One of the most important things to consider if you own a vehicle is making sure it has a good set of tyres. If you are new to investing in tyres, you might be overwhelmed with all the types and wide array of tyre brands to choose from: you can go for high-end tyres from Pirelli and Bridgestone or settle for affordable alternatives like Hankook and Autogreen. 

Although the affordable rates of some tyre brands may sound appealing to you, it might be  better if you familiarise yourself with the difference between low quality and high quality tyres so that you will be able to make an informed decision before you purchase anything. 

What’s the difference between high and low quality tyres?

Even though the price is a major factor, another consideration that you should take is their performance. Budget tyres are usually made with materials with lower quality because they are intended mainly for driving in mild weather conditions and short distances. 

Tyre durability. This is one of the most important factors that will help you decide which tyres to go for. As a rule of thumb, the more durable they are, the longer they will last. So if you are planning to invest in tyres that are worth your money and time, investing in durable tyres is the most sensible thing to do. 

In order to test the durability of tyres, you just need to take a look at some benchmarks. For example, investing in tyres with soft rubber will give you good overall performance but it will also wear down faster. On the other hand, tyres with harder rubber will not wear down easily but it may not be able to give you a better performance either. The best thing to do is to find a new set of tyres that has the perfect combination of performance and durability. 

Go for tyres that are manufactured and reinforced with durable sidewalls. This is a standard that you cannot determine all on your own. You can do a bit of research or talk to an automobile expert to figure this out. 

Tyre brand. Going for a famous tyre brand may be the easiest thing to do but it may not be the friendliest decision for your wallet. High quality tyres have a reputation for being trustworthy but this standard comes with a high cost. If you are planning to invest in a good set of tyres that will last you a very long time, famous tyre brands can adequately satisfy your automobile needs. 

If you are in a tight budget, just shop around and you will surely find discount tyres that are affordable, durable and reliable. Although these tyres may not have the same reputation as the famous ones, you can always talk to an automobile expert about their proven performance and reliability. Remember, it always pays to find the best possible stuff for your limited budget. 

Level of comfort. We always aim to experience comfortable driving. Not all tyres are created equal: some are better at absorbing the bumps and shocks that come along the way. When it comes to offering the best possible level of comfort, high quality tyres are a winner because they can give you a much smoother ride.

Tyre grip. Tyre grip is a combination of 3 factors; the friction between the surface of the road and the tyre, the vertical load on the tyre and the contact patch (the small part of the tyre that comes in contact with the road).

When it comes to driving a vehicle, safety is our number one priority. This includes choosing tyres that are capable of handling your vehicle in various weather conditions. For instance, driving on a wet or dry road should be a breeze if your tyre grip is adequate. If not, you may experience longer brake distances or uncontrollable sliding. This is something that you do not want to experience at one point in your life so go for tyres that are capable of offering better handling and safer driving. 

Tyre tread. When the seasons are changing, you should be changing your tyres as well. Winter tyres are great for driving in snow, ice, rain and mud. This is due to their wider and thicker treads. The only drawback is the noise they create while you are driving. 

Summer tyres, on the other hand, have thinner treads. They have a good grip on the surface of a dry road because of their wide treads. You can experience a more quiet ride too but their rubber quality is softer and more flexible than winter tyres. 

To determine the best tyres means taking into consideration the weather and road conditions. Basing your decision on tyre treads alone may not be the best way to choose the most cost-effective tyre that you can afford. 

Noise level. Are you the type of driver that gets easily distracted or annoyed with noise? Aside from taking into consideration winter or summer tyres, going for tyres with high quality is very reasonable because, aside from the fact that they have great road performance and durability, they are quieter too. 

Some budget tyres are manufactured with less rubber, making them less durable and noisier. However, tyre design is not the only factor that can be attributed to the noise levels of tyres. You can put into consideration the tread depth too.  

Braking distance. Each tyre design comes with its corresponding approximation of braking distance but as a rule of thumb, the shorter the braking distance, the better. Why is this so? Having a shorter braking distance means your tyre is capable of handling any quick changes to your driving. For instance, if you need to drive away from an obstacle or drive faster during an emergency, your tyre can effectively handle such changes. 

Drag. Tyres with high levels of drag will not only make your vehicle work harder, it will make your vehicle consume more fuel too. Cheaper tyres usually cannot offer this type of performance so you might need to go for premium ones. Premium tyres are manufactured with high quality rubber which makes them suitable for driving in wet conditions and driving at high speed. 

Another thing to consider when buying new tyres is the type of vehicle you have. If you own a luxury car, budget tyres are not properly suited for it. Budget tyres are not manufactured to handle a luxury car. 

Tyre fitting. After taking into consideration all the factors of choosing the best tyres, there’s no use if they are not installed properly in your car. They must be correctly fitted so you can drive around safely and manage your fuel consumption properly.