Are More Expensive Tires Better?

One of my friends needed to change the tires of his car. He was asking for suggestions.

So the question popped up in my mind are more expensive tires better?

There’s a lot of speculation circulating the internet about whether or not expensive tires are better than cheaper tires.

Some people say that expensive tires provide a higher level of safety, while others argue that cheaper tire saves a huge amount of money!

After some research on google and youtube, I found a video regarding this topic.

So Are More Expensive Tires Better?

The answer to this question is a bit complicated and depends on a variety of factors like- Quality, Durability, Tread life, Handling, Braking Distance, Drag, Road Comfort, Tire Size, Noise level, Wet and Winter Traction, Miles, Pricing, Name Brand, and Warranty. If you are planning to buy tires, you should consider these factors.

However, in general, higher-priced tires are usually better quality tires.

They will last longer, provide better fuel economy, and perform better in various weather conditions.

So if you’re looking for a high-quality tire that will last, it’s worth spending a bit more money on it.

Now, let’s discuss the factors that make tires price worthy and better-

Durability

Durability is one of the most important factors you should consider while buying a tire. 

The more durable tires will last longer. Durability depends on several conditions-

If the tire is made of soft rubber it will perform better.

Tires made of hard rubber will last longer. Tires with hardy sidewall and reinforced will last long too.

As the steel frame is covered up with the tread you cant understand the characteristics normally.

If you are looking for buying durable tires you need to talk to the tire salespersons to know its mechanism and do a little research on your own.

Handling

Better quality tires are easy to handle better. Handling of cars increases with the best tires.

As the tires grip the road better so the car won’t lose control easily. Best tires take turns better on a wet road or at high speed.

Your car will be safe on road with better handling. It will be easier to react to emergencies.

Tread Life

The pattern of the tread and thickness is an important factors. The tires that have thicker tread and wider grooves are better in snow, ice, rain, and mud.

Thicker tread makes some noise too while driving. Thinner tread tires are summer tires and make less noise but they don’t have much grip.

Tread is an important consideration while choosing tires. Tread is an important consideration while choosing a tire.

Longer tread life ensures better performance and a set of tires with longevity will run for miles.

The thick tread tires may cost a bit high, but tread is not the only factor that makes a tire pricy.

Braking Distance

A shorter braking distance is required in time of emergency. Every tire has an estimated braking distance.

A shorter braking distance makes the tire more effective. It makes tires expensive too.

Just achieving a certain braking distance is not the main concern considered while designing a tire. Braking distance is one of the many factors.

Drag

The higher drag of a tire makes your car harder to work. Higher drag drives up your fuel consumption.

Drag put more wear on the car. As a result, it costs more money on gas and needs repairing in the long run.

Tires that have less drag are made of sophisticated design. They are a bit pricy.

You have to talk to the salesman while choosing a tire regarding the drag associated with the tire and the performance measurement.

Road Comfort

The criteria that make tire perform better also improves the comfort of the ride.

Higher-quality tires offer a more comfortable driving experience.

They are designed in a way that they can absorb the bumps and shocks along the road better, expensive tires use advanced extra-thick rubber compounds with vibration suppressant features.

Cheaper car tires use less advanced rubber compounds, that have less vibration suppressant features.

With a higher-quality tire, the driving experience will be much smoother. Better performance often comes with a high price. Still, performance tires are worth buying.

Tire Size

You will see a significant difference in the price of a tire based on the actual size.

A new set of tires for a sedan with rim diameters between 13” to 15” are cheap tires, whereas the same new tires for SUV tires sizes with rim diameters between 17” to 20” come with a higher price tag.

More materials and production time is required for a larger tire. A larger tire supports more weight, durability, higher performance, great mileage, and load capacity.

You need to buy the size of the tires according to the size of your vehicle.

Tire Quality

Tire quality is important when evaluating price. The price of a set of tires depends on the quality of materials and the internal structure of the tire.

Premium tire quality will provide a smoothing drive experience, better performance, and longevity. If you value tire quality, expensive tires might be a great deal.

Noise level

Cheaper tires are made with fewer rubber compounds. Cheaper tires don’t have a strong construction.

These tires make a lot louder noise, this can be distracting and annoying while driving. Higher-quality tires offer a quieter ride.

Premium quality tires are designed for precise performance. Some other factors are considered to the noise level of a tire like a tread depth.

Wet and Winter Traction

Expensive tires offer better wet and winter road traction. They have extra sipes and grooves that offer a wider contact patch.

This design provides hydroplaning resistance on the road. The rubber compounds used on expensive snow tires remain more flexible in freezing temperatures.

It is difficult for a cheap tire to match the same design.

Miles

Miles are a big factor when you are planning to buy a tire.

According to Consumer Reports test, The Pirelli p4 four seasons plus tire presents a high value and its projected tread life of 100,000 miles.

On the other hand, the Kumho Solus TA11 tire, it’s a projected 55,000-mile tread life.

There are other tire brands like Michelin, Hankook, Goodyear, Bridgestone, continental, etc that provide great milage with high-quality tires.

Michelin LTX A/T2 all season tire has a 60,000- miles tread.

Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11 tires have a 60,000- miles tread.

Goodyear Assurance All-Season Radial Tire has a 65000-mile tread life.

Pricing

The tire industry makes different types of tires according to the prices.

The price of a tire depends on its quality, longevity, and driving experience. Different sizes of the tire come with different prices too.

According to Tire Buyer,

Expensive tires will be generally $300-$1000 each.

Mid-range tires will be $100-$300 each.

The cheapest tires will cost $50-$100 each.

There are so many affordable tires on budget, the price of a tire mainly depends on the tire brand, tire size, and style. You just need to fix which one is appropriate for your vehicle.

Name Brand 

If you choose name brands, it will cost you more money, like with anything else you buy in daily life.

A name brand normally gains a name-value cause most of the time, it has developed a reputation for higher quality products.

If you want to get a high-quality tire, you have to trust that buying a name brand will be beneficial for you.

Buying specialty tires from a name brand will ensure you great performance and will last for many years.

However, to buy the best tires, the name brand is not the only thing to consider.

There are plenty of discount tires that have the equal quality to a name brand, they have just didn’t establish their reputation yet. The best value comes with the best quality.

Tire Warranty

To maintain their peak performance tires should be replaced regularly. But a tire can be damaged sooner than expected time.

It can cost you unexpected bills. Tread-life warranty is the most common type of warranty.

Tread life measured in thousands of miles is the minimum rating coming from name brands.

If your tires have been worn out before reaching the mileage, then the manufacturer will compensate you.

For example, if you buy a $100 tire rated for 100,000 miles, but it wears out after only 50,000 miles, then you will get $50 back.

However, this warranty will not only be honored if you don’t maintain your tires properly.

You need to keep your car in alignment and the maintenance guidelines for tire rotation intervals should be followed.

Manufacturers do not offer tread life warranties for specialty tires that can be easily damaged. However, Michelin winter tires come with a tread life warranty.

A road hazard warranty is the second type of warranty. It will cover any tire damage while driving.

Road hazard warranties are normally issued by the installation shop. Bridgestone and Continental, both offer manufacturer road hazard warranties.

Expensive Tire Benefits

More of an outlay comes with buying more expensive tires.

When you consider the budget rather than the performance and longevity of the tire, the additional expense can be a shrewder purchase.

There are several reasons to support that premier tire brands are worth the money.

Renowned tire manufacturers spend millions on research and testing their products to make them perfect.

They deliver higher-quality tires with higher performance. Because of their better performance in long run, many people trust that premium tires are a more economical purchase.

More Considerations Than Just Price

There are more considerations not just about the price of the tire.

The expense does not make something a better product.

Experts have compared the performance of cheap tires and expensive tires. They have always come to the conclusion that expensive tires have the best value.

Tyre Savings are saying that fuel efficiency impacts tires, there are grades A (best) to grade G (worst). Wet performance is another thing that should be considered, this is also graded A (best) to G (worst). the Last thing you should consider is noise level. There are tires level from 1 sound wave (quietest) to 3 sound waves (loudest). 

You need to consider these while buying a tire.

You are probably expecting the more expensive tire brands to be better in these three areas, but that is not always true. Cheaper tires sometimes have these features too.

Tips for Buying Tires

Tires are the most important features of your car. Buying the right tire is necessary for safe and smooth driving. Cheaper bad tires can harm your car and your wallet as well.

According to liveabout.com , The worst thing you can do is, spend too little money on tyres.

Let me give you some tips for buying tires –

Expensive Tires Are Not Always Better

Just don’t go for a tire just because it’s expensive. All expensive tires are not better.

Before going for an expensive option check all the factors, check gas mileage, if everything matches then this is the best option for you.

Don’t Buy Cheaper Tires

Maximum cheaper tires installation shop or manufacturer company does not provide tire warranty. It may wear out before the estimated time, which can be harmful to your wallet.

If you are looking for the best option, you should not buy a cheaper tire. In the long run, cheaper tires cost more!

Go To A Trusted Tire Company

If you have decided to buy tires, go to a trusted company that has value. Branded companies gained a reputation over years. They won’t just let their name to be hampered.

To buy a tire if you go to a trusted company you will find expensive options and inexpensive options as well. The branded company offers quality tires on the budget too.

Do Research

Do your own research, and ask questions about gas mileage, tread life, and durability to the salesperson. Own research always pays off.

Don’t spend too much or too little on tires. If you research properly and pick the right tire dealer for you, he might help you to find the right tire for your car.

If you want to get the best value, you need to know all the information.

How To Care For Tires

Everything needs the care to last long, tires are no exception. So if you want your car tires to run for years, you should follow some steps-

Check Tire Pressure Monthly

Tyres lose approximately one pound per square inch of air every month. In the cold season, it can lose more air.

So if you ask your mechanic to check tire pressure only while oil changing or checking tire rotation, you could end up risking yourself and your family at stake.

Before Long Road Trip Inspect Tires

Before going on a long road trip, always check your tires. Do physical checkups, and look for cracks, bulges, and objects that may have punctured the tire. Check the tire pressure before leaving home.

It will be easier to fix your tires before leaving home than fixing them on the highway!

Rotate

To get the maximum tire life, you need to rotate your tyres every 60000 to 80000 miles. If you buy your tires from a local installation shop they may offer you free tire rotation, otherwise, tire rotations are inexpensive. To maintain tire tread tire rotation is necessary.

Don’t Overload Our Car

If you want your tire to last long, don’t overload the vehicle. Overloading can cause tire failure.

Every tire has its loading capacity, while loading goods in your car just follow the instruction written in the packaging.

Don’t Wait To Tear Out Tires To Replace

If your tread depth is low or your tire is more than 6 years old, you need to replace it! Don’t just wait for a tire failure, change it when necessary. Routine checkups of your tire can save you from unexpected costs.

Don’t Install Mismatched Tires

If you Install mismatched tires that can negatively impact the handling of your car. Installing mismatched tires can cause unusual wear and tear on your tires and other components of your car.

Look for the perfect tires for your car. Perfectly matched tires can give you a great drive experience and your wallet will be safe from spending extra money.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you know that expensive tires are definitely worth the extra buck.

Not only do they offer better performance, but they also last longer than cheaper tires.

They last longer and provide better traction and handling. In addition, expensive tires also come with additional advantages such as better fuel efficiency and noise reduction.

In fact, some of the expensive tires even come with a lifetime warranty! Considering all the benefits that expensive tires offer, why would you go for a cheaper option? Let me know.