Finding the right tyres for your car can be more of a nightmare than you think! That's why LTC Tyres and Exhausts have a trusty tyre search tool that helps find the correct tyres to fit your car, so you won’t have to be stressing like Donald Duck in your vehicles handbook every time your tyres wear. But just because a particular tyre fits your vehicle, that doesn’t mean it’s always going to be the best choice for you. So what are the differences between tyres? and how much choice do you have in the matter? LTC Tyres and Exhausts have put this handy little guide together to help you decide what is best for you.

All-Season Tyres

As their name suggests, all-season tyre models are reliable for adequate performance in winter and summer road conditions. These tyres are ideal whether you are driving on an icy, wet or dry surface.

• If you use your car to cover comparatively fewer miles in a year, these tyres are your best companion! This way, you can skip the hassle of semi-annual tyre replacements for your vehicle.
• The intermediate tread compound of these tyres makes them equally effective when the temperature goes up or below 7 degrees Celsius. It ensures the tyre maintains its structural integrity in moderate weather conditions. Also, the moderate tread compound is crucial to providing your car with low rolling resistance when driving on a hotter surface. As a result, your vehicle will enjoy a better fuel economy.
• All-season tyres can sustain the general tread wear caused by prolonged usage for a comparatively longer period. The moderate tread depths of these products are crucial in ensuring their complete functionality irrespective of the changing weather. Furthermore, this intermediate tread depth helps these tyres provide your vehicle with sufficient traction on hot roads.
• On the other hand, the moderate groove patterns of these tyres ensure you have enhanced car control when driving on snowy surfaces. In addition, the biting edges of the winter tyres can drain snow and slush away from the contact patch, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

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Run Flat Tyres

Run-flat tyres feature reinforced sidewalls, allowing you to continue driving for a limited distance and speed after a puncture. They typically allow you to continue your journey for 50 miles at 50 mph, which is easily in reach of one of our branches at LTC Tyres and Exhausts.

• Run-flat tyres have thicker, stiffer sidewalls designed to support the vehicle's weight even when the tyre is flat or significantly underinflated.
• Safety: They allow you to continue driving to a safe location after a puncture, reducing the risk of being stranded or changing a tyre in a dangerous situation.
• Convenience: Eliminates the need to carry a spare tire, saving space and weight, and potentially improving fuel efficiency.
• Stability: The reinforced sidewalls help maintain control of the vehicle in the event of a puncture. 
• You can identify Run-Flat Tyres by looking for specific markings on the sidewall. Markings will differ from tyre manufacturers, but typically they will be marked with "RFT" (Run-Flat Technology), "SSR" (Self-Supporting Run-flat), "ROF" (Run On Flat), or the ISO symbol RSC (Run-Flat System Component). Alternatively you can contact our tyres specialists at LTC Tyres and Exhausts Halesowen where we will be happy to help.

Winter Tyres

There are many different technologies used in Winter Tyres that differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. You will find the most common technology used in Winter tyres here.

• Winter tyres have a larger number of biting edges with thousands of tiny slits in the tread. These diagonal slits help the material grip the road easier in inclement weather. The slits soak up the water layer and provide additional biting edges that cut into the ice.
• Some manufacturers use stud integrated into the tyre, studs are metal or ceramic spikes embedded into the tread of a tyre to increase grip on ice and snow. Studs will dig into the ice and snow providing extra traction, however studs can also damage road surfaces creating dust. This is why it is important to use the correct tyres to the suitable condition.
• Winter tyres are designed to improve grip and traction on snow, ice, and wet roads. They are made with a softer rubber compound that stays flexible in cold temperatures.
• Use winter tyres when temperatures drop below 7°C
• Switch to summer tires when temperatures rise above 7°C
• Winter tyres are identified by theM+S (mud and snow) and three-peak mountain symbol.

Performance Tyres

High Performance tyre technology focuses on enhancing grip, handling, and responsiveness, using features like optimized tread patterns, advanced compounds, and reinforced sidewalls, to improve cornering, braking and overall driving performance. At LTC Tyres and Exhausts, we hold huge amounts of stock for Performance Tyres all year round. Below we will list the advantages of choosing Performance Tyres to help you decide if they are the right tyre for you.