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There are several things to consider when choosing car tyres. Firstly, you’ll need to buy a tyre that has fitment compatible with your vehicle, so make sure you understand your tyre’s sidewall markings. You can also choose to buy the OE fitment tyres, originally fitted to your car by the manufacturer.
Beyond that, you need to think about what kind of driving you do, how many miles you drive and what season it is. You might have a small city car or a large SUV. Each vehicle will demand differently designed tyres. Fuel efficiency, noise levels and handling performance are also well worth considering when you’re looking to buy a new set of tyres.
In this guide we’ll show you what to consider when buying new tyres. To browse tyres now, search by fitment or vehicle registration plate.
Choosing the right size tyre is fundamental. That’s why you’ll need to understand your tyre’s sidewall markings.
You can check your owner’s manual for information on the recommended tyre size.
In this image, each letter represents an important piece of information about that tyre.
A. Tyre Width
B. Aspect Ratio
C. Diameter
D. Load Index
E. Speed Rating
OE tyres are the original equipment tyres fitted to your vehicle.
OE tyres are developed specifically for each make and model of vehicle to provide optimum performance. Choosing OE tyres is often a great way to ensure you have tyres that will deliver a strong performance that is tailored to your vehicle.
Goodyear is chosen by many car manufacturers for OE tyres.
Depending on the severity of the weather where you live, this may impact the choice of tyres you buy.
There are three types of tyres you can choose from: Summer tyres, Winter tyres and All Season tyres.
But what’s the difference between them?
Summer tyres are the tyres most commonly fitted to cars. They handle and grip well on both dry and wet road surfaces, designed for optimum performance in mild weather conditions of 7°c and above.
In countries where winter conditions tend to be mild with temperatures remaining above 7°c, they can be used throughout the year.
Where there are bouts of frost, freezing temperatures and occasional snow fall, All Season tyres help to provide some of the cold capabilities of a Winter tyre with the benefits of Summer tyre performance.
1st out of 10 tested brands
High tread elasticity and flexibility results in less fractures caused by rough road conditions (over a wide range of temperatures).
Lower compound stiffness facilitates block bending and wiping out of water. Longer and increased number of gripping edges facilitates water evacuation.
Larger ribs at the center of the tread ensure higher stiffness.
You should choose to buy summer tyres during the warmer months of the year when temperatures are above 7°c. The tread patterns and compounds will provide the best performance on dry and wet roads at this time of year.
Winter tyres contain a higher proportion of rubber than summer tyres, which makes them softer and more elastic.
This increases the level of grip the tyre is able to offer in temperatures below 7°c. Winter tyres also have a different tread pattern containing sipes to give you the best possible performance in terms of grip on snow and ice.
Improved wet, dry and winter performance
RunOnFlat Technology
Our revolutionary RunOnFlat technology lets you drive at up to 50mph on a flat tyre.
So there’s no need for roadside tyre changes, and a reduced risk of motorway blowouts.
Rim Protection Technology
With rim protectors built into the tyre, you’ll enjoy greater protection against curb damage.
On-Off Road Technology
Designed for off road use with 4-wheel-drive vehicles, these tyres may also be used on the road at speeds of up to 118mph.
Winter tyres are ideal for seasonal conditions where the temperatures fall below 7°c with substantial snowfall or ice that requires the use of a tyre designed to provide grip in colder temperatures.
In some European countries winter tyres or those marked with the 3PMSF mark are required by law – worth noting if you plan on travelling abroad during the winter season. In this instance, you can switch and store your summer tyres yourself or with your local dealer.
All season tyres blend the technologies of both summer and winter tyres into one.
This allows you to run one set of tyres on your car all year round. Sometimes referred to as all-weather tyres, these tyres are designed to maintain performance and aid safety in both hot summer weather and cold winter weather.
More test wins than any other brand tested.
Better grip on snow through large amount of sipes at the center of the tread. The sipes influence each other at their intersection, stimulating their opening for better grip.
Shorter dry braking & Improved dry handling. Reduced deformation of the tire during heavy maneuvers through strong crown & shoulder blocks.
Lifetime Aqua Planing Resistance. Over time grooves evolve to continuously ensure water dispersion.
All season tyres are best if you live somewhere in the country that doesn’t get especially cold or see so much snow and ice.
You will still get good performance in the summer and when the temperature drops, the tyre has the elasticity in the rubber to provide good winter performance too.
Equally, if you simply prefer not to switch from summer to winter as the seasons change, all season tyres are the best choice for you. They can also be used in European countries where winter tyres are required by law thanks to their 3PMSF mark – meaning they are built to give the same performance as a winter tyre in conditions of snow and ice.
There’s a big difference between choosing tyres for a car and choosing tyres for an SUV.
And there’s an even bigger difference when you’re looking for 4x4 tyres.
Car tyres are designed specifically for on-road performance, such as grip, braking and handling.
SUV tyres are produced to take the additional weight of the vehicle alongside road-focused grip, braking and handling. 4x4 tyres are reinforced to be able to handle off-road adventures. 4x4 tyres also have heavily defined tread pattern which helps to maximise grip on all terrain.
Does your car need to have run flat tyres fitted? Run Flat tyres have reinforced shoulders which allow the tyre to continue to carry the weight of the car over a limited distance. This allows you to continue driving for 50 miles at a speed of around 50mph in the event of a puncture.
If you would like to fit run flat tyres to normal alloy wheels, you can do so if your car is fitted with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in order to alert you in the event of a puncture.
Whether you’re up and down the motorway on a daily basis or just doing short city drives once a week, fuel efficiency is worth factoring into your tyre choice. Tyres can account for up to 20% of your vehicle’s fuel consumption, so choosing the right tyres can save you money every time you fill up.
Ultimately, you’re looking for tyres with a low rolling resistance. This will result in improved fuel efficiency every time you go for a drive. You can find the fuel efficiency rating on the tyre label, scored from A to G.
Don’t forget, fuel efficiency is also affected by incorrect tyre pressure, so make sure you keep your tyres well maintained.
Another important consideration is your tyre’s noise levels. For a quieter ride, you’ll want to invest in noise efficient tyres. Not only will this provide a quieter ride for yourself, but it’ll also help reduce the noise pollution levels in our cities and towns.
You can learn more about noise ratings in our guide to the tyre labels.
New tyres designed for track performance are one of the best upgrades you can make to your car to enhance your track day experience.
Your tyres directly impact the amount of power you can deploy, the lateral load your car can withstand and the amount of brake pressure you can apply. If you’re looking to improve your performance on track, choosing the right tyres is vital.
