A Few Terms to Remember When You're Shopping for New Tyres

Tyres are very important for your car's performance; they cushion the car against every bump and dip in the road, absorbing some of the shock of those bumps so your vehicle's suspension and other parts don't suffer so much wear and tear. They're also important for steering, as properly inflated tyres in good condition help to keep your car driving straight; poor-quality tyres can mean pulling or dragging to one side. Because they are are so important to your vehicle's overall condition, note a few terms you'll want to remember when you're shopping for new tyres.

Speed rating

Tyres actually have a speed rating, meaning the safest top speed they can travel given their maximum load capacity. The speed rating is not typically given in a number but a letter. The letter N refers to a maximum of 140 km/h, the letter P is for a maximum of 150 km/h, and so on. If you have a high-performance vehicle, be sure you choose a speed rating that corresponds to how you'll be using that vehicle when on the road.

Aspect ratio

This refers to a tyre's size, its width in relation to its height. This can be good to know because a shorter tyre can offer better handling on the road and may even be quieter, so it can be a good choice for poor road conditions such as rain or snow. Tyres with a higher aspect ratio can be less expensive but may not offer the handling you're looking for.

Run-flat tyres

These tyres will have a special design that keeps them from going flat as soon as you run over a nail or otherwise puncture the tyre and lose pressure. They are not designed to stay inflated permanently if you should suffer a puncture, so don't assume you can buy run-flat tyres and never need to replace or repair them. However, they can be a good choice if you drive in the city where there may be more debris in the road from nearby construction zones and the like.

Vehicle type

Cars, truck, SUVs, campers, and other such vehicles handle better when they have the tyres meant for that vehicle in particular. Truck tyres will usually have thicker tread to provide better traction when braking, to offset the added weight that keeps a truck moving forward even when you apply the brake pedal. Camper tyres need to have thicker rubber to hold up the weight of the camper. Whatever your vehicle, be sure you look for the vehicle type when buying tyres and choosing something accordingly.