Tips on picking the right one: Your guide to tyre safety

Lifestyle Sunday 26/August/2018 18:10 PM
By: Times News Service
Tips on picking the right one: Your guide to tyre safety

To most people, a tyre is a tyre is a tyre. To the naked eye, that’s absolutely correct: They are black and round. However, upon further inspection, tyres are one of the most technologically advanced parts of a car, influencing the braking, steering, comfort, handling, safety and fuel efficiency. They are also the only parts actually touching the road.
Whether it’s the daily commute, family road trip, cruise to the beach, off-road adventure or grocery run, tyres absorb constant pounding over all sorts of surfaces in all kinds of weather conditions. Thanks to stout engineering and technology, they continue to perform with amazing effectiveness and last longer than ever.
However, no matter how long-lasting tyres are, there’s a time when you’ll need to replace them, and picking the right one for your vehicle can be challenging. “Cornering, acceleration, wet road traction, tyre wear, ride, styling and fuel economy can be modified by changing tyres,” says Alan Holtschneider of Yokohama Tyre based in the US. “Knowing what types of tyres are available is important because it can save money and fuel and vastly improve a vehicle’s ride and handling.”
Holtschneider said the first step to selecting the right tyres is to consider how you will be using them.
• Think about how far (and fast) you normally drive and add in the weather and road conditions you generally encounter.
• Determine how you want your vehicle to perform.
• Calculate how much money you want to spend.
• Decide how long you plan to keep the vehicle.
With countless tyre sizes and types, there are a few things to know, according to Holtschneider. The three basic tyre categories are all-season, summer and winter.
• All-season tyres are the most popular because they can work all year, depending on where you live. All-season tyres can even handle moderate snow.
• Summer tyres are generally more performance/handling-oriented and are not recommended for winter/snowy conditions.
• Winter tyres are great in the snow but don’t perform as well in non-wintry conditions.
There are sub-categories, too, like ultra high performance, light truck and grand touring tyres, says Holtschneider. “For example, the AVID Ascend GT fits into the grand touring segment. It’s a highly advanced all-season tyre delivering improved wet braking and handling, long mileage and superior comfort.”
After selecting the tyre that best meets your needs, Holtschneider suggests keeping them properly maintained. Here are some tips:
• Check tyre pressure at least once a month — this takes about five minutes. Consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual or placard on the driver’s door to determine proper tyre pressure. Tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold.
• Check your tread depth.
• Tyres should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch. It’s best to replace them before they reach 2/32 for optimal performance, especially in bad weather.