Guide to Buying New Car Tyres: Expert Tips for Smart Choices

• Ask yourself (or a professional): Do you really need to change the tyre?

  ●        Examine the health of tyres. A quick visual inspection is enough to spot cracked sidewalls or tread wear.

  ●        When you're driving, do you find that the car slips or goes out of control while braking? This may have something to do with the grip of your tyres.

  ●        So, check for tread wear using the tread wear indicator (TWI). It is generally visible as a marker in the tyre grooves.

  ●        Are your tyres more than 5 years old? Then it's definitely time to replace them, even if there is no obvious fault visible. 

• Ok, now that you're sure about the replacement... The next step is important because picking the tyre size matters.

  ●        Not sticking to the recommended tyre size is one of the most common mistakes car owners tend to make. You can find the tyre size on the sidewall. It's a simple code that you can decipher with help from a professional. Here is an example for your understanding:

• Suppose the code on the sidewall of the tyre is - 135/70R12 MILAZE TL 65S. Here,

  ➢      135 indicates the width of the tyre in millimeters.

  ➢      70 indicates the aspect ratio of the tyre. This number indicates the sidewall height of the tyre as a percentage of tyre width. Here, the sidewall height of the tyre is 100% of the width.

  ➢      R indicates that the tyre has radial construction. If R is not mentioned, then it would indicate that the tyre has bias construction.

  ➢      12 indicates the diameter of the wheel rim.

  ➢      MILAZE is the name of the pattern.

  ➢      TL indicates a tubeless tyre. TT would represent tube-type tyre.

  ➢      65 indicates the maximum load capacity of the tyre. You should refer to the load index for your car tyre’s specified load index ratings.

  ➢      S is the speed symbol and it indicates at which speed this tyre can be safely operated. You should refer to the speed symbol table for your car tyre’s speed symbol ratings.

• Check the warranty on your current tyres.

  ●        Mainstream brands come with treadwear warranties. Most of them offer 3-5 years of warranty, which also covers manufacturing or quality defects. 

• Consider how tyres contribute to your fuel mileage.

  ●        According to an estimate, consumers experience a 15 to 20 percent difference in their fuel economy depending on the tyre they choose.

  ●        Though the rule of thumb is that the heavier the vehicle, the less is the mileage. But contemporary tyre manufacturers are developing new technologies that can actually reduce the overall fuel consumption of the car. So, consider a fuel-saving tyre like CEAT FuelSmarrt  or a tyre with low rolling resistance.

• Between low prices and quality, always pick quality.

  ●        Sometimes, opting to save a few bucks can put you at risk of buying a bad quality tyre with multiple performance issues.

  ●        You must shop for a car tyre which is a) durable b) resistant to harsh road conditions and, of course, c) from a good brand.

  ●        An average all-season tyre will last anywhere between 40-60 thousand kilometers.

• Look at all your options.

  ●        Use the online resources to your advantage. Search and compare the available range of the best car tyre prices and brands.

  ●        In fact, study multiple tyre brands, compare them, read their reviews so that  you can make an informed decision.

• Tyre fitment is easy.

  ●        You may find yourself Googling 'car tyre shop near me' or 'tyre dealers near me' after deciding on a tyre, to get help for tyre fitment. But you don't need to worry at all. You can head to any authorized car tyre dealer to mount the tyres you purchased online.

  ●        With CEAT, not only can you get tyres delivered but also fitted to your vehicle right at home. Check if CEAT provides this service in your city online.

  ●        If you’d rather go to the store, CEAT lets your online purchases get shipped to their authorized dealer shops/CEAT Shoppes.

   

• Once you figure out the type of tyre you need, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg for decent quality. Your online research can prove fruitful in this case, and provide you deals and offers aplenty. Happy tyre shopping!