How to Select the Best Car Tyres

Your car tyres are responsible for maintaining good grip on the road surface and keeping you safe. So it pays to take a closer look at your car tyres regularly. Are they still in good condition? Or does your car need a new set of tyres? 

Regular checks of your vehicle's tyres are easy to do and identifying issues early will prevent you needing to call for roadside assistance for help. Let us guide you through everything that you need to know about selecting the right tyres for your car.

So, let's lighten the load, and talk about some tips to help you when selecting the best tyres for your car. Get yourself a pen and some paper and let’s get started! 

Car Tyres Checklist

Tyre Type

There are primarily 2 types of car tyres in the market – tubeless and tube-type. It is typically recommended to consider a tubeless model because they are 5 times easier to fix if you happen to get a puncture. Tubeless tyres also have an added benefit of not requiring alloy wheels to install them.

Another advantage of tubeless tyres is that they have rust-free properties and accompany an anti-rusting coating on the inside.

Tyre Size

Car tyres come in various sizes. While the numbering system is uniform, several car makers frequently manufacture their cars with varying tyre sizes. 

The size of a tyre can be broken down into 3 different parts – the size of the rim, the width of the tread, and the height of the sidewalls.

We advise choosing a tyre that meets the manufacturer's specifications for size - this is if you don't want to alter the car’s dynamics.

More often, car owners choose tyres with a broader section as this improves the vehicle's stance and expands the tyre's contact patch, which results in better driving performance.

Tread Pattern

The tread pattern you see on your wheels can actually influence your tyres’ performance, and you must ensure that you select accordingly. Needless to say, there are many types of tread patterns. 

Before we dive into different tread variations, let's understand what a tread pattern is.

Tyre patterns are the grooves and crevices that direct the flow of water away from the tyre. Resulting in a lower risk of a car hydroplaning. This means that the vehicle will remain in a controlled state on slicks or flooded roads. 

Following are the various tread pattern types:

• Directional Tread: A particular set of tyres is referred to as having unidirectional or directional treads. A tyre with a directional tread, for example, can only move water when turned in a particular direction.

• Asymmetrical Tread: Sports cars typically have asymmetrical tyres because they provide a good compromise between wet and dry conditions. The tread is applied to the tyre's interior to remove water. The exterior side, on the other hand, is for improved corner grip during extended curves.

• Symmetrical: This style of tyre tread is typical for everyday road cars or low-performance automobiles. These tyres can be mounted in any direction on any corner of the car. These tyres are more durable than any other tyre and are fairly inexpensive. Although, these tyres don't grip the road as efficiently as the others. 

Tyre Compound

If you didn't already know, the tyre compound refers to the type of rubber utilised to construct it. The usage of the vehicle affects the tyre compound as it skims the surface.

For an enhanced grip, summer tyres are often built, somewhat of a soft tyre formula. Whereas, a tougher substance and larger blocks provide better grip during winter conditions.

Additionally, they offer more traction when the road might be slick.

Tyre Quality

• Product Warranty: Well, a lot can be inferred about the tyre quality from the warranty duration. And a manufacturer with good judgment would offer a lengthy warranty only to incur a loss? No way! However, the fact that the tyre has a warranty provides some security and peace of mind. Although, be mindful to review and carefully understand every phrase in the warranty statement.

• Brand Reputation: We advise you to check out several car forums and read brand-specific evaluations before making a tyre purchase. 

• Manufacturing Date: Choosing a new tyre for your car involves more than just the tread pattern and tyre composition. You should also take a look at the tyre’s manufacturing date. You might wonder why. Well, a car tyre is constructed of a rubber-based compound, and rubber degrades quickly. A tyre loses elasticity after sitting still for a very long time, which can result in the grip of your tyres being compromised. 

Expert Tip!

When heading out to shop for shiny, new boots for your car, ensure that you are keeping your driving style in mind. If you travel regularly, it is recommended that you purchase a summer set or tyres that have a fairly soft tyre composition. This type of tyre improves driving safety and predictability without sacrificing traction - and it also reduces overall stopping distances.

On the other hand, if city driving is part of your routine, a tougher compound is recommended. Your car is less likely to reach a higher speed in stop-start traffic, and at such speeds, you will have more control over your car. 

We hope this blog has helped you to make the right choice of car tyres. 

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