Michelin New Zealand - Which Tyre for You?

Which tyre for you?

Your vehicle’s original equipment tyre size can be found in your owners manual or on the tyre placard located on the driver’s door jamb, glove compartment door, or inside the fuel flap.

You can also check your existing tyre’s designation on the sidewall.

How to read a sidewall?

Changing tyre sizes?

If you are interested in a different size than your vehicle’s original equipment, or if you are upgrading your wheels, consult your local authorised Michelin dealer for expert advice.

Or, click here to find the right tyre for your vehicle

Driving on a wet road

The characteristics of your vehicle’s tyres influence the braking distances on wet roads.

As soon as it rains, visibility decreases and the pavement becomes slippery because of the dust and oil on the road. On a wet road, the braking distance is three times longer than on a dry road. The condition of your tyres’ tread is important, because in a few thousandths of a second, the tread collects the water in its grooves and expels it away from the contact area with the road.

- Groove to Tread Ratio (percentage of grooves)
The more grooves a tread pattern has and the greater their depth is, the greater the tread pattern’s ability to evacuate water.

- Siping
The ridges and sipes help to dry the pavement by acting as a “windscreen wiper.” Wiping the water from the road surface so that the rubber can grip well with the dry surface.

On a wet road, a vehicle equipped with more worn tyres needs a longer distance to stop. Moreover, the risk of aquaplaning increases considerably.
Be especially careful during the first rain after hot periods. The dust and oil on the road make the road slippery.

In the city

City driving requires that your tyres have characteristics specific to city constraints
Tyre selection criteria:

- Braking distance
To cope with all the hazards of city driving (pedestrian crossing without looking, etc.), you need tyres with the minimum braking distance, on both dry and wet roads.

- Longevity
Tyres undergo numerous stops and starts. Each tread block in contact with the road under the effect of engine or braking forces deforms and slides. Sliding and contact pressure scrape off material. Choose tyres with increased longevity.

- Fuel economy
Tyres with low rolling resistance can effectively save fuel.

Once a month, inspect your tyres to make sure they don’t show signs of uneven wear or bulges due to impacts against sidewalks.
Check the pressure at least once a month when the tyres are cold: under-inflated tyres increase the braking distance and the fuel consumption.
Don’t forget to check the pressure of the spare tyre as well.