Brand or budget: choosing the right tyre

Tyres. If you think they’re all black, round and much the same, we don’t blame you. But the truth is that carmakers work closely with tyre companies when developing their vehicles and design them to work with a certain type of tyre. Some even go as far as recommending a specific brand and model.
Replacing your car's tyres with factory-spec isn't always easy on the pocket but it is the safe choice. It might even be cheaper in the long run than going with a budget version. Here's why.

Tyres impact almost every aspect of your car's behaviour. They give it the traction it needs to turn engine power into momentum and stop that momentum via braking. They determine its roadholding abilities and work with the suspension to quash lumps and bumps. Depending on the tread pattern, they can be more or less effective on different surfaces, or more quiet or noisy. They can roll along easily or hinder a car's momentum, impacting its ultimate fuel efficiency.

Your car's original equipment (OE) tyres aren't chosen by accident. Rather, they are fitted because they have ticked off various design criteria, from comfort and roadholding to durability and cost.
A car riding on the wrong or inferior tyres might be noisier, more uncomfortable to ride in, or use more fuel than it has to. It might take longer to stop or slide more easily in an emergency manoeuvre.
This doesn't mean a different or cheaper tyre will always and categorically perform worse than an OE tyre across the board. But the odds are stacked against it, and you'll essentially be taking a gamble on how your car will meld with its new rubber in some key ways.
If you're lucky, the wrong tyres will just be annoying or the money you saved will prove a false economy due to increased wear or inferior fuel economy. Worst case scenario, they could increase your likelihood of having an accident due to poorer roadholding abilities.

While cars are designed to work with certain tyres, carmakers are making that decision based on their likely intended use. If you operate your car for a non-standard purpose, there could be reasons to look beyond its OE rubber.
Most 4WDs, for example, come fitted with tyres that work best on sealed roads, which is in line with how most owners use them most of the time. A 4WD owner with serious off-road or extended dirt-driving plans can gain from choosing tyres targeted for that specific use.
High-performance tyres are an appropriate choice for drivers who prioritise roadholding over comfort, quietness or low cost. For others, a tyre that prioritises low rolling resistance, quietness or long life might actually bring their car closer to what they're looking for.

If you haven't really thought about your tyres prior to replacement, there's really no reason not to stick with OE. But if you're dissatisfied with some tyre-related aspect of your car's performance or you use it differently to the average owner, a change is worth considering.
So how do you find the right tyre from the multitude of different brands and models on offer? Tap into the experience of a retailer such as MyCar

, which offers entry, mid-range and premium tyres for most vehicle types and can guide you to a tyre that will satisfy your particular requirements. If budget is the primary concern, MyCar will guide you towards one that aligns with OE specifications and standards.
For more information go to mycar.com.au

 

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}