How to choose the right tyre for you?

Choosing the right tyre for your vehicle Here at Tyres.Online we have over 18,000 tyres in stock at any one time, which might seem a bit of a daunting prospect when trying to decide which tyre is right for you. This short guide should put you on the right path to finding the tyre that is best for your vehicle at the price that suits. Price Whilst you shouldn't really base your tyre purchase solely on price sadly far too many people do and end up either paying too much for a tyre because they assume expensive must mean the best or paying too little and ending up with a tyre that fails to perform to their needs. There is a whole range of factors to be considered when buying new tyres for your vehicle and whilst price is ultimately the deciding factor for many, it shouldn't be the be all and end all. Tyres are broadly classed in four categories that are generally accepted within the tyre industry. (However as a previous blog article here shows, this isn't always as black and white as you would expect) Premium tyre brands often carry a premium price tag but benefit from the experience of the brand and the confidence you can have in a brand you know and trust. E.G. Michelin, Bridgestone & Pirelli. Mid-range tyre brands such as Yokohama and Toyo are first nipping on the heels of traditional premium manufacturers and are becoming increasingly difficult to classify with many investing heavily in testing and research facilities. Economy tyres are often brands that have been established budget tyre manufacturers and cost slightly more than the budget options but offer reassurance either through their association with larger brands or through their time in the industry. Budget tyre manufacturers are usually classified on their pricing and usual infancy in the tyre industry. Lots of these are coming to Western markets from Asian manufacturers who have relatively low costs. Size You'll quickly be able to narrow down the number of tyres suitable for you by checking you tyre size and viewing only the tyres that will fit your vehicle. If you've got any questions about how to check your tyre size or if you're unsure on your tyre size then you can view our tyre size guide. What tyre do you need? Asking this question will again help you to quickly strip down the numbers of suitable tyres for you. This can be easily done using the drop down menus on the site and will allow you to view only those that meet the criteria you have. Below are some of the most common criteria that people have: Runflat tyres are designed to allow you to continue driving even after a sudden loss of pressure and for some customers are en essential option as their manufacturer has opted to use Runflats and does not supply or provide space for a spare wheel. So if you don't have a spare wheel or if you currently have Runflat tyres fitted you'll need to filter out all the non-Runflat tyres. You can find out some more about Runflat tyres here Winter Tyres If you're part of the growing number of the population that are switching to winter tyres then you will be pleased to know that Tyres.Online has a wide selection of winter tyres and a very useful guide to winter tyres and why you should fit them here. All Season tyres are useful for those in the U.K who don't want the added cost of having your tyres changed but would still like to ensure performance in all conditions. Particularly useful for those living in areas of the country where weather conditions can be slightly more extreme. Extra Load tyres: What is an extra load tyre? An extra load is usually indicated on our site and throughout the tyre industry with an XL symbol. Occasionally referred to as a reinforced tyre these tyres are designed for heavier or larger cars that often carry heavier loads, so typically 4x4 vehicles and people carriers. Usually found on low profile tyres that are used on larger cars they can also withstand the extra pressure that heavier vehicles need to run at. It's important if your current tyres or manufacturer recommends you use extra load tyres that you do so. Sport tyres: Whilst there is no stamp on the tyre too indicate that it is a more sporty model it is worth considering either through reviews (See below) or by looking at the manufacturers description or website whether a tyre is designed for more sporty or high performance cars. Those that are specifically designed for sports cars and high performance vehicles can greatly increase the core functionality. Tyre Testing Broadly there are three main types of tyre testing.

1. Internal testing by the manufacturer
2. EU tyre labeling tests
3. Independent reviews and tests

1. Perhaps the most accurate and certainly the most consistent testing results will be that used for the EU tyre labeling tests and thus provide a great benchmark for you to compare tyres with.  (See our EU tyre labeling guide here)
2. However, there are a number of aspects that the EU tyre label does not cover and as such internal manufacturer testing results, some of which can be found on Tyres.Online and on the manufacturers site will attempt to fill these gaps. However, each manufacturer does test different areas and many will use different criteria and scoring systems for their tests.
3. Independent tests are great as they are often accurate and use the same scoring mechanisms and criteria across the board. They are however rare in the sense that they are often expensive to conduct and so not all products are reviewed.

Comfort Whilst not necessarily something most would consider when buying new tyres, a tyre can significantly change the level of comfort for a driver. For instance whilst Runflats and Extra Load tyres are great for their convenience and ability to take greater loads, Run flats provide a much firmer ride and the low profile Extra load tyres have much higher noise emissions. Similarly the larger the rim size the typically less comfy the ride because as a rule of thumb the bigger the rim size the lower the profile is. These lower profile tyres allow you greater control when cornering and performing at speeds but unfortunately provide a much nosier and harsher ride and for some the compromise is just not worth it. If you are still stuck or can't find your question answered anywhere then feel free at any time to call the Tyres.Online team for Free today on: .