So you’re ready to buy new tyres. That’s great! If you haven’t replaced your tyres since you bought your car, or if you’re a long-distance driver, you’re probably due a new set. The right tyres make all the difference, but choosing the right set can be trickier than you think. You probably can’t just travel to a dealership and pick a tyre from a shelf by sight! (Unless you’re some sort of tyre wizard, then please. Go right ahead.)
As a provider of tyres to customers across the country, we’re happy to help you when it comes to road safety and tyre manufacturers. Choosing tyres can be daunting, especially if your knowledge of cars isn’t as in-depth as you might like. If you’re feeling that way, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled top tips to help you choose tyres that fit your car correctly, and we’re eager to share them.
Use Asda Tyres
Ok, we’ll admit it, this is the easy option. We make choosing a tyre simple. The best bit? You only need to know the size of your tyre, which you can find on your current tyres! Simply pop your number plate into our conveniently placed search bar and choose your size. Once you’ve done that, you should see a collection of budget, mid-range and premium tyres such as Dunlop that match your size. You can then choose a tyre that suits your price range and vehicular needs, which should make things easier.
If you’re worried about fitting the tyres, we’re going to stop you right there. We can deliver your newly purchased tyres to a fitting centre that’s close to your location, which means that a qualified team are ready and waiting to help you. If you’re happy to fit them yourself, we provide a home delivery option too. Our team will try to work around you, ensuring you get the tyres you want, when you want them.
However, choosing tyres on your own is important, as you don’t know what situations life will throw at you. You may be in a situation where you need a new tyre in a pinch, so we’ve provided essential information below should you need it.
Tyre Size
As mentioned above, it’s pretty simple to find the size of your tyres, as they should be on your current vehicle. Tyres have informative markings on the sidewall, or you could look in your vehicle’s handbook if you have it handy. The size is arranged in a series of characters, such as the following:
195/50 15 V082
This might seem confusing at first, but it’s understandable once you get your head around what the figures mean.
Section Width: 195 – This is the width of the tyre in millimetres.
Aspect Ratio: 50 – The ratio of the tyre’s width to its height. In this case, the width is 50% of the height of the tyre.
Rim Diameter: 15 – The diameter of the rim in which the tyre is fitted to. (Measured in inches.)
Speed Rating: V – Tyres are given a speed rating using an alphabetical symbol. In this case, the V speed rating means that the tyre can reach a maximum speed of 149mph.
Load Rating Index: 082 – This is the maximum load that a tyre can support. In this case, it’s 475kg.
Once you’ve figured out your size, you should make a note of it in your phone or somewhere that you’ll remember. You never know when it’ll come in handy!
Tyre Quality
The quality of your tyres depends on how they’re made. Generally, they are split into budget, mid-range and premium, with each offering different results.
Budget: These tyres are good in a pinch, but they don’t go through the same rigorous production process that other tyres do. They might be suitable for cars with lower mileage requirements, but they don’t last as long and don’t perform as well.
Mid-Range: Mid-range tyres are all about balance. They provide a compromise between budget and premium, and we’d advise that you choose these if you are restricted by funds but still want that extra quality.
Premium: We’d always recommend that you choose premium tyres, such as Dunlop, for your car. These tyres tend to perform better in various weather conditions and provide a reduced stopping distance. You’ll also find that noise levels are reduced too. (Though ultimately, it does depend on the type of tyre.)
Tyre Type
Finally, you’ll want to look at the type of tyre that you need. Due to the UK climate, it’s not necessary to change your tyres by law when winter hits, but it’s still advisable.
Summer Tyres: As the name implies, summer tyres are perfect in hotter temperatures. They’re designed for conditions of 7°C or above, with tyres like the Dunlop Sport Maxx GT at the front of the pack. The tyres use a hard compound which softens in milder temperatures, making it suitable for dry and wet conditions.
Winter Tyres: These tyres have thousands of grooves in their tread, which prevent aquaplaning. They also have a deep tread pattern too, which aides when travelling through snow. Winter tyres perform better in temperatures below 7°C.
All-Season: If you want a jack of all trades but a master of none, all-season tyres should suit your needs. The Dunlop Grandtrek Touring A/S is an example, as they combine the best of both winter and summer tyres. They don’t perform as well as either of them in their respective conditions, but they’re great for the UK climate, which doesn’t tend to experience extremes.