A breakdown of different tyre types

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by: Matt Robbins
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Word Count: 520
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2011 Time: 9:07 PM
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With many vehicle owners unsure of how to get the best performance from their tyres it is important to know how different types work to find the one that will best suit the needs of the driver.

With different factors such as where you live, the weather, your driving style and how you use your car amongst other things, making your choice of tyre is an important decision it is good to know all the facts before making a decision.

To begin with it is worth talking about the standard type of tyre that is most regularly used, the all-round or all-season tyre. These tyres get the nod in most cases due to their versatility, offering a mixture of grip, wet-weather safety longevity and performance. The use of a hard rubber compound allows for the tyres to last for longer than other tyre types although it does mean that grip is slightly lessened. This however does not make a notable difference for the average driver. The tread is designed to both help with water dispersion and keep the noise created to a minimum. Although not the best tyre in the wet or the dry, they provide drivers with a perfect balance to do a good all round job.

Performance tyres are a great option for those who want to get the best grip possible whilst driving. They do however sacrifice some of their longevity in order to give better performance as they use a softer rubber compound. As the tread is made to give the best possible grip it is not as good at clearing water away on a wet road, but cornering and control are noticeably better in the dry.

If you do a lot of driving in the wet then wet weather tyres offer the best solution to your driving needs and disperse water quickly away from the contact area giving better grip in wet conditions. They are made from an extremely soft rubber compound as this allows them to heat up quickly in cold or wet conditions and get a better grip on the road surface.

If you need tyres for the most adverse weather conditions then winter tyres are the best option to get you moving when there is snow and ice on the road. They have larger and noisier treads and in some cases where needed even have metal studs inserted to get a better grip. The downside of these tyres is that they wear out very quickly in dry conditions as well as wearing out the roads they are driven on.

If you drive a larger vehicle such as an SUV, 4x4 or truck then you will probably have all terrain tyres fitted. These are bigger than average tyres and have larger treads with a stiffer sidewall. They are made from an intermediate rubber compound and are able to grip well off road on sand or dirt. They do however sacrifice a little grip when on the road.

Mud tyres are also available although they are useless for road use and should only be used in places where there is loose mud and dirt.

About the Author

Matt Robbins - Online Manager of Halfords Autocentre (previously Nationwide Autocentre) have more ATA trained mechanics than any other independent garage group being the UK's leading provider of Brakes, Tyres, MOT and car repairs across the nation.
For all other enquiries, call 0800 096 4216.