We all know that tyres are the most important aspect of any vehicle, but choosing the right type of tyre for your vehicle is also crucial. Yes, that’s correct, you cannot use an off road tyre or performance tyre on a sedan that is intended for commuting from home to office, nor can you use tyres suitable for a hot/warm climate for driving in cold and chilly locations. There are different tyres for varying purposes, climates and vehicles, if you are confused as to which tyre would be the best for your vehicle, then this article is precisely for you.
Kinds Of Tyres
As mentioned above there are different types of tyres that suit different purposes, situations and vehicles. These are:
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Winter Tyres
As the name suggests these tyres are meant for use in extreme cold conditions like snow or in places where temperatures are below 7 degrees. Winter tyres are composed of higher natural rubber which renders them to be flexible even in lower temperatures, aiding in grip. In some cases they are also embedded with studs to be stable even in extreme snow conditions. The tread of winter tyres is specially designed with deep and tiny grooves that help in gripping the road and channeling away water. Winter tyres are built with the intent to grip and provide mobility.
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Summer Tyres
These tyres are best suited for use in summers or in temperatures that are above 7 degrees. Summer tyres are made with a special soft compound that helps in gripping the road in dry and wet conditions. Summer tyres are good for speed and agility as the soft compound enhances grip and maneuverability. The treads of summer tyres are exceptional at channeling away water and hence resistant to aquaplaning.
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All Season Tyres
All season tyres are a combination of elements used in summer and winter tyres, meaning they can be used in both seasons. However, performance is something which is compromised as the tyre combines features of both winter and summer tyres. And if you expect the tyre to perform in summer or wet conditions as the summer tyre or in winters as the winter tyre you will not be satisfied. Combination of special compound suited to winters and summers and a special tread design that provides grip in winters, agility in summers and control in wet are some of the USPs of all season tyres. Plus, you don’t have to worry about keeping two sets of tyres and getting them changed every six months. If you don’t face extreme weather challenges and use your vehicle on a commuting basis, then all season tyres are the best for you.
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Temporary Tyres
Also known as space saver tyres, these are tyres that unlike a full sized spare tyre are smaller and are used if the main tyre has been compromised by a puncture. Temporary tyres as per their name cannot be used as a fully fledged spare tyre, these have a limited speed limit and a running capacity, meaning they are strictly for temporary use and should be replaced as soon as the original tyre has been repaired. Prolonged driving in these tyres is not at all recommended as they are not built to carry load and are more of a support rather than a substitute.
Touring Tyres
Fan of going on weekend long drives or have a hobby of travelling far and wide, whatever your reason be, your tyres should also be tuned as per your needs. While all tyres can go the distance, but for a balanced ride quality and a quiet and comfortable drive, touring tyres are the best. These tyres are designed with a wider tread that grips the road and help in keeping the balance, some of these tyres are designed with a noise reduction capability that makes your ride quiet, and comfy. Touring tyres also have remarkable water channeling features that make them best suited for driving on wet and dry roads.
Sports Tyres
SUVs or premium cars rely on sports tyres to match their power output, simply put sports tyres are a notch below high performance tyres that are mainly used for high speed driving. That being said sports tyres are no less and will provide you with decent performance when required, these are made with a soft rubber compound and have a wide tread surface that aid in cornering, high speed stability and gripping the road surface. However, these tyres won’t help you with uneven road surfaces as they don’t have adequate shoulder height to absorb the bumps and undulations. Vehicles with large rim sizes are the most suited for sports tyres.
High Speed Tyres
Also known as high performance tyres, these are to be used for one purpose only i.e., high speed driving. Similar to sports tyres these tyres are built to resist aquaplaning even at high speeds. These tyres have exceptionally high stability when put into cornering at high speeds due to large tread blocks designed on them. Special attention needs to be paid when putting them into high speed tests as these also have a limit, and when this is surpassed the vehicle is susceptible to lose traction. High performance car makers like Lamborghini, Ferrari use high performance tyres for their vehicles.
Stock Tyres
You might also know them as Original Equipment (OE) tyres. These are provided by the vehicle manufacturers and are best suited for your car, as in some cases manufacturers work with the tyre company to develop tyres that are best suited for their vehicles. On the other hand you can also change them if they don’t suit your requirements, however, it would be best to have an understanding of the OE tyres like their cost, output and the purpose they serve on the vehicle.
All Terrain Tyres
These tyres are built to tackle all kinds of terrain be it the highway or a jungle safari up a mountain and are mostly used by off road vehicles. These tyres are wider and have an aggressive tread patch along with strong and robust shoulders that can handle the toughest of trails. However, these are far more expensive and noisier than their normal counterparts owing to the deeper grooves designed to counter adverse environments. Not suited for fuel efficiency due to lower rolling resistance, all terrain tyres, however, are more durable and last longer than normal tyres.
Off Road/Mud Tyres
If extreme offroading is your thing, then offroading tyres are your go to. Specifically built for off roading vehicles these tyres come with large tread blocks that can dig deep to grip and flung dirt, gravel or mud aside. However, unlike all terrain tyres, off-road tyres aren’t built to drive on smooth surfaces and if you do, they will wear out pretty quickly plus they’re very noisy and will vibrate you to the core.
FAQs
Why can’t I use summer tyres in the winter?
Summer tyres have special compound which renders them to grip well in dry conditions however, when temperatures plunge the compound begins to harden and gets brittle thus losing its grip, which is a very hazardous situation on the road. So, that is why you can’t/should not use summer tyres in winter. On the other hand winter tyres are made with more natural rubber for maintaining flexibility during cold months, if used in summers these tyres will become overly flexible, leading to more wear and less grip.
Who can use all season tyres?
If temperatures are not too extreme in your location, by extreme we mean too cold or too hot, you can rely on all season tyres. These allow decent traction on snow and ice plus good stability on wet and dry roads. However, it is recommended that you don’t go out testing it in extreme weather.
Why are there temporary tyres in the market?
Due to amendments in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) car manufacturers who provide TPMS and tubeless tyre puncture repair kits in their vehicles are permitted to give temporary tyres as spare tyres. These tyres are smaller than the usual tyres and are strictly to be used on a temporary basis and replaced as soon as the original tyre has been repaired.
Why should I change the stock tyres?
If you feel the current tyres are not living up to the car’s standards or are too expensive whilst you can get others at a much lower price, you can change the stock tyres. However, we recommend that you do a full research with your tyre seller, before you take the plunge.
Should I use all terrain tyres on my vehicle?
If you go for frequent adventure trips, you should opt for all terrain tyres. However, if it is just for aesthetic reasons we would suggest you drop the idea as all-terrain tyres will pinch fuel efficiency and comfort at the same time.
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