Tire Brand Recommendations and Maintenance Tips

Tires are generally thought to be made of rubber, but rubber is only the main material used. Different manufacturers add different ingredients, such as carbon black, silica, and plasticizers, in the manufacturing process to produce tires with different characteristics. We can roughly classify tires into 5 categories: high-performance tires, quiet tires, energy-saving tires, electric vehicle tires, and run-flat tires.

High-performance Tires

These tires look like regular tires but their main focuses are enhancing handling performance, grip and braking capabilities. That's why they are also called R (racing) tires. High-performance tires also excel in areas such as water drainage, noise reduction, and durability. The materials and design are more sophisticated and complex. For example, some high-performance tires adopt an asymmetrical design. There are two types of high-performance tires: fully cured tires and semi-cured tires, which differ in their materials and the time it takes for them to reach working temperature. Although fully cured tires offer better grip, they also wear out faster, which affects their durability. For street use, semi-cured tires are more suitable.

MICHELIN Pilot Sport 5

Michelin's 5th generation high-performance tire features a dual sport tread design with an internal side with large longitudinal grooves, providing excellent handling and impressive grip and braking performance on both wet and dry surfaces.

Quiet Tires

As the name suggests, the purpose of quiet tires is to reduce the noise created when the tires roll on the road surface, commonly known as tire noise. It is difficult to distinguish quiet tires based on their appearance alone because they have sound-absorbing materials inside, such as polyurethane foam, which is bonded to the inner surface of the tire. Different manufacturers use different sound-absorbing materials.

Continental Comfort Contact 7

Using a special tread structure and rubber formula, this tire effectively reduces road vibrations and the impact of uneven surfaces, providing a smooth and comfortable driving experience. It adopts quiet technology and has an improved tread pattern design to reduce friction noise between the tire and the road surface.

Energy-saving Tires

Energy-saving tires, also known as eco-friendly tires, aim to reduce the resistance generated during rotation. By varying the formula, structure, and tread design, the main goal of energy-saving tires is to reduce power required and achieve low fuel consumption, making them suitable for users who prioritize fuel efficiency. However, when it comes to grip, they are not as good as performance tires and quiet tires, but they have better fuel-saving and wear-resistant characteristics. Most tires display their energy-saving level on their label for consumers' reference.

Bridgestone ECOPIA EP300

On the middle ribs on both sides of the central groove of the tire, there are small grooves specially designed to improve drainage. A unique formula reduces the friction between the tire rubber molecules, effectively reducing tire rolling and reducing fuel consumption. However, the softer side walls make these tires not suitable for aggressive driving.

Electric Car Tires

Electric cars are heavier than gasoline cars due to the batteries, so the tires need to be able to withstand the extra weight. Moreover, electric cars have strong acceleration, and tire durability also needs to be reinforced to slow down tire wear. Lastly, because electric cars do not have engine noise, the noise reduction performance of the tires becomes even more important. Therefore, electric car tires must combine high load-bearing capacity, low resistance, high durability, and quietness.

Yokohama ADVAN dB V552

The redesigned tread pattern and tread blocks allow air to be naturally expelled during rotation, reducing tire noise. At the same time, the reduced tread block area enhances wet traction. The central straight rib contributes to stability and maneuverability.

Run-flat Tires

Run-flat tires have harder sidewalls that can support the tire to allow continued driving even when the air pressure is low. Generally, run-flat tires can travel at speeds of 80 km/h for approximately 80 to 250 km (please read the label from the tire manufacturer) with insufficient air pressure. Run-flat tires are identified with the abbreviation "RSC" on the tread, but different brands may have their own markings. Here is a list for reference:

Pirelli CINTURATO P7

With an asymmetric tread design, the wide and large tread blocks can shorten the braking distance. The increased sidewall strength reduces tire distortion caused by vehicle cornering, improving driving stability and comfort. The continuous tread grooves enhance the tire’s drainage capability.

Not all tires are suitable for your car. To be suitable for your car, the tires must meet strict specifications. For example, if the tires are too small, they may not fit the rims. Alternatively, if the tires cannot support the weight of the vehicle, it will not only increase tire wear but also increase the probability of accidents and damage to the car.

Luckily, many tire manufacturers produce the same model of tires in different sizes and grades for selection. The question is, how do you know which tires to choose? There are two ways to know: you can check the car's manual, which will specify the tire requirements, or you can look at the sidewall of the tires, where there will be a sequence of numbers and letters.

These numbers and letters are called tire codes, and almost all tire manufacturers worldwide use the standard ISO format. Let's explain them one by one.

In addition to the above letters and numbers, there is another set of four digits on a tire that you need to look at. It represents the tire's production date (D.O.T serial number). For example, "4020" indicates that the tire was manufactured in the 40th week of 2002, which corresponds to early April 2022. Tire performance can be affected by factors such as storage conditions and temperature changes, so we suggest you choose tires manufactured within the past three years.

Tire pressure naturally decreases over time, so you should regularly check the tire pressure. Different tire sizes require different pressures. You can check the recommended tire pressure on the door frame of the driver's side, inside the glove box lid, or inside the fuel tank lid. Tire inflators in gas stations usually display gas pressure in bar or PSI. Before inflating, choose the right gas pressure, and then insert the pump nozzle into the tire valve to start inflating.

Note: If your vehicle has been driven for a long distance, tire pressure may increase by about 2-3 PSI due to heat. It is recommended that you add 1-2 PSI to the manufacturer's recommendations, so that the “cold tire pressure” will be close to that recommended by the manufacturer.

Like other car parts, your tires will eventually need to be replaced due to wear and tear. Most tire manufacturers assume that tires should be replaced at least twice during a car's life cycle. However, the actual frequency of tire replacement depends on how you drive your car and the road conditions.

In addition, you should regularly check the tread on all your tires to ensure they are not worn out. If the tires show signs of deformation or bulging, it may indicate internal structural issues. The general recommended expiration time for tires is 10 years, but this is just a guideline from the manufacturer and the actual useful life depends on storage and usage conditions. If your tires have been in use for 10 years, they are likely to wear out faster, and the rubber may age, leading to cracks or even sudden tire bursts. It is generally recommended that you replace the tires every 3-5 years or at 30,000-50,000 km.

According to the regulations of the Hong Kong Transport Department, tire treads must cover three-quarters of the tire width and encircle the entire circumference of the tire. The tread depth should be at least 1 mm. If the tread depth is less than 1 mm, you must replace the tire. Recent tire models have tread wear indicators to facilitate checking the tread depth.

One question commonly asked is whether you need to replace all four tires all at once. Generally speaking, although you can choose to replace only two tires, experts recommend replacing all four for better performance.

Proper tire usage can prolong the life of your tires. Here are four things that can make your tires last longer:

• Avoid rapid acceleration, turning, and braking
• Regularly (or approximately every 10,000 kilometers) perform wheel alignment to ensure even contact for all four tires
• Front tires wear out faster, so timely rotation of front and rear tires is recommended
• Apply tire protectant at least once a month to maintain rubber elasticity and prevent hardening or cracking

It may not be obvious, but tires do affect a car's fuel consumption. For example, the American automotive magazine Car and Driver conducted a test to assess the impact of different tires on fuel efficiency. They tested two sets of tires on a car–one set rated as the best "low-rolling-resistance tires" (lower tire resistance), and the other set rated as the worst tires.

According to the test results, there was a 5.7% difference in fuel efficiency between the two sets of tires, with an actual difference being 1.9 mpg (0.81 km per liter), which is quite significant. This proves that choosing better tires can save money in the long run.

Tires are an essential part of every vehicle, and you may assume they are covered by insurance. However, whether tire damage can be compensated for usually depends on whether the damage is due to natural wear and tear or an accident. Since car insurance is designed to provide coverage for accidents, tire wear is not typically covered. However, if the tire damage is caused by a traffic accident (assuming you have comprehensive coverage for your vehicle), and both the tire and other parts of the vehicle (e.g. front bumper) are damaged, your insurer will cover the cost of tire replacement. But if the tire is damaged by a nail on the road, you will be responsible for the repair costs.

The same applies to car theft. If your tires are stolen and you have purchased car theft insurance, the insurer will generally cover the cost of the new tires. Another example specific to Hong Kong is that although car insurance does not cover tire bursts, if your policy includes coverage for towing fees, you are likely to receive compensation for the towing expenses.

In all these examples, third-party liability insurance is not relevant. Therefore, purchasing comprehensive car insurance provides better coverage in these situations.