Many think the most important part of a car's performance comes from what’s under the hood, but one of the key areas that many overlook to make your vehicle drive well on the road are the tyres. There are many types on the market, some you may have heard of and others you may not be aware of. To help you understand a little more about the tread on your car we have compiled a tyre comparison list to show you some of the different options out there and hep you find the right one for your car.
All Season Tyres Or All rounders
All season or all rounders are designed to deliver comfort, handling and maximum control on the road. These tyres will generally feature symmetrical tread patterns and circumferential grooves to allow for maximum grip on wet and icy roads. As the name suggests they are, these tyres come in all shapes and sizes. They can accommodate a heavier load, are engineered to be more comfortable on the road and have durable tread to give the tyre the longest life possible.
Summer Tyres
Summer tyres are for those that live in warmer climates like the tropics, an all season tire might seem like a great option but if you live in the tropics with more heat these tyres might be for you. They are optimised to handle warm weather and deliver handling that is responsive to the wetter conditions or more unforgiving heat. These tyres are designed ideally for performance vehicles in warmer conditions as they generally feature circumferential grooves to combat hydro and aquaplaning.
Winter Tyres
Winter treads come in all shapes and sizes and for a range of vehicles. They are designed to give your vehicle the most traction for those blistering wintery conditions in particular in temperatures closer to freezing. Winter tyres are designed to wick away the wet with the deep circumferential grooves which allows for better traction on icy conditions. The tyres design also provides the ability to be able to accelerate and brake effectively. In comparison a summer tyre in winter conditions braking will have 49% less stopping ability which can be up to 58 meters! So it pays to have the right tyres for the right conditions.
SUV All Terrain
All terrain or AT tyres are rather different to your standard highway treads. These are used mainly for SUV’s and are designed to handle anything from gravel to sand and even the odd patch of light mud. These tyres offer a more aggressive and larger tread pattern which provides a greater amount of traction in off road driving conditions. AT’s are brilliant because they are the best of both worlds without a lot of compromise. Most people who attach these to their car will know they provide a great amount of comfort for all conditions - the minimal noise from the tread is also a winner for adventurers and is why they are so handy around town or out in the bush.
SUV Mud
SUV Mud tyres are for the bush basher or the 4WD adventurer. These wheels mean serious business! With the aggressive tread pattern, and exceptionally large tread blocks you could be driving through deep mud, slippery sand. These tyres will get your vehicle to places many may not be able to do with regular or all terrain tyres. Often the rubber of the wheel is reinforced to counter punctures and the rough wear and tear handling of off road situations. The tyres are best suited for those who like to explore off the beaten track, want to have a more aggressive appearance to their car and don't mind compromising on road noise.
Space Savers
No one likes to blow a tyre or have to change one unexpectedly but it is better to have a spare just in case so you can pull into the nearest tyre shop to fix your vehicle. Space savers are indeed exactly what the name suggests. Designed to save space but only to be used for short distances, largely in emergency situations to get your car to repair. Most modern vehicles, usually smaller cars, like hatchbacks or small sedans come with a space saver to help with efficiency of the drive. These wheels are thin and in Australia, the maximum speed limit to drive with a space saver is 80km/h with a distance of much the same, as the tyre is only built or designed to get you out of a jam. Most of the space savers will require a higher air pressure than standard tyres so before you head out on a longer trip top up your spares as well.
carbar advises drivers to make sure they check their tyre pressure for safety and examine the tread on the tyres to ensure they aren’t balding or need replacing. Check in with your local fitter to find the right tyre comparison for you.
