The tyre is the only thing between your ass and the road and the only thing holding you to the road. When you're going 80 miles an hour, about this much of that tyre is holding you to the road, so you want this tyre to be as good as it can possibly be.
Who Sets Tyre Prices?
Hybrid tyres are usually more expensive than all-terrain tyres but less expensive than mud-terrain car Tyres Preston. Manufacturers base their pricing more on demand than on production cost. For example, there may be a $100 price difference between two sizes with no logical explanation. The price is mainly based on how many OE fitments and aftermarket fitments exist for that size tyre.
Tyre Markers: The Yellow and Red Dots
A good installer will try to line the yellow dot with the valve stem to minimize the number of weights needed to balance the tyre.
What to Think About When Buying Tyres?
You need to consider both the initial cost and cost per mile. Let’s take an example, if a set of Iron Man tyres, disclaimer there are no iron man tyres in the market. so a passenger car might cost $500 and last 25,000 miles. On the other hand, a set of Michelin tyres could cost $750 but last 80,000 miles, offering a lower cost per mile. Michelin might be the most expensive in terms of initial cost, but it’s the least expensive in cost per mile.
Is Cost Per Mile a Make-or-Break?
However, if you drive a lot, like someone who commutes two hours every day, investing in a higher-quality tyre with a lower cost per mile makes sense because you will see a return on your investment.
Checking the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
I also check the tyre pressure monitoring system. This vehicle has a readout for each individual tyre, showing the correct air pressure. If the light illuminates, it may indicate that the installer broke a TPMS sensor, and I'd want to get it corrected.
A Practical Example of Tyre Buying
It may not make sense to put a $1,000 set of tyres on a Pontiac Vibe or a van, but for a newer car that you drive long distances, especially if you have a family, the extra safety and quality might be worth it. The tyre is the only thing holding you to the road, so ensuring it’s of the best quality is important for your safety.
What I Do When I Get My Vehicle Back From the Installer
Today I got some new tyres installed on my SUV, and one of the first things I do when I get my vehicle back from the installer is check where the yellow dots on the sidewall of the tyre line up with the valve stem. I also check the tyre pressure monitoring system light on my dash to make sure it didn’t illuminate during the installation.
Modern Tyre Markers
Modern tyres usually have two markers on them. A good installer will try to line the yellow dot with the valve stem to minimize the number of weights needed to balance the tyre. Michelin might be the most expensive in terms of initial cost, but it’s the least expensive in cost per mile.
The Red Dot: Importance in Balancing
The second marker is the red dot, which indicates the highest point on the tyre. If the rim isn't perfectly round, the red dot should be aligned with the lowest point on the tyre to prevent wobbling. Manufacturers base their pricing more on demand than on production cost. For example, there may be a $100 price difference between two sizes with no logical explanation.
Why Does This Matter?
Even if the tyre is balanced and runs smoothly now, over time, issues can arise. For example, if you hit a speed bump or pothole not too hard otherwise you can be injured, the adhesive on the balancing weights may come undone, causing a vibration.
Checking the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Again
I also check the tyre pressure monitoring system. This vehicle has a readout for each individual tyre, showing the correct air pressure. If the light illuminates, it may indicate that the installer broke a TPMS sensor, and I'd want to get it corrected.
Tyre Lifespan and Safety Considerations
Did you know that when you bought new tyres, they lasted around 45,000 miles, and while I could’ve pushed them further, I didn’t want to risk losing control in snowy or icy conditions. If you have a good budget then purchase new tyres instead going for Part Worn Tyres Preston.
The Cost Per Mile of Michelin Tyres
On the other hand, a set of Michelin tyres could cost $750 but last 80,000 miles, offering a lower cost per mile. Michelin might be the most expensive in terms of initial cost, but it’s the least expensive in cost per mile.
Professional Installers: Is It Worth the Extra Time?
If you're a professional installer, let me know in the comments do you think it’s worth the extra moments to align the yellow dot, or is it more cost-effective to just install the tyre and balance it without worrying about the markers?
What to Think About When Buying Tyres? (Again)
You need to consider both the initial cost and cost per mile. For instance, a set of Iron Man tyres for a passenger car might cost $500 and last 25,000 miles.