The benefit of driving aids is no longer in doubt. They simplify the life of today’s motorist by ensuring in particular that they correct slipping and manage traction on roads with a low coefficient of grip. But their effectiveness is largely dependent on the quality of the tires.
The performance of tires takes a back seat to that of vehicles and their technological enhancement generally goes unnoticed. We ask them to be safe and not wear out too quickly. In short, we are interested in it by default.
A tire is bought without joy. We only remember the price it costs us. This commoditization of the tire represents a boon for brands that “arrived from nowhere”, often less efficient, but cheaper, lament the big brands who struggle to communicate their technological advances.
This way of considering tires in a distanced manner, to say the least, remains dominant in the minds of many consumers. For them, the price and the pictogram illustrating a mountain and a snowflake are proof of everything. Failing to show a greater passion for tires, owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are taking a closer interest in them. It must be said that the particularities specific to an EV (weight, performance, energy efficiency, drive mode sometimes limited to the rear wheels only) contribute to this. And to be honest, manufacturers are not unhappy that the essential influence of “rubber washers” on the behavior of a car and the safety of its occupants is thus reminded.
Before the smell of rubber hits your nose, take a moment to define your use and your criteria.
Then give the dealer a call. Car manufacturers approve tires for each of their vehicles. This is a first step to follow to find the brand or model of tire most likely to correspond to the configuration, weight and settings of the driving aids specific to your vehicle.
But don’t stop your search here. Other brands may produce tires better suited to your criteria. Hence the importance of asking questions. A lot of questions. Because, regardless of the brand or model, a tire, whatever it is, always represents a compromise. Some excel on ice, others on snow. It is important to correctly define your needs and the use you will make of the tires before purchasing them.
A good advisor will be able to help you in your choice. In this regard, favor specialized and multi-brand dealers in order to get a better idea of the latest technological changes. They are generally more objective than single retailers and more knowledgeable than some big box stores.
