Choosing New Car Tyres
Choosing new car tyres is a decision that ideally should be thoroughly researched. Different tyres will suit different driving styles, vehicles and (obviously!) budgets.
Driving Style
- Do you drive slowly and carefully, or do you prefer to take the corners a little faster in your high performance car? A high performance car deserves high performance tyres, and you will want to look for those that are good at cornering.
- Where do you find yourself driving most of the time? Do you do a lot of motorway driving or is it mostly bendy country roads? Country roads need tyres that prioritise maneouvrability and braking distances, while with motorway driving you probably want to look for better fuel efficiency/rolling resistance.
- Do you live in the middle of a city or in a rural village? City tyres do a lot of stopping and starting, so braking distance is a priority.
- And what about the weather – does it rain a lot, or do you get extremely dry and sunny periods (lucky you!)? If it rains a lot you will want to look at all season tyres, winter tyres, or tyres that otherwise perform well in the rain. Check out the wet braking distances on the new EU tyre labels.
Your Vehicle
- What were the original equipment tyres for your model, and do they suit your driving style? If you aren’t sure what the original equipment tyres are, either check your manual, or ask your tyre fitter.
Your Budget
- While it is true that you do get what you pay for, shopping around can save you a lot of money, even on the premium tyre brands. Whatever your budget, it is worth taking the time to shop around so that you can buy the best tyres you can afford. Your tyres are the only part of your car in contact with the road, and as such they are fairly crucial!