5 rules for choosing tires in 2022
It is commonly believed that choosing tires for passenger cars is a seasonal issue. To some extent, this is true, but not in 100% of cases. The need to change tires can arise at any moment. First and foremost, the realization of the need to change tires may come when you clearly understand that the handling is no longer the same as it was before. At the same time, the wear indicators may still indicate that the tire can be used. Can it be used? Yes, it can, but how safe it is, is another question.
The criteria and rules for choosing tires change over time, just like the world around us. Today, we'll talk about the main criteria to consider when choosing.
Safety
How safe should your tires be? Safe enough to match your driving style. If you're a fan of fast driving, then your tires should fully meet safety requirements. At the same time, it's essential to understand that you have to pay for everything. As a rule, for high braking and handling characteristics, you'll have to pay with durability and fuel efficiency. A tire is a compromise of characteristics, and there is no tire that meets all requirements equally high, and it's unlikely that there ever will be.
If your driving style is closer to a more relaxed one, then you get a reward in the form of high durability, and, as a rule, you'll need to refuel less often.
Durability
As mentioned above, how long your tires will last depends largely on you. However, manufacturers build different durability into their tires, and with all other things being equal, some tires can cover a certain distance, while others can cover a much greater distance. We will definitely tell you why you shouldn't pay attention to the TREADWEAR marking. Ideally, it should help determine the tire's durability, but this evaluation system has completely discredited itself, and we'll explain why in future articles.
We recommend paying attention to reviews from other users. Without being overly modest, our website has collected the experience of thousands of car owners for almost all tires represented in Russia.
Fuel Efficiency
Pay attention to this parameter. Many tires, even inexpensive ones, are now produced with a focus on fuel efficiency. A truly efficient tire can and should recoup part of its cost during operation. Sometimes, this savings can reach up to a quarter of the total cost.
We carefully note this parameter in the tire description if it's specified by the manufacturer. You can familiarize yourself with reviews by following this link.
Reliability
This parameter is also important. Of course, it's essential to understand that driving style and monitoring recommended pressure affect durability, but the manufacturer also bears responsibility. Unfortunately, there are no visible indicators that allow determining durability. Believe us, the thickness of the sidewall and the number of layers in the carcass are not always indicators of reliability. This is a more complex and comprehensive issue. In this case, it's more correct to pay attention to the experience of other users. We remind you that this can be done on our website.
Availability
This is a relatively new parameter. We're not talking about price, but rather about availability, i.e., the physical presence of tires in stock. Recent events have left their mark on tire availability. Pay attention to the country of production and assess how likely it is that these tires may not be available in the near future. At the same time, don't buy leftovers. If you see four tires of a European brand, don't rush. You may need a spare tire to replace a damaged one or a pair to replace the most intensively worn-out tire on the driving axle. In this case, it may be worth considering Chinese brands. Contrary to existing stereotypes, our neighbors have significantly improved in terms of quality. They are also not deterred by the production of large diameters, unlike domestic brands.