Travel & Leisure

These days, many people consider a car to be more of a necessity than a luxury. Gone are the days when only the rich and privileged had cars. Now, having a car is almost as important as having a job. In fact, many companies actually request that anybody applying for a job have their own car. So, since your car is such an important part of your everyday life, you have to take care of it.

When maintaining your car, tyres are an important aspect that should not to be overlooked. Since they’re rubber, a bit of wear and tear is to be expected but properly maintained tyres are something that your car cannot do without. Tyres do not last forever and when the time comes to replace them, it is important that you buy the right ones.

Tyre shopping is not as easy as walking into a shop and picking out the prettiest set though. There are certain things you need to consider when shopping for tyres:

• Is safety your main concern?
• Are you looking for durable tyres that last longer but may cost more?
• Do you want a more comfortable ride?
• Are the tyres for a person al car or a commercial vehicle?
• Where is the car driven most of the time?
• Are you looking for style or sport?
• Are you concerned about fuel efficiency?
• Do you feel more comfortable with a brand name tyre like Bridgestone tyres?

Safety should be your main concern when it comes to buying new tyres, so don’t take any chances. Tubeless tyres are far safer than tube tyres. You should always opt for branded tyres, like Bridgestone tyres, as they are tried and tested and have been around for years.

Comfort is another factor when it comes to choosing new tyres. For added comfort, pick a soft compound tyre. This tyre, however, won’t last as long as a hard compound tyre. These types of tyre are best suited to commercial vehicles used to carry heavy loads at lower speeds.

A good set of alloy wheels and nice tyres will make your car look good but remember that looks can be deceiving.  Tyres which look attractive may have drawbacks like increased road noise and reduced grip, particularly on gravel or muddy roads.

Some tyres can actually increase the fuel efficiency of your car. So, if fuel efficiency is a highly desirable factor when you’re shopping for tyres, silica based tyres can help by bringing down rolling resistance. This can increase the fuel efficiency of your car by up to 10%.

Remember that you can always change tyre brands if you feel they are not delivering the performance you’re looking for, you do not have to stick to the brand of your previous tyre.

Buying tyres is a serious affair that should not be done on a whim. Take the advice of professionals and decide what you need out of your tyre.

Author bio

This article was written by First Stop Tyre Experts and offers advice on shopping for tyres, including Bridgestone tyres.

With FIFA World Cup fever mounting, car hire in South Africa is fast becoming one of the most popular options for getting around the country, with many travellers opting for this alternative to traditional tours. Self-drive travel is an ideal way to explore the country at your own pace, by hiring a car for the duration of your stay or for a week or two if you need to get from A to B without having to rely on public transport or lifts from your hosts.

To ensure that your trip is memorable and rewarding, it is always important to keep a few important things in mind when planning a self-drive adventure:

1. Always make sure that you follow safety procedures. That means you should know and follow the rules of the road at all times. In South Africa, cars drive on the left hand side of the road, and traffic can be very busy at times – especially with mini-bus taxis causing mayhem on the main roads. It is therefore essential to how to navigate these busy roads and to drive carefully and slowly at all times. It is also a good idea to avoid known dangerous areas. Try to find out about the areas you wish to visit before after you have arranged your vehicle hire, this will help you know which areas are safest to travel through and which should be avoided.

1. Make sure that you have an up to date road map. A good street map is essential to find your way around the cities and towns of South Africa without getting lost. In this country, road names can change every year, so it is important to have a current map that is as recent as 2009 or even 2010 to ensure that it is accurate. If you have a mobile phone with a GPS system, or a separate GPS, this will be a huge help. A good road map will be just as good however, as long as it is current.

1. Decide on the best car hire options to consider. First, determine what sort of travel you will mostly be doing during your stay. If you are planning to stick to the main cities and towns and need a basic car to get you around, then a small Group L car such as a City Golf will be ideal. If you want to spend more time exploring the countryside and the great outdoors to enjoy camping or adventure sports however, then a Group L car such as a Kia Sportage 2×4 would be your best bet.

1. Plan your budget and time limits. You may decide that you will need a vehicle for your entire stay, or you may need a car for a shorter duration such as a weekend or few days of your trip. Plan your budget and decide how much you can afford to spend on vehicle rental, and then you can work out the length of time you will need a vehicle. A little bit of planning will go a long way in ensuring that your adventure goes smoothly.

1. Create your own adventure. As one of the most thrilling and adventurous ways to travel, self-drive travel allows you to see and do the things that interest you most rather than doing the things that the tour guide says you should do. With car rental in South Africa, anything is possible!

Author Bio:

Andre Van Kets is the co-founder and IT Director of a leading car hire agency, and offers advice and tips on car hire in South Africa for travelers seeking affordable and reliable self-drive travel solutions.