Buying new tyres is one of the necessary evils of owning a car. Tyres from premium brands such as Continental, Pirelli and Michelin can cost hundreds of pounds each depending on the kind of car you own. And unless you're replacing a single punctured tyre, you may well need to switch more than one tyre at a time.
But is it worth saving the cash and choosing a cut-price tyre from a company you've never heard of? Or should you pay extra for rubber from a big name maker?
Should I pay more for tyres? Yes
If you thought building a tyre involved taking some liquid rubber, pouring it into a mould with a fancy pattern then letting it dry before packing it off for sale you'd be mistaken. It's a highly complex, billion-pound business.
The big name companies employ chemists to formulate the right mixture, called a compound. They have engineers to work on tread patterns and the tough structures that bind a tyre together. They build multi-million pound research centres with indoor tracks that can replicate all driving conditions from sweltering Saharan sun to freezing Arctic asphalt. Finally they use highly qualified test drivers to ensure the products behave as they're supposed to. And if they don't, the whole process begins again.
Test driver for Continental, Scott Armstrong said: "Tyres determine 50% of a car's feeling and its characteristics when you drive it. It's a rigorous process getting that right."
Once the highest possible standards are met, the tyres are then approved for use as 'original equipment' by the car makers.
The net result of all this investment is tyres that perform better than cheaper rubber. David Johnson from Michelin explained: "High quality tyres can save money and lives. Premium tyres may cost a bit more, but they can last significantly longer than budget tyres and they help your car consume less fuel. Michelin spends £450 million a year developing materials, tread patterns and structures that maximise safety and fuel efficiency in a wide variety of conditions throughout a tyre's whole life."
Should I pay more for tyres? No
When we asked various tyre industry experts to stand up for budget tyres, none of them would. All said drivers should spend as much as they can afford on tyres because getting the right rubber for your car is so vital for road safety.
The nearest to come out in favour of budget rubber was charity TyreSafe which campaigns for drivers to take their tyres more seriously.
Chairman Stuart Jackson said budget tyres make sense if you consider them as an alternative to second-hand ‘part-worn' tyres. He explained: "A typical part-worn tyre will have around 3mm of tread. Considering the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, that's 1.4mm of usable tread. A new budget tyre will have around 8mm of tread. This makes it more cost-effective in pounds per millimetres of tread terms than a part-worn tyre."
Verdict
If you're not already convinced that it's worthwhile spending a little extra on tyres, here's what Chris Sanders from website Tyremen.co.uk said: "The quality of some budget tyres is shocking. Some are no better than remoulds. There can be a huge difference in the extra number of miles you'll get out of a premium tyre compared to an economy tyre.
"We always advise people to buy the same make of tyre their car was fitted with when it was new, if they can. If they want to change, look at independent tyre tests and visit forums to get unbiased views from people who've spent their own money on particular tyres."
But not only will expensive tires improve your car's braking and handling, but they will also often have numerous other benefits over cheap tires
cheap tires
The Reinalt-Thomas Corporation, doing business as Discount Tire and America's Tire, is an independent tire and wheel retailer. It operates in 38 of the lower 48 states, and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Founded in 1960, it is considered the largest independent retailer of tires and wheels in the world.
Low-budget tires can be limited in their wet braking capabilities, potentially compromising the overall safety of the vehicle in adverse weather conditions. Known for their exceptional wet braking performance, premium tires, such as those from Continental, are designed to maintain traction on slippery surfaces.
Initially, budget tyres seem to be the most cost effective due to their smaller price tag. Premium tyres, however, tend to be the more economical choice. This is because they are usually constructed with a higher quality rubber and designed with a tread pattern which can withstand wear differently to budget tyres.
There are significant performance differences among tire brands and models, particularly in grip and tread life, based on Consumer Reports' extensive tire testing. “The best tires shine for impressive braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance.
Typically, the smaller the wheel, the less you'll pay. Because a smaller tyre contains fewer materials, it has a lower speed and load rating. Changing low-end tyres could cost between £45 – £70 per tyre while high-end tyres can cost between £220 – £1,200 per tyre.
While you can make a handy saving by purchasing budget tyres over premium, it's essential to consider that they very likely won't last as long. This is mainly due to the grade of rubber used being a lower and usually softer material quality than what's used in premium tyres, causing them to wear down quickly.
Budget tyres tend to wear more quickly than premium quality tyres. Grip. Budget tyres generally don't provide as much grip as high quality tyres. Especially in wet conditions, they won't stick to the road quite as well as a premium quality tyre.
Road noise, longer tire life, and more control in bad weather are all factors to consider if you go the inexpensive route on your car's rubber. Article QuickTakes: Better tires offer shorter stopping and better grip.
How many miles should tyres last? Your front tyres should last for around 20,000 miles before being changed and your rear tyres may last longer than this. For example, this means that they should be changed every four years if you average 5,000 miles per year.
High mileage tyres are made from a harder compound, which gives them longer tread life but can make the ride less comfortable. They're a good choice for daily drivers who want their tyres to last as long as possible.
' The two genuine American tire brands are Goodyear and Cooper Tires. These all-American brands are physically created and manufactured in the USA and aren't owned by a foreign counterpart. Some brands, such as BFGoodrich and Firestone, started as “American” brands.
Besides safety concerns, the very cheapest tires provide poor durability. If the tires are too cheap, then you will end up replacing them so often that the cost savings are lost. In addition, cheap tires lower your gas mileage and produce more noise than mid-range and higher-end tires.
How long should my tyres last? On average, most tyres are sufficient to drive for around 20,000 to 30,000 miles. Tyres that are ten years' old should be replaced to ensure your car is safe to drive. You can find out when your tyres were produced by reading the markings on the sidewall of the tyre.
Premium tires are designed with advanced materials and technologies that reduce rolling resistance, resulting in lower fuel consumption and fewer carbon emissions. In addition, premium tires last longer and require less frequent replacement, which reduces the amount of waste generated from used tires.
Typically, tire lifespan is measured in terms of miles driven. On average, a set of tires can last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles. This range serves as a general guideline, but it's important to remember that individual tires may wear out sooner or last longer depending on several factors.
Premium Tyres: Offer superior quality and performance, made by renowned brands, but are more expensive. Benefits of Premium Tyres: Provide better grip, fuel efficiency, and are long-lasting, offering long-term cost-effectiveness.
There are three grades of tires: Budget, Mid Grade, And Premium. Budget tires are just like they sound, budget minded. Most Mid Grade tires come with a 50,000+ mile tread wear warranty while premium tires usually come with a 70,000+ tread wear warranty.
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