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  • Writer's pictureReading Tyres

Performance Tyres or Regular Tyres: Which one to Buy?

Hi car owners! Most of us buy a vehicle just to travel from one place to another. But a few have a passion for vehicles. They like to experiment and also drive at high speed. It is like an adventure in a short time. The adrenaline rush that you feel from such a drive is incomparable. But it should all be under proper supervision and a good set of tyres.


You may have heard of performance tyres. They are not the regular set of tyres you use to go from home to the office or market and back. For that purpose, there are all-season tyres. Confused about all this? Don’t worry we will explain in detail the difference between these two for you. The Tyres Reading differ for the two sets. The three-digit number is the width of the tyre. Then the symbol P or LT or others have specific full forms like passenger or SUV and so on. These readings also help differentiate the purpose of the wheels.


The tyre readings also have many other things specified on them. Like sidewall height has been specified on the side wall itself. The type of tyre construction has been specified, like R for radial and more. The size of the wheel it is compatible is also specified. This must be properly checked and the tyre must be fitted according to this minute detail. Tyre load is also specified. This is essential for tow trucks or load-bearing trucks.


If you use a pickup for some sort of delivery business, make sure to check this before you install a new set of wheels. Next is the speed rating, specifying the highest speed you can attain on these wheels. The date of manufacture is also written. This will help you determine when the set will need a change so that you can plan. Sometimes the ideal tyre pressure is also written on the sidewalls.


The standard tyres used in most cars are all-season tyres. These tyres work well in all weather. They can bear mild winters and mild summers, but yes not for extreme hot or cold weather. All-season tyres are best for city-driven cars. They come with a good grip for daily use. The rubber used to make these tyres stays good for a long time, the grip is not compromised. The tread is ideal for all conditions. The gap has been designed to repel water in light rain.


So it is safe to drive on these wheels even if it is raining in town. They also help to absorb any type of jerk due to the bump in the road. They are relatively silent to drive.

While the performance tyres have been specially designed for high-speed driving. It can be a sports car or your regular car. These tyres offer great handling and enhanced traction even at high speed.


Here are a few points to know about the performance tyres:

  • Superb grip: The performance tyres are made of special soft rubber. They are softer than the regular tyres and have a better grip on the road. The pattern on the tread is such that there are fewer gaps and big chunks to hold onto the road. They have a larger area for contact. This helps pick up speed faster. Acceleration and braking response is faster as compared to the other tyres.

  • High response to steering: The design of these tyres is such that you can take sharp turns on these tyres and there will be less fear of skidding. They have short sidewalls so the tyre is quite flat as compared to the regular tyres.

  • High-speed driving: These tyres have been specially designed to hold tight even when you drive fast. The compounds mixed with rubber are such that the heat generated at high speed is dissipated faster. Though, check for Performance Tyres Reading for the highest speed to be attained on these tyres. It is written on the side walls of the tyres.

  • The performance tyres are not meant for off-road trips. They can easily get punctured or even burst due to a sharp object. It will be difficult to replace these tyres if there is a puncture on your trip. You will need professional help that may not be available everywhere you go for an adventure trip.

  • Professional handling: these performance tyres can be fitted only by professionals. They require special equipment to be installed. They will need more check-ups and also more replacements than the normal tyres.

However, the use of these tyres will reduce the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. They are a little too noisy on the road. Also, they wear off sooner than the regular set of tyres. Never drive a car having performance tyres too fast on a rainy day. The tread pattern on these tyres is not meant to ward off any water. They have huge chunks to hold on to the road firmly.


Do keep in mind to take note of the tyre readings before the purchase of your next set of tyres. Determine the purpose of use and then only decide which ones you need. Performance tyres are not good for daily commutes just like regular tyres are not good for high-speed driving.

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