Tips to make the best tyre choice for your SUV
Buying tyres for your SUV are no easy task. There’s a big choice available to you, and you’ll have to consider the type of driving you do, the surfaces you tend to drive on in Brisbane and further afield, and your pocket. This guide should help you buy the best and safest tyres for your SUV.
Price is what you pay, the value is what you get
Experience tells us that usually the more money you pay for a tyre, the better value it will be in the long run. Tyres with the best grip and longest life are a little more expensive. Pay $130 for a tyre that will last 100,000 km versus $90 for one that will last 50,000 km, and over the life of the tyre, you’ve made a big saving.
Having said this, if you only expect to drive, say, 10,000 km a year, then the cheaper tyre may be better value for you. This is because no matter the distance you drive, we recommend that you should change your tyres at least every five years. Even tyres that haven’t been driven on will degrade in the sun and heat.
What tyre should you buy to replace a worn-out tyre for your SUV?
We’d recommend that you replace your tyres like-for-like. Buy the same type and size as the ones you are replacing. However, there are a few things you should consider, such as:
- Buying tyres that have good test ratings for braking and handling
- Thinking about what is important to you. Do you want a smoother ride? Is tread life important?
- Considering the types of surface you will drive on. Different tread patterns and features suit different surfaces. For most, an all-terrain tread will be best, but this isn’t always the case.
Most new SUVs are equipped with the all-terrain tyres because most people drive on streets rather than across rocks, riverbeds and valleys in the outback.
Do you need high-performance tyres?
If you tend to drive faster, you may be better to replace those all-terrain tyres with ultra-high-performance tyres. These provide better grip to improve handling around corners with more efficient braking. However, you’ll probably find you get a less comfortable ride and your tyres probably won’t last as many kilometres.
(Hey, it’s safer and cheaper to curb your speed a little.)
You may be tempted to buy a lower-speed-rated tyre with a longer tread life. It’s our experience that this is not a good idea, especially here in Brisbane. Lower-speed-rated tyres tend to handle heat build-up less well. This will impair safety. In addition, the cost savings you are likely to make are minimal.
When should you replace your SUV tyres?
Good tyre maintenance is key to keeping safe on the roads. The condition of your tyres will affect their handling ability, the comfort of your ride, and how your car brakes. Poor tyres can increase your fuel consumption, too.
Our article “How do Australia’s drivers know when they need new tyres?” gives you the advice you need to be able to monitor your tyres for their effectiveness. My advice is to never let the tyre tread depth get to the minimum of 1.5mm. As the tread wears, stopping distances increase and handling deteriorates. So change those tyres sooner rather than later. Also, watch for other signs that your tyres may need replacing, such as bubbling, chips, cracks and grazes on the sidewall.
Where should you buy new tyres?
You’ve got several options of where to buy new tyres today. Wherever you choose, make sure that you understand that the price of the tyres is not the total cost. It’s rarely cheaper to buy tyres online after you have factored in the cost to mount and balance tyres and align wheels. And, when you buy online, you won’t get the pre-purchase advice or aftercare service you can expect here at Darra Tyres.
For a professional and personal tyre service that you can trust, contact Darra Tyres today.
Keeping your family and fleet safe,
Kevin Wood