Before I learnt to drive I literally had no interest in cars or, if I’m honest, even how to drive them. I only took lessons because I was pregnant and the idea of having to haul a pram on a bus became the less desirable option. Driving just has never been ‘my thing’ and even since passing my test all those years ago I still don’t really like it. There’s too much that could go wrong, too many other drivers that could cause hazards, and too many bits and pieces on the car that need attention. But the thing is- hiding your head in the sand is never a good idea, no matter what you’re hiding from. It’s a little cliche but knowledge really is power.
After suffering a burst tyre on a lonely country road and relying on the kindness of a stranger to change it for me so that I could make the 100 mile trip home (with two small children in the back), I decided enough was enough. I needed to learn more about my car, and how to stay safe. All of this is to say: there are other things worth learning about when you take your driving test. It’s not just about how to manoeuvre the vehicle, its about keeping it safe and working optimally too. Here are three tips to follow when it comes to choosing car tyres that will keep your car running efficiently.

Do your research
You’re not the expert, so don’t try to be. Unless you have a serious interest and thirst for knowledge of course. There are plenty of tyre experts out there ready and willing to help you choose the right tyres for you car, so don’t sweat it if you really don’t have the time nor inclination to learn for yourself. But that said, it’s worth having at least some knowledge of what you’re doing so a little research never hurts. Get online, talk to friends, hell- check out a library book! There’s no excuse for not knowing at least a smidgeon about how effective the right tyres are for helping to keep your car running smoothly.
If you want to get your tyres online then check out Jet Wheel Tyre– their website has a simple and handy tool to help you find the perfect match for your vehicle and resources like this can be invaluable if you’re short on time.
Be prepared to invest in your tyres
It doesn’t always pay to go for the cheapest option, and in my opinion when it comes to car tyres it’s always worth remembering that you get what you pay for. I would much rather spend a little more on a decent tyre that I know will last longer and be able to withstand the pressures of driving on modern- and not so modern- roads. That blown out tyre I mentioned previously? Driving along a winding, pot-hole laden country road in Essex, I truly believed I was safe and sound in my car. I was in a big car, for goodness sake. I was safe in my vehicle… until I wasn’t. You never know when you’re going to need a change of tyre or when you’re going to need the reassurance of a decent knowledge of them too- and this experience is testament to that.
I was lucky not to have to have called for roadside assistance and even more lucky that I had a spare tyre ready to go. Luckier even still that the man who stopped was a) a nice man and b) able to change my tyre free of charge. I was then ultimately more lucky that my common sense prevented me from scrimping on my replacement tyre the next day. I spent what was at the time a fortune on a new tyre but it was worth it. Invest in your tyres, invest in your safety.
Make decent car tyres a priority
Your own and your family’s safety should always be a priority. You lock your doors at night, you use stair gates and cupboard latches. You close windows, you use zebra crossings… and so making sure your car tyres are safe should be just as much a priority too.
Check them regularly. Change them when they need changing. Invest in decent quality tyres. Hire professionals to help you choose and fit them. Don’t drive around in a car that is not safe- especially when there’s so much at stake with your precious cargo each time you ‘nip to the supermarket’ or head off on the school run. Decent car tyres are a priority, not a second thought and realising this is vital to ensuring you and your passengers enjoy safe and efficient road trips for many more years to come.