Choosing the right tyre
Why is choosing the right tyres so important? One word: safety. Your car’s only contact point with the road is its’ tyres, and the main player is on road safety. Every journey is dependent on the performance of your tyres and their effect on your driving. Tyres impact your steering, acceleration, handling, and braking. They’re also a key part of your car’s suspension and braking systems. If you don’t have the right tyres for your car, you’re putting yourself and your passengers at risk. It’s crucial that your tyres are in good nick and are suited to the driving you do.
You Get What You Pay for
Some people might choose budget tyres or second-hand tyres to save costs up-front, but you need to know what’s being sacrificed.
If you’re considering second-hand tyres, be aware that the tyre may already have dangerous defects, tread-wear or punctures that could be difficult to see.
Be careful of hidden defects in second-hand tyres second-hand tyres might be past their ‘best before date’ and not even intended for use in New Zealand – you can’t get a manufacturer’s warranty with second-hand tyres.
Even if the tread seems ok, some problems, such as internal damage, are impossible to see. Those issues will compromise your car’s safety. We can’t recommend unknown second-hand tyres because of the risks to you and others on the road.
Which is the Best Tyre for Me?
Make sure that the tyres you buy are the best you can afford. Whether you use your car for a quick commute or long road trips, you will need good handling and safety in all conditions.
Make sure you ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the recommended tyres by your vehicle’s manufacturer?
- What type of driving do you do – long commute to work, off-road adventures, short trips around the city – not that it matters when it comes to safety.
- What types of loads do you typically carry in your vehicle – people or goods?
- What are your local conditions like – do you encounter snow, a lot of rain, or gravel roads?
- Do you enjoy performance driving?
- Is safety your priority?
- Is fuel efficiency a priority?
Budget vs. Quality
The difference between budget tyres and quality tyres is huge, even though they may look similar. The quality of the materials used in creating a premium tyre can’t be replicated in a cheaply-made tyre. Premium tyres have to meet top standards and are made from more steel and specially formulated compounds. These high quality ingredients ensure that the final product is much longer lasting and has better grip than cheap alternatives. Premium tyre manufacturers focus on research and development. You also need to take in to account the manufacturer’s history of investing in research and development, striving to improve their product. Years of testing proves premium tyres perform better and more consistently than cheaper alternatives. That’s why vehicle manufacturers never fit budget tyres to their brand new vehicles.
Benefits of Opting for High-Quality Tyres
- Improved driving comfort
- Reduced noise vibration and harshness
- Better fuel economy
- Long service life
- Better load capability
- Superior handling – all types at all speeds
- Exceptional wet and dry braking
- Damage resistance
- Good grip in all conditions
