What Must You Know Before Buying The Best Tyres For Your Car?

Car tyres wear out with time and usage and so it is vital to replace them at an opportune time in order to maintain your car’s safety, as well as, you and your family’s safety. That’s why it is even more important making the tyre purchase from established and reputed tyre shop in Sydney.

The entire driving experience depends on your vehicle tyres that include:

• The speed at which you drive your car
• The conditions in which you drive your car
• How well you’re able to handle your car
• And your car’s safety

Tyre preferences will change depending on the above factors, so what is considered as the best tyre for Mr A may not remain the same for Mr B or Mr C. Each one will have different preferences depending on their personal driving style and habits.

Here are the important considerations that you need to know before purchasing the best tyres suitable for your car:

1. Size of Tyres

Size is very important for your safety and the overall safety of your vehicle. Improper tyres that don’t fit accurately can cause extra stress on the heel or it may even come out while driving, causing road accidents. The tyre size is indicated by the two digits of the tyre label that appears after the letter "R" – for instance, tyre size is 195/65R15 – here 15 is the tyre size.

2. Width of Tyres

The tyre width is usually indicated in the first three digits of the tyre label. For instance, the 195/65R15 tyre would be 195 millimetres wide. For grip, tyre width is imperative; a wider tyre has more contact with the road, so it’s better on wet roads. A narrower tyre is less helpful for offering grip; however, the smaller contact area makes lesser noise while driving. Therefore, it all depends on your preferences as to whether you would like driving comfort or all-weather performance.

3. Profile of Tyres

Profile of the tyre is another important consideration that’s closely related to tyre width. A percentage of the tyre's width is the thickness of the sidewall. Tyre profile can be found on the label – for instance, your tyre label is 195/65R15, your tyre profile is 65. A higher profile above 50 offers more safeguard and longer lasting wheels, as well as, a more comfortable drive. Although a low profile tyre is more vulnerable to damage, the narrower sidewalls are known to have good looks and offer better steering performance too.

4. Tread Pattern

Directional, symmetrical and asymmetrical are the three kinds of tyre tread patterns available:

• You’ll need a directional tread for performance in the full-fledged rain – these are usually wide V-shaped in design so that they can rotate in one direction only. Thanks to their wider design, these tyres are better when it comes to road grip and disseminating water. The flip side of this design is it makes them much noisier compared to symmetrical tyres and can be annoying while driving.
• The commonest type is symmetrical tread having narrow treads formed in the pattern of a wave. Although, they perform below par in the rain because the design doesn’t support water dissemination; however, when it comes to providing a quiet performance, they are the best hands down.
• An asymmetrical tread addresses both concerns – these treads are specifically crafted with half for noise reduction, and its other half surface suited for rain. Thus, an asymmetrical tread pattern offers the best of both worlds. However, they are pricier and it’s completely up to you as to if you’re willing to spend the extra buck for it.

The correct tread pattern for you will depend on your driving habits and requirements: Do you want a wet weather performance or want a quieter drive or both.

5. Age of Tyres

It’s not necessary that tyres should be on the road for it to wear. Even tyres that are stored or stocked can wear, as the rubber can soften over time. To remain on the safer side, never buy tyres that are more than five years old. Usually, you can find the manufacturing date in the last 4 digits of the DOT code located on the sidewall. For instance, "2717" would mean the tyre was manufactured in the 27th week of 2017. Always check the manufacturing dates to ensure you’re buying quality and safe tyres.

6. Warranty

Generally, manufacturers provide a warranty for their tyres; however, many things aren’t covered and the list of damages that aren’t covered is usually long. Moreover, different manufacturers provide different periods for their warranty. It’s imperative to look at the warranty while selecting your tyre brand, so you can pick a brand that offers you good coverage for your vehicle tyres.

7. Speed Rating

The speed rating will be the last letter found on the tyre label. For instance, your tyre label reads P205/65 R16 95 V - here "V" is the speed rating for the tyre. Some of the speed symbol letters and the speed it’s capable of covering is given in kph (kilometres per hour) here below:

Speed Chart:

• Y - 300 kph
• W - 270 kph
• V - 240 kph
• H - 210 kph
• T - 190 kph
• S - 180 kph
• Q - 160 kph

Always remember, a higher speed rating means an enhanced grip and braking/stopping capability, but also less robust treads that won’t last long. If you want to drive at faster speeds, you should consider tyres that handle a higher speed and as per your usage, you need to replace the tyres as soon as they wear out.

Final Words

When it comes to tyres and/ or wheels of your car, never ever compromise with the quality of tyres because they have the power to save you, your family and your vehicle. Choose the right tyres for your car that’s best for the conditions you drive in and remain safe.

If you’re looking to purchase tyres and/ or wheels for your car, Ute or SUV in Sydney, then visit Eagle Tyres or browse their website for more details.

Mick Kanj is a owner of Eagle Tyres - No.1 wheel and Tyre dealer in Sydney. He is passionate about write informative articles and blogs regarding automotive industry. He loves to share knowledge with others.