Wednesday, 22 January 2025

5 Best Car Tyre Brands In Malaysia

 If you own a car, you’d already know that more than a dozen tyre brands are on the market today. Unfortunately, the mass production of car tyres with modern technology has opened up a breeding ground for poor-quality tyres and subpar brands to infiltrate the market.

This makes differentiating the good and the bad ones a challenge for many. If you are a car owner who’s not looking to compromise on quality, you should certainly consider investing in the best tyre brands in Malaysia for a rewarding experience.


1. Michelin 


French tyre manufacturer Michelin is known for producing some of the best car tyres and remains a top contender for other brands. Among other things, Michelin tyres are known for their excellent fuel efficiency while lasting for a long time with unbeatable performance.

As a pioneer in the market, Michelin also provides an extensive product catalogue that enables customers to choose the best tyres that suit their needs and driving conditions at all times.

Advantages:

  • Excellent fuel-efficiency
  • Durable
  • Plenty of choices
  • Excellent warranty

2. Bridgestone 


Everyone knows Japan’s position in the automotive industry. Apart from being a global importer of cars, the Eat-Asian country also specialises in tyres. Among the many famous brands from Japan, Bridgestone is well-known for car tyres that deliver top-notch performance and excellent handling.

Their tyres often have long tread life, so you can use them for extended periods. They are also smooth when driving and provide excellent support during dry and wet climates, which matches Malaysia’s tropical weather.

  • Advantages:

  • - Good performance
  • - Long tread life
  • - Comfortable driving
  • - Dry and wet climate support
3.Continental 


Originating from Germany, Continental car tyres provide superior performance and safety to its consumers. Continental is a popular tyre brand in Malaysia because of its comprehensive product catalogue, like Michelin and its versatility to support both dry and wet climates in Malaysia.

As a premium brand, Continental tyres produce less noise while driving, and their improved safety is hard to find cheap tyres.

Advantages:

- Great performance
- Dry and wet climate support
- Comprehensive product catalogue
- Less noisy

4. Goodyear 

American tyre brand Goodyear has innovative technologies and tyre designs that help improve fuel efficiency. Goodyear’s tyres provide comfortable and smooth rides with excellent braking performance, especially on wet surfaces. These tyres also offer good value for money, given their superb quality, which makes them last long.

Advantages:

  • Excellent handling
  • Value for money
  • Excellent wet grip
  • Comfortable and smooth ride

5. Yokohama


Yokohama is another tyre brand from Japan. These tyres deliver good performance, and they are affordable at the same time. This combo is hard to find in many other affordable tyre brands in Malaysia.

Yokohama tyres are suitable for car owners who are looking for eco-friendly options as they are made from oils from orange peels using nanotechnology. They are also durable and have high resistance to wear and tear.

Advantages:

- Good performance

- Durable

- Eco-friendly

- Affordable

Tyre Care and Car Tyre Maintenance

 Car tyre maintenance tips


1. Check your tyres weekly

When checking your tyres, make sure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth remaining. Tyres must be replaced if worn down to any of the tread wear indicators as shown in the image. You should also look for any damage or cracks in the tyre’s surface. If you’re not sure about the condition of your tyres, come into one of our Bridgestone stores and have them inspected by a professional.

2. Rotate your tyres regularly


Rotating your tyres will help to make sure that they wear evenly and last longer. In general, you should rotate your tyres every 5,000 to 8,000km, even if there is no sign of uneven wear. However, it’s worth noting that different vehicles will wear their front and back tyres at different rates. Front wheel drives wear tyres differently from rear-wheel drives, and station wagons and utes also have different wear patterns. If you’re not sure when to rotate your tyres, ask one of our friendly mechanics.

3. Ensure tyres are inflated correctly


Under or over inflation of your tyres can lead to excessive wear, and can make it harder to handle your car on the road. To preserve your tyre’s wear life, inflate your tyres to the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure. You can find this information on the driver’s side door frame, inside the fuel door, in the glove box, or in your car’s manual.

4. Check age of your tyres


Driving on tyres that are too old can be a serious safety risk. As the rubber in a tyre ages and is exposed to the elements, the strength of the bond between the rubber and the steel belts is reduced. This can lead to cracks in the tyre’s structure when it is placed under load. Eventually, these cracks can even cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tyre.

For this reason, tyres older than ten years should be replaced, regardless of appearance, mileage, or actual wear. To check the age of your tyres, look at the Serial Tyre Identification Number (TIN).

5. Get professional wheel alignment


Misaligned wheels can cause your tyres to wear excessively and irregularly. They can also impact your car’s handling and braking on the road. To improve your tyre’s wear life and stay safe on the road, it’s important to have your wheels professionally aligned after 10,000km of driving or every six months. You may also need a wheel alignment if you feel as though your car is pulling to one side of the road.

6. Keep tyres balanced

If you notice a steering wheel wobble or vibration when driving at high speeds, your tyres may be out of balance. Out of balance tyres can create irregular wear, unnecessary loading on steering components, and may even be dangerous on the road.

Tyre balancing involves attaching small weights to the wheel to counterbalance the heaviest part of the tyre and wheel assembly. Vibrations are often caused by these weights becoming loose, or being incorrectly placed. 


7. Consider nitrogen tyre inflation

Keeping your tyres properly inflated is a crucial component of tyre maintenance. As Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen, naturally occurring pressure loss is reduced and ideal tyre pressure is maintained for longer. This can also deliver benefits for everyday driving such as better tyre life, and better fuel economy. Nitrogen is often used in motorsport due to its ability to maintain consistent tyre pressure throughout a race.

Thursday, 9 January 2025

Tyre Pricing in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

Tires are a critical component of any vehicle, serving as the only point of contact between the car and the road. Their performance, durability, and cost directly impact a vehicle’s safety, fuel efficiency, and driving experience. In Malaysia, tire pricing varies widely based on factors such as size, type, brand, and special features. Understanding these pricing dynamics is essential for making informed decisions when purchasing or replacing tires. This report explores the different categories of tires available in Malaysia, their price ranges in Ringgit Malaysia (RM), and the additional costs associated with tire maintenance and installation.


1. Price Range by Size

  • Small car tires (e.g., 14"-16"):
    RM 150 - RM 400 per tire.

  • Mid-sized car/SUV tires (e.g., 17"-19"):
    RM 400 - RM 1,000 per tire.

  • Large SUV/truck tires (e.g., 20"+):
    RM 900 - RM 2,000+ per tire.

2. Price Range by Type

  • All-season tires:
    RM 200 - RM 800 each.

  • Performance tires:
    RM 600 - RM 1,800 each.

  • All-terrain/off-road tires:
    RM 600 - RM 2,200 each.

  • Winter/snow tires (rare in Malaysia):
    RM 400 - RM 1,200 each.

3. Influencing Factors

  • Brand:
    • Premium brands like Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone: RM 500 - RM 1,800 per tire.
    • Budget brands like Silverstone, Nexen, Kumho: RM 150 - RM 500 per tire.

  • Special Features:
    • Run-flat or low-profile tires: RM 700 - RM 2,000 per tire.

4. Additional Costs

  • Mounting and Balancing: RM 40 - RM 100 per tire.

  • Alignment (if needed): RM 100 - RM 300.

  • Disposal Fee for Old Tires: RM 10 - RM 20 per tire.

How to change a flat tyre

What tools do you need to change a tyre?

All you need is a few simple and easy-to-use tools.

Essential tools (keep these in your car at all times)

                                                                       -  Spare Tyre
-  Jack
-  Wrench
-  Car Manual

Steps to Change a Flat Tire

  1. Find a Safe Location

    • Pull over to a flat, stable surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights.
  2. Secure the Vehicle

    • Apply the parking brake and place wheel wedges or large objects behind the tires to prevent rolling.
  3. Gather Tools

    • Locate the spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and any additional tools from your vehicle's kit.
  4. Loosen the Lug Nuts

    • Use the lug wrench to loosen (but not fully remove) the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground. Turn counterclockwise.
  5. Lift the Vehicle with the Jack

    • Place the jack under the car's designated jack point (refer to the owner’s manual) and lift the car until the flat tire is off the ground.
  6. Remove the Flat Tire

    • Fully unscrew the loosened lug nuts and pull off the flat tire. Place the nuts in a safe spot.
  7. Mount the Spare Tire

    • Align the spare tire with the wheel bolts, slide it onto the hub, and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
  8. Lower the Vehicle

    • Use the jack to carefully lower the vehicle until the spare tire touches the ground but is not fully supporting the car's weight.
  9. Tighten the Lug Nuts

    • Fully tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure on the wheel.
  10. Fully Lower the Vehicle

    • Lower the car completely and remove the jack. Double-check that the lug nuts are secure.
  11. Store Tools and Flat Tire

    • Put the flat tire and tools back in the trunk.
  12. Check the Spare Tire

    • Ensure the spare tire is inflated to the correct pressure before driving.

5 Best Car Tyre Brands In Malaysia