Choosing a tyre based on how and where it will be used is necessary for getting the best performance and mileage. The choice could mean the difference between red and black figures at the end of the year, so here is a short guide on the various points to consider.

A tyre designed for long haulage wears down fast if it is mounted on trucks used in regional traffic or in tough conditions. Similarly, long-distance haulage firms that use tyres meant for regional transport miss out on the full potential of long-distance tyres – and don’t get the potential fuel savings.

“We help the customer choose the right tyre by listening in on where and how the vehicle will be used,” says Kaj Genas, Account Executive for Scania at Michelin’s department for original equipment. “If we can give professional advice in this area, I am convinced that the customers will place more business with both us and Scania.”

Kaj Genas sees huge potential for cost savings. “Customers are usually unaware of what tyre to choose,” he says. “This might lead to the wrong tyre fit, and thus higher tyre-related costs. In addition, customers will lose the benefits that the latest tyre technology can offer to their types of activities.”

Michelin urges everyone to ask some basic questions before choosing a tyre:
- For what type of transport will the vehicle be used?
- On what surfaces will the vehicle be used?
- What performances are prioritised?

Genas says, “By posing these three basic questions, you have a better picture of how the vehicle will be used, and you can recommend which range of tyres to choose from. If you need more information, make contact with your local Michelin organisation.”

He also encourages customers to use the full potential longevity of a tyre. For example, at Michelin a truck tyre is described as having four “lives.” The “first life” lasts from when the tyre is new until the tread pattern is worn down to the legal limit. The “second life” is when the worn-down tyre is re-grooved. The “third life” occurs when the tyre goes through a rebuilding process called Michelin Remix. This is a total renovation of the tyre which consists of a new hot vulcanisation, and it results in a tyre that is as good as new. The “fourth life” is when the tyre is re-grooved a second time.

“To get the best cost-per-kilometre ratio, customers should be encouraged to go through the full four lives of the tyre,” says Genas. “This is not only a matter of money; by doing this, customers can actively reduce their environmental impact.”

"Choose the largest diameter possible for volume needs and the narrowest tyres for load needs". Christopher Watts, Wheel and Tyre Purchasing, Scania

Choose the right tyres and gain optimal vehicle performance and safety as well as optimized fuel economy.

Scania lists 250 different different approved tyres for its trucks and buses amongst five premium brands. Not surprisingly, selecting tyres can be confusing. But you can demystify the process by answering just three technical questions, says Christopher Watts, Wheel and Tyre Purchasing, Scania. This process will, according to Watts, lead to tyres that offer “the best combination of handling, service life and fuel economy” for a specific vehicle.

What do you use your vehicle for?

The answer will suggest the right tyre category. All categories are a function of journey length, road conditions and, where road conditions are good, the weather.

”Tyre pressure that is 20 percent too low or too high air shortens the useful tyre life by 20 percent,” Christopher Watts, Wheel and Tyre Purchasing, Scania.

In long-haul applications, vehicles tend to travel for long distances at a steady speed on smooth, flat, even roads that have few curves. The focus is on low rolling resistance and fuel economy. With tyres optimised for this type of driving, fuel economy may improve by as much as 6 percent, compared with tyres adapted for driving on regional or urban roads.

For construction and mining applications, however, trucks travel shorter distances on poorer, unpaved or even aggressive surfaces. The focus here is on grip and good resistance to external damage. Timber trucks, for example, operate on and between sites to pick up cargo. Forest roads may be covered with blasted rock – the toughest road conditions anywhere for tyres.

What is your tyre size?

The right tyre size depends on vehicle load weight or vehicle height. For heavy loads, tyres bigger in width and diameter are needed for greater air volume to support the load. If vehicle height is desired − typical for high-volume products that require a lot of space and where weight is a secondary issue − smaller-diameter tyres bring the payload platform lower to the ground.

The trick to achieving the best fuel economy, according to Watts, is to go for the lowest rolling resistance. “Do this by choosing the largest diameter possible for your volume needs and the narrowest tyres for your load needs.”

What is the right tyre pattern for each axle on your vehicle?

Patterns exist for four applications: drive, steer, trailer and all-position. On drive tyres, for example, the pattern is coarser than that on steer tyres in order to achieve a better grip during propulsion and braking. On steer tyres, the pattern optimises scuff resistance, low-speed turning and directional stability for cornering − and thus improves handling.

“Quite often, I see combinations of tyres on vehicles that give sub-optimal performance,” says Watts. If, for example, drive tyres are fitted on steer or trailing positions, this may cause uneven tyre wear, vibration, poorer handling and reduced fuel economy. “A simple guide here is to put drive-type tyres on all non-steered, driven axles and steer tyres in all other positions,” he says. “Trailer tyres should, of course, be used on trailers.”

Buses are the notable exception to the rule, however, says Watts. “Achieving optimal ride quality [reduced noise and better comfort] is the issue, rather than the load factor. So steer-type tyres, which have a smoother profile, can be used all around.”

Proper tyre care is also essential, Watts says. “A correctly inflated tyre lasts longer,” he explains. “Air pressure that is 20 percent too low or too high shortens the useful tyre life by 20 percent. Correct tyre pressure is also vital for safety. Excessively low tyre pressure makes the vehicle unstable.”

Quick guide to choosing the right tyre

Long Haul

Regional

Tyres designed to operate on secondary roads, in urban areas, city traffic and frequent stop-and-go traffic. Also suitable for long haulage operation on rough roadways. Medium to high rolling resistance.

Construction

Tyres with high traction and damage resistance for vehicles operating on and between construction sites. High to heavy rolling resistance.

Off Road

Tyres designed for vehicles used almost exclusively on temporary roadways in difficult terrain, typically in mining operation or for military duties. Heavy rolling resistance.

Urban

Tyres designed for city traffic. They have reinforced sidewalls, to resist frequent curb contact, and durability to cope with stop-and-go traffic. Medium rolling resistance.

Winter

Tyres designed to provide the best possible grip and vehicle control on ice and snow as an alternative to long-haul, regional or urban tyres. Medium rolling resistance.