In the field of auto care, tires are the key players for safety and performance. Also, many drivers go for the cheap option, which they see as a savings in the short term, but they fall for it without thinking through the risks of cheap tyres. What you save in the beginning may be a larger cost in the long run in terms of safety and repair costs.
Risks of Cheap Tyres: Why They’re Not Worth the Savings
Cheap tires are at times made from inferior materials and with less advanced technology, which in turn may cause them to not meet the same safety standards as name-brand products. Tread design, rubber makeup, and structure integrity are key elements for a tire’s performance in sudden breaks or sharp turns.
The issue we see the most is that of increased tyre blowouts. In very hot weather, as we see in the UAE, for example, low-quality tires break down suddenly. At high speed, a blowout can mean loss of control for the driver and also put other road users at risks of cheap tyres. Also, what we see is a great lack in durability from cheap tires, which in turn means they will need to be replaced before you may have expected, which in the end nullifies any cost benefits.
Durability and Safety Concerns in Harsh Conditions
In terms of what we see in the market today, low-cost tires do not perform well in our tough climate and on our roads. We see that high temperatures, along with great distances in which they are used, cause wear out, which in turn leads to cracking, bulging, and poor traction. Also, what we note is that poor performance of these tires at this is not just an issue of performance drop off, but also an issue of safety, as it increases the chance of accidents on the road.
These issues are also present in poor weather. What we see is that inferior tread and rubber in tires may cause large increases in braking distance and a drop in grip, which in turn causes cars to handle much worse on wet roads. In emergencies, that can mean the difference between you walking away from an accident or not. The same applies to worn-out brake pads, which significantly reduce stopping power, especially in wet or slippery conditions. For those who put safety first, at no point is it worth the trade-off in tire quality or brake pad performance.
Hidden Costs Behind Low-Cost Tyre Issues
While the low price of some tires may at first seem like a great value, that is often not the case in the long term. We see that as the tires wear out faster, we have to replace them more often, which also increases fuel consumption, which in turn causes more wear, which is a negative cycle. Also, drivers may put out large repair bills for issues related to the tires, which may in turn affect the car’s suspension or alignment.
Also, in many cases of insurance claims that report damage from an accident that was a result of tyre failure, what we see is the use of substandard tyres, which played a role. This leads to greater financial loss than just the price of the new tires. What we also see is that issues related to budget tyres go well past the point of purchase and have long-term effects on the health of the vehicle as well as the safety of the driver.
Choosing Safety Over Short-Term Savings
At Tire Salun, we are of the mind that quality tires are an investment in your safety and peace of mind. While premium tires may be a greater up-front cost, their performance, durability, and reliability in all weather and road conditions do justify the price. We see to it that you choose tires that meet or exceed safety standards, which in turn reduces the risk of blowouts, improves fuel efficiency, and also gives you consistent handling for a better, safer ride.
In the UAE, which has great extremes in temperature and which sees high-speed travel as the norm, we can’t stress enough the value of investment in quality tires. To get out of the habit of reaching for the cheapest options is the first step toward a choice that protects you, your passengers, and other road users.
FAQs
Q1: Do we all are at risks of cheap tyres?
Not all budget tyres are unsafe, but many do not have the quality materials and do not go through the same tests, which in turn affects performance in severe weather.
Q2: What is the wear-out rate of cheap tires?
They tend to wear out quicker because of low-quality rubber compounds and poor construction, which in turn causes them to need to be replaced more often.
Q3: Tyre blowouts, which tires do I see more of with economy options?
Poor quality of manufacture and heat resistance cause them to fail more at high temperatures.
