| There are many different types of car tyres. The | | | | Winter car tyres are designed to cope with the poor |
| one you choose will depend on factors such as the | | | | weather and difficult driving conditions that the winter |
| make of car, driving style, where you live, the time | | | | season brings. They can handle snow and ice. Winter |
| of year and how your car is used. | | | | tyres can have small metal studs embedded into the |
| For instance if you spend a lot of your working day | | | | tread for extra grip in extreme conditions. |
| driving up and down the motorways, you will need a | | | | The tread block pattern on winter car tyres is larger |
| hard wearing tyre that doesn't create a lot of noise. | | | | and more pronounced than on standard tyres. This |
| If you live in the countryside a tyre that provides | | | | improves grip but also increases the tyres' operating |
| better grip on muddy roads would be more suitable. | | | | noise. |
| This article identifies five different types of car tyres | | | | These tyres cannot be used all year round because |
| and highlights some of the differences between | | | | in dry conditions they wear out extremely quickly |
| them: | | | | and damage the road surface. |
| 1) Standard/ All Season Tyre | | | | 4) All Terrain Tyre |
| Your car was probably driven out of the factory on | | | | All terrain tyres provide good grip on loose surfaces |
| all season tyres. It is an average tyre that is suitable | | | | such as dirt and sand. Often used by off road |
| for all year round use. It works equally well in the | | | | vehicles, they can be used on standard roads but are |
| wet and the dry. | | | | very noisy. |
| The tread block pattern is designed not to be noisy | | | | Like the winter tyre the tread block pattern is large |
| when used on standard roads but enables adequate | | | | to improve grip. The tyre's sidewalls are stiffer to |
| water dispersion to provide grip in wet conditions. | | | | cope with uneven surfaces and unexpected potholes. |
| The rubber used is a harder compound to extend the | | | | Mud tyres are an extreme type of all terrain tyres, |
| tyre's life. This can comprise on handling and cornering | | | | designed to be used in mud and dirt. They have very |
| but for the majority of drivers it is not noticeable. | | | | large tread block patterns that are only suitable for |
| 2) Performance Tyre | | | | driving on that type of terrain. |
| Also known as summer tyres, performance tyres are | | | | 5) Run Flat Tyres |
| designed for provide excellent grip in the dry. Often | | | | Run flat tyres are a relatively new concept but are |
| used on fast cars or for a driver whose style | | | | now becoming more common on new cars. They are |
| requires increased handling performance. They can be | | | | designed to minimise the loss of handling that occurs |
| used all year round if you live in a region with a warm | | | | after a puncture. |
| climate and little rain. | | | | The car tyre can operate without air to enable the |
| A soft rubber compound is used which decreases the | | | | vehicle to continue to be driven. However this is only |
| lifespan of the tyre but provides enhanced grip. | | | | suitable for a short distance and at a reduced speed, |
| It is important that the car tyres are kept in | | | | until the tyre can be safely changed. |
| excellent condition. Driving in the wet is hard enough | | | | For further advice consult a car tyre specialist who |
| with these tyres but if there is any sign of wear it is | | | | will provide you with impartial advice on the best |
| virtually impossible to get good grip. | | | | tyres for your vehicle. |
| 3) Winter Tyre | | | | |