Choosing New Tyres: Budget, Mid-Range or Premium

What budget, mid-range and premium really mean

Tyres tend to fall into three broad bands. Budget tyres are aimed at keeping the initial outlay low, mid-range tyres try to balance performance and value, and premium tyres usually come from the big manufacturers who invest heavily in development.

The label on the tyre does not tell you which band it belongs to, and a higher-priced tyre is not automatically right for every driver. A low-mileage driver doing short local trips has different needs from someone covering long motorway distances with a loaded car or a van. Price is also affected by size, speed rating and load rating, so we do not quote figures here.

Reading the tyre label

New tyres sold in the UK carry a label showing ratings for fuel efficiency, wet grip and external noise. Wet grip is graded on a scale from A to E, and the noise rating is shown in decibels with wave symbols. Some tyres also carry symbols showing suitability for snow or ice.

The wet grip grade is the one to look at first. It is a measure of stopping ability on a wet surface, and wet roads are the norm for much of the year here. Fuel efficiency matters more if you do high mileage. Noise matters if you spend a lot of time on motorways and dual carriageways such as the A19, as louder tyres can become tiring.

• Wet grip: affects braking distance on wet roads
• Fuel efficiency: rolling resistance, which affects fuel use
• Noise: external noise in decibels, with a wave symbol
• Snow or ice symbols: shows winter capability

Summer, all-season or winter tyres

Standard summer tyres use a compound that works well in mild and warm weather but stiffens in the cold. Winter tyres use softer rubber and a different tread that copes better with low temperatures, snow and slush. All-season tyres sit in between and can suit drivers who want one set all year and do not face harsh conditions regularly.

Which is right depends on where you drive, how much and in what conditions. Many UK drivers are happy with quality summer or all-season tyres, while others who face icy rural roads choose winter tyres. Ask us what is available for your car, and look for the correct symbols on the sidewall.

Matching tyres on an axle

As a rule, the two tyres on the same axle should be the same make, model, size and similar wear. Mixing them can cause uneven grip, strange handling, and extra wear on parts like the differential or drivetrain in some cars.

If you replace just two tyres, they usually go on the rear axle, as that helps keep the car stable in a skid. Four-wheel-drive cars are often fussier, and may need all four to be a close match, so check the handbook or ask the fitter.

Fitting, balancing and alignment

Even a very good tyre can feel poor if it is badly fitted or the car has an alignment fault. At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we supply new tyres, fit them and balance the wheels, and can check tracking or four-wheel alignment if the old tyres wore unevenly.

Make sure the size, load index and speed rating match what your car needs. These are marked on the sidewall and the handbook, and the fitter will check them for you. Ask for the age code on the new tyres too, as tyres sitting in stock for a long time are worth avoiding.

Frequently asked questions