An important
part of any vehicle, replacing the tyres on your vehicle with cheap,
ill-fitting and the wrong size tyres can compromise both the safety of you and
others on the road. Bad tyres can cause you to lose control of your motor if in
adverse weather conditions or if you need to stop urgently, potentially causing
accidents and congestion.
With many
brands, shapes and sizes of vehicle as well as tyres, it can be overwhelming to
know what tyres to purchase either as spares or if your tyres need to be urgently
replaced, especially if you have just bought a new car or if you a new driver.
As a leading tyre supplier and garage services in Aylesbury, we have experience
providing first-rate garage services to many new and returning customers. We
get asked all the time about how to find the right tyres, so with this in mind,
we decided to write a handy blog post detailing everything you need to know.
Different
tyres
for different vehicles
It won’t be
surprising to know that different vehicles like vans, motorbikes, cars and
lorries will require different tyres. The main difference is obviously size, as
larger vehicles will need larger tyres to help with stability and weight. Vehicles
like lorries and vans are designed to be able to drive continuously long
distances which essentially means that their tyres need to be durable and able
to resist multiple types of road.
What’s more,
tyres like SUV tyres and 4x4 will be different from hatchback or ordinary
styles of car. SUV’s and 4x4 are known for having powerful engines, making them
attractive for families and those who live in rural areas. Yet as they may be
driving off road, if they do live in a rural area, then they need tyres that
can easily move between muddy roads and slippery grass.
Tyre labels
Under
current EU rules and regulations, when tyres are first made, they are measured
for noise, rolling resistance and wet weather. Also, generally, new tyres are
made with 7mm of tread depth. Tyres need to have a ranking system to inform the
buyer about wet braking distance. This is vital as having shorter wet braking
distance will cause fewer accidents. Although, tyres in the lowest rank will
still be safe to use on the roads. Through this, you may choose a cheaper tyre
with lower braking distance because you are a confident driver, whereas a less
confident driver may feel assured with a higher ranking tyre that has a greater
braking distance.
Despite
these EU regulations, it is worth thinking that a well-worn tyre will have a
reduced braking distance than a new tyre, no matter their original rank.
Therefore, if you think your tyres need replacing, then make sure to have your
car serviced.
Plus, tyres
are ranked depending on their fuel economy. A more expensive tyre with a higher
ranking could end up being more cost-effective than a cheaper lower-ranking
tyre due to the amount of fuel costs it can save you.
Tyre sizes and numbers
It is always
important to choose the right tyre size for your vehicle, ensuring both
stability, safety and smooth-running. You can find the size of your current
tyres by taking a look at the long number on the side of the tyre. Separate
parts of the number will indicate different things. For example, a tyre number
would look like this: 205/45 R16 83 V.
The 205
indicates the width of the tyre in millimetres. The width affects how much grip
is available for cornering, braking and acceleration. The wider the tyre
essentially means more contact with the road and establishing greater grip.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that all tyres are produced to be extremely wide,
despite grip being important. A wider tyre results in a greater rolling
resistance, which means that vehicles with modest performance and high economy
will have narrower tyres for efficiency, whereas high performing vehicles will
have wider tyres.
The 45 is
the aspect ratio. The higher the aspect ratio, the taller the tyre is in
relation to it’s width. A taller tyre will create more of a comfortable drive,
providing greater protection against potholes or any lumps and bumps in the
road. However, tall tyres also has its drawbacks too, creating more deflection
during cornering and as a result, creating a less accurate response through the
steering wheel.
The R stands
for radial. A majority of tyres are now radial tyres. Radial tyres are
constructed from polyester cords which are positioned across the width of the
tyre. In comparison to older tyres, this gives the tyre more strength.
The 16 is a
number that indicates width of the wheel rim in which the tyre can be fitted in
inches.
The 83 is
the load rating, indicating the corresponding weight in kg that the tyre is
capable of carrying.
V is the
tyres speed rating. Speed ratings are ranked from the lowest ‘N’ at 87 miles
per hour to ‘Y’ at 186 miles per hour.
Tyre brands
There is a
range of leading tyre brands out there, with your local garage most likely
being able to provide some of these best and most common tyre brands below:
Bridgestone -
One of the world’s top manufacturers,
Bridgestone tyres can be quite expensive. However, they promise great dry grip
tyres that can be bought from national, regional and online retail. Bridgestone
also provides exemplar tyres for motorsports, especially in wet weather.
Michelin -
Another one of the world’s best
international tyre makers and suppliers, Michelin is a recognisable brand due
to their mascot - the Michelin man. Michelin tyres are also known for having a
higher price tag, although they do provide great dry grip and wet grip tyres
with superb handling .
Goodyear -
One of the world’s largest tyre
makers, Goodyear tyres are more expensive than Bridgestone and Michelin, owning
well-known smaller brand Dunlop. Goodyear produces tyres provide great
handling, dry and wet grip and are also are slow-wearing. This means that they are
an investment which will certainly last. However, Goodyear tyres have received
some criticism for being lacking in overall performance.
Continental -
A German brand, Continental are known
across Europe for providing great dry and wet grip. Plus, they are less
expensive than other brands.
Pirelli -
An Italian tyre company, Pirelli
create a vast range of tyres for all purposes. This means that they are a great
brand that suits multiple driver’s needs and preferences. Pirelli’s tyres are
as expensive as top brands like Goodyear and Bridgestone, yet this doesn’t mean
that they are not highly sought after.
Differences between branded and unbranded tyres
Although you can be assured with the
safety and stellar performance of a branded tyre, sometimes the price tag can
certainly put you off and you will want a cheaper option. This is why many go
for economical unbranded tyres - however, are these truly better than their
more expensive branded counterparts?
● Safety
- Every tyre produced in the
UK or EU has to meet legal standards which means that no matter whether you buy
branded or unbranded tyres, you can know that the difference in price doesn’t
mean that there is a difference in safety.
● Performance
- Branded tyres are
manufactured to out-perform the budget ones, why else would you paying a
greater price tag? Generally, branded tyres will provide better traction on the
road, and greater fuel efficiency in a myriad of weather conditions.
● Durability
- The main difference
between branded and unbranded tyres is the material used to make them. Branded
tyres will be made from a more complex array of materials ensuring greater
durability, longer-lasting tread depth, and better wear on the roads. With this
in mind, if you have to travel long distances regularly for work, a car with
branded tyres is probably a better bet.
●
Price
- the greatest advantage that
unbranded tyres will have over branded tyres is they are far cheaper. Which is
quite a big strength considering how expensive car repairs can be. Buying an
unbranded tyre may suit you better if your car is older and you only use it for
small distances. However, branded tyres can give you more assurance, something
you may want for a family car that drives long distances regularly.
Summer and Winter tyres
Another
factor to consider when buying tyres is what time of year are you purchasing
them in? It is wise to make sure that you get tyres that can suit all weather
conditions, however, in winter and summer, temperature changes and weathering
can cause a greater risk of accidents. This is why many manufacturers create
both summer and winter tyres.
Summer tyres
Summer tyres
have a simpler tread pattern than ordinary or winter tyres. This allows for the
tyre to perform well at temperatures exceeding 7 degrees on both wet and dry
roads. Summer tyres are also made from a softer compound giving reduced
resistance but a greater fuel economy, so you will need to fill up your petrol
less.
Winter tyres
Heavy snow
is infrequent in many parts of the UK, however, some regions of Scotland, Wales
and England will see more snowfall than others. What’s more, if you live in a
rural area, snow is more likely to stick and last for longer than urban areas.
With this in mind, many people choose to purchase specially created winter
tyres which are designed to help improve safety, grip and resistance,
minimising the amount of road traffic accidents overall in a case of bad
weather.
Acorn Tyres & Servicing, Cheap Car Tyres in
Aylesbury
Whether you
are looking for your car to have its MOT done, or you think your car needs some
new tyres - then here at Acorn Tyres & Services, our team of expert
mechanics can help. Don’t simply ignore your car if something doesn’t feel
right. From strange noises to sudden jerking motions, ignoring the problem
could make it worse and also compromise your safety.
To find out
more about our services, simply contact us today.
