Tips to choose your tyre and match to the best brand
If you look after your tyres well, they should last longer (see our spring and summer tyre maintenance tips for Queensland drivers). More importantly, you’ll be maximising how effective your tyres are. Keep them correctly inflated, watch for signs of damage, and keep an eye on tread depth, and you’ll enhance fuel consumption, comfort and safety.
However, no matter what distances you drive and how you drive, eventually you’ll need a new set of tyres. Manufacturers recommend no longer than around five years between tyre changes. In this article, you’ll learn how to pick the type of tyre you need and what brands are considered the best for Brisbane’s drivers.
What type of tyre do you need?
Before looking at brands, you should consider which type of tyre you need for your vehicle. Broadly, there are a few types of tyre available. These include:
· SUV tyres
For SUVs, drivers should opt for a tyre that offers improved handling, braking and stability. If travelling off-road, a more rigid tyre will offer better control. Michelin scores highest with Australian motorists surveyed by Canstar Blue, for performance in wet and dry weather conditions, stopping ability, and value for money, among many other qualities.
· Small car tyres
Drivers of small cars are most interested in tyres that last longer and provide good value for money. This doesn’t mean cheap tyres, but rather tyres that are reasonably priced with good performance – top brands such as Goodyear and Michelin, are most favoured.
· Ultra-high performance tyres
High-performance cars need high-performance tyres, to give the best handling, steering and braking performance in a variety of weather and road conditions.
· Sports tyres
Sports tyres are more expensive than most other tyres. For many years, the lead brand in this area has been Pirelli. However, according to Canstar Blue, Pirelli has lost its top spot this year, though this may be because sports tyres are not best suited to family vehicles.
· Low-noise tyres
Many of the top brands have developed tyres that are designed to reduce road noise in the cabin. Top of the group are Pirelli, Michelin and Goodyear.
What are the best tyre brands?
In its 2018 tyre survey, Canstar Blue assessed several factors with each allotted a star rating from one to five. These factors are:
- Overall satisfaction
- Value for money
- Tyre life
- Stopping ability
- Dry weather handling
- Wet weather handling
- Noise
Here is how the major brands rate:
| Brand | Value for money | Tyre life | Stopping ability | Wet weather handling | Dry weather handling | Noise | Total | Overall satisfaction |
| Michelin | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 5 |
| Hankook | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 4 |
| Bridgestone | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 4 |
| Goodyear | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 4 |
| Kumho | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 4 |
| Pirelli | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 4 |
| Dunlop | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 4 |
| Yokohama | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 3 |
Australia’s drivers appear to prefer Michelin – and these opinions should mean a lot: they come from people who use these tyres and who have bought them in the last two years. However, when choosing the best tyre for you, you should consider not only your vehicle, but also your driving style, where you drive, and your budget.
For the best brands, a fantastic personal service, and the help you deserve when you need new tyres in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres.
Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,
Kevin Wood