When it comes time to replace your vehicle’s tyres, the first thing to consider is what tyres are best for your particular make and model of car. Your local Direct Tyres & Auto specialist will be able to advise what options and brands are available to you based on your budget and what you use your vehicle for on a daily basis.

All new and imported vehicles will have tyres fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications for the best size tyre and performance for your vehicle. However, there are many different brands that you can choose from so you are not limited to what tyres your vehicle currently has.

It pays to seek advice from a tyre specialist as they will stock the widest range of quality tyres at the best possible price and often offer discounts and specials on many of the well-known brands.

How to find out the right size tyre for your vehicle

If you need to find what the correct tyre size for your vehicle is you can look for the numbers that are printed on the sidewall of your tyre. Some cars will also have a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door or in the vehicle’s manual. This is usually found in the glove box and indicates what size tyre the manufacture originally had fitted when the vehicle was made.

What do the numbers on the tyre tread mean?

The numbers and letters on the tyre’s wheel indicate the tyre’s width, profile, construction, diameter, load index and speed symbol. For example, 205 is the width, 55 is the profile, 16 is the wheel rim, 91 is the load capacity and V is the speed the tyre can safely operate at. In this case, V means that the tyre can safely handle a speed of up to 240 km/h.

Do I need to keep the same size tyre?

It’s important to replace worn or damaged tyres with the same size tyres that are currently fitted on your car for optimum safety and performance and to ensure that they will have the right fit.

The manufacturer will have specified the correct size tyre for the vehicle when it came off the production line and most car owners will choose to retain the same size tyre when they require replacement. There are however lots of different brands to choose from and most will have options suited to a wide range of car makes and models.

What tyre size is right for modified vehicles?

Some vehicle owners will choose to modify their car for improved performance and will often get lower profile tyres fitted. Your Direct Tyres & Auto dealer will be able to advise what tyres can be used in a modified vehicle to ensure excellent road handling performance and optimum safety.

It’s recommended that when modifying cars with aftermarket wheels it’s always best to aim for the closest rolling diameter as the factory fitment. This is achieved by lowering the tyre profile as the wheel size increases. It’s difficult to get the exact diameter when replacing significantly larger wheels and it can affect the speedometer reading on the dashboard.

It’s also important to remember that having over stretched tyres, or tyres that extrude from the wheel arch can be a problem when it comes time to get your WOF. Hence why it’s best to stay within the legal limits.

High performance tyres

Increasingly, car manufacturers are choosing to fit new vehicles with high performance tyres to meet consumer demand for a more sophisticated or sporty look. High performance tyres are usually more expensive and will need to be fitted by a tyre specialist to ensure the diameter doesn’t exceeds the recommended fit as this can result in unwanted damage to your vehicle.

What is a staggered wheel fitment?

A staggered wheel fitment is a wheel combination that is different on the front and rear and is usually suited to four wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles.

They are often set by vehicle manufacturers to provide the best performance in the particular vehicle they are run on. For example, they provide better traction in the rear and a larger tyre footprint for improved overall road handling.

When it comes time to replace tyres on a vehicle that has a factory staggered fitment, it’s recommend that you stay with the same size tyres as it can affect the vehicles transmission system or other components. Always consult with a tyre specialist if you plan to change the tyre size on a vehicle with staggered fitment or a four-wheel drive system to avoid any damage occurring.

Do all tyre brands have the right size tyres for my car?

All the main tyre brands will stock a wide range of tyre sizes suitable for new cars and imported vehicles in New Zealand. Often the cost of the tyre will indicate the quality and lifespan of the tyre ranging from standard to premium.

Your local Direct Tyres & Auto specialist will be able to explain the options available to you and advise the best tyre for your budget. It’s highly recommended that when it comes to choosing a brand of tyre that you select the best quality tyre that you can afford. Although all tyres have to meet New Zealand road safety standards, the road handling performance and lifespan of the tyre is often indicated by the price.

To find out what the right size tyres for your vehicle are, contact Direct Tyres & Auto today.