Choosing the right kind of tyres is an important decision to get the best performance out of your car, but it can be difficult to choose tyres that are right for our individual driving needs. This post looks at the main types of tyre, and what they’re used for.
Run Flat Tyres
Run flat tyres are designed with convenience in mind; they’re usually almost identical to the normal tyres you get on any given vehicle, but with the added benefit that in the event of a puncture, you’ll still be able to drive with them for a set distance. Usually the threshold is 50 miles post puncture at 50mph.
This allows you to get home to your nearest garage to replace the tyres. They remove the need for a spare tyre and reduce the weight of the vehicle. Check out the AA blog that has all the information you need about run flat tyres.
Seasonal Tyres:
The following are the main types of tyre most commonly used:
- Summer
Summer tyres have less grooving in their treads, and give the driver improved agility, speed, better cornering and braking ability due to their maximum level of road holding performance. - Winter
In some EU countries, it’s the law to use winter tyres. Their tread are specialised for stronger traction to grip roads with wide tread blocks and sipes, made from specialised rubber that performs well in the cold. - Wet Weather
This type has deeper grooves and sipes with specially designed treads to disperse water away from the tyre, increasing aquaplaning resistance and grip. - All Season
All season tyres perform well in wet and dry conditions, have moderate tread depths with a longer life. In winter, they’re capable of providing traction in light winter conditions. Winter tyres are advised in adverse conditions.
Performance Tyres
Often on luxury or performance vehicles, these tyres are designed for sports driving, have softer rubber and are great for cornering, although they wear faster than normal tyres.
All Terrain Tyres
All terrain tyres usually have a 50:50 ratio between off and on-road performance, with wide treads and sipes to deal with mud and wet weather with improved grip, and a flat contact patch for even wear.
Eco Tyres
Also called ‘low rolling resistant tyres’, these reduce fuel consumption without affecting performance, with silica used in the treads to lower rolling resistance and improve wet grip.
So, with all this information in mind, you should be well equipped to choose the right tyres for your car and driving needs.