How to Choose a Tyre When Bargain Brands Won’t Do

If you have a short commute every day, or no commute at all, and only drive a lightweight family sedan, you can probably make do with bargain brand tyres that don't offer much by way of traction or performance. However, if you go off-roading, regularly drive in the snow or mud or on wet roads, you want tyres that offer the most safety and stability, and which can reduce the risk of getting stuck or sliding around during braking or turning. Note a few differences in various tyre types so you can better choose the right tyre for your driving needs:

Mud tyres and off-roading tyres

Mud tyres and off-roading tyres are actually very different; mud tyres will usually have tread that works in a pointed pattern, which is needed to push the mud away from the front of the vehicle without just flattening it under the tyres. The tread pattern of mud tyres is also typically very wide and "bold," so that mud doesn't get caught in the tread and cause slipping.

Off-roading tyres need to work in the sand as well as soft soil, and when driving the vehicle over brush or vegetation. These tyres will usually have a deep tread pattern that is somewhat jagged as it is worked across the face of the tyre, so it offers traction but also pushes brush and vegetation to the side when driving over it. This lets your vehicle actually tear through those off-roading condition.

Low rolling resistant tyres

Low rolling resistant tyres have a type of silica added to the tread compound, which lowers the resistance the tyre feels when in motion, and especially when turning. This can reduce your overall fuel consumption when on the road. For very long commutes, or if you drive in areas with lots of twists and turns, opt for low rolling resistant tyres for the best overall fuel economy.

Performance tyres

If you consistently drive at high speeds, such as on the freeway for a long commute, you may want performance tyres for your car. These have very light tread and may even look a bit worn to you. This lack of tread means less resistance on the road, so the tyres can spin faster, without added drag. These tyres aren't good for wet roads and they don't offer much traction, so you may need to change them out when the snow starts to fall, but for everyday highway driving, they can be the best choice for your vehicle.

Contact a company like O'Neills Tyres for more information and assistance. 


Share