Types of tires and usages: -

Tires

Standard Premium

Eco-Friendly Performance High-Speed Touring Run-Flat SUV/MUV

Highway Highway-
All-Terrain
Performance Terrain

1) Standard Tires- These types of tires are those which come fitted when you buy a vehicle. It’s
also called stock tires or general usage tires. These are procured from manufacturers and are a
perfect fit for vehicles which are not highly demanding. These are also available in the
aftermarket. Most performance criterions are met by keeping general usage in mind. It offers
good resistance for daily usage in dry as well as wet conditions. They are cheaper than the
premium tires.

2) Premium Tires- These are tires specially made depending upon the kind of usage. It further
divides into High-Speed, Touring, and Run-Flat Tires. The SUVs and MPVs are further divided
into All-terrain and Highway Performance Terrain type tires.

2-a) Eco-Friendly Tires- Along with vehicles even tires have kept pace with the ever-increasing
environmental pressure to become eco-friendly. These tires help in reducing fuel consumptions
these offer the lowest rolling resistance possible hence increasing the fuel efficiency. Reduction
in friction losses in compounding achieves low rolling resistance. Current technology makes use
of silica to a tire compound which enables manufacturers to produce low rolling resistance tires
with sufficient grip. Manufacturers are looking at optimizing design, contour, compound and
tread pattern and are taking new approaches for all these four components of a tire to achieve
unprecedented fuel efficiencies and sufficient, optimum grip. Fuel expenses in India are several
multiples of expenditure made on tires, hence it makes sense to pay the premium on such tires
but save on running fuel costs.

2-b) Performance Tires- These are manufactured to improve the grip and handling of a vehicle.
These are also called sporty tires. It is made from a softer tread compound rubber which gives
maximum grip at high speed during wet and dry conditions. Most sports cars originally come
with these superior performance tires which improve its handling and cornering capabilities.
These are also available in aftermarkets. For the purposes of tarmac-based motorsport
applications, these tires provide the cheapest way to decrease lap times. These tires have
aggressive tread patterns in comparison to standard and touring tires, and as a result, it
becomes a bit noisy at high speeds.

2-c) High-Speed Tires- These are made to last longer with durability to overcome rough
conditions and high temperatures due to friction. They are usually used in sportscars and
superbikes with high speeds. These are expensive to purchase. These are denoted by speed
symbols which define the speed limit these tires can reach. The chart is type Q (160 kmph), S
(180 kmph), T (190 kmph), H (210 kmph), V (240 kmph), W (270 kmph) and Y (300 kmph).

2-d) Touring Tires- Its constructed with keeping touring in mind. Comfort, fewer vibrations and
lesser road noise are the objective of these tires. It has an asymmetric less aggressive tread
pattern which helps to fulfill its objective and run for long distances. It's best suited for office or
traveling with a family purpose.

2-e) Run-Flat Tires- These tires are made to minimize loss of handling of vehicles after a tire
puncture. It is available in both touring and sporty types. Even if a puncture has occurred, these
tires can run for 80 km under a speed limit of 80kmph. Lateral strengthening and additional
sidewalls help to achieve these targets and carry the weight of the vehicle. These tires use
special heat-resistant rubber material as loss of air pressure will lead to increased
temperatures. These provide added stiffness and helps in handling dynamics. These are
expensive to use and can resist up to two punctures only.

2-f) SUV/MUV Tires-

2-f-i) All-Terrain Tires- These are made for utility vehicles, and its purpose is to run on varied
surfaces like mud, rocks, sand, tarmac, dirt, and rivers. Deep and slightly lighter treads design
help it in fulfilling its purpose. Closer treading helps in reducing road noise. These tires are
made from hard rubber and have enforced sidewalls to be able to overcome all sorts of terrain.
These tires have chunky and tight lugs on tire tread with small gaps between the lugs to help
maintain friction and reduce rolling noise. They are more durable than standard tires.

2-f-ii) Highway Performance Tires- These are made for premium SUVs which are made to be
driven on tarmac roads and barely for off-road purposes. These types of tires fail to provide grip
on surfaces like sand, mud, and dirt which are loose but provide exceptional grip on roads at
high speeds. These tires have excellent braking power. These are also called Highway luxury
tires.

2-f-iii) Highway-Terrain Tires- These are common in Indian make SUV and MUV. These are
constructed with on-road usage in mind and rarely supposed to be used off the road. Its tread
has less chunky lugs than all-terrain tires. Its sidewalls are usually reinforced to sustain
damaging impacts from sharp rocks and other obstacles which can be encountered off the road.

References-

1) https://www.drivespark.com/off-beat/different-types-tyres-available-choose-the-right-
ones/articlecontent-pf86051-025380.html
2) https://www.zigwheels.com/guide/four-wheeler-tyre-guide/different-types-of-
tyres/18816/