At Five Star Autocentre our focus is on keeping you safe whilst offering great value. We are asked a lot of motoring questions, a common one of those being “which tyres should I buy for my car?”

The range of tyres that Five Star Autocentre can offer is extensive so we thought it would be a good idea to let you know our thoughts on what’s hot and what’s not.

“Should I be paying for premium tyres when there’s a budget alternative?” There are many choices open to you and each one varies in price. In this article we hope to answer that question and help you make an informed decision the next time you’re due new tyres.

If you’re not a car enthusiast then chances are, you won’t know a lot about tyres. But when you need new tyres for your car, you’re going to be given a choice on the tyres you want. This is when you will want to know what the difference between budget and premium tyres is.

Let’s start off easy and see what is meant by budget and premium tyres. Well, you’ve guessed it; budget tyres are the most affordable option. Of course, this means that premium tyres have a higher price tag. But believe it or not, there could be a big difference on how these tyres perform and not just the price.

We’re going to break it down and look at the safety, durability and fuel efficiency of budget and premium tyres so that you can learn all about the differences.

Safety – The Difference in Bad Weather

When we talk about safety, a lot of people jump to conclusions and think that budget tyres won’t be safe for the roads. This is not true. They still have to be tested and checked and they’re safe to use around town. But there could be a difference when it comes to stopping distance in bad weather.

Premium tyres tend to be made from better materials that allow short stopping distances when it’s been raining or snowing. This could be the difference between being involved in a collision or not.

Durability – Driving Long Distances and Different Terrain

The last thing you want is to have to replace your new tyres in a few of months. That means you’ll want to choose some that are going to last. So, when it comes to budget and premium tyres, is there one that is going to last longer? The answer is yes and the winner is premium tyres. They are constructed from better materials and compounds, which means they will be more durable out on the road. This means they’ve got a longer lifespan than budget tyres and this could save you money if you drive a lot.

If you only drive short distances around the city, you could still choose budget tyres. You’ll not really notice the difference if you don’t drive a lot of miles. It’ll also mean that they’re more affordable to buy in the first place. So, think about your own driving habits and budget before rushing into making any decisions.

Fuel Efficiency – Save on Gasoline

One of the biggest ongoing expenses for your car is fuel. If you have a vehicle that uses a lot of petrol or you drive long distances, you will want to cut down on this expense as much as possible. So, you’ll be wondering if there is a tyre that is more fuel efficient. Well, the good news is that there is. There are industry experts that say premium tyres are able to be more fuel efficient out on the road. Why? Well, it’s all down to low rolling resistance and the brands invest more money into creating and using special materials to cut down the amount of fuel you need. So, while you may think that budget tyres are cheaper to buy to start with, they could actually cost you more money over the year when it comes to fuel.

The Winner is Premium Tyres

Taking everything into account, you will see that premium tyres are the winner. When it comes to safety, they definitely beat budget tyres. They are going to stop faster in wet and snowy weather, which could be the difference between a collision or not. In addition, they’re going to last longer on the road than budget tyres. This could mean that higher price tag actually pays off. They may even save you money at the petrol station too. All of these advantages are exactly what you want if you ‘re a driver.

But if you only drive short distances and don’t really need the car during bad weather, then budget tyres can still be a good option for you.

But it’s important to remember that you still have to look after your tyres. It doesn’t matter whether you choose budget or premium tyres, you should always drive responsibility to get the best out of them.

We’re keen to help you make the right tyre choice for your vehicle. So if you’re looking for the right mix of durability, performance and value then give our team at Five Star Autocentre a call today.