November 27, 2017

What are the different tyre tests to buy the right pair for your SUV?

Tyres can dent your pocket-book largely if you spend a lot of time on the road. Even if you replace old wheels with new ones every year, there’s always a cold expense. Buying a new set of tyres is easy nowadays thanks to a pool of retailers offering discounts even on the best brands but the real question is, which is the best fit for your vehicle!

Going for the cheapest wheels isn’t always the best choice. While some brands do offer budgeted tyres that actually perform decently, the real test is on a rainy day and that’s when you’ll realise the true value of investment. Tyres that maintain a good grip of the tarmac is considered best and this is the reason most drivers put their faith in established brands and products before replacement.

When you’re out to buy SUV tyre for instance, be sure to sweep as much retailers as possible and ask them if the wheels have been tested under extreme conditions. To help you get the best ones for your vehicle, check out a few critical details highlighted below.

3 T’s: The Tyre Test

For tyre manufacturers, 2017 has been a busy year so far which also debuts some new industry competitors. The rate at which tyre production industry has progressed over the years is astounding and almost all the brands are burning the roads with the best quality wheels as well as latest patterns.

This year, ultra-high and fast growing performance can be seen in the wheels from reputable makers such holding global prominence such as Goodyear, Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop and Falken; a Japanese brand.

Picking the best

Wet handling

The best track to for wet handling unlike any other is in Vizzola, Italy; a true figure of eight circuit with crossover that resembles a hunch-back bridge. Though a short route, it has lots of sharp corners which put the wheels to extreme test with constant directional shifts. Result is determined by average lap times. The less time consumed, better the outcome!

Wet cornering

This test is to determine pure lateral grip in the damp without any traction or aquaplaning interference. The technique requires same intensity of steering lock application and then accelerating the vehicle at its fullest till it’s unable to hold the line around flooded loop. More or less, seven laps and the average time is measured to find the winner.

Wet braking

Halting in the wet is when drivers reach the verge of tyre performance. To identify the most effective rubber, a series of sudden stops from speed of about 50 miles per hour and the distance taken in slowing the vehicle down to 6mph were made, removing any inconsistencies by anti-lock braking system pulses. The result is determined through an average eight stops.

Rolling resistance

Key for fuel economy measures the amount of power needed to steer a fully loaded tyre. Test is conducted over industry standards whereas the result is an average of the two wheels. More or less, a five percent difference in rolling resistance against one percent change in fuel economy is probable outcome.