Should I buy original equipment (OE) tyres?
Ever wondered what OE tyres are? We take a look into the history of OE tyres and whether you should have them on your vehicle.
What are OE tyres?
Original equipment (OE) tyres are those fitted to your car as a standard before it leaves the factory.
Major tyre manufacturers work in close collaboration with vehicle manufacturers and industry experts to research and develop OE tyres.
The process involves developing specifically tuned and adapted tyres to deliver the desired performance of the manufacturer.
Which brands have OE tyres developed?
As you would expect, the premium tyre brands such as Continental, Goodyear & Bridgestone are leading the market in terms of OE tyres.
By the biggest supplier of original equipment tyres is Continental. 1 in 3 vehicles across Europe are fitted with Continental Original Equipment.
Bridgestone’s global investment in R&D is among the highest in the industry where Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) chose Bridgestone for over 120 new original equipment fitments. This includes more than 40 different models from 15 manufacturers.
What do OE markings mean?
You can consider original equipment tyres the automotive equivalent of a custom-made shoe or suit. All vehicles are different with unique requirements which requires a different tyre to ensure optimised performance levels.
To show that tyres are engineered to original equipment standards, manufacturers emboss OE markings onto the sidewall. This shows which car manufacturer it has been designed for, a few examples would be:
Mercedes – MO/MOE/MO1
Ferrari – K1, K2, K3
Audi – AO, AOE, RO1
Alfa Romeo – AR
Tesla – TO, T1, T2
Should I buy OE tyres?
When it comes to replacing worn or punctured tyres, you will face the dilemma of deciding whether to stick with original equipment tyres or replace them with another type of tyre.
Although it is recommended to stick with original equipment tyres, the decision weighs entirely on you. The OE tyre has been developed to deliver optimum performance for your vehicle, but those particular characteristics may not be at the top of your list, and price or driving style may be more of a factor for you.
Original equipment tyres tend to be more expensive than other options on the market but there is a reason for this, and you are paying for quality.
Where can I buy OE tyres in Nottingham?
At Lindleys Autocentres, our team of tyre experts are here to help you find the right type of tyre for your vehicle. We stock 1000’s of tyres across our Nottingham garages daily and offer same day fitting for your convenience.
If you’re busy at the office or would rather not come to the garage, then we have a mobile tyre-fitting service that can come to you to fit your new tyres.
The range of tyres includes Budget, Mid-Range and Premium tyres, as well as run-flat and 4X4 tyres. If you’re looking for new tyres, Lindleys is the place to visit. Reserve your new tyres online today.
