Saints Tyre & Auto believe that tyres are probably the most critical non-mechanical parts on the entire vehicle because they're literally where the rubber meets the road. They have to put up with a lot of friction and heat every time you take your car out for a spin. After a year or so, the treads on your tyres will wear to the point of going 'bald'. When you've reached that point, you'll have to replace car tyres if you want to continue driving safely. New tyres can cost anywhere from $100 to $700 each, depending on a few different factors.

How much should I pay for tyres?

Like anything in life, you pay extra for quality and tyres are no different. The size of the tyre will also determine the price; the bigger the tyre, the more expensive it is.

If you use the example of a 195/55R16 tyre, which is a typical size, a good quality tyre will cost around $150 to $200 each.

If you want a premium tyre, like Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli or Continental, you’ll be paying around $200 to $300 per tyre.

If you are after a budget brand, then the average price is $100 to $150 each.

What I am paying for?

What are the correct tyres for my car?

Saints Tyre & Auto recommend you buy the ones suitable for your particular car as car manufacturers go through a rigorous testing phase to ensure the tyres are an optimum blend of handling, braking, efficiency, wear rate, ride comfort and road noise.

Check your owner’s manual to find the recommended tyre for your car. The manufacturer will identify the right size, speed rating and load rating.

The brand of tyre is generally left up to you, but it is best to ensure your two front tyres are of the same brand, and the two rear tyres are the same. Having different brands on the front for example, can result to poor handling.

What causes a flat tyre?

A flat tyre is generally caused by a puncture to a tubeless tyre’s casing, allowing air to escape and causing the tyre to deflate.

Punctures are usually caused by:

• sharp objects like small nails
• screws
• glass shards
• other road debris

A flat tyre can also be caused through a damaged sidewall or leaking valve.

Can my tyre be repaired?

The only way to see if a tyre can be repaired, is to strip it from the wheel. This allows for an inspection of the damage and the structural integrity of the tyre.

Although some information would indicate that a tyre can be repaired, the damaged must be assessed for the size and angle of the puncture, along with the internal inspection, to see if a repair is possible.

If a tyre suffers from a major puncture to the tread, on the tyre sidewall or the shoulder it will be deemed unrepairable. If this happens, a new tyre will be needed to replace the punctured one.