Buying a new set of tyres for your car is an important decision. You need to consider a variety of factors, such as your vehicle’s unique specification, your driving style, your budget, and the region where you live. Today, we are sharing our advice on some of the most important things to look for when buying new tyres.
Quick checklist when buying new tyres
- Check your vehicle’s manufacturer info and related documentation for tyre types compatible with your model.
- Determine the tyre size by considering the tyre’s width, diameter, and the height-to-width aspect ratio.
- Consider the tyre’s load index, too – it is related to the load that your vehicle can support.
- Consider the tyre’s speed rating – telling you the maximum speed the tyre is capable of.
- Make sure you fit the same model of tyres on every wheel.
Which tyre models are you allowed to drive?
If you are not sure about specific tyre size and how it will perform on your vehicle, know that in most cases, there are several tyre dimensions that are allowed for each vehicle model. The smart thing to do here is to first discover the ideal rim size, and based on that, choose the tyre width, rim diameter, and aspect ratio for your car.
What are some other factors to have in mind when buying new tyres?
Your tyre should match the distance that you travel during the year and any laws and regulations applicable in your region. Know that two sets of tyres are recommended if the region you live in has changing weather – this will adapt your car to the different weather conditions.
If you travel short distances in moderate climate conditions throughout the entire year, all-season tyres can be a great choice for you. However, make sure to consider the performance and handling of your vehicle, which again depends on the tyres.
Purchasing new tyres: Understanding the key characteristics
Tyres are in charge of the only point of contact between your car and the road, and as such, need to be carefully chosen. The first requirement when choosing new tyres is compatibility – they need to be compatible with your specific car, and if you are not sure about this, you can find more information about compatible tyre types in your owner’s manual and documentation. We advise using the same tyre model on each wheel position. Uniformity is key here and an essential aspect of maintaining performance and control over your car.
Tyre size and speed/load indexes
Tyre size is essentially the combination of the tyre’s width, diameter, and height-to-width aspect ratio. Here, the width is a three-digit number that measures the number of millimeters from one sidewall to the other. The ratio can be a two or three-digit percentage of the height compared to the width, while the diameter is specified in inches and must match the size of your vehicle’s wheels.
Your tyres must be able to support the load of the vehicle, which is another metric called the load index. You should look up the index and determine the exact weight of your car, then multiply it by the number of tyres and get the total load that the tyres can support.
The speed rating is the final metric which is denoted as a letter on the sidewall, which is the maximum speed a tyre is capable of. Here, it is important to know that tyres with a higher maximum speed tend to have faster tread wear. So, the speed rating must be at least as high as your vehicle’s top speed.
If you need a further explanation on tyre size markings and what each of them means, read this blog.
Should you buy premium or budget tyres?
If you are wondering about the cost of new tyres for your car, you should know that there are different models for every budget, driving style, or unique need. Tyre experts recommend choosing a tyre set that meets all of these factors.
For more information, contact your local MatraX dealer and get advice on making the right choice when buying new tyres.
