[Snowball]

Todays RAC Motoring news has an interesting topic. Tested against Continental brand, the cheap tyres came out badly. At a braking test from 50mph, the worst tyre was the Linglong; the Linglong still travelling at 27.8 mph at the point where the Continental had stopped. There's a moral in there somewhere.

Is Linglong an abbreviation for "lingerlonger"? Ha,ha!

[RoverV6]

So then it is Linglong for the Dingdong!!:D

[Rolebama]

Must be about 25yrs ago that Goodyear introduced the Grand Prix-S tyre. It was proven in a number of tests to assist in shorter stopping distances than the 'average' tyre. (27ins from 30mph, which was used in TV ads as being the width of a pram.) Some insurance companies even gave up to 30% discount if you had a set of five fitted to your car.

[MrDanno]

I think it's the same with well known brands, Some would perform better than others.

Something I would be interested in is to see test results of the ageing effect on tyres, Some cars that do low mileage might still have the same tyres on for 8 years or more and it would be good to see how this effects their performance as the rubber hardens with age.

[Snowball]

One of the main causes of tyre degradation is the Ozone in the atmosphere, and sunlight. Modern tyres have additives in the rubber mix to reduce this effect (usually indicated by marbling of the sidewalls. But I would not risk using a tyre after it was 5 or 6 years old, regardless of low mileage.

[benedwards64]

Something a lot of people fail to realise is that no matter what you do to your car, it is all transfered to the road via four small patches of rubber.
Tyres shouldn't be scrimped on. I recently replaced the budget tyres my car came with with a full set of Toyo Proxes - not a perticularly expensive tyre but one that is highly regarded. The difference to my car, especially in the wet, is unbelievable.

[Snowball]

Originally Posted by benedwards64

Something a lot of people fail to realise is that no matter what you do to your car, it is all transfered to the road via four small patches of rubber.Tyres shouldn't be scrimped on. I recently replaced the budget tyres my car came with with a full set of Toyo Proxes - not a perticularly expensive tyre but one that is highly regarded. The difference to my car, especially in the wet, is unbelievable.

This is a point I have made on several occasions. For over 4 years I have stayed with Michelin Energy tyres, and before that Continental.
I also change my tyres at a minimum of between 3 and 4 mm tread. This practice was vindicated when I read a report of tests carried out by Mira and Continental, where it was shown that braking ability began to deteriorate after going below 3 mm of minimum tread. Resistance to slide on bends also becomes affected.

Not many people realise that when travelling on a motorway in heavy rain, each tyre, through its treads, has to disperse something like a gallon of water plus per second in order for the tyres to maintain a grip on the road surface.

When you consider that the lives of your passengers and yourself, not to mention other road users, rely heavily on those precious 4 spots for road contact, the real cheap tyres are the best premium tyres available.

[RoverV6]

Originally Posted by Snowball

One of the main causes of tyre degradation is the Ozone in the atmosphere, and sunlight. Modern tyres have additives in the rubber mix to reduce this effect (usually indicated by marbling of the sidewalls. But I would not risk using a tyre after it was 5 or 6 years old, regardless of low mileage.

I totally agree. My wifes car had a cet of Michelins on from new and at about 5 years I had them changed because of the sidewall deterioration. They still had 6-7 mm of tread on them due to her low mileage.

[Arewethereyet?]

Maybe

Originally Posted by RoverV6

My wifes car had a cet of Michelins on from new and at about 5 years I had them changed because of the sidewall deterioration. They still had 6-7 mm of tread on them due to her low mileage.

That may have had nothing to do with "Ozone" or "sunlight" but more the case of "kerbing"

[RoverV6]

Neither of us "Kerb" our tyres or wheels.The deterioration was crazy paving done by sunlight.

[MrDanno]

Originally Posted by RoverV6

I totally agree. My wifes car had a cet of Michelins on from new and at about 5 years I had them changed because of the sidewall deterioration. They still had 6-7 mm of tread on them due to her low mileage.

My spare car was the same, the tyres started cracking up between the tread blocks. Shame really as had loads of tread left on them.

[Arewethereyet?]

Originally Posted by RoverV6

Neither of us "Kerb".The deterioration was crazy paving done by sunlight.

That doesn't sound like low mileage, it sounds more like no mileage

If a vehicle is not used then of course its tyres are going to crack and degrade

[Snowball]

Originally Posted by MrDanno

My spare car was the same, the tyres started cracking up between the tread blocks. Shame really as had loads of tread left on them.

As I start with 5 new tyres, when the first tyre change becomes due, the unused spare goes on the car, and a new spare goes into the wheel well. This means that no tyre remains on the car for, at the very most, more than 3 to 4 years.

[MrDanno]

Originally Posted by Snowball

As I start with 5 new tyres, when the first tyre change becomes due, the unused spare goes on the car, and a new spare goes into the wheel well. This means that no tyre remains on the car for, at the very most, more than 3 to 4 years.

The same here, I always rotate the tyres. But, I have a spare car that does little mileage and the tyres on that just all perished.

[Rolebama]

Years ago in Practical Motoring magazine there was a tip which stated that rubbing ordinary Gelatin onto all rubbers helped to stop perisihing and assisted resilience. Ever since then I have rubbed Gelatin into window rubbers, runroof seals, wiper blades, door seals, engine mounts, tyres and everything that 'appears' to be made of rubbery substances, except drive belts. I cannot in all honesty claim that this works, but would point out that I have never had a 'rubber' perish. What does work for me though, is that I do get to inspect all these odds and ends on a regular basis.

[MrDanno]

That is interesting as some products on the market now say they 'protect' rubber. I must admit I don't spend much time cleaning cars but, Occasionally I put some stuff on the tyre walls to make them look nice.

[ficklejade]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

Must be about 25yrs ago that Goodyear introduced the Grand Prix-S tyre. It was proven in a number of tests to assist in shorter stopping distances than the 'average' tyre. (27ins from 30mph, which was used in TV ads as being the width of a pram.) Some insurance companies even gave up to 30% discount if you had a set of five fitted to your car.

Dead correct! We had two cars of same model and make - one with GPS and the insurance was a lot cheaper on that one than the other.

I am having a new tyre tomorrow - wanted a Michelin same as others but indefinite waiting list. Choice was more expensive tyre or two cheaper ones (like £50 cheaper per tyre) - went for more expensive one after a bit of research and advice. I never stint on tyres (though do look for best price/purpose) - they really do make a difference and stopping distance is crucial as well as road holding.

I can also claim more off the Council - it's their fault I need a new tyre. I've never claimed before here but I was lucky to get away with a busted tyre with 9000 on it rather than a broken axle - it wasn't speed but the knife sharp stone in the huge pothole I couldn't avoid (don't expect me to kill a sheep, do you?) I fell into avoiding it!

[AudreyWetmore]

Cheap car tyres offer budget-friendly options for drivers looking to save money without sacrificing basic safety and performance. While they may not provide the advanced features of premium tyres, many affordable brands ensure reliable traction, durability, and fuel efficiency. It's essential to choose tyres that meet your vehicle's specifications and driving needs, balancing cost with quality.

[TC1474]

I have done a number of forensic tyre courses with Michelin, Dunlop and a few others in my capacity as a crash investigator, and on every course I have attended, the question of cheap budget tyres has always been raised.

The stock answer has always been that the budget tyres of today are what were the premium branded tyres of just a few years ago, they are just rebranded because the technology has moved on and they (the manufacturers want people to buy the expensive rather than the cheaper brands) hence why they are sold under a different name.

So the reality is that the cheaper brands are safe, and they have to be because they have to comply with certain minimum requirements.

There are a couple of lesser known independent brands that have found their way into the UK in recent years who just scrape through the minimum requirements test, but by and large there is no risk running the cheaper brands.

I run cheap brands on my Jag, and I have done comparisons between my car an d a dealer car running standard Pirelli's and I really am unable to tell the difference in performance, grip or wear, but the savings are substantial.

I have also yet to deal with a crash where a budget tyre has been the predominant factor, except where it has been tampered with or it was just plain defective due to its illegality.

At the end of the day it comes down to personal choice. On the bike, I use Bridgestone as I know they suit the bike perfectly, and to be fair there are not cheap brand alternatives available for bikes, but for the car, no hesitation in putting on the cheaper brands and I have done for a number of years with no issues in performance or wear.

[Drivingforfun]

@TC1474

This is interesting

I wonder if there is actually come correlation (not necessarily causation) between premium tyres and crashing - in particular not low-speed careless bumps but high-speed exceeding of talent; due to people who choose premium tyres perhaps being more "enthusiastic" drivers?

Similarly to what was claimed in the past about there being more accidents of a certain type among the IAM / ROSPA community - less minor accidents but more serious accidents due to overconfidence

[TC1474]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

@TC1474

This is interesting

I wonder if there is actually come correlation (not necessarily causation) between premium tyres and crashing - in particular not low-speed careless bumps but high-speed exceeding of talent; due to people who choose premium tyres perhaps being more "enthusiastic" drivers?

Similarly to what was claimed in the past about there being more accidents of a certain type among the IAM / ROSPA community - less minor accidents but more serious accidents due to overconfidence

To take your last point first, as an advanced examiner, I always make the point to new passes (both RoSPA and IAM) that being an advanced driver does not guarantee not ever being involved in a crash, however....... By applying the practices and techniques as covered in Roadcraft and through their practical tuition, if they stick to what they have been taught, it reduced the possibility of being involved in a crash that is their (the advanced drivers) fault.

This is small consolation when someone is dead I know but from a cynical point of view it does make the subsequent claims easier to process.

There are always exceptions to the rule, and I accept that some do get over cocky (and I could tell you many stories of people even being cocky or arrogant on test), but by and large advanced drivers have gone down that route because they have a desire to improve their standards given how the L test simply is no longer fit for purpose.

With regards to the tyre issue you mention, there may be some substance in what you say, but generally (certainly in the thousands of crashes I have dealt with) it is usually down to a lack of talent end of.........

That said, going back a few years ago, Vauxhall shod some of their Police Omega's with tyres destined for South Africa where it rarely rains and the compounds used in SA are very different to those used here.

My colleague was in a car that was 3 days old and lost it in damp conditions on a shout but not at particularly high speeds.

This is where it was found that the tyres used were not intended for the UK and the grip levels were different to UK compounds, but this was a mistake admitted by Vauxhall, so again, there are the occasional exception to the rules.

[Rolebama]

i have changed the supplied tyres on just about every car I've bought. Some because of noise levels, and some because they were pretty useless. One of the Peugeots I had came with virtual slicks, which were so bad they seemed to skid when braking at junctions where loose grit had accumulated. (Common on some of the lanes around here, and noticeably so on the Isle of Wight.) I have also changed them because of ride harshness. (My BMW came with run-flats which I replaced with a set of steel wheels and tyres for not much more than the cost of one original. I then sold the run-flats which made the replacements almost free.)
FWIW: My favourite all-round tyres are Uniroyal Rain Experts.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by AudreyWetmore

Cheap car tyres offer budget-friendly options for drivers looking to save money without sacrificing basic safety and performance. While they may not provide the advanced features of premium tyres, many affordable brands ensure reliable traction, durability, and fuel efficiency. It's essential to choose tyres that meet your vehicle's specifications and driving needs, balancing cost with quality.

Was there any particular reason for reviving this 15-year-old thread?