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Respect your tyres; the only link between your car and roads
Wheel alignment comes in handy to ensure safety and balance your car. Photo by Abdulaziizi K. Tumusiime
Believe it or not, some people dread having to buy car tyres. They stick with what is on their car for as long as possible, even to the point of said tyres going “bald.” But for the uninitiated, or those who have not bought a tyre, buying a car tyre of any kind, let alone the perfect one, can often be painful and confusing. That said, here is a simple guide and some tips for buying the right car tyres.
Do you have the right tyres?
The right tyres may be the most important thing on your car, as they are the only contact with the ground that you have. Tyres are a large factor in determining handling prowess, braking ability, manoeuvrability, and even fuel mileage and road noise. Yet so few people seem to pay attention to them, and even fewer seem willing to pay to get good tyres.
Now, these are not statistically valid statements from surveys, just an amalgamation of collected bits from listening to conversations at garages, asking those who work at tyre shops, and a few parking area surveys of looking at what kind of tyres people have on their cars.
Where do you buy them from?
Regardless of how complex your tyre requirements are, it helps to be able to trust the shop where your tyres are purchased and installed. This is about more than a shop just being capable and trustworthy, but also giving you the best price. I know of shops that have differences of up to Shs350,000 with other shops for the same tyres. Ideally, you want a shop that has dealt with your kind of car, or at least understands its specifics.
If you are not sensitive to differences, those specifics may not be an issue. If you are, like me, you will wonder why your car suddenly drifts a centimetre more off line than it did before.
A good tyre trader will ask you questions about your needs, make recommendations based on your budget and needs, and will let you know the compromises you will need to make depending on the tyre chosen.
Choose tyres for your road conditions
This would seem like a no-brainer to an experienced driver, but it is something most people really do not think about because they do not know they should. Again, this is where trusting your tyre trader comes into play. A good tyre shop will ask you these questions and then suggest tyres to fit your specific needs.
Is it worth it?
As for cost, you do not have to break the bank to get a good tyre, but make sure you do not choose a cheap tyre that cannot handle your driving style, weight and the performance of your car. You would not put high heels on a football player and expect them not to break their ankles. Buy the best tyre you can afford, and the ones that fit your car and needs, it is worth the extra shillings.
Stay with the tried and true tyre brands
If you don’t want to think about all the technicalities, simply go with what the manufacturer specifies. There is a reason that manufacturers specify a tyre of specific size, speed rating, tread wear, etc.
Guess you are wondering where you can get this information for your old car, the Internet is a good place to start. A good manufacturer has selected a tyre after a lot of testing, and choosing the specifications that will give the best compromise in all conditions.
In rare instances, the manufacturer has seemingly chosen the wrong tyre for the car, but even then that is generally for your individual requirements, not for the broad base of the ownership.
Of note, remember that differences in tread pattern, sidewall stiffness, even how the wheels are balanced after new tyres are installed, can change the dynamics of your car. Even if you get the “perfect” tyre, give yourself time to adapt to the differences in the way your car may handle, brake, manoeuvre, and even steer.
Also, regardless of choosing the right tyre, you have to remember to keep them inflated properly, get them rotated at every service, and replace them if the tread has worn down.
