An Easy Way To Choose Your Next Set Of Tyres
We spend a lot time researching for a new TV or a new car, but when it comes to tyres, we seem to skip the research all together. Well, you could be making a costly mistake.
Choosing your next set of tyres does not have to be confusing, all you need to do is to consider these three things: The Tread, the way the tyre is built or its Carcass and the materials used to build it, its Compound.
Here is a quick guide to help you compare tyres and see if you are getting the latest technology:
TREAD
1. Identify the driving you do most to find the right tread design.
You wouldn’t wear hiking boots to the office and you wouldn’t wear high heels to the beach. Like shoes, tyres must suit the places you want to go.
A. Mostly on-road driving? A highway tread design is the way to go.
B. Weekend get-aways with light off-road, dirt, sand and forest tracks? An all-terrain tread design is best for this application.
Tip: Choose an all-terrain tyre with a slightly open tread pattern for that little extra grip and one with rounded shoulders, perfect for the sand such as the A/T3. Avoid going for something too aggressive with chunky, big open spaces between tread blocks, as this can result in uneccessary wear and noise when driving on sealed roads.
C. Regular off-road adventures? An aggressive all-terrain tread design will give you medium traction and a tough, durable design for long distances on un-sealed roads.
Tip: Choose an aggressive all-terrain tyre with a more open, deeper tread pattern like the S/TMAXX. Check before you buy as not all brands make this in-between all-terrain hybrid.
D. Serious off-road trips? A mud tyre tread design will give you maximum traction for tackling mud, rocks and plenty of unsealed roads.
Tip: Even if you aren’t conquering lots of mud, mud tyres are the best for rocks and steep hill traction. Make sure they are at least three ply construction and remember that Angle Ply sidewall construction is the ultimate protection against off-road damage.
2. The depth of the tread
The deeper the tread, the longer the tyre will last and the better grip the tyre will have. Check the tread depth of all tyres you are comparing to make sure you are getting value.
3. Latest features in tread design technology
Think about it like this.Cars have come a long way since they were first invented. And we all know, that there is a massive difference among car brands and models when it comes down to technology. Well, just as with cars, not all tyres are the same they look similar but there is massive difference in technology and that matters.
Here are some key features to have on your tyres:
CARCASS CONSTRUCTION
When you build a house you make sure the foundations are strong and suitable for the construction that is going on top.
It’s the same with tyres. You might be surprised to learn that while tread is critical, it’s the carcass that accounts for up to 70% of a tyres performance.
What you can’t see under the tread is the foundation that the tread sits on.
There are three main carcass constructions to match your driving requirements, choose wisely:
COMPOUND
The mix or recipe of ingredients that determines a tyres grip and wear characteristics.
It’s like each tyre has its own magic recipe, getting this formula right is something of an art.
Plastic comes from the same basic ingredient but we’ve all experienced that the quality of plastic can differ dramatically.
Some are cheap that get brittle and break easily. Some are more durable, stronger and more flexible.
They look the same but they certainly are not. It’s the same with tyres.
Chemically-coupled silica is the latest technology in compounds. It improves grip, lower rolling resistance and safeguard against cutting, chipping and tearing.
I’d like to help you get more involved in choosing your next set of tyres. Find out what represents the latest technology in SUV/Car tyres and 4WD tyres before you buy.