Is the Expense Value for Money?
High-performance tyres are made from softer rubber compounds than other tyres. They have been designed to provide extra ride comfort and greater handling capability at higher speeds. They benefit from innovative treads that are designed to increase grip on the road and when cornering.
Are High-Performance Tyres Right for You?
When you need to change tyres, you should buy tyres that match your driving style, your vehicle, and the roads or other surfaces on which you drive. You might be tempted to opt for high-performance tyres – especially if you do a lot of highway driving at speed.
If you watch Formula 1, you will have seen how high-performance tyres give extra grip. The softer compound makes the car stick to the track. The driver gets round the track negotiating bends and corners at high speed. However, during a race lasting a couple of hours or less they may get through two or three sets of tyres.
If you buy high-performance tyres, they will last much longer than those used in Formula 1. You won’t be melting rubber at such high speeds, and the rubber compound used on commercial high-performance tyres is not nearly as soft as that used on Formula 1 tyres.
If you want better handling, more grip and improved braking power, then high-performance tyres might be right for you. Before you make this decision, though, read the rest of this article.
What Vehicle Do You Drive?
As you might expect, if you drive a high-performance car you’ll probably benefit more from high-performance tyres. However, performance tyres are becoming more popular among drivers of other car types because of the advantages they offer – manufacturers are now producing performance tyres for smaller cars.
The Disadvantages of High-Performance Tyres
Before you rush to buy high-performance tyres, it pays to be armed with all the facts. While you will benefit from the improved grip, better handling and shorter breaking distances, there are some disadvantages, too. These include:
- Performance tyres are more expensive
Like all tyres, the bigger the tyre you need the higher the price you’ll pay. You’ll also pay a premium for how high-performance the tyre is. A small high-performance tyre might cost around $130. A high-performance tyre that you could use on a racetrack might set you back as much as $2,000.
Generally, you should expect to pay around $230 for a high-performance tyre for a 15-inch wheel.
- You’ll use more fuel
Better handling and greater grip come at a price on top of the tyre’s cost. That price is lower fuel economy. Your vehicle must work harder to combat the traction on the road, and that means using more fuel.
- Shorter tyre life
The softer rubber compound wears quicker, and this means your high-performance tyres won’t last as long other tyre options. You’ll be paying more for a set of new tyres sooner.
Summing Up
High-performance tyres should help you stay safer on the road. You’ll benefit from better handling and surer braking. However, your initial outlay will be greater and there is a compromise between grip and fuel consumption. You are also likely to need to change your tyres sooner.
Before making your decision, contact Darra Tyres in Brisbane. We’ll discuss your needs, consider your vehicle and driving style, and make sure you invest in the best tyres in your price range.
Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,
Dean Wood