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If you need to replace one or more of your car’s tyres, then do not hesitate to do so. Driving around on tyres that are beyond the legal threshold for tread depth could land you in trouble with the law. Even worse, tyres that are approaching this limit can be dangerous, especially in wet weather when they simply won’t clear as much water out of the way to maintain proper grip. Remember that if you need one tyre to be replaced, you may soon have to replace another. Having tyres that are roadworthy go a long way if you are someone who is regularly driving in areas like London, Oxford or even Yorkshire. Therefore, always consider buying two tyres since some good tyre fitters will give you a discount for a pair depending on the sort of tyres you buy. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about purchasing suitable tyres.
1. Check the Tyre Code
You need to purchase tyres that are compatible with the model of the car you drive. Fortunately, all tyre manufacturers put codes on the sides of their products so you can make sure the chosen tyre is compatible and will, therefore, fit. The first number of each code is the width of the tyre, given in millimetres. The next is its profile number, given as a percentage of the width. Next comes the diameter of the wheel the tyre is designed for, given in inches. Next is the load capacity, important if you ever drive with heavy equipment in your boot, for example. Finally, there is a letter that represents each tyre’s top speed rating beyond which you should never drive.
2. Shop Around
Like anything else, you should shop around for new tyres. Some tyre centres will run promotions for certain brands and end-of-line stock from time to time which would mean being able to obtain a higher-quality tyre for the price of a budget one. Avoid second-hand tyres, though. Although they may be legal to fit, they don’t represent great value because they’ll soon need to be replaced. DAT Tyres has a great selection of car tyres in London, available at affordable online prices, so check out their stock rather than simply heading to the same place you always go.
3. Confirm the Efficiency Rating
New tyres come with three ratings. Just like electrical appliances, they should be easy to compare for energy efficiency. Of course, tyres don’t use fuel directly but their rolling resistance leads to a greater or lesser consumption of fuel per mile driven. Consequently, it is a good idea to opt for the most efficient ones you can afford, especially if you do a lot of motorway driving. The other two ratings you might like to consider are their noise rating and their wet grip performance.
4. Winter and Summer Tyres
In the south of England, winter tyres aren’t often that useful. Most motorists have summer tyres they use at all times of the year. However, if you drive to mountainous or exposed land where snow and ice can be an issue, then winter tyres could well be worth it. They offer increased levels of grip in sub-zero temperatures. You can take them off in the summer and save them for next winter if wanted, too.
5. Premium Tyres
Understandably, some people buy the cheapest tyres that will fit their car. Budget tyres are certainly worth it under some circumstances. That said, premium tyres don’t just offer superior handling performance on the road but tend to last longer, as well. Therefore, they often constitute the best value for money over the course of their entire lifespans. Don’t rule them out because they cost a little more upfront.