter tires have outstanding snow traction but just fair braking ability on cleared roads. Within each car tyre category, there is a range of performance and no single tyre type is outstanding in all conditions.

So how do you find the best tires for your car? Follow these three steps:

• What Size Do You Need?

   

First, consult your owner’s manual or the placard on the driver’s side door jamb to find the recommended tire measurements. The label will look something like this: P215/60R16 94T. The first part of the label—P215/60R16—refers to the tyre’s various size measurements such as width and diameter. The 94 indicates the load index, which is how much weight each tyre can support. Finally, the T is the speed rating, which is the tyre’s maximum speed in relation to the load index. You should match the tyre’s size measurements, but you have some flexibility to go higher with the load index and speed rating.

• What Type of Tyre Do You Need?

Many retail websites will give you a listing of all tyres available in your size. But in many cases, you’ll need to dig deeper to match the speed rating. The list below can help ID your tyre type. • All-season tyres come in S- and T-speed ratings. Known for good all-weather grip and long mileage, these are commonly fit to mainstream cars and SUVs. • Performance all-season tires come in H- and V-speed rating on many newer cars, especially those with enthusiast appeal or upgraded wheels. They tend to have better cornering grip than S- and T-speed rated all-season tyres, but performance tyres may not wear as long. • Ultra-high-performance all-season and summer tyres typically come in ZR-, W-, and Y-speed ratings for sports cars and performance sedans. Differentiating between all-season and summer tyres can be challenging and may require going to a manufacturer’s website to find out the details. One clue to tell them apart: A summer tyre would not have an M&S (Mud & Snow) designation on the sidewall. • All-season and all-terrain truck tyres naturally come in large sizes and are designed for the hauling and towing duties of light-duty pickups and SUVs. All-terrain tyres generally have a more aggressive tread pattern to aid off-road traction. A tip is that many all-terrain tyres will have “A/T” or “All Terrain” right in the model name. • Winter/snow tires are easily identified by a mountain and snowflake symbol displayed on the sidewall of the tyre. Plus the tread looks busier than all-season tyres with lots of slits, known as sips. When shopping, be sure to buy winter tyres in sets of four to optimize braking and handling.

• What Are Your Priorities in Selecting a Tire?

Our research shows that people often choose a direct replacement tyre when the car is still relatively new. But as the car ages, consumers become more inclined to switch to another model based on performance or price. If you’re looking to make a switch, be sure to take into consideration our experts’ advices giving you personalized choices and an all-in-one price including installation at Apergis Group car garage

• Balancing quality and price

Once you know the right tyre size for your vehicle, you’ll need to consider the quality of tyre that you want, and the price you are prepared to pay. The good news is that all tyres on sale in will meet strict safety standards, so you can expect them to be safe. Where they differ is on performance and longevity. Premium tyres are likely to last for more miles and give you a better driving experience. A set of premium tyres are an investment in ride quality and comfort, and can pay you back, particularly if you are planning to resell or trade your car soon.

The experts at Apergis Group car tyres garage are available to help you make the best decision of tyres!!