Choosing car tyres
Choosing the right tyres for your car will involve considering the amount of driving you do, the road conditions you are likely to encounter and of course your budget. As with most purchases, the quality of the product will depend on how much you can afford, but also with all purchases a little research can also go a long way to help you get the best value tyres for your money.
What factors are affected by tyre quality
The quality of your tyres will affect the performance of your car in several ways:-- Braking distances. A worn or poor quality tyre can affect your vehicles ability to stop safely and quickly under a variety of different road conditions. Worn tyres in particular are more likely to cause your car to skid because the lack of tread will significantly reduce the available grip and so your ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) if you have one, will have to work a lot harder. Even ABS will not be able to compensate for the fundamental lack of grip afforded by a badly worn set of tyres.
- Handling. Tyres are designed to provide grip on the road in all directions. If any one of your tyres is worn, incorrectly inflated or made from low grade materials it will have an impact on how well it grips the road when put under stress.
- Wet weather performance. The amount of tyre tread and the design of the tread pattern dictates how well the tyre will displace surface water in wet weather. The tyres ability to displace water is crucial because the more water the tyre can remove from the road surface, the better the grip.
- Fuel economy. How your tyres affect fuel economy is largely down to using keeping your tyres at the correct pressure for your vehicle. If your tyres are incorrectly inflated or have a tendency to lose pressure due to aging or poor quality valves, then they will present a larger rolling resistance to the road surface. This in turn means that your engine requires more energy and consequently more fuel to overcome this resistance.
New tyres, second hand tyres or re-moulds?
Generally new tyres are always the best option. Even a budget new tyre will give longer life and will perform better for longer than either second hand or a remolded tyre. A more expensive tyre is likely to have had more money invested in the design, manufacturing process and materials used; this is likely to be reflected in its overall performance.Second hand tyres can be a cost effective option as long as they still have a decent amount of tread on them. However there will always be an element of uncertainty as to how they have been treated by their previous owner, so be wary.
Re-moulds should be avoided. Their structural integrity is likely to be compromised by the fact that a new layer of rubber compound has been bonded to an older tyre. The rubber compound is also likely to be a lower grade, softer material and will probably wear out more quickly.
If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault, Car Call and our partners can help you get your vehicle repaired, organise a hire care for you, and even make an injury compensation claim on your behalf.
Car Call and our partners are specialists in managing all aspects of a road accident claim, and because we and our partners recover our costs from the at-fault drivers’ insurance company.
Call us now on 02392 484 244 for free help and advice from one of our experienced claims advisors.
No need to claim on your insurance
Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
No excess to pay
Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle
Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs
If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Legal Assistance
Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.
They issues they can assist you with include:
They issues they can assist you with include:
- Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
- Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
- Recovery of all repair costs
- Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
- Seeking financial compensation for an injury
