Which tyres are the best for YOUR car?
If you consider that tyres are the only contact your car has with the road, choosing the best types of tyres becomes a crucial process. As a car owner, road safety and tyre care should be your main priority so it’s important to maintain them properly and understand how they work.
Changing car tyres is something we all have to do at some point but with so many brands on the market, finding the best types of tyres can be quite a challenge. Not everyone is a tyre specialist and motorists are easily overwhelmed by the differences in quality and price.
While you can ask advice from a technician when shopping for car tyres, it’s always good to have some idea of what you are looking for. This guide covers some aspects of buying the best types of tyres from economy tyres (budget) to mid-range and premium tyres for passenger cars, 4x4s and SUVs among other cars.
What Are the Main Types Of Tyres?
There is essentially a three-way split with the choice of budget or economy tyres, mid-range tyres and premium tyres. These categories are based on tyre cost and quality which suit different drivers, cars and different levels of usage. Group1 has compiled some handy advice to help you make the right decision when looking for quality car tyres.
Premium Tyres
While premium tyres are of the highest quality, they also cost more than economy tyres or mid-range tyres. With the higher price tag, many motorists may wonder whether it’s worth spending more on premium car tyres but there’s no simple answer. The truth is, the decision will depend on how often you use your vehicle, the distance you travel and your budget.
If you travel frequently and long distances, your best option would be premium tyres as they offer several benefits. Better quality car tyres, if maintained properly, can be far more efficient in terms of drive quality and fuel economy. This can save costs on fuel whilst reducing general car maintenance issues.
Mid-Range Tyres
These are known as the balanced option between economy and premium tyres for a wide variety of vehicle makes and models. While cheaper than premium tyres and more durable than economy car tyres, they can’t handle as much punishment and don’t perform as well as premium tyres.
If you don’t drive all the time and most often without putting too much demand on your vehicle, these might be the best types of tyres for you. That said, it’s important to keep assessing your driving needs as things can change. Always make sure the tyres you buy, provide you with the level of performance for the extent of use.
Budget or Economy Tyres
As the name suggests, budget or economy car tyres are cheaper than mid-range and premium brands. Economy tyres aren’t necessarily a bad choice but it all depends on how much punishment they will endure. If you don’t travel often, only cover short distances or you have a second car that mostly sits in the garage, budget tyres are perfectly fine.
The price makes them ideal if you have a small budget and need to change your tyres quickly due to worn tread or a puncture. If saving money is a top priority, avoid buying part-worn tyres or retreads as they are unsafe, especially since you don’t know who previously owned them and how they treated the tyres.
How To Choose Car Tyres
There are many factors to consider when choosing car tyres. You first need to find a tyre that is compatible with your vehicle and that requires some understanding of the tyre’s sidewall markings. You can also choose to buy OE tyres which are the types of tyres originally fitted to your car by the manufacturer.
Besides that, you also need to think about what kind of driving you do, the weather and road conditions, how many kilometres you drive and whether you carry heavy loads or not. Other factors to take into account are fuel efficiency, noise levels and handling performance.
Here is a basic example of how to read tyre sizes correctly using a 205/60 R16 tyre:
- 205: Section width indicated in millimetres
- 60: Aspect Ratio which is the percentage of the tyre’s sidewall height compared to the width
- R: means the tyre has a radial-ply construction
- 16: Rim diameter refers to the diameter of the rim in inches
Why Buy OE Tyres?
As briefly mentioned in the previous section, OE tyres are the original equipment tyres that your vehicle manufacturer would have fitted to your car. OE tyres are specifically developed for each make and model of vehicle to ensure optimum performance and a great choice for a solid performance tailored to your vehicle.
Passenger And SUV Tyres
As the name suggests, passenger tyres are specially designed for standard passenger vehicles as well as lighter lorries and SUVs. These tyres offer a smoother ride and exceptional traction in wet and dry conditions while providing good load-carrying capacity for lightweight vehicles. Some of the best types of tyres for passenger cars and SUVs include the following:
- Bridgestone Potenza (high-performance tyres)
- Bridgestone MY-01 (well-balanced overall driving experience)
- Dayton (made for South African roads)
- Cooper Tyres (A stronger tyre with better value)
- Bridgestone Alenza (for premium SUVs)
- Pirelli Scorpion ATR (for all all-terrain)
4×4 Tyres
All-wheel-drive and 4×4 tyres are known to be more durable with a greater resistance to wear and tear whether you go off-road or not. The most significant difference between 4×4 tyres and standard car tyres is their purpose and versatility. Standard car tyres are designed to suit tarmac roads while 4×4 tyres are primed for off-road conditions such as snow, grass, dirt and mud.
Despite these benefits, when driving with 4×4 tyres on tarmac roads for extended periods, they will wear faster than standard tyres. This is due to the increased rolling resistance that applies more friction to the rubber which leads to premature tyre wear. If you’re looking for a balanced option, 4×4 all-terrain tyres are designed for off-road and on-road purposes although the only downside is that these tyres are not specialised in either.
Some of the best types of tyres for 4×4 or All-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles are as follows:
- Cooper Discoverer A/T3-LT
- Bridgestone Dueler (high-level traction for AWD)
- Firestone 4×4 and light truck all-terrain tyres
How Long Do Car Tyres Normally Last?
While your car tyres will last longer if you take better care of them, there is no straight answer as it depends on driving frequency, driving habits, road and weather conditions. Regardless of these considerations, the fact is if you look after your tyres, you will extend their lifespan and they will perform well until you have to replace them.
The best way to look after your tyres is to keep them correctly inflated and regularly check your tyre tread. This will help minimise the risk of tyre damage, tyre punctures and premature tyre wear. Also, don’t forget to rotate your tyres every now and then and ask your fitment centre about best practices.
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