Understanding tyre testing and why it matters

This might sound familiar: your car’s in for a service and – halfway through the morning – you get a call from the garage. Your tyres need replacing, and it’s going to cost… “how much?!!!“

 

In a situation like this, the first thing most of us do is go online to search for better prices and options. And you’d be forgiven for feeling bewildered by the choices, the jargon, EU tyre labelling, price comparison websites and more.

 

One way of cutting through the noise is to read reviews and independent tyre testing reports. And – because at ASDA Tyres we’re always looking for ways to help our customers – we thought we’d explain the process so you can make a more informed choice.

 

Independent tyre testing – what’s tested and how?

 

As there are so many different types of tyres for so many different uses and vehicles, it’s important to understand a little about the tests, such as what the testers do to the tyres, what they look for, and what constitutes a winner.

 

The tyres are pushed to the limit at special test facilities, testing their performance in conditions most of us hope never to experience – but which we all need to be ready for. This is an extremely thorough and rigorous process, going way beyond the results you see on EU tyre labelling of just wet braking, fuel efficiency and external noise levels.

Tyre testing wet braking.Typically, independent tyre testing also includes wet handling and cornering, straight and corner aquaplaning, dry braking and handling, and cabin noise. Points are awarded by the judges for each category of testing, and the results are tallied up. The tyre with the highest overall score is deemed the winner.

 

So, for example, when leading car magazine, Auto Express, rated Continental’s ContiSport Contact 5 its best overall summer tyre in 2016, it was because it achieved top scores for dry handling, dry braking, wet handling and wet braking – a broad spectrum of performance across all the essential driver safety criteria, and exactly what you need to be aware of when making an informed tyre purchase. It’s no surprise it’s a popular tyre choice at ASDA Tyres.

 

Independent tyre testing – who does it?

Trusted motoring authorities, like car magazines Auto Express, evo, and What Car?, and renowned consumer watchdog organisation, Which?, all regularly conduct tyre tests, with their reliably honest and impartial opinions highly valued by UK consumers.

 

Continental have a brilliant track record of getting top marks in independent tyre tests, year in year out. The outstanding SportContact 6 was the winner of the evo tyre test award in 2016, and the excellent ContiPremiumContact 5 won the much coveted award from Professional Driver, the UK’s top private hire and chauffeur magazine.

 

There is also a growing number of motoring bloggers – usually enthusiasts – who also do their own testing, and are followed online for their (mostly) impartial opinions and driver advice.

 

 

Do premium tyres test better?

 

At ASDA Tyres our unequivocal answer is a resounding yes, the premium tyres do test better. It’s no surprise, really. Premium tyre brands are the force behind tyre development, investing vast amounts – typically hundreds of millions – each year in research and development (R&D).

 

As a result, premium tyre manufacturers – such as Continental – drive tyre technology forward at an astonishing rate, as their engineers continuously optimise and refine their tyres, and invent new tyre compounds and tread patterns. Tyre quality – and the subsequent safety of the driver – is part of their Vision Zero driver safety initiative to end driver fatalities.

 

Test results reveal conclusively that premium tyres outperform budget tyres, and this superiority is also clear when you compare how they perform for everyday road usage. Premium tyres

-Are safer (providing better – measurable – surface grip)

-Last longer (better tyre compounds result in slower tyre wear)

-Reduce fuel consumption (tyre quality and construction affect fuel efficiency)

-Are noticeably quieter

-Cost less over time

 

To learn more read our Premium vs Budget Tyres article.
 

Premium quality tyres also enhance the driving experience, as those of you who do a lot of driving will already know. Scott Armstrong, senior test driver at Continental, agrees and puts it like this, “Tyres determine 50% of a car’s feeling and its characteristics when you drive. It’s a rigorous process getting that right.”

 

Next steps to understanding the tyre testing process

 

Tyre manufacturers like Continental recommend that you read tyre reviews and test reports before buying, and so do the expert tyre professionals at ASDA Tyres, who offer impartial, expert advice, and are ready to help you find the right tyres for your vehicle, driving needs and budget. Click here to find your nearest fitting station.

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