Unarguably, the most important safety feature on any vehicle is the tyres. Their grip is of immense significance as they are the only part that makes contact with the ground. Also, in the lifespan of a vehicle, you may need to replace them as well. More than any other part of the vehicle, it’s the tyres in Dubai that get worn out the most as well as anywhere else due to the sweltering desert heat.
Not many car owners know as much about tyres as they should. Usually, most buyers pay heed to what the salesperson says not knowing that this is not the best approach always. They could be trying to just make sales and reduce inventory.
Having basic information and key pointers to bear in mind that could help you get a good deal. Here are some tips to help you along the way:
Knowing When Your Tyres Need To Be Replaced
You don’t have to be a mechanic to know this. Take a look at your tyres – yes, the spare one in the trunk as well. Do they look worn out? Or damaged? Insert a penny in the tyre tread and see if the head points towards the centre. If it is not partially hidden by the tyre, it’s time you replaced it. You can confirm your findings and run them by a professional mechanic as well.
Size is Important
When you begin shopping around for tyres, you will be asked about the make, model, and year of the car you own. You would have different size options too. They could be smaller tires that come cheap or bigger ones that fill the wheel efficiently. What you need to ensure is that they fit the recommended speed rating and are capable of handling the car up to its top speed limit.
Moreover, focus on the load rating as well. This means if the tyres can accommodate the weight of the car.
All Tyres Are Different
How? They all look alike, don’t they? Of course, all are made of rubber, they are round, and have indentations that we know as treads. Similar to shoes, there are many designers or manufacturers of tyres. And similar to designer shoes, picking the right brand of tyre relies on different aspects of both your vehicle and driving habits.
For example, winter tyres come with softer rubbers. These are particularly designed for grip on the slippery surface, allowing you more traction in the snow. Winter tyres will not make any sense in hot areas. Summer tyres are made of more rigid and tougher rubber so they can last for longer in the heat. All-season tyres, as the name suggests, are the most popular ones as they perform quite well in most driving situations and different weather conditions.
Look at Customer Reviews
Now, shortlist a few. Using all your options and quotes, check out authentic review sites for customer reviews. Read what the people are saying about them. What do the experts have to say? Remember, expensive isn’t always the best. When you have gone through all the reviews and customer experiences, given the expert recommendations a thought, you will be better able to understand the differences.
You will know what you want and ask for it.
Deciding the Budget
Decide what to spend. Gather the reviews and then compare them to your quotes. Consider warranty while buying tyres. The warranty would give you an estimate as to how many miles you should expect out of the tires. The lifespan of tyres on most cars is 3 to 4 years, that is covered by warranty.
Browse Around Before Finalizing
Like any other thing, when it comes to tyres, drivers have many other options. Take time to browse and look around before making the final decision. Use all the information you have gathered so far. You can go to the dealership of your car or a local tyre shop as well.
Mostly, people are more comfortable visiting the local tyre shop or a discount tyre store to save a few bucks. Tyres come expensive, so there is no harm in checking out local options as well. Sometimes, you can bag a good deal and get really excellent quality tyres. Also, these stores are closer to home and offer reasonable prices.
So, you have done it all. You have looked around, prepared the budget, and even read the reviews, it is time to go tyre shopping. However, make sure that once you buy new tyres, you pay attention to their cleanliness and maintenance as well. Like a car wash, tyres also need to be cleaned and taken care of for optimal functioning, safety, and perfect look on the road!