Buying tyres is not something average drivers have to do very often, so even for experienced motorists, it can be a stressful time. Motorists that regularly check their tyres are aware of their vehicle’s health and no matter where in the UK you have to drive; be it busy roads of London, Yorkshire or even challenging terrain of Scotland – you should never neglect your tyres. You can also choose the right tyres for your car without overpaying only if you know which tyres are the best match.
Here are five steps to follow to choose the right tyres for your car.
Size Guide
Every make and model of car has a recommended set of tyres for you to use, that will detail the minimum and maximum width of tyre, height of sidewall, top load it can carry, top speed that can be reached, and more. If you are not sure which tyres your car needs, you can consult your car owner’s handbook, look it up online – there are numerous databases that provide fast and accurate answers – or simply ask at your local garage/ tyre sales depot. Once you know the specifications for the tyres you need, you can begin to think about other considerations. Let’s suppose you are in Kirkcaldy and you are struggling to find the right tyres. There are professional garages to help you choose the optimum tyres. Fife Autocentre offers tyres in Kirkcaldy and once you plug in your car’s REG number – the website helps you find the correct tyres for your vehicle and showcases different price ranges. This makes it easier for you to choose.
Wet Weather Tyres?
Do you live in an area of high rainfall, where the roads often hold standing water for hours or even days at a time? If this is the case, you might prefer tyres that are designed for wet weather. These tyres will have a slightly more flexible composition, and the grooves and stripes that make up the treads will be a little deeper and more carefully patterned for even greater efficiency as whisking water away from the road surface so the tyre can grip down onto the road, keeping you in good control of the car.
Specialist Vehicle
Do you drive a specialist vehicle, such as a campervan or SUV, or even if you use your regular car for pulling caravans or going off-road? If you do, take these factors into account when purchasing your tyres, as they must be able to cope with the extra load or uneven terrain. As mentioned above, tyres do carry information embossed into the rubber in a series of codes about the maximum load that they can carry and the top speed at which they can be driven. Above those levels, your tyres may fail, so it is best to invest a little more in a reinforced or extra-load tyre that can easily cope with your maximum loads and/ or speeds.
Quality
Tyres come in three loose categories: Budget, Regular and Premium.
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Budget Tyres: even these cheapest tyres must adhere to safety standards, so they will never be a terrible decision. However, budget tyres are made using older technology, rubber that is not quite as high a standard as other tyres, and can make for a noisier, more uncomfortable ride.
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Regular Tyres: more updated than budget tyres, with a superior blend of rubber to reduce unwanted noise and offer a more comfortable ride, and a good all-round choice for most moderate commuters, regular tyres are a good, reasonable quality choice for the average driver. Despite the lower cost of budget tyres, premium can often represent the most economical option as they last discernibly longer and are kinder on your car than budget versions.
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Premium Tyres: made using the latest cutting-edge technology and only the finest rubber – often sustainable sourced for extra green credentials, premium tyres are a worthwhile investment if you have the extra cash. They offer a smoothly comfortable and whisper quiet ride, as well as being precision engineered to work well on the road, whether the road is wet, twisty or otherwise tricky. Premium tyres also last even longer than regular tyres, which means that the higher price is not as indulgent as it can first seem.
Price
Of course, the choice you make depends on your budget, and sometimes you will have to opt for a cheaper tyre than you would prefer. But it is better to have a cheaper tyre temporarily, while you save up for a good set, than risk being on the road with old, worn, or non-compliant tyres.
