What tyres do I need?
Tyres connect you to the road, so choosing the right ones matters. Here is a plain guide to everything you need to decide, from the size to the season to the budget.
Start with the size
Everything you need is printed on the sidewall of the original equipment (OE) tyre: the tyre made for your car when it was built. If you bought the car second hand, the tyres on it may not be the right ones, so also check your handbook or the sticker on the door pillar or fuel flap. Our guide to what tyres fit my car shows where to look.
Some manufacturers mark approved tyres with a code: AO for Audi, MO for Mercedes, MO1 for AMG, N0 to N4 for Porsche, and a star for BMW. If your tyres carry one, fit the same.
The main markings, in order, are the width in millimetres, the aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of the width), the wheel diameter in inches, the load index (the most weight each tyre can carry) and the speed symbol. A lower aspect ratio usually means sharper cornering and a firmer ride. See how to read your tyre sidewall for the full guide.
You do not need a speed rating far above your car’s top speed. It will not make the car faster and it costs more, but never go below what the manufacturer specifies.
Choose the season
- Summer
- A harder compound for warm, dry and wet roads, with good braking, handling and grip. See summer tyres explained.
- Winter
- A softer, more flexible compound with special sipes for grip below 7°C in rain, snow or sleet. See winter tyres.
- All season
- A blend of both for year-round use without changing tyres. See all season tyres.
If you want peak performance in every season, a summer set and a winter set is the ideal. If you would rather not swap, all season tyres are a sensible all-rounder.
Check wet grip, noise and tread
The tyre label grades fuel efficiency and wet grip from A (best) down, and gives a noise figure in decibels. Wet grip matters in the UK: a better grade means a shorter stop on a wet road. See tyre labelling explained.
Make sure any tyre you buy is new enough to have plenty of tread. The legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but in the wet, tread at 3 mm or less can mean a real loss of grip.
Premium, mid-range, budget or part worn
- Premium
- Big-name brands: usually the most expensive, with extra grip, durability and quieter running. See premium tyres.
- Mid-range
- Popular with most drivers for good all-round performance and value. See mid-range tyres.
- Budget
- The cheapest new option. Fine if you do few miles, but they may need replacing more often. See budget tyres.
- Part worn
- A cheaper still option with real risks. Read are part worn tyres safe? first.
Some cars, such as models that require premium tyres, restrict your choice. Our guide to premium vs budget tyres explains the trade-offs.
Two tyres or four?
Some drivers replace tyres in pairs to spread the cost. If you do, fit the new pair on the rear axle, whichever wheels drive the car, so the best tread is at the back where grip matters for stability. Rotating tyres regularly helps avoid alignment problems.
For a 4x4 or SUV, choose tyres made for the extra weight and for how you drive. See 4x4 and SUV tyres.
Where to check you have the right tyre
Your handbook, the manufacturer, owners’ forums for your model, and the sticker on the door pillar or fuel flap all help. Or call us with your registration and the fitter will help you choose.