There are certain things which are just, well, certain. Like paying taxes or having to tweeze stray nostril hairs for fear of social ridicule. Or buying new tyres for your car. These things just have to be done, even if they prove to be difficult. And while we can’t help you with your nasal grooming habits and we aren’t tax experts, we can help you with the search for the right tyres.
You see, because we’ve helped so many people in Namibia get cheaper car insurance we’ve seen first-hand how important tyres are and how you can’t just go for the cheapest set available. So, we thought we’d help you choose the right tyres and take away all that stress and second guessing by putting together a list of helpful tips.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right tyres for your car.
What you drive
First of all, you need to match the tyres to the type of car you drive, because there’s no use in choosing ultra-high performance sports tyres for your small family hatchback. This is the easiest step, because you already know whether you drive an SUV or a luxury sedan, or a compact city car.
Where you drive
Where you do most of your driving can also help you narrow down your tyre choices. For instance, do you drive on tarred roads or are you bumping along on gravel and dirt roads? What’s the weather like where you live (and drive)? This kind of info is super helpful, because tyres that handle off-road conditions are different to tyres that you’d choose for stop-starting in traffic.
How you drive
How you use your car influences the tyre you’ll need. To figure this out, ask yourself a few questions, like are you a little more Driving Miss Daisy or are you in the Need for Speed category? Are you on the road a lot, driving around town with a lot of stop-starts or do you go on long distance journeys multiple times a month?
You should even ask yourself about your last set of tyres, like if you were happy with them or if there was something that you’d like to be different.
Going with the original or choosing something different
Next, check your car’s specifications, which you’ll find in your manual or on a sticker somewhere in your car, like on the door section. Depending on your warranty (if you have 1) you should have a choice of whether to stick to the original tyres or try a new brand.
Technically speaking, the original tyres were designed for your car… But in our experience, the manufacturer’s specifications should be more of a guide because what the manufacturer states might not suit how you use your car. For example, the tyres that came with the car might’ve been good for picking up the kids, but you’re a sales rep who practically lives on the road. So you might need something more comfortable and durable.
The right size
It’ll come as no great shock to you that tyres come in different sizes and they need to fit the wheel properly. Luckily, this is an easy 1 to figure out, because the size specifications are noted in your manual or on a sticker somewhere in your car, like inside the door, in the glove box, or under the hood.
What you can afford
Typically, there are premium (pricey) value (a little pricey) and budget (affordable) tyres available for you to choose from in the category and size that you need. So which should you choose?
Well, this depends on what you can afford. If you have a slim budget you’re hardly likely to buy the top-of-the-range, ultra-high-performance tyre. But that doesn’t mean that you should automatically go for the cheapest set. Our advice is to choose a set of reliable tyres that are durable and reasonably long-lasting and this may mean that you go for the slightly pricier option.
Keep in mind that tyres do more than make you go. They improve the performance and safety of your car and safeguard you and your passengers, so if you have to spend just a little more, it’s worth it.
Something else to consider
Not only do we have useful advice on how to choose your next set of tyres, but we can also help you save on your car insurance! For a commitment-free quote, fill in your details below and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
