Even V8 Supercar drivers can be stymied by the decision between grip and wear, but a ranking code on the rubber can help consumers decide.
Terry Smith has just blown the whistle on some secret tyre business.
Actually, it's not all that secret, but the Australian importer for Cooper Tyres has unlocked a code on every tyre, and it could be the key to getting the best grip and the best value for every tyre you buy.
Most people consider new tyres a grudge purchase, replacing them only when they are bald and useless, but it does not have to be that way.
The round, black hoops are never going to be as sexy or appealing as a bottle of perfume or a trip to the movies, but knowing the code can make it surprisingly interesting to see what you get for your money.
And, for once, we have the US to thank. Under its consumer rules, every tyre sold must have stamped rankings for tread wear, traction and temperature. And that means almost every new tyre sold in Australia also has the rankings. But how does it work?
The tread-wear ranking is a genuine reflection of how a tyre will last, compared with a “standard” tyre with a ranking of 100.
Tyres are tested over a set 640km course for 11,520km, then given a comparative number.
So a tyre with a 200 ranking is twice as good as the base tyre, and so on.
For traction, or grip, the rankings are based on stopping power on a wet road. That's a good reflection of the softness of the rubber and its cornering power, with rankings from a basic C through to AA.
For temperature, important for wear and grip, the rankings are A, B or C based on the tyre's resistance to heat and thus its ability to avoid blowouts.
“Once you know these rankings, and where to find them on the tyre, you can learn a lot about the tyres on your car,” Smith says. “They also allow you to make a genuinely informed choice when you go shopping for tyres.
“If you want maximum wear, go for the highest tread-wear number. If you want ultimate grip, you need an AA traction tyre.”
Most people will be somewhere between the extremes, but unlocking this code is so simple.
