Many motorists just visit a tyre dealer and ask a consultant to replace the existing tyres with four new tyres. Buying new tyres is a costly exercise, and it would be better if we did some homework first.
WHAT TYPE OF TYRE IS REQUIRED FOR THE MAKE OF MY CAR?
Each vehicle obviously has its specific kind of tyre. By looking at the tyre size and service description of the old tyres, you can find out what other types of tyres can be fitted. Sometimes, different kinds of tyres can be fitted to the same car.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO USE YOUR VEHICLE FOR?
Are you going to be driving your vehicle off-road most of the time or on road? You cannot use off-road tyres when you are mostly doing urban travelling. However, if you happen to be a farmer who spends most of the time on dirt roads, then off road tyres would be ideal. Off-road tyres will not do well under road conditions.
REMEMBER, SAFETY IS FIRST WHEN BUYING TYRES
One item a motorist should not skimp on is tyres. Although cost does play a part, you don’t want to compromise the safety of yourself and all your passengers for the next few years just because you want cheap tyres.
HOW LONG WILL YOUR TYRES LAST?
The saying goes something like ‘Buy cheap, buy expensive.’ You may buy a cheaper make of tyre that lasts only 30 000 km and not 90 000 km with the more expensive make. If the latter tyre is not triple the price of the cheaper tyre, then it pays to buy the more expensive tyres.
SO MANY BRANDS OF TYRES AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA
A survey indicated that 81 different brands of tyres were found in South Africa. Although many of the brands you have never seen may be of good quality, it is still prudent to ask a tyre specialist which brands are the best. As motorists, we can’t be expected to know everything about tyres.
TWO TYPES OF INFORMATION MAKE UP THE TYRE’S ‘SERVICE DESCRIPTION’
A tyre’s ‘service description’ consists of the tyre’s load and speed ratings, and are displayed as a number and letter. This system is followed by all tyre manufacturers.
HOW TO INTERPRET OUTER TYRE SIDEWALL INFORMATION
It’s important to understand what the outer sidewall information says because then you know what you are buying.
WHAT DOES THE TYRE SIZE 205/60 R16 MEAN?
The ‘205’ refers to the section width in mm. The ‘60’ is the ‘aspect ratio’, and indicates the percentage of the sidewall height compared to the width of the tyre. The letter ‘R’ means that the tyre is made as ‘radial ply.’ The number ‘16’ is the diameter of the rim in inches.
YOU CAN SEE THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURE ON THE TYRE SIDEWALL
You don’t want to be buying ‘new’ tyres that have been lying around a dealership for a couple of years. The year of manufacture is also displayed on the sidewall as follows.Check the letters that follow the acronym ‘DOT.’ Of the last 4 numbers, the first 2 refer to the week of manufacture, and range from ‘01’ to ’52.’ The last 2 numbers refer to the year of manufacture. Thus a tyre with the information ‘DOT XXXXXXX2616’ was manufactured in the 26th week of 2016.
IT PAYS TO SHOP AROUND AS TYRE PRICES VARY SO MUCH
Depending on the region of South Africa and the brand, prices can range for a particular tyre from over R800 in the Eastern Cape to over R1000 in Gauteng. However, even within Gauteng, prices for the same tyre can vary from over R600 to almost R2500.Even priceswithin the same franchises can vary considerably.
By now you should have a better idea of what to look out for when buying new tyres. But, new tyres don’t make your car immune to accidents. Don’t forget to protect your car from any damage or loss by purchasing car insurance with PMD.
Road Safety & Tyre Safety – Know more and Be Safe! https://t.co/BbVfoNcrLR #ArriveAlive #TyreSafety pic.twitter.com/jdqpO5YsdS
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 29, 2018
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040.The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.