What should I be looking for when buying new tyres for my car?

It’s easy to underestimate just how important your car’s tyres are. But they’re the single point of contact that your car has with the road, so it’s vital that they’re fit for purpose.

We’ve spoken to Davanti Tyres about what to look out for when choosing tyres.

Size - Getting the right size of tyre for your car is crucial and they should be the same size as the ones recommended by the manufacturer. You’ll find this information in the documentation supplied with your vehicle. Davanti Tyres general manager, Peter Cross, says: “Your tyre’s sidewall also contains all the information about your tyre that you’ll need.” Make sure the new tyres you’re planning to fit don’t have a lower load-carrying capacity than the originals. This is particularly important when you’re travelling with a fully loaded car.

Grip - One of the main things required from a tyre is grip. There are all manner of tyres designed for a variety of uses – from winter tyres that have been developed to work well in colder climates to performance tyres that promise the best possible grip for high-powered cars.

Cross says you should consider which conditions you experience the most – wet, icy, dry or hot – as well as the road surface that you travel on most frequently. If you’re heading off-road more often, then you might need a more adventure-focused tyre, for instance.

Value for money - Value for money is at the forefront of people’s minds at the moment, and tyres are usually quite expensive. All-season tyres could be a good option for those who want decent performance in both summer and winter, as they suit a range of driving circumstances.

Plus, with an all-season tyre, there’s no need to change between summer and winter tyres in the UK. Fuel efficiency - Tyres account for up to 20 per cent of your car’s fuel consumption, so have an impact on how efficiently your car runs. All new tyres in the UK come with an EU tyre label that gives clear information on a tyre’s performance.

These labels also show a tyre’s rolling resistance (lower rolling resistance tyres help boost fuel economy), how well a tyre performs in the wet plus have a grading for noise levels. All elements of the label have a letter rating, with rolling resistance, for instance, rated from A to E.

Being able to assess the labels makes it easier to make an informed choice on which tyres are right for you. All new tyres should have the labels clearly visible.

Cross adds: “Choosing the right tyre doesn’t need to be as overwhelming as it can seem at first. Thinking about these simple elements means that when you take your car to the garage, you can talk clearly about what you want and need, ensuring your garage fits the right tyre for you.

“As a tyre manufacturer, we have spent years developing tyres to make sure drivers get the best experience possible and enjoy driving with confidence whatever the weather or road surface.”

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