When shopping for new car tyres, the many tyre options to choose from can seem overwhelming. Should your tyres be summer, winter or all-season? Mud-terrain, highway-terrain or all-terrain? Low or high-profile? With all the choices, you could be forgiven for leaving the decision for later and continuing to drive on old car tyres, but we wouldn’t recommend doing that if your tyres have seen better days.
Having the right tyres for the vehicle you drive, and for your driving habits is really important. Not only will driving with appropriate car tyres be economical from a fuel saving perspective, but it’s also vital from a safety standpoint. Tyres provide essential grip on the road, and grip requirements vary depending on the terrain you drive on, the season, the climate, the loads you tow or carry, and on how vigorously you usually drive.
In this guide, we’ll look at the common tyre types you’ll see in the car tyres market, and give you a brief idea on what type of vehicle and driving style is best suited to each tyre style. Hopefully, at the end of it, you’ll have a good idea of what tyres you need to buy when you’re next tyre shopping.
Of course, there’s no need to stress if you aren’t sure. The experts at Jim’s Mobile Tyres are here to help you make the best decision on choosing the perfect car tyres. So relax and read on.
The construction of car tyres
Car tyres are constructed according to the way they will be used, the sort of vehicle they will be fitted to, and the likely weather conditions. For this reason, there can be many differences between different car tyres.
Car tyres may be made from different types of rubber or rubber compounds, and some will be more flexible in certain driving conditions than others. For example a racing tyre may include over 100 different compounds that help it survive being driven at extremely high speeds, but this concoction might not result in the tyre being long-lasting. This might be fine for a short-lived driving experience, but you will need something more durable if it is to be driven on at moderate speeds, for thousands of kilometres.
In addition to the materials used to construct car tyres, each tyre style will have tread designed to suit the type of vehicle and the likely driving conditions. Off road car tyres, as an example, will have very deep tyre grooves so that they can handle driving on mud and gravel, whereas your average on road tyre won’t be as extreme in its tread design.
Different Tyre Types
Let’s look at the common tyre types you’ll see, so that you know which to consider when you need a tyre upgrade.
High-Profile Tyres
High-profile tyres are the common choice for high-use vehicles, and are often chosen by vehicle manufacturers. High-profile tyres have high sidewalls, and a narrow section width. The tall sidewalls absorb the impacts caused by uneven roads, and are less prone to damage from curbs and potholes than low-profile tyres. High-profile tyres perform well on uneven terrain, are comfortable, offer fuel efficiency, and have a tough tread.
Low-Profile Tyres
Low-profile Tyres are popular for use in sports cars. They have a short, firm sidewall that provides good stability when tackling corners. Low-profile tyres can be more easily damaged on potholes etc. than high-profile tyres.
Summer Tyres
Summer tyres are made from a softer rubber compound that offers good traction in temperatures between 7℃ and up to 30℃. The rubber compound used to make them is quite firm, so there is less friction on the road than a winter tyre would offer in hot weather, which means better fuel efficiency. Summer tyres can provide good grip and handling on both wet and dry roads.
Note that summer tyres shouldn’t be used in temperatures below 7℃, as their rubber becomes brittle in extreme cold. Their tread is also not designed to handle snow and ice, so it won’t provide insufficient grip.
Winter Tyres
Winter tyres are specifically engineered for cold weather and snowy conditions. They have deep tread that provides superior grip on snow and ice, and they are made with a rubber compound that remains flexible in low temperatures. In Australia, they’re appropriate for driving in alpine regions or during cold snaps.
All-Season Tyres
All-season tyres are designed to be versatile in a range of weather conditions. Whilst they aren’t designed for extreme weather at either end of the scale, they combine features of both summer and winter tyres, offering a balance of performance, comfort, and durability. They are a practical choice for Australian drivers who experience moderate climate changes.
(For more on the difference between seasonal tyres, read our article Summer, winter or all-season tyres: which is the best option?)
4×4/Mud-Terrain Tyres
4×4 and mud-terrain tyres are built with accentuated tread patterns that provide optimal traction on loose, muddy, or rocky surfaces, so are the preferred tyre for off-road drivers. They’re also resistant to punctures, so are essential for driving on rugged terrain. For on-road driving, however, they aren’t particularly fuel efficient or smooth to drive on.
Highway-Terrain Tyres
Highway-terrain tyres are designed for 4WDs and SUVs that spend most of their time on paved roads. They offer a quieter ride and better fuel efficiency compared to mud-terrain tyres. They also offer decent traction and handling in wet and dry conditions, making them suitable for everyday driving.
All-Terrain Tyres
All-terrain tyres feature a versatile tread pattern that performs well on both highways and light off-road conditions. They are best for drivers who want a tyre that can handle a variety of driving environments, yet still performs well and is comfortable.
Run-Flat Tyres
These tyres allow you to continue driving after a puncture, so that you can get to a tyre service centre, or to a location where Jim’s Mobile Tyres can come help. Their reinforced sidewalls can support the weight of your vehicle even when the tyre loses air pressure, so it means you don’t need to change your tyre immediately.
Run-flat tyres don’t offer a very comfortable ride, and can be expensive, so you have to weigh up convenience in the event of a breakdown, with everyday tyre versatility and comfort.
Factors to consider when choosing tyres
There are a range of considerations you need to make when shopping for new tyres. Let’s lay them out.
1. Your vehicle: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to buying tyres. Certain tyres are designed for certain types of vehicles, and won’t be suitable for others. For example, a race car will need tyres with little to no tread, as tread will make the vehicle grip to the road and slow it down, whereas everyday road drivers will want a moderate amount of tread for safety reasons.
Additionally, different tyre types come in different sizes. A large mud-terrain tyre designed for a 4X4 might not even fit on a small passenger vehicle, so you need to consider your vehicle type.
2. Driving Conditions: What kind of surfaces do you typically drive on? What speeds do you usually drive at? Do you drive in the extreme heat?
The conditions you drive in will hold sway when it comes to choosing a tyre. For example, if you drive a 4×4 off road, then either all-terrain or 4×4 tyres will be required. If you drive on highways a lot, highway-terrain tyres might be best.
For driving in heat, summer tyres are best, but you’ll want to invest in a set of winter tyres if you plan to also drive in the extreme cold.
3. Budget: Tyres vary in price, so consider your budget when making a decision. While premium tyres offer superior performance and longevity, there are also budget-friendly options that provide good value for money.
In summary, there’s a range of types of car tyre designs available, and every driver can be catered to when it comes to road safety, fuel efficiency and budget. Consider your vehicle, your driving style, road conditions and what kind of driving performance you seek when selecting tyres. And don’t forget that you don’t need to understand it all yourself. That’s what the experts at Jim’s Mobile Tyres are here for.
Get Help from the tyre experts
It’s normal to be flummoxed by the choice of car tyres and tyre brands out there. That’s one of the reasons why Jim’s Mobile Tyres exists. Our car tyres experts know a whole lot about tyres, and about matching tyres to vehicles.
We sell a carefully selected range of tyres at competitive prices (we get some great deals from our suppliers). Not only can we help you choose the right tyres for your car, but we can also carry out a tyre fitting at your chosen location. We fit tyres to passenger and luxury cars, 4WDs, utility vehicles, and trucks of up to 5 tonne capacity.
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