Your privacy is as important to us as your safety on the road
To provide you with the best online experience, Kwik Fit and our partners use technologies such as cookies to store local information on your device. Consenting to our recommended technologies allows us and our partners to process data such as your browsing behaviour or individual identifiers on this website.
Click the green button below to consent with our recommended settings or you may switch the performance and targeting categories on or off individually, then save your settings. You can freely update your choices at any time and view the full list of cookies that may be placed by clicking the Cookies link in the footer of every page of our website.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Which tyres are best?“
With so much choice and so many variables when it comes to buying new tyres, it pays to be informed. Our customers ask us time and again at Kwik Fit: “Why pay more for premium tyres when there’s a budget alternative?” In this article, we'll answer that question and help you make an informed decision the next time you’re buying tyres.
Are premium tyres worth the extra money?
The price difference can be significant, but before reaching what might seem an obvious conclusion and choosing cheaper tyres, it’s very important to understand exactly why premium tyres initially cost more, and how you benefit in the long term.
The answer lies in the huge sums manufacturers such as Continental invest each year in research and development, formulating and testing new compounds (the rubber), tyre tread patterns, and tyre structures. Professional test drivers, like Continental’s Scott Armstrong, put tyre prototypes through their paces in both real and simulated conditions, and if they don’t come up to scratch, the process starts over again.
The superiority of premium tyres is a view also shared by the world‘s automotive sector. All of the world’s car manufacturers put such a high value on the quality of tyres like Continental’s that many of them – from the ‘everyday‘ car makers to the glamorous ’supercar‘ marques – include these premium tyres with their vehicles when they leave the showroom.
And the result of such meticulous testing and serious investment? Simply put, Kwik Fit know that premium tyres are far, far safer and – in the long term – less expensive for you. Here’s a 1-2-3 of why.
1. Premium tyres are noticeably safer
One of the UK’s leading insurance companies, Direct Line, asked a variety of independent tyre industry experts to make the case for purchasing budget tyres. Not one would. This is simply because the experts believe premium tyres are critical for road safety.
Why? It’s because the low-grade rubber compositions typically used for budget tyres are not as effective at gripping the road in wet conditions, and this affects stopping distances. An ‘A rating’ for wet braking distance on the EU Tyre Label means the tyre is highly effective at gripping wet roads. Conversely – unless you live somewhere very dry – a tyre with an ‘F rating’ is best avoided.
The poorer ‘F rating‘ (typically found on budget tyres) indicates they could add as much as 18 metres when stopping in the wet at a speed of 50mph when compared to an A-rated tyre. We all know from experience that a lot can happen in 18 metres… and it can be a matter of life and death. Premium tyres – like the Continental PremiumContact 6 – typically receive the wet weather high A ratings, while budget tyres typically receive an F rating.
2. Premium tyres wear slowly
It’s true, a set of premium tyres will initially cost you more. For a city car, expect to pay around £15-30 more per tyre, or around £70-80 more for a larger family estate.
Although that is a larger initial outlay, it’s important to also consider the rate of tyre wear, which - thanks to the design and use of higher quality materials - is typically significantly slower for premium tyres. Slower tyre wear means you won’t have to change your tyres so often, saving you money and – just as importantly – time and inconvenience.
As with any other product, it generally works out cheaper in the long run to invest in a more durable option to start with.
3. Premium tyres are more fuel-efficient — and quieter too
Your tyre‘s quality and construction also affect fuel efficiency and the amount of CO2 your vehicle emits. The EU Tyre Label helps here, too. Typically, over the course of a year, premium tyres with an ‘A rating’ will save a massive 80 litres of fuel – or around £110 per year at current forecourt prices.
Add this cost year-on-year to that for buying multiple budget tyres, and you can start to see how budgets may not be the bargain choice they’re made out to be. Premium tyres can work out to be the less expensive option, with the added benefit of reduced greenhouse emissions and reducing your personal carbon footprint.
Premium tyres are also much quieter, which on our busy streets where
traffic noise is an issue really matters. Premium tyres are designed to reduce
external noise and keep you within current and future legal limits. They also
make less noise inside your car, and we all know that a quieter tyre makes for
a more pleasant driving experience, right?
Next steps to making an informed tyre choice
If you’re still unsure of whether premium or budget tyres are best for you and your car, Kwik Fit’s tyre professionals are happy to assist, able to offer you impartial advice and take you through all your tyre options.
Driving in heavy rain can be tricky and bring extra risks. Check out our guide for top tips to stay safe and avoid breakdowns if travelling in wet conditions.
Is the UK on the verge of ‘the coldest winter for 50 years?’ Even if El Niño doesn't hit the UK this winter, reduce the risk of a winter breakdown by making sure your car battery is winter-ready.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
0800 75 76 77 You can reach our customer care team 6 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday and Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Bank Holidays.
{MODALTITLE}
{MODALBODY}
{MODALTITLE}
{MODALBODY}
{MODALTITLE}
{MODALBODY}
Select Tyre Size
Front Tyre Size
Rear Tyre Size
We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
Filter Your Results
You have selected:
To continue with your booking, please select your appointment time from the list below.
Please note: There is a slope that the vehicle must be driven up to reach the vehicle ramp at this centre. This may prevent us from being able to work on some high-performance vehicles, Tesla vehicles or vehicles that have been lowered. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, please contact the centre team on 01342 314 111 before booking.
Appointment time:
This is the only appointment time available on this day. To continue with your booking, please select "Reserve Your Appointment" below.
Please note:
Centres do not open until 10:00 on bank holidays. If choosing an earlier appointment time on a bank holiday, please bring your vehicle to centre at 10:00 rather than the time shown.