Many people have no problem buying cheap tires. Logically, they should lack a certain quality compared to more expensive brands.
But according to Consumer Reports (@consumerreports), a magazine that provides information and advice on consumer products and services, some cheaper tires perform better than most people think.
In a short video, Ryan Pszczolkowski, Tire Program Manager at Consumer Reportsdebunks five tire myths after testing “over 40 tire models per year.” These tests have shown that some cheaper options “perform just as well, if not better, than some of the more expensive tires.”
Here are some key takeaways to look out for.
Which tire brand is the best?
Car Talk has named Michelin Tires the winner of the 2024 Golden Wrench Award for Best Overall Tire Brand. According to the website, the brand is known for technological innovation, high quality and environmental focus. Michelin tires’ characteristics include low-temperature flexibility, high performance, superior handling and wet braking performance.
The mechanics at Accurate Auto, a car repair shop with many followers on TikTok, also chose Michelin as the best tire because of its “better quality” and “better traction.”
Consumer Reports takes a more nuanced approach, offering a list of ratings with multiple recommendations, but the magazine lists BFGoodrich and Continental as the best in several areas.
Do cheap tires perform as well as expensive tires?
Although price is the primary concern for most people, Consumer Reports suggests that tire life is more important. For example, the Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus, which costs $100 per tire, lasts nearly twice as long as the more expensive Kumho Solus TA11, which costs $108 per tire.
Additionally, Consumer Reports explains that value varies from category to category. Tires are designed for specific purposes, but those purposes can also increase wear. So a tire may have more features and a higher price, but a high-performance tire will also wear out faster and cost more per mile than a cheaper, less specialized tire.
Tire dealer Burt Brothers also advises its customers not to assume that a more expensive tire is automatically better. Instead, the focus when buying tires should be on “quality, not price.”
Some of the cheaper brands are actually subsidiaries of larger, more well-known brands. Like Riken, which is owned by Michelin. These tires are cheaper because their technology is a bit outdated and they are less marketed. However, they perform just as well as mid-range tires from well-known brands.
According to Burt Brothers, car owners should avoid buying the most expensive and the cheapest tires. The cheapest tires are “made from inferior rubber, which can affect braking distance,” while “the expensive tires rarely offer good value for money, meaning you’re paying for more than you need.”
Like Goldilocks, the answer lies somewhere in the middle, with mid-range tires “offering the best value for non-niche drivers.” So when you’re shopping for new tires, don’t use price as a gauge of quality. Check the three ratings of a tire (temperature, tread and traction) and compare them to your needs.
Which tire brand do viewers think is the best?
Several users argued that premium tire brands were a better investment.
“Michelin Defender LTX for my Sierra. Quiet and grippy. Not cheap but don’t skimp on the tires. Just the part of the vehicle that touches the road,” said one user.
“I tell my kids that good tires are worth every penny,” agreed a second.
“BFGoodrich and Michelin are some of the best you can get,” added another.
“Cheap tires are cheap for a reason… for me it’s a clear decision,” said a fourth.
Others, however, noted that cheaper brands offer their own advantages.
“Tire technology has advanced to the point where cheaper tires are no longer ‘dangerous’ or actually worse than the more expensive ones,” said one user.
“Cheaper tires often use coarser rubber that lasts longer and has better stopping power. Expensive tires may have a low tread depth,” one user explained.
@consumerreports The cheaper the tire, the worse it performs?! Not so fast – here are common tire myths debunked by Ryan Pszczolkowski, Tire Program Manager at CR. Check out our expert tire guide, including ratings and reviews, via the link in our bio. #carsoftiktok #cartok #carcommunity #tires ♬ Original sound – Consumer Reports
At the time of publication, the video had been viewed over 275,000 times.
The Daily Dot turned to Consumer Reports via the contact form.
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