Replacement Vehicle Tyres: Understanding Your Options
Modern tyres are designed and made to provide prolonged service life. However, they are not infallible and will wear away due to aspects such as normal usage, driving habits, weather conditions and the state of the local roads. Therefore, you will need to purchase new tyres periodically to restore the traction and performance of your vehicle. In ideal circumstances, you should install the original type of tyres installed by the manufacturer. However, you can choose alternative tyre designs and fabrications to enhance functionality. Here are the main tyre options to consider when choosing replacement products.
High or Low Profile
There are different tyre profiles that you can choose for your vehicle. High profile tyres are designed to have a taller and narrower look while low profile tyres have a sporty appearance due to the low-lying, squat style. The normal tyres installed in vehicles are high-profile tyres. They are favourable because their larger size provides a long contact area with the road. This means that your vehicle will have better grip and general traction when driving, making them safer. The tyres can also navigate speed bumps and rural roads more effectively. On the other hand, you can choose to install low-file tyres as an upgrade to your car. These are more attractive, and their lower design will present better handling and steering qualities.
Season Suitability
You should consider the weather conditions and general climate of the area in which you will be driving your vehicle. The most versatile tyres with regard to this aspect are the all-season tyres. These are designed for year-round driving on both wet and dry roads. However, they lack the precise grip and traction required for roads covered in snow and ice. If your local region experiences heavy snow or rain, you should consider purchasing snow or winter tyres. These are built with deeper treads to provide better traction on slick roads. Moreover, the rubber used to manufacture these tyres will remain pliable and undamaged in cold temperatures. Unfortunately, these are expensive to purchase and the rubber will wear away quickly when used extensively.
Terrain Considerations
Finally, you should consider the potential driving terrain before purchasing the replacement tyres. All-terrain tyres are designed for use on tarmacked and paved roads, and they can also handle light off-road usage. If you are planning on driving primarily through rural and off-road roads, you should acquire rough terrain tyres. These are made with thicker walls to resist puncturing, and they will provide better grip on muddy and bumpy roads.