How to choose the best tires for your car

There are almost as many tire brands as there are car brands, but it's important to hone in on what you want from your rubber and stick.

Australia is very well served by world standards when it comes to car tires and light commercial tires. Not only do we have a wide selection - one of the best in the world - but local prices are quite competitive. Not every country is as lucky as we are when it comes to choosing tires on a budget or for a very specific high performance application. Or somewhere in between.

Since local production of car tires ceased a few years ago (with the decline of the local car industry), all Australian tires have been imported. Currently, China is the center of production and many of the tires we consider "western" brands actually now come to us from China. So while some of our top brands were once overseas, now all of our tire brands are.

Choosing a new set of tires is often seen as a tough choice, but if you stick to a few rules, you'll get the tires you want and can afford. We spoke to independent tire retailer Widetread Tires in Fearntree Gully in east Melbourne to find out how to make this choice and which replacement tires are popular right now.

According to Widetread, dual cab tires, which are taking the new car market by storm, are also misrepresenting the types and brands of tires sought after by buyers. But one thing hasn't changed; the tires you end up buying should fit your goals and fit your budget. So these are two factors to keep in mind.

In fact, Widetread thinks this is the best place to go for tires... when you've found a tire that does exactly what you want in terms of wear and performance, and a price you can live with. . A good tire fitting will start the process with two questions: do you like the tires you currently have on your car, and; how much do you want to spend?

In addition, Widetread's customers tend to fall into two camps. Those who are willing to pay extra for extra performance and those who just want a safe and durable tire that won't break the bank. Regular passenger cars and regular SUVs fall into the second category, while owners of all-wheel drive SUVs and high-performance road cars tend to be buyers who are willing to pay more.

However, some expensive cars with oddly sized wheels and tires can often cost more, as limited competition from other tire manufacturers means importers can drive up prices. Overall, however, Widetread assured us, tire manufacturers are trying to keep prices down and offer good value for money.

While different brands tend to overtake each other in the market as technologies change and new designs are developed, there are some best buys in various market sectors right now.

Starting in the 4X4 off-road market where performance on bitumen, gravel and mud (and everything in between) takes precedence over other factors (including price), there are a few tire brands and models that tend to dominate. It starts with BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A. With a solid construction and good on and off road performance, it's rare to find someone who has used these tires and doesn't like them.

The Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 is another popular choice that is probably a bit more off-road oriented than the Goodrich. The American-made Cooper AT3 is another good all-rounder that is also known for its low wear rate and mileage guarantee. Other good tires include the Dunlop ATG 3 and Maxxis Razor A/T.

When it comes to off-road tires, performance on bitumen, gravel and mud takes precedence over everything else.

When it comes to high performance road cars, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is a great choice. It's used by many really expensive car manufacturers as original equipment and it's easy to see why with superb grip and a nice feel. The Pirelli P-Zero is another longtime popular choice for the same reasons, but the Michelin compound and design likely puts it ahead. This is especially true in this market, as Widetread advises that, unlike in the old days, when a wider tire was considered the better thing (based purely on tire size comparisons), a higher quality tire will do more good these days. difference than just being wider.

Other high performance road tires that sell well include the Continental Sport Contact. This is another tire that is a popular original equipment tire, so for many car owners, they replace similar ones, which ensures that the car's handling and braking are maintained. MyCar, formerly known as K-Mart Tire and Auto, is now actively promoting these tires, so there is a good buying opportunity. Another brand that deserves attention is the Yokohama Advan Sport AE50. Yokohama has stepped back a bit in terms of market dominance, but the AE50 is a very good tire.

For conventional cars and SUVs, the choice is even more confusing. Widetread recommends looking at the Falken FK510, which offers good performance, decent wear and a good price. The Dunlop Sportmax 050 falls into the same category, and the Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 5 is overlooked but not deserving of it, judging by the reviews.

Highway Terrain tires are designed for those who value fuel economy, low noise levels and maximum bitumen grip.

When it comes to budgeting more economically, there is also plenty of choice here, and the assurance that if you save a few bucks doesn't mean you can't get a quality, safe tire that lasts a long time. From tires that fit this description, Hankook offers a wide range of tires that fit many makes and models. Toyo is another brand with similar credentials, but due to the complex supply chain, they are not as easy to find in some tire shops.

A relatively new brand called Winrun is also aimed at customers looking for a cheaper alternative. While they are generally not the best tyres, they are known as cheap tires (i.e. budget tyres, not poor quality) and are only worth considering because of the price.

Maxtrek is an emerging brand in Australia with products imported from Asia and priced right at the budget level. The Kenda brand has been around here for a while and specializes in small batch tires. Kenda is probably somewhere between Hankook and Winrun in general and is an example of decent tires for less than many brands.

So where do you shop? Well, now you can certainly buy tires online, and some operators even offer a mobile fitting service, which is very convenient, many still prefer to visit a traditional tire store. install new tires, balance them and at the same time perform wheel alignment.