Tyres are one of the most safety critical elements of a vehicle. We stock one of the largest range of tyres in the KwaZulu-Natal region, and are affiliated to the best brands on the market. We buy in bulk in order for our customers to get the best possible deal. We specialise in light commercial and passenger tyres, but can also provide the best deals on truck, mining, and aircraft tyres. Whatever your requirement, give us a try.
- Manufacturer’s name or Brand name
- Model or Pattern Code
- Tyre Size, Nominal Section width(mm), Height to width aspect ratio, Rim diameter code
- Service description (Load Index + Speed Symbol)
- ECE R30 Conformity Approval Number
- EEC Noise Approval Number
- USA Dept of Transport Manufacturer’s code
- Date of Manufacture
- USA UTQG Quality Grades
- USA Maximum Tyre Loading
- USA Maximum Tyre Inflation Pressure
- Denotes Tubeless Construction
- Safety Warning
- Direction of Rotation [Directional Tyres only]
- Outer (Inner) sidewall [Asymmetric Tyres Only]
- Extra Load: Denotes higher load capacity than standard tyre.
- Reinforced” is an alternative marking to “Extra Load”
- Tread Wear Indicators – raised areas at the base of the tread grooves to serve as a visual warning of when the tyre is approaching or at the minimum legal limit.
When it comes to buying a new set of tyres for your car, the driving factor behind your decision making may be price. We fit tyres to suit all budgets and driving conditions, but to really understand why we recommend premium brands such as Goodyear and Dunlop we will explain the difference between budget and premium tyres.
Budget Tyres
Economically priced budget tyres come with a more modest price tag compared to their premium counterparts. Legal standards mandate that they adhere to a minimum set of safety requirements during manufacturing. While this ensures a baseline level of safety, the lower cost is often a result of using materials that may wear down more swiftly. Consequently, this can lead to the need for more frequent replacements, potentially offsetting the initial cost savings and making them less economically advantageous in the long run.
Premium Tyres
Premium tyres are crafted by renowned manufacturers and often command a higher price compared to their budget counterparts. This elevated cost mirrors the extensive research, utilization of top-tier materials, and rigorous testing inherent in the production of each tyre. In a fiercely competitive market, manufacturers continually strive to enhance and innovate within their premium tyre lines, ensuring that consumers receive cutting-edge products that deliver superior performance and safety. The commitment to excellence and ongoing refinement in premium tyre manufacturing underlines their status as a top-tier choice for those seeking optimal quality and reliability on the road.
When you buy a brand-new vehicle straight out of the factory, the tyres fitted on the assembly line are called original equipment tyres. These tyres are chosen by the manufacturer for each make and model of vehicle and they are rigorously tested to meet the strictest performance and safety standards.
You may see premium tyre brand Goodyear on a Ford Focus or Continental on a Mercendez-Benz Sprinter. The tyres and the vehicle are designed together, so continuing to use original equipment tyres will maintain the optimised driving performance the manufacturer intended.
Run-flat tyres are a type of vehicle tyre designed to allow a vehicle to continue being driven for a short distance even after experiencing a loss of air pressure. Unlike traditional tyres, run-flat tyres are constructed with reinforced sidewalls that can support the weight of the vehicle, even when there is a significant loss of air.
Here are key features and aspects of run-flat tyres:
Reinforced Sidewalls
The sidewalls of run-flat tyres are made with reinforced materials, such as additional layers of rubber or other supportive structures. This reinforcement allows the tyre to maintain its shape and support the vehicle’s weight when air pressure is lost.
Limited Driving Distance
While run-flat tyres enable you to continue driving after a puncture or loss of air pressure, they are not designed for unlimited distances. Typically, run-flat tyres allow you to drive for a limited distance at a reduced speed (usually up to 50 miles or 80 kilometers) to reach a repair facility or a safe location.
TPMS (tyre Pressure Monitoring System)
Many vehicles equipped with run-flat tyres also have a tyre Pressure Monitoring System. This system alerts the driver when a tyre loses pressure, providing early warning of potential issues.
No Spare tyre Needed
Run-flat tyres eliminate the need for a spare tyre and the associated tools. This helps reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, contributing to fuel efficiency.
Compatibility with Some Vehicles
Run-flat tyres are commonly used in vehicles without a spare tyre well or those where space is limited, making them a practical choice for certain models.
Specialised Design
The construction of run-flat tyres may differ from conventional tyres. Drivers considering these tyres should ensure compatibility with their vehicle and understand the specific recommendations provided by the tyre manufacturer.
Ride Comfort
Some drivers find that run-flat tyres can provide a slightly firmer ride compared to traditional tyres due to their reinforced construction. However, advancements in tyre technology aim to minimize this difference.
It’s important to note that run-flat tyres are not a universal solution, and their effectiveness can vary based on factors such as driving conditions, the severity of the puncture, and the speed of the vehicle. As with any tyre, regular maintenance and periodic checks are crucial for optimal performance and safety.
Can you fit run flat tyres to any car?
You should only fit run flat tyres on cars specifically equipped for them, there are a couple reasons for this:
Suspension – the car’s suspension is softer to compensate for the hardness of the tyres. The car will handle differently if regular tyres are fitted and that can cause serious safety concerns.
Tyre pressure – cars designed for flat run tyres have an in-built tyre-pressure monitoring system to let you know if a puncture occurs.
Fuel Efficiency
Tyres account for up to 20% of your vehicle’s fuel consumption, so choosing tyres with high fuel efficiency means less CO2 in the atmosphere and more miles from your fuel tank.
Fuel efficiency is graded A-E with A being the highest fuel efficiency rating and E the lowest.
Wet Grip
Tyres with a high wet grip will find it easier to stop quickly on wet roads when the brakes are applied. Wet grip is also graded from A-E with A being the highest rating and E the lowest.
If you take a closer look at the tread pattern on each tyre you will see they can be very different, with each tread pattern covering a unique collection of channels, grooves and sipes that provide traction, grip and aquaplane resistance. To know which tread patten is right for your tyre it is important to know the difference between the three tyre tread categories: asymmetric, directional, and multi-directional.
Asymmetric Tread Patterns
Asymmetric tyres mix two different tread patterns on the outer and inner edge of the tyre. The outside edge provides good dry traction while the inside edge provides better wet grip, this means that asymmetric tyres perform well all year round.
Directional Tread Patterns
Directional tyres usually have an arrowhead-like pattern designed to rotate in a single direction. This pattern provides excellent wet weather performance and good directional stability, making them perform well on snow covered roads too.
Multi-directional Tread Patterns
Multi-directional tyres feature a tread block that is the same on the outside and inner side of the tyre which means they can be fitted at any position on the vehicle without loss of performance. This type of tyre tends to be less expensive due to the simpler design, but it also means it is not able to adapt to change as well as the other tread patterns.
Caution You should never mix and match tyre tread patterns. All tyres need to be the same to ensure they work optimally together.
Tread Pattern Noise
The design of your tyre’s tread pattern plays a crucial role. Asymmetric or directional tread patterns may generate less noise compared to aggressive, blocky patterns.
Wear-Related Noise
As tyres wear down, the noise level can increase. Regularly check your tyre tread depth and replace tyres when necessary.
Low-Noise Tyres
When purchasing new tyres, consider models known for their low noise levels. Manufacturers often provide information on noise ratings, usually depicted by soundwave symbols on the tyre label.
Maintain Proper Tyre Inflation
Underinflated or overinflated tyres can increase noise levels. Regularly check and maintain the recommended tyre pressure, as specified in your vehicle’s manual or on the door jamb.
Balance and Alignment
Ensure your tyres are properly balanced and aligned. Imbalances or misalignments can lead to uneven tyre wear, causing increased noise.
Rotate Your Tyres
Regular tyre rotation promotes even wear and extends the lifespan of your tyres. Unevenly worn tyres are more likely to produce noise.
Road Surfaces
Different road surfaces can influence tyre noise. Rough or coarse road textures tend to amplify noise, while smoother surfaces may result in a quieter ride.
Wear Inspection
Inspect tyres regularly for abnormal wear or damage.
To ensure maximum tire life and safety, give your tyres a visual inspection at least once a month and before long trips. This is easily done at the same time you check pressures.
Look for:
- Excessive or uneven tread wear, which may indicate improper inflation or steering and suspension misalignment;
- Cracks or bulges on the sidewalls or tread;
- Chunking of the tread or any indication of tread separation from the carcass;
- Signs of puncture, or nails, screws, glass, pieces of stone or any foreign object imbedded in the tire.
If you detect any of these conditions, take the vehicle in for further diagnosis immediately. In most cases, punctures can be repaired if their size is not excessive.
In general, external “plugs” are not recommended. Repairs should be made from the inside, and a complete inspection made while the tyre is off the rim. Sealing compounds and other emergency aids should be treated only as a means of moving the vehicle to a safe location for repair.
If abnormal tyre pressure loss occurs, check the valve stems for leakage, as well as the tire itself.
Install tyres in matched pairs or complete sets.
Installing different tyres on the left and right sides can significantly upset the handling balance of a vehicle—not to mention its ABS operation. For that reason, it is imperative that tyres be installed in front or rear pairs, or complete sets.
Those pairs should be the same construction, size, brand and type, with approximately the same tread wear. In most cases, if you have to buy one new tyre, you should buy a pair. It is essential that side-to-side pairs be the same and highly desirable that front and rear pairs also be matched, except in cases such as high-performance cars with larger tyres in the rear.
If you replace only two, the new tyres should generally go on the rear wheels, regardless of whether the vehicle is FWD, RWD, or AWD. It is important to maintain maximum traction at the rear wheels to ensure stability. Putting new tyres on the front and nearly worn-out tyres on the rear wheels of any vehicle is a recipe for instability. It is thus very important to avoid dramatic differences in tread wear, front-to-rear.
Under no circumstances should you have tyres of different construction (radial and bias ply) or different classification (all-season and winter) on opposite ends or sides, since handling can be adversely affected.
Replacement
Replace tyres when required.
Your vehicle’s tyres should be replaced if:
- Any portion of the tread is worn to the “wear indicator bars”—lateral bars moulded into the tire grooves at about 20 percent of their new tread depth—or to a depth, as measured in a groove, of 1mm or less.
- Tread wear is severely uneven (in which case have the wheel alignment checked) or the centre is worn much more than the edges (be more vigilant about tyre pressures).
- The tyre sidewalls are severely cracked or there are bulges anywhere on the tyre.
- There is any indication of tread separation from the tyre carcass.
- The tyre has been punctured and cannot be satisfactorily repaired.
Select the right tyres for your vehicle and driving environment.
Recent improvements in “all-season” tyres have substantially advanced the concept of one-tyre-for-all-needs. On the other hand, more specialised tyres than ever are now available for high performance, rain, snow, ice, off-road and touring. Some are even uni-directional, “run-flat” and even “green.”
Most drivers are happy just to know they have “all-season” tyres, and that is the way most new vehicles are equipped. These are a benign compromise, sacrificing exceptional capability in any one area of performance for acceptable capability in all.
Within that premise, however, there are huge variations in actual performance. Unfortunately, factors that improve one tyre characteristic tend to diminish another. For example:
- A hard tread compound may enhance tread life and fuel economy but detract from both wet and dry traction;
- Short, stiff sidewall construction may enhance cornering power and directional stability but detract from ride quality;
- A wide tread with minimal grooving may enhance dry grip but detract from traction in wet and snowy conditions;
- An aggressive, open tread may enhance snow traction but aggravate tyre noise and sacrifice tread life on pavement.
In addition to dry asphalt, tires may be expected to function on mud, snow, ice, sand or gravel, in temperatures from above 60°C to below 4°C. You get some idea of the multiple tradeoffs designers have to make.
Just consider that exceptional virtues are probably achieved at the expense of others. Determine what your primary needs are, and narrow your choices accordingly. Then, if possible, drive a similar vehicle equipped with the tyres you are considering.
Tyre Rotation
Rotate tyres every 10000 km or according to the owner’s manual.
Tire rotation is essential to achieve even tread wear and maximum tread life. On front-wheel-drive cars, for example, most of the braking, steering and driving forces are carried by the front tires, which inevitably wear much faster.
A “cross-rotation pattern”—that is, moving the left-front tire to the right-rear axle, the right-front tire to the left-rear axle, etc.—can best balance tread wear and maximise tire life. That sequence can be performed on any vehicle equipped with four non-unidirectional tires. Designated by an arrow on the sidewall, unidirectional tires must be rotated only front to rear and rear to front, on the same side of the vehicle, so their direction of revolution does not change.
All-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles are best suited to a lateral rotation—left to right and right to left—at the same end of the vehicle.
Wheel Balance
Maintain tyres in proper balance.
Out-of-balance tyres can not only cause uneven tread wear and an uncomfortable ride but also excessive wear on the suspension and other components. An out-of-balance tyre can be detected by a severe thumping, usually most pronounced at highway speeds.
If such a condition occurs, have your tires dynamically balanced as soon as possible. An experienced technician can usually determine which tyre is out-of-balance by driving the car.
Tyre balancing involves placing weights in appropriate places on the bead or inner circumference of the wheel. Tyres should always be balanced when first installed, and whenever they are remounted.
Wheel Alignment
Maintain steering and suspension in proper alignment.
Misalignment of the steering and suspension, either front or rear, cannot only adversely affect the steering feel and stability of a vehicle, but also cause rapid and uneven tyre wear. If not corrected, this misalignment can ruin a tyre in a short time and distance.
If you feel the steering “pulling” in one direction or another when traveling straight ahead on a flat road with no crosswind, or if you notice uneven wear on the tyres, particularly front tyres, you should have the alignment checked and adjusted as soon as possible.
Alignment should also be checked after a vehicle has been involved in a collision or if it is used continuously on rough roads, particularly those with large potholes.
Avoid Overloading
Never overload a tyre.
Overloading is the second leading cause of tyre failure, next to underinflation.
All tires are designed to operate within a maximum load range designated by a code on the tire sidewall. Exceeding this can result in both excessive wear and reduced tyre life due to structural damage, including the potential for sudden failure.
In most vehicles, the maximum passenger and cargo load for which the vehicle and tires are designed is printed on the same label that designates recommended tyre pressures. That load, particularly in the case of trucks and SUVs, may be substantially less than the vehicle is physically able to contain. It is critical that the maximum allowable load never be exceeded.
When determining the actual load in your vehicle, don’t overlook the tongue-weight of a trailer if you are trailer towing, since it also acts directly on the vehicle’s tyres.
Avoid Overheating
Avoid overheating tyres.
Heat, like load, is the enemy of tyre life. The higher the heat it is subjected to, the shorter the tyre’s life—in terms of both tread wear and structural resistance.
High speeds, high loads, underinflation, coarse pavement or concrete, and aggressive driving, including high cornering loads and hard braking, all contribute to high tyre temperatures. Combined with high ambient temperatures and continuous use, they can create extreme circumstances and cause sudden tyre failure.
To maximise tyre life and safety, therefore, it is important to minimise the simultaneous occurrence of such conditions. Be particularly vigilant at high temperatures and adjust your driving style to consider its effect on tyre life and performance.
How long can I drive on a flat tyre?
Run-flat tyres are designed to allow you to drive for a limited distance after a puncture. However, it’s recommended to replace or repair the tyre as soon as possible. Non-run-flat tyres should not be driven on when flat.
Do I need to replace all 4 tyres?
In general, it is recommended to replace all four tyres at the same time for optimal performance, safety, and handling. However, there are specific situations where replacing only two tyres (either front or rear) may be acceptable:
Tyre Tread Depth
If the remaining tread depth on the two unaffected tyres is very close to that of the new tyres, it may be acceptable to replace only the damaged or worn tyres.
Type of Drivetrain
For vehicles with front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, it is often acceptable to replace only the tyres on one axle (front or rear) if the other axle’s tyres are still in good condition. However, for all-wheel-drive (AWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles, it is generally recommended to replace all four tyres to ensure even traction and prevent strain on the drivetrain components.
Tyre Age
If the tyres on your vehicle are relatively new and have not experienced significant wear, replacing only the damaged or worn tyres may be acceptable. However, factors such as exposure to sunlight and environmental conditions can contribute to tyre aging, even with minimal use.
Tyre Matching
Whenever possible, it’s advisable to use tyres of the same brand, model, and size on all four wheels to maintain uniform handling characteristics.
Manufacturer Recommendations
Consult your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations and guidelines. Some manufacturers may specify whether it is acceptable to replace only two tyres in certain situations.
Professional Assessment
Seek the advice of a qualified tyre professional or a mechanic to assess the condition of your tyres and provide guidance on whether it is suitable to replace only a pair of tyres.
It’s crucial to consider the potential impact on vehicle stability, handling, and safety when deciding whether to replace all four tyres or only a pair. Mismatched tyres with significant variations in tread depth can lead to imbalances, affecting traction and handling. If in doubt, it’s generally safer to replace all four tyres at once. Always follow the recommendations in your vehicle’s owner’s manual and consult with a professional if you have any concerns.
TyreLab is the largest independent stockist of tyres in KwaZulu-Natal.
We pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled service, unmatched expertise, and, of course, competitive pricing.
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