Tyres are crucial to the performance and safety of your vehicle. We explain when and where to buy them, as well as the various possibilities accessible.
Tyres are a commonly overlooked component of a vehicle’s anatomy. They’re a frequently overlooked element of car maintenance, and should only be replaced when absolutely essential. However, because every accelerative, braking, and directional energy applied is transmitted through the little area of rubber in contact with the road, it is critical to ensure that they are in good condition and that you select carefully.
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How often should I replace my tyres?
Changing tyres should not be limited to when the tread depth approaches the legal minimum of 1.6mm (across three-quarters of the tread) – if a tyre has any lumps or bulges, this indicates that its structure is weakening and it is no longer suitable for purpose in the eyes of the law. Similarly, if any of the tyre’s internal metal cords are exposed, it’s necessary to replace them right away.
Ideally, you should replace all of your car tyres at the same time, but this is rarely practicable because the front and rear tyres wear at various rates depending on your vehicle. To extend the life of your tyres, rotate them halfway through their life, putting the back ones on the front and vice versa, but make sure they are all the same size before doing so.
The ability of a tyre to grip, particularly in wet circumstances, will diminish long before it reaches the minimum permitted tread depth, therefore start looking for replacements when the depth reaches 2-3mm. A fresh tyre has a tread depth of roughly 8mm, while specialized performance tyres might have much less.
But which replacement tyres should you get? Your car’s manual will be able to assist you as to the proper size, but there are a few other factors to consider.
Winter or summer tyres?
Summer tyres are standard on automobiles in the United Kingdom. These have the best grip in warm, dry conditions, but they are also built to work safely in damp circumstances. Given their all-around performance, they will be the default pick for the majority of drivers.
If you’re changing tyres in the winter, you might want to consider specialized winter tyres. These are made of a new rubber compound that remains pliable at lower temperatures. In terms of outright grip, winter tyres will generally outperform summer tyres below 7°C.
Winter tyres have tread blocks with tiny incisions or sipes. These sipes greatly improve traction on both snow and ice and provide more control in the most slippery conditions.
Of course, if the temperature climbs above 7°C, it’s time to go back to summer tyres, since not only will they perform better, but winter tyres will wear out much faster.
The snowflake and mountain’ emblem distinguish winter tyres. For more information, consult our winter tyre guide.
All-season tyres
All-season tyres bridge the gap between summer and winter tyres by claiming to deliver increased performance in cold and slippery situations without sacrificing summer performance. However, they will not function as well in extremely hot or cold temperatures as specialist summer and winter tyres.
For example, in Germany, where winter tyres are a legal requirement during the colder months, the majority of all-season tyres do not exceed performance criteria and are therefore unsuitable.
Tires that can be run flat
Run-flat tires are becoming increasingly common. If you get a puncture while traveling, a run-flat tyre has a strengthened sidewall that sustains the vehicle weight, allowing you to go for another 50 miles or so at a maximum speed of roughly 50mph. The idea is that it will bring you to your local tyre store without you needing to fix or change the tyre on the side of the road.
Many indications, such as DSST, RFT, ROF, and RunFL, may indicate that your tire is a run-flat tyre.
Run-flat tyres and standard automobile tyres should not be used on the same vehicle since they will impact the ride and handling.
TyreSafe, a tyre safety organization, recommends that run-flat tyres not be used on vehicles without a tyre-pressure monitoring system, which alerts you to deflation or puncture.
It also warns against towing with deflated run-flat tires, as they are only designed to sustain the weight of the car.
Used and somewhat worn tyres
It may be tempting to save money by purchasing secondhand or partially worn tyres, but we don’t believe the danger is worth it.
Part-worn – or second-hand – automobile tyres are permissible to sell in the UK, but only if they are safe and properly designated. Aside from being devoid of faults (such as cuts and bulges) that would render a tyre unfit for duty, they must also:
show all of the original indications for its kind and design, such as speed ratings and load indices
‘Part worn’ in capital letters at least 4mm high (this must be permanent, readable, and not manufactured by cutting or branding)
If they are to be sold on the rim, they must be internally inspected.
Some retailers sell part-worn tyres that do not satisfy these standards, which means they may have internal problems and are potentially harmful. As a result, we recommend that you avoid them.
Car tyre construction explained
Car tyres are a complex combination of materials with widely disparate characteristics. Some of the major components are as follows:
1. Tread
The tread rubber compound determines how well the tyre grips dry roadways. In the wet, the best car tyres disperse water through the tread grooves, preserving contact with the road and preventing aquaplaning (when the tyre floats on top of the water rather than traveling through it), which increases the possibility of a loss of control.
2. A steel belt
Rubber-wrapped bundles of steel wire provide structural stiffness to the tyre and keep the tread flat to preserve good contact with the road.
3. Sidewalls
These join with the air in the tyre to convey the vehicle’s weight. Lower, stronger sidewalls (as found on low-profile tyres) assist the tyre in holding its shape better when cornering. This enhances handling but can make the ride less comfortable. The tyre size and specification labels are also found on the exterior of the sidewall.
4. Bead wires
These are extremely strong steel wires with a high resistance to stretching. They keep the tyre on the rim even at high speeds and through sharp turns.
Which brand of car tyres should I buy?
With so many tyre manufacturers to choose from, it can be tough to know which is best for you. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to selecting a tyre brand, with the exception of preferring a ‘luxury’ brand (or at least a manufacturer you recognize) over an unknown budget option.
The sort of car you own and how you use it will also influence your tyre brand selection. A high-performance sports car will necessitate high-performance tyres with a higher speed rating and a typically softer substance, maximizing grip at the expense of tyre longevity. Pirelli and Michelin are premium tyre manufacturers that specialize in high-performance tyres and are the preferred choice for many sports car manufacturers.
High-performance tyres can be overkill for a typical family car, with mid-range models often providing greater value for money through lower fuel consumption (owing to lower rolling resistance), shorter wear rates, and lower pricing to begin with.
If in doubt, go with the recommended tyre from your car maker.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most well-known tyre brands. Almost all will manufacture a choice of tyres to match your vehicle and offer versions for a variety of applications, ranging from fuel economy to off-road driving.
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Bridgestone Tyres
If it has wheels, Bridgestone most certainly has a tyre for it. There is a wide range of options for car owners, including all-terrain rubber for SUVs, winter tyres, and high-performance types.
Bridgestone is a premium tyre brand, yet it frequently outperforms competitors in terms of pricing.
Continental rubber
German tire manufacturer Continental, like the others on this list, is an OE manufacturer, which means it has been chosen as the factory fitted tyre by a number of car manufacturers – a significant seal of approval.
Continental offers a wide choice of passenger car tyres, from sports tyres for SUVs to everyday tyres with high levels of performance.
Tyres from Goodyear
Goodyear has a long history of invention, making it a favorite among off-road enthusiasts and sports car fanatics alike. Its current UK lineup includes a wide variety of high-performance tyres, as well as tyres that prioritize economical driving and are intended to cut commuting costs. Goodyear also has a good assortment of winter tires.
Michelin rubber
French label Michelin makes tyres for almost everything that rolls, and it’s also one of the few mainstream tyre makers to provide track-oriented but road-legal ‘cup tyres,’ which normally adorn top-tier sports cars (and are appropriately costly). You don’t have to go crazy, though, because the brand’s conventional tyres are also well-regarded.
Tyres by Pirelli
Pirelli, perhaps better renowned for its risqué calendar, has established a reputation as a high-end performance tyre manufacturer, not least as the exclusive tyre supplier to Formula 1. It has lately launched a line of new tyres for antique sports cars that capture the appearance while outperforming the tyres of yesteryear.
Where can I get automobile tires?
Traditionally, tyres were purchased through a franchised tyre-fitting chain or a local independent dealer, but there are now numerous options for finding the correct rubber for your vehicle.
One alternative is to purchase your tyres from the manufacturer of your car. It is likely to have the correct size and suggested brand for your vehicle, which is useful if you need them immediately. Expect to pay a premium, as they are frequently supplied by specialized merchants.
Nationwide tyre fitters, such as Kwikfit, are another convenient choice because they can swiftly advise you on appropriate tyres for your vehicle and replace them while you wait. Prices are often negotiable, so they can be reasonable. However, some people may find the encounter stressful, especially if they are in an emergency situation.
Online retailers, such as Black Circles and MyTyres, have a large assortment at affordable costs. However, they are inconvenient if you need a tyre quickly; you must normally arrange an appointment to have the tyres sent to and fitted at a local mechanic.
Some online merchants offer mobile tyre fitting services and will change your tyres at your business or home.
To compare prices, contact many different tyre retailers. If one retailer gives you a terrific deal but is located a long distance away, try asking a nearby firm to match the offer. However, you will almost never be able to bargain with an internet seller. Ensure that any price includes the cost of new valves as well as balancing the tyres, in addition to merely fitting them.
