A Few Tips for Choosing Quality Tyres for Your Vehicle
Your vehicle's tyres are very important to its overall performance and even your safety; poor quality tyres that aren't in good repair can mean sliding all over the road, especially when you hit the brakes, which of course can be dangerous. Without proper traction from your car's tyres, the engine and transmission will also work harder, causing earlier wear and tear on the vehicle. While you can often expect to pay more for higher-quality tyres, don't go by price alone when making your choice; note a few tips for getting the best tyres for your vehicle.
Load capacity
A larger load means more pull and weight on a tyre, so it will need thicker and stronger rubber and tread. If you are driving a larger truck or regularly haul anything behind you, look for the load capacity of the tyres. This is usually a rating or class; you can then look up that rating or class and it will tell you the weight it's meant to haul. Don't skimp on this load capacity if you drive anything heavier than a standard family sedan, as thicker rubber and better treads can mean less drag, less wear on the engine, and more control when you're hauling that added weight.
Tread depth and design
Deeper tread will mean more traction and control over slippery roads. You may not think you need to worry about that if you don't live in an area with lots of snowfall, but consider if you drive on dirt roads, muddy roads, and even wet pavement. That tread not only gives the tyres some pull, but it also whisks away moisture under the vehicle. Tread with a crisscross design or any type of pattern other than straight lines will also provide more pull and traction and better handling against rough or wet road conditions.
When the tyre was manufactured
Don't assume that all tyres being sold as new are actually fresh off the production line. Those tyres could be a few years old, having sat in a warehouse or stockroom. This is important to consider, as rubber may tend to degrade after some time and become stiff and brittle. When rubber does this, it may not grip the road as easily. A tyre will have certain numbers across its face and you can check which of those numbers, according to the manufacturer, refer to its year and even its month and week of origin, and avoid tyres that are more than a few months old.
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