Car Tyres: Should You Splurge or Save?
October 19, 2015

When buying replacement car tyres, there’s one question owners can’t help asking—are they worth the splurge or not?

With the rising prices of gas and car insurance premiums in Australia, it’s only reasonable for car owners to look into areas where they can save on automotive costs. But are car tyres one of them? Would settling for a cheap fix instead of premium ones give owners the performance, savings and road safety they seek? Let’s find out.

A Look at Budget Tyres

Take a trip to your nearest retailer and chances are, you’ll find a vast selection of tyres—all round, black, and engraved with unintelligible markings, but come in various prices. Owners running their car on a shoestring budget often go for those in the lower price range to keep their vehicles on the road. However, the very items they’ve skimped on may actually be the ones driving them out of the road, sometimes for good.

This is because cheaper tyres don’t offer the same features and technology as those from premium brands. Based on various test drives, the difference in performance between budget and quality tyres are not at all subtle, but significant. On dry roads, cheap tyres have been found to perform satisfactorily. But on wet surfaces, proper handling, brake and grip are often difficult for them. This can be due to the rubber compounds used, as well as the design of the individual tread blocks. The cheaper ones are also not optimised for quiet running, which means you can expect some noise while on the road, affecting your driving experience.

When Splurging is Smarter

Leading brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin, Kumho and Pirelli tyres, can cost more initially. But they’re regarded as trusted brands for a reason. Here’s why spending a little bit more may be a smarter choice:

• Research and development – Premium manufacturers invest millions on the research and development of technologies for their products. Budget manufacturers may easily imitate the appearance of premium tyres, but they can never copy the technology and engineering behind it.
• Safety –Wet and dry grip, fuel efficiency, wear rate, and steering precision – all these features are integrated into premium brands, guaranteeing a safer driving experience.
• Longevity – Another advantage of choosing quality replacements is that you can be assured of their long life. Leading manufacturers pay special attention to the materials used, and opt for those that have higher wear resistance to ensure that their products last long, no matter the road conditions.
• Performance – Some manufacturers work closely with vehicle makers to create tyres that offer the specific driving and handling characteristics the car makers are trying to achieve. This means that when you purchase replacements similar to the ones originally fitted to your vehicle (instead of going for cheaper ones) you can be assured of superior performance.

The saying “you get what you pay for” definitely holds true when it comes to buying car tyres. Invest in premium brands and you’ll surely enjoy a safer, more reliable and comfortable driving experience; settle for cheaper ones and expect to be confronted by various safety and security risks.

Road Runner Mobile Tyres can help you get the products and peace of mind you seek with our selection of quality car tyres in Brisbane, including 4×4 tyres. We also provide a reliable mobile tyre repair service in Melbourne and Sydney, 7 day a week, to help you address any car issues at your most convenient location. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.