The tyres you choose for your car have a significant impact on its overall performance. Tyres affect the way your vehicle accelerates, steers, brakes and feels while driving. Whether you have a manual or automatic gearbox, your tyres will still make a big difference. When it comes to tyre shopping, there are thousands of different options to choose from, and knowing which is best for you and your vehicle can be confusing. Read on for our expert guide on choosing the right tyres for your car.
Understanding Tyre Sizes
One of the first things you need to know before you can choose your new tyres is your vehicles tyre size. There are a couple of places you can find this information; it should be printed on the wall of your tyre and also in your vehicle’s handbook. Manufacturers display this as 11 digits; you will need to decode these digits to understand the tyres you need:
- Section Width: The first three numbers are the width of the tyre in millimetres.
- Aspect Ratio: The next two numbers are the ratio of the tyre’s width to height as a percentage.
- Rim Diameter: Next, there will be the letter R followed by two numbers; this shows the diameter of the rim in inches.
- Load Rating: The next two numbers indicate the maximum load the tyres can support.
- Speed Rating: Finally, there will be a single letter which refers to the maximum speed a tyre can carry related to its load rating.
Tyre Quality and Pricing
After identifying your tyre size, you will then need to determine the quality of tyre that you will need. Every tyre in the UK will meet the relevant safety standards, but there are still some differences between the various tyres available:
- Premium Tyres: As the name suggests, these are the best tyres on the market. Through investment into research, technology and design, these types of tyres have improved fuel economy, stopping distance, grip and lower noise levels. Usually, these can last for between 15,000 to 20,000 miles.
- Mid-Range Tyres: Offering a good balance between quality performance and value for money. These tyres are often not as well-known as premium brands but offer better performance and a longer lifespan than budget tyres.
- Budget Tyres: The cheapest option out there, budget tyres often haven’t been produced to as high a quality as premium or mid-range tyres. This usually means they will be significantly cheaper but won’t be as long-lasting. Typically, budget tyres will last between 7,000 and 8,000 miles.