subject: The Different Types Of Car Tyres [print this page] The Different Types Of Car Tyres The Different Types Of Car Tyres
The world of cars can often seem like a world apart from your own. What may seem like a simple thing buying a new set of tyres is actually fraught with choice. Read on for a guide to the most common types of car tyres. The most popular type is the standard all-season option. These come as standard on most cars and, as the name suggests, you can use them all year round. They're designed to have a long life with regular use and are manufactured from hard rubber.
The next type of tyre you could choose is the performance tyre. These are sometimes also known as summer tyres', because they perform at their best in dry weather. You may find them beneficial if you have a car that requires increased handling performance. If you live in a largely dry, warm area, you may be able to use them all year round, but they're not so good in the rain. They are made from soft rubber, which increases grip but reduces the life of the tyre.
The winter tyre is a good option if you live somewhere with harsh winters and generally rough conditions, such as lots of snow. One option with these is to get little metal studs embedded in the tread. This improves their already heightened grip capabilities and makes them excellent for driving in tough weather conditions as well as the difficulties of driving in winter. They will, however, damage the road and wear out quickly if you try to use them in dry weather.
Another type of tyre you may want to consider is the all terrain tyre. These are most commonly found on off-road vehicles as they can be very noisy if you use them on standard roads. They have increased grip from a large tread block pattern and their stiff sidewalls means they can cope with unexpected potholes and challenging terrain. They're great for using on loose surfaces such as dirt and sand and there is a special mud tyre available for use on mud.
Finally, you could also go for the run flat' tyre, which is exactly as the name suggests. These tyres can operate without air, so you can continue driving if you get a puncture without worrying about the handling. You should only do this for a short distance at a slow speed, though. The run flat is a relatively new concept and they're most commonly found on brand new cars. If you do run it flat', you should still change the tyre as soon as you can.
