Podcast Summary
Car Tires Selection: Understanding the differences and benefits of various car tire brands, from budget to premium, is crucial for informed purchasing decisions. Consider factors like grip, lifetime, and labeling accuracy when choosing between mid-range, Chinese, and premium brands.
Making informed decisions about products, whether it's financial education tools like Greenlight or everyday items like car tires, requires understanding the differences and benefits of various options. In the case of car tires, there are a range of brands from budget to premium, each with their unique features. Our experts, Gemma Hatton, a Formula 1 tire engineer, and Jonathan Benson, the founder of tirereviews.com, explained that household names like Bridgestone, Continental, and Michelin offer premium tires, while mid-range brands like Falcon, Kumo, and Maxis provide good value for money. Additionally, there are about 250 Chinese tire brands, some of which offer acceptable performance at lower prices. The choice between budget, mid-range, and premium tires depends on individual needs, driving habits, and budget. It's essential to consider factors like grip, lifetime, and accuracy of labeling when deciding which tires to invest in.
Tire performance evaluation: Tire performance is evaluated based on rolling resistance, wet grip, and noise. Premium tires offer better rolling resistance and other features, while budget tires focus on rolling resistance at the expense of other aspects. An average driver could save up to 8% on fuel consumption by choosing a tire with lower rolling resistance.
When it comes to tires, there are thousands of different options with varying price points and performance ratings. The most popular tire size in the UK is around £90 for high-end tires and £40 for budget options. Tire performance is evaluated based on three key areas: rolling resistance, wet grip, and noise. Rolling resistance is essentially the tire's resistance to friction as it rolls on the road, which impacts fuel efficiency. A tire's material and structure primarily determine its rolling resistance. Premium tires, which cost more, generally have better rolling resistance and other performance features, but budget tires may focus solely on rolling resistance at the expense of other aspects like wet grip and handling. An average driver in a 1.4 liter Golf, traveling 10,000 miles a year, could save around 8% in fuel consumption by choosing a tire with lower rolling resistance.
Premium tires cost savings: Driving 10,000 miles a year, a driver could save around £300 by choosing a premium tire over a budget one due to longer lifespan and better fuel efficiency, despite the initial higher price tag.
Investing in premium tires can lead to significant cost savings in the long run, despite the initial higher price tag. According to the discussion, a driver covering 10,000 miles a year could save around £300 across the life of a tire by choosing a premium tire over a budget one. Additionally, premium tires often offer better wet grip, leading to improved safety and potentially shorter stopping distances. However, it's important to note that other factors like tire inflation, wheel alignment, driving style, and car aerodynamics also impact fuel economy and tire performance. While manufacturers conduct testing to determine tire ratings, it's unclear how reliable these labels are, and insurers do not consider wet grip ratings when calculating insurance premiums. Ultimately, the decision to invest in premium tires comes down to weighing the potential safety benefits against the upfront cost and other factors.
Driving conditions and tire choice: Choose premium tires for heavy loads, high power cars, extreme winter conditions, or quiet operation. All-season tires are sufficient for low load applications and mild driving conditions. Specialized tires offer optimal performance in extreme environments.
The choice between budget and premium tires depends on the specific driving conditions and application. For those who frequently drive with heavy loads or high power cars, or in areas with extreme winter conditions, investing in premium tires with better grip and performance is recommended. Conversely, for low load applications and mild driving conditions, all-season tires may suffice. Regarding the debate on all-season versus summer and winter sets, having specialized tires for extreme environments is ideal for optimal performance. Lastly, while some may not prioritize tire noise, the shift towards more electrified vehicles means that the absence of engine noise may make tire noise more noticeable. Premium tires are generally quieter than budget ones for those who prioritize this factor.
Tire noise and eco-friendliness in EVs: Manufacturers can manipulate tire noise levels to achieve lower EU labels, resulting in potentially noisier tires for consumers. EV-specific tires offer better performance but focus on eco-friendliness during manufacturing, while ongoing research aims to minimize tire particle shedding.
While the EU label for tires focuses on tire noise pollution to the external environment, manufacturers can direct some noise into the vehicle to achieve a lower label score. This means a tire with a lower label score may be slightly noisier inside. In the world of motorsport, external noise is not a concern, with the louder the better being the preference. When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), they tend to be heavier than internal combustion engine cars, leading some manufacturers to create EV-specific tire ranges, while others make their entire tire range applicable to EVs. An EV-specific tire may offer better performance, but it's essential to note that the focus on eco-friendliness in tires is more about the manufacturing process, such as using green electricity and tire recycling, rather than the rubber itself. Tire particles are a significant source of pollution, and while some "green" or "eco" tires focus on reducing rolling resistance, increasing fuel efficiency, and extending tire life, there is ongoing research into using alternative materials and manufacturing methods to minimize tire particle shedding. A startup company is even developing a device to collect tire particles to prevent them from entering water streams. Despite these advancements, creating tires that generate minimal particle shedding while maintaining performance remains a significant technical challenge.
Tire emissions and regulations: The EU is considering labeling tires based on particle emissions to provide a more accurate measure of their environmental impact, while responsible driving and retreaded tires are also important for reducing tire emissions.
Reducing tire emissions and improving their environmental impact is a complex issue. Tire manufacturers are exploring alternative materials and longer-lasting compounds, but tire wear and emissions vary significantly depending on the specific compound and starting tread depth. Regarding tire regulations, the EU is considering labeling tires based on their particle emissions, which could provide a more accurate measure of their environmental impact. However, driving safely and avoiding excessive wear through heavy braking is also crucial for minimizing tire emissions. Retreaded tires can be effective for commercial applications, but they may not perform as well as new tires for personal cars. Partly worn tires can be cheaper, but their quality and safety depend on why they were removed from their original vehicles. Overall, a combination of technological innovation, responsible driving, and regulatory oversight is necessary to address tire emissions and promote more sustainable tire production and use.
Tire Investment: Investing in premium tires can provide better safety, driving experience, and potentially save money in the long run despite the initial higher cost.
While the price is a significant factor when choosing tires, investing in premium tires can provide better safety, driving experience, and potentially save money in the long run. Despite the initial higher cost, premium tires offer superior grip, longer tread life, and better durability. The lower price of budget tires may seem appealing, but they often result in compromises and higher total cost of ownership due to shorter lifespan and increased safety risks. Ultimately, the decision between budget and premium tires depends on individual circumstances, driving habits, and priorities.
Tire design compromise: As tires become more energy-efficient, they may become more susceptible to damage from sidewall pinches or strikes, which is a trade-off in tire design
As tires become more energy-efficient with lower rolling resistance, they may become more susceptible to damage from sidewall pinches or strikes. This is a compromise in tire design, as reducing rolling resistance always comes at the cost of something else. If you have a product you'd like me to investigate on "Slice Bread," please send it to sliced.red@bbc.co.uk or leave a voice note on WhatsApp at 07543306 807. In the next episode, I'll be exploring the environmental impact and potential benefits of monthly contact lenses versus daily ones, and whether it's worth the extra cost for lenses that promise better UV protection or eye hydration. Stay tuned! "Slice Bread" is written and presented by me, Greg Foote, and produced by Simon Hoban. Our science AP is Emma Salkeld, and today's studio manager was Kelly Young. "Slice Bread" is a BBC audio north production for BBC Radio 4. In other news, a new satirical thriller, "Money Gone," explores what happens when no one can access their money during a crisis. Listen to "Money Gone" on BBC Sounds. Lastly, join Graeme Claass, host of "Technically Speaking," an Intel podcast, for season 2 as he explores the future of technology and its impact on various industries, from medicine to entertainment. Listen to "Technically Speaking" on the Iheartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.