CAR TIRES: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPENSIVE AND CHEAPER BRANDS?

Unless you’re a professional race car driver, off-roader or in need of very specialised car tires for your vehicle, you’re probably not too sure what the differences are between the various brands available. After all, they’re all tires and made of the same materials, right? Well, not exactly.

Braking is crucial in your driving experience and ensuring that you can safely operate your vehicle is just as important. Your car is also significantly impacted by the condition of your tires. Your tires also affect the overall handling of your vehicle, including how well it sticks to the road and maintains stability at any speed. We all know that tread ensures proper grip and handling, but beyond tread, there are several other factors which make up the right tires. Tire composition, it turns out, is a significant factor in why you pay much more for the well-known tire brands than the cheaper or generic ones. The big names in tire manufacturing, who are featured providers for Formula 1 and other racing sports, have achieved high acclaim through decades of research and continuous improvement of their tires.

Here are the key differences you’ll experience between a high-level and budget set of tires:

Handling

As we mentioned, handling is vital in ensuring a safe driving experience. More expensive car tires grip better to the road, allowing you to take turns, speed up and slow down in a much smoother manner. Tires on the lower end of the scale won’t provide the same amount of stability and tend to be much less reliable in emergencies.

Durability

As is the case with most things in life, investing in a quality product will ensure you’ll get much more usage time out of it before it’s time for a replacement. Tires are no different and, while it’s costly to purchase a new set of tires, investing in an expensive set will mean you won’t have to worry about new tires for an extra year or two. The durability of car tires is determined by the thickness of the rubber used, as thicker rubber obviously will last longer. Expensive tires also feature extra reinforcement in the sidewalls, which less expensive brands don’t offer.

Noise And Comfort Levels

Cheaper car tires tend to make a lot more noise on the road, as their tread depth and thickness tend to be less than their more expensive counterparts. Comfort levels are also affected by your tires, as more expensive ones offer better buffering on bumpy surfaces, while you’re far more likely to feel every dip and bump if you use a cheaper tire.

Need advice on your next set of tires? Contact us today for the best assistance in car tires, Auckland based.