Tips for Choosing The Right Car Tyres

Choosing car tyres can be stressful, not to mention expensive, especially if you don’t know what to look out for. In this helpful guide to choosing car tyres, we’ve answered all your tyre questions, including:

  • How do I find the right tyres for my car?
  • How do I know what tyres are best?
  • What tyre size should I choose?
  • What tyres fit my car?
  • How do I choose the best tyres?
  • Are my car tyres too old?

So, buckle up, and let’s get going!

 

How Do I Know I Need New Tyres for My Car?

Many people neglect to prioritise their car tyres, not realising that their lives may depend on their car tyre choices. Making informed tyre decisions could save lives on the road! How do I know I need new car tyres?

 

Perform a Visual Inspection

Tyres need to be checked regularly, at least once every two weeks. When your tyres’ tread depth wears below 1.5mm, you must replace them. Visually inspect your car tyres for wear and damage, and check the depth of the grooves.

 

How to Check Your Tyres’ Tread Depth

  • Look at your tyre wear indicator. Tyre wear indicators are small, raised bars found within the grooves of your tires between the tread markings. They are placed at different points around the tyre to measure how evenly your tread is depleted.
  • When the wear indicator is level with the tyre, your tread depth has worn to 1.5mm. You should aim to change your tyres before this point. 
  • Your car grip tyres should also be inspected before going on a long journey or before towing.
  • Remember also to check the spare.

 

Recognise Your Last Tyre Rotation

When did you last rotate your car tyres?

Tyres wear at different rates depending on their position on the car. On a rear-wheel-drive car, the rear tyres wear faster than the front tyres, whereas, on a front-drive car, the front tyres wear the fastest. By rotating the tyres around the vehicle, you can even out the wear on all tyres, ensuring they all need simultaneous replacement.

You should rotate your tyres at 5000km intervals, minimising the discrepancies between those wearing the fastest and those wearing the slowest. Also include the spare tyre in the rotation process.

 

Consider Tyre Age

A tyre that is ten years old should be replaced. Spare tyres older than six years should only be used in emergencies.

 

Evaluate Your Driving Style

Do you spin the wheels on acceleration or lock them when braking? Being aware of your driving style may indicate when your tyres are due for a change.

 

What Are The Best Tyres For My Car?

While there are many great tyre brands to choose from, finding a suitable match for your car is what it’s all about. Cars are developed with specific tyres in mind, and sticking to the original design is the safest, wisest way to go. 

This may not be as true if you drive an older car since technological advancement may determine better tyres for your car than the originals.

 

How Do I Find the Right Tyres for My Car?

First of all, you’ll want to refer to your car’s owner’s manual for recommendations on tyre type, size, speed rating and load rating. These are basic non-negotiables to consider when tyre shopping. You can use the fitted brand when the car is new as a guide to choosing new tyres.

 

What Do You Need to Consider When Buying New Tyres?

When you buy tyres, you want to be prepared instead of going in blindly. Here’s what you need to look out for when shopping for car tyres:

 

How Many Tyres You Need

By performing the aforementioned visual inspection, you’ll know how many tyres you need, so you can budget accordingly.

 

Tyre Size

How do I choose tyre size? Check your car’s owner’s manual to determine the appropriate size of tyres fit for your car. If you’re still unsure, enlist professional help.

Downsizing

Selecting a slightly smaller tyre for your car may significantly improve the handling of your vehicle. The tread can be up to an inch wider, while the tyre can have a proportionately lower sidewall. The tyre’s height, however, will remain the same.

Upsizing

By choosing to upsize your car tyres, your tyres will have the same height as your original tyre but a shorter sidewall. This change improves the tyre’s response and handling while also modifying your vehicle’s overall appearance. This is a typically common option for 4WD and truck owners. 

 

Driving Conditions

What seasonal or extreme conditions do you face when driving? Are the roads mostly dry, damp or wet? Considering your regular driving conditions is vital to choosing the correct tyres for your car.

 

Quality and Affordability 

There are two ways to determine your return on investment when shopping for car tyres. We recommend using both methods to make an informed decision. 

Cost per Kilometre

Take the total tyre price purchase and divide that by the kilometres of service. This will give you the cost per kilometre. 

Treadwear

Divide the treadwear rating by the price and choose the highest number. 

Performance and Speed Ratings

Buy a tyre with the appropriate speed rating for your vehicle, or else you will limit your vehicle’s performance in terms of handling and speed capacity. 

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance refers to the amount of energy needed to move a vehicle along the road. So, the lower the rolling resistance, the less fuel used. 

 

Tyre Types

There are many different types of tyres, including:

Winter Tyres

Winter tyres have many grooves to offer greater traction and grip on wet surfaces. They remain flexible when temperatures drop, ensuring optimal safety. 

Summer Tyres

Standard tyres, or summer tyres, cope well in temperatures above 7°C. A softer rubber compound enhances stability and grip, providing resistance against hydroplaning. 

All Season Tyres

All season tyres combine summer and winter tyre technology to provide adequate performance in all seasonal conditions.

Energy-Saving Tyres

Energy-saving tyres reduce fuel consumption, resulting in a decrease in CO2 emissions. 

High-Performance Tyres

High-performance tyres are optimised to provide enhanced grip in high-speed conditions. 

 

Where can you purchase your new tyres/accessories?

Trust the professionals in the tyre industry and browse Total 4×4’s product list. From 4×4 fitouts to fleet maintenance tips, Total 4×4 has the best to offer! Contact us today for all your 4×4 needs.

Give me a free quote!

Simply fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you on a detailed quote.

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 10