Soo Zi Jie
Tyres are important for many reasons, including safe driving and even, better fuel economy. Choosing the right set of tyres is important, especially if you travel long distances, to ensure a smooth and safe journey on the road.
What is the average tyre lifespan?
With a wide range of options in the market, you’re probably wondering which is the best tyre brand or are looking for tyre reviews. You might even wonder if your tyres should be changed.
To start, our guest expert, Soo Zi Jie, shares some shopping tips (after the listicle) as well as additional info (below) to help yourself decide when is the best time to buy a new tyre.
Soo Zi Jie
No matter how much you spend on a tyre, it still typically lasts around 5 to 10 years, depending on the usage.
It is highly recommended that you replace it after 5 years since tyre compounds are prone to ageing due to the friction between the tyre and the road surface. UV ray exposure also contributes to the wear and tear of tyres.
Our list consists of a variety of high-performance tyres from tyre such as Michelin, Continental, and Goodyear. Scroll on to look for the best tyres in Malaysia for a smooth driving performance, or check up on tyre prices in Malaysia.
[Disclaimer: The branded products highlighted in this article are those of ProductNation's suggestions (prepared with thorough research) and do not completely reflect the views or positions of the guest expert, Soo Zi Jie.]
Top 12 Car Tyres in Malaysia
Top 4 Comfort Tyres
Soo Zi Jie
In Malaysia, Summer tires are believed to be the most comfortable when on highways and such, whether on a wet or dry road. After all, they are designed to suit "Summer" weather, with focus on wet and dry road performance.
Table of Contents
Who is it for?
The Michelin Energy XM2+ is the perfect tyre for you if you are looking for one that will last a long time, or if you are someone who needs to travel far regularly and requires quality tyres.
Regardless of whether it’s raining heavily or not, the dry and wet grip braking and cornering abilities of this tyre are certainly impressive. One reviewer went so far as to say that these tyres are life-saving during an accident on the road.
What to know
The Michelin Energy XM2+ is built for longevity. It is perfect for adjusting to road conditions and can withstand most damage. These tyres utilises resilient carcass technology that adjusts to road conditions and prevents damage, an innovative compound for outstanding longevity.
Not to mention, its braking performance offers the shortest braking distance of 1.5m on wet roads, providing you with great safety performance throughout its lifespan.
Key info
- Built to have have great damage resistance
- Has the shortest braking distance of 1.5m on wet roads
- UTQG wear rating: 420.
- Rolling resistance: E
Why it’s our top pick?
Until and unless all potholes in Malaysia are fixed, you’re sure to drive over a pothole now and again. Common on our roads, it can be difficult to avoid even if you notice it in advance. However, with Michelin Energy XM2+ tyres, it need not be too bumpy a ride.
If our top pick isn't accessible, opt for the following ones:
Who is it for?
This tyre is perfect for you if you need a great performing and quality tyre that will not break the bank.
Good value for money, the tyre emits low noise while driving on the highway, and the car feels stable most of the time thanks to its good handling performance. Besides, its wet grip is superior, with acceptable hydroplaning resistance.
Best for
- Perodua Ativa – Size 205/60R16
- Proton Iriz – Size 185/55R16
- Proton Persona – Size 185/55R16
What to know
The Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 offers comfort, great performance, and superb braking performance, with its HydroTred technology of a boosted compound composition, adhesive resin, and pattern design which helps in improved braking performance. Its pattern also allows for better handling on wet and dry roads.
Key info
- HydroTred technology with adhesive resin
- Asymmetric Pattern allows for Comfortable Drive
- Rolling resistance: D
- Wet braking: C
- UTQG wear rating: 320
Who is it for?
After a long day, sometimes all we want is a quiet, smooth drive. With the Continental Comfort Contact 6, you can enjoy that and just de-stress with your music.
The CC6 entirely absorbs road vibrations and potholes, resulting in a quieter ride. It makes for a smooth drive at high speeds of up to 120km/h on highways and performs well over bumps and potholes as it offers good stability and grip. However, while it handles well on wet roads, it’s not superb.
Best for
- Perodua Myvi, Perodua Bezza, Perodua Axia, Proton Iriz 1.3 – Size 175/65R14
- Proton Saga – Size 185/60R14
- Honda City, Honda Jazz, Suzuki Swift 1.4 – Size 175/65R15
- Toyota Vios, Toyota Yaris – Size 185/60R15
What to know
Enjoy a peaceful, quiet ride with the Continental Comfort Contact 6 as these tyres boast a great noise-cancelling chamber.
Continental’s Comfort Contact 6 features noise-cancelling chambers on the inner shoulder of the tyre design, which are inspired by the Helmholtz resonator. As airwaves travel in and out of the chamber, any unpleasant noise caused by the road and tyre is essentially wiped out.
Aside from its “Whisper” element, the CC6 also features a smooth-rolling tread compound that reacts better to the roughness of the road surface, giving you maximum comfort when driving.
Key info
- Rolling resistance: D (E)
- Wet braking: C (D)
- UTQG wear rating: 380
- Low noise level drives
- Comfortable drive
Who is it for?
When driving on the road, expect optimum dry performance from these tyres. Tyre deformation is reduced thanks to the aforementioned tread design. Handling bumps well, you won’t find them too noisy either.
Best for
- Perodua Myvi – Size 175/65R14
- Perodua Bezza 1.3 – Size 175/60R15
- Perodua Bezza 1.0 – Size 175/65R14
- Toyota Innova – Size 205/65R16
What to know
The EP300 is positioned as a next-generation eco-tyre with low rolling resistance, better wet grip, and an extended lifespan.
With a Nanopro Tech, the Bridgestone Ecopia EP300 has a large contact area that acts like glue when it comes into contact with water, helping it to cling to the road. It also has a surface with great frictional force, allowing for improved grip.
Best of all, the EP300’s low rolling resistance improves fuel efficiency, resulting in greater fuel economy and lower CO² emissions.
Key info
- Rolling resistance: D
- Wet braking: C
- UTQG wear rating: 320.
- Improves fuel efficiency
- Low rolling resistance
Top 4 Touring Tyres
Soo Zi Jie
These tyre types are meant to go on most road terrains and some off-road scenarios.
Through their namesake and short description, these tyres are suited for users that might go offroad ocasionally. Say, you want to go into the forest for a picnic and such, or to your family's Kampung; these ones will do. However the downsides of these tyres are they tend to be on the noisier side.
As a general rule of thumb, just remember that the bigger the block pattern on a tyre, the noisier it will be.
Who is it for?
If you want a pleasant and comfortable drive while not worrying about performance, then the Michelin Primacy 4 ST is your right choice. Featuring a linear steering reaction which lets you drive with great stability. This tyre assures you longevity and high performance while being reasonably priced.
Best for
- Toyota Corolla Cross – Size 225/50R18
- Volkswagen Golf – Size 225/45R17
Continental MC6 vs Michelin Primacy 4st
In a one-on-one comparison between the two most popular touring tires in the APAC market, the Primacy 4st did better in wet braking, wet handling, and aquaplaning, while it was slightly behind on the dry criteria, doing -0.4% in dry handling as compared to the MC6. Both were equal in dry braking.
As for comfort, the MC6 is more comfortable, but the Primacy 4st had less interior noise. The Primacy 4st also comes out superior with a +4.8% in rolling resistance, saving you more fuel in the long run.
What to know
Establishing a new standard of safety, the Michelin Primacy 4 ST will withstand wear and tear and performs well on wet roads. The best feature would be that it still performs at the legal tyre wear indicator of 1.6mm. As a result, these tyres react to the need to perform at a high level while on the road and it allows users to enjoy long-lasting performance.
Key info
- Rolling resistance: C
- Wet braking: A
- UTQG wear rating: 340
- High Safety Tyre
- Shorter braking Distance
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for tyres that let you cruise through wet and dry conditions, you would want to check out the Michelin Pilot Sport 5. You’re also able to get better and more precise steering control thanks to the grip offered by this tyre. So, not only are you getting a high-performing tyre, but it also allows you to monitor the wear of the tyre thanks to its Wear2check indicator.
What to know
When it comes to high-performing tyres, the first thing that you’ll want to assess at is how good when braking are and how stable they are when steering. If you’re not sure what to get, then look for a tyre like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 as it has good traction and balance.
This tyre features large longitudinal grooves which flushes water from the tyres while improving the traction when driving. In short, this feature is important in keeping you safe (from hydroplaning) on wet roads, which is a sight that is common in Malaysia.
On dry roads, these tyres still perform well thanks to their external side with rigid blocks, which gives you a better grip on dry situations. In terms of how well you can control the car, the Pilot Sport 5 is designed with Michelin Dynamic Response Technology which means you can have complete control of your steering and allows you to drive with more precision.
Key info
- Wet Braking: A
- Michelin Dynamic Response Technology
- MaxTouch Construction
- Dual Sport Tread Design
- Wear2check indicator
Who is it for?
Looking for a tyre that can provide excellent traction on any road? The Continental Max Contact 6 might be the right fit for you, as it’ll give the driver a lot of confidence when it comes to cornering and braking. In essence, you can expect excellent vehicle control when you use this tyre.
What to know
The Continental Max Contract 6 will provide you with excellent traction on the road. What makes this tyre exceptional is the inclusion of a particular adhesive polymer with the MaxContact 6 compound that is specifically intended to meet the driver’s extreme high grip requirements.
A firm Xtreme-Force ply material is also included in this tyre, which helps decrease tyre flexing during intense cornering and at high speeds, delivering optimum control and sporty handling.
Stabiliser bars, asymmetric rib geometry, longitudinal chamfered edges, and chevron grip elements among others, that cover all four directional forces of the tyre tread, are the ultimate recipe for good mileage and a low noise driving experience.
Key info
- Rolling resistance: D
- Wet braking: A(B)
- UTQG wear rating: 340
- Stabiliser bars
- Chevron Grip Elements
Who is it for?
The Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE004 gives you great handling and have an instantaneous response when you need to take sharp corners or when driving at high speeds. Interestingly, the RE004 outperforms its predecessor on wet roads while maintaining the same dry experience. Apart from that, it improves fuel economy by roughly 5% per tank on average.
Best for
- Ford Fiesta – Size 205/40R17
What to know
Described by Bridgestone as a “premium street sports tyre”, the Potenza Re004 comes with triple and half grooves. This means you can take corners and brake confidently at high speeds.
What makes the Potenza RE004 great at cornering and braking efficiency is thanks to its stiff connecting blocks that improve tyre sensitivity while limiting excessive movement at high speeds for safety.
Designed with a new formula, it features an even distribution of silica, which improves wet and dry performance while minimising rolling resistance for enhanced efficiency while driving.
Key info
- Rolling resistance: D
- Wet braking: C
- UTQG wear rating: 220
- Wide Inside Rib
- Triple & Half Grooves
Top 4 Mud-Terrain Tyres
Soo Zi Jie
These tyres are usually best for professional offroaders. They are commonly used in jungle competitions or for professional jungle missions. The tyres are tough but usually noisy and not common among general car users.
Who is it for?
If you drive a 4x4, BF Goodrich is an ideal choice because it is built for on and off-road use on all terrains. It has a thick and durable rubber compound that will absorb most impact and protect your vehicle. Moreover, it performs well on both wet and dry roads and is quiet. Although it is not the cheapest on the market, you’re getting your money’s worth.
Best for
- Ford Ranger Raptor – Size 285/70R17
What to know
The All-Terrain AT KO2 is BF Goodrich’s toughest all-terrain tyre, which offers aggressive traction making it perfect for both on and off-road driving. It has a thick, extended shoulder shield which protects the core with a deflection design that prevents objects from damaging the tyre.
BFG employs a sidewall rubber compound that is twice as thick and far more durable than that of its predecessors, due to its twin steel belts that are reinforced with nylon and the company’s Tri-Grad polyester cord sidewall ply design.
Best of all, this tyre is well equipped with side biter lugs, which are protruding rubber blocks on the sidewall that enhance traction for driving through the mud as well as increase rock-climbing traction when aired down.
Key info
- Rolling resistance: E
- Wet braking: B
- UTQG wear rating: 300
- Aggressive all-terrain traction
- Robust sidewall design
Who is it for?
If you find yourself needing to be off-road frequently, this might be the right tyres for you. Maxxis RAZR AT811 gives you that comfortable drive you’ll need when getting on rough terrains, such as mud. All while being quiet so you can relax on your journey.
What to know
RAZR AT811 is a powerhouse of an off-road tyre that features off-road compounds with advanced chemical fillers to give them the much-needed resistance to tear and tread life. Other than that it is also made with Maxxis’ dual-cord casing technology so that you get durability out of them for your off-road adventures.
You won’t need to worry about items puncturing this tyre thanks to the aggressive armour sidewall design. Some other details are also the 3D tread blocks and bridge reinforcements that let you go over terrains like mud and dirt with minimal noise.
Key info
- 3D tread blocks and bridge reinforcements
- Armour sidewall
- Dual-cord casing technology
- M+S/Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified
- Tear Resistant
Who is it for?
The Dunlop Max Grip AT5 is best for SUV and Pickup vehicle owners who need a durable tyre that ensures safety. The Dunlop Max Grip was also created specifically for Malaysian road conditions.
What to know
Offering exceptional mileage while having great performance on and off-road, the Dunlop Max Grip AT5 is designed for smooth rolling and multi-surface traction. It will give you an increased grip on all types of terrain, paired with Sidewall Protection which prevents tyre damage.
Key info
- Rolling resistance: D
- Wet braking: C
- UTQG wear rating: 600
- Zig-Zag Blade Blocks
- Optimised Tread Depth
Who is it for?
If your car needs 15-inch tyres, we strongly recommend this one from Dunlop. The SP Sport J6 would be a great companion for you on Malaysian roads where the weather is unpredictable. It gives a good grip on the road when wet plus you’re still able to cruise through traffic when it's dry.
Best for:
- Proton Persona - Size 195/60R15
- Toyota Vios - Size 185/60R15
- Honda City - Size 175/65R15
What to know
Drive confidently with the Dunlop SP Sport J6, which has features to offer smooth and responsive driving on dry roads, while also being able to tackle wet conditions during or after it rains. This is because these tyres have connected shoulder blocks and reinforced stiffness which helps in dry conditions and optimised sipping and notched tread ribs to give you better grip when it’s wet.
Apart from that, they are also created with a silica-enriched tread compound, which reduces abrasion rate and improves tread life, both of which allow for achieving higher mileage with your tyres. Something else that you’ll find useful is the tyre alignment indicator which lets you easily monitor them.
Key info
- Width: 105 - 205 mm
- Aspect Ratio: 50 - 70
- Rigid shoulder blocks and continuous rib structure
- Optimised pattern stiffness
- Optimised sipping and notched tread ribs
Summary of recommendations for common types of cars (sedan, hatchback & 4WD)
Perodua Axia
- Michelin Energy XM2+
- Continental Comfort Contact 6 CC6
Perodua Bezza
- Michelin Energy XM2+
- Continental Comfort Contact 6
- Bridgestone Ecopia EP300
Perodua Myvi
- Michelin Energy XM2+
- Continental comfort Contact 6
- Bridgestone Ecopia EP300
Toyota Hilux
- Bridgestone Dueler A/T 697
- Dunlop Max grip AT5
FAQ:
- What does tyre number mean: How to read tyre sizes?
It is important to know how to read the numbers on tyres to determine their size. There are two ways that you can find out your vehicle’s tyre information. If you can't find it in your vehicle manual, the info is clearly stated on the sidewalls of the tyres.
The size, load-bearing capacity, and speed limit are indicated on the sides by a series of numbers and alphabets. Understanding these codes can assist you in selecting the best set of tyres for your car and driving style.
Behold the image below:
For example, your tyre sidewall markings are 225/45 R 18 95 H. Here’s a summary of what each component means:
225 – The width of the tyres in millimetres
45 – Percentage height of the sidewall in relation to the width i.e. aspect ratio
R – Radial construction
18 – Rim diameter in inches
95 – Load index (the maximum load capacity of the tyre)
H – Speed index (the maximum speed of the tyre)
SSR – Self-supporting run-flat; its reinforced walls allow the tyre to be used when there is pressure loss
MOE – It is a Mercedes Original Equipment tyre with run-flat properties (MOE)
M+S – Mud and snow conditions
DOT - Compliant with Department for Transport vehicle safety standards of the US Department of Transportation
36 – Week of manufacture
2016 – Year of manufacture
- How to choose a tyre?
Choosing a tyre feels mundane. Luckily, Soo Zi Jie pointed out the few key info to pay attention to — 1) pattern and material, 2) size of wheel and 3) width of tyre's thread. And most importantly, safety on wet roads is a must!
Soo Zi Jie
Usually, the common driver would always go for safety and comfort. "Safety" here would mean wet braking and control over aquaplaning. This is important as it is during wet driving that we need the tyres to work and perform at their best.
Pattern & Compound (Material)
Safety features of a tyre are mainly from the pattern and compound (material). The pattern should be able to quickly remove water to maintain the rubber and road contact. This is so that grip for you is always there.
Additionally, tyres with rubber compounds also help to quickly remove water and maintain optimum grip performance.
The most recommended tyre pattern for Malaysian weather these days would be the Asymmetric tread pattern (two opposite directions) as they are designed to have peak traction performance on both wet and dry surfaces.
Wheel size
The size of your vehicle’s tyre matters when it comes to fitting. This is because the right tyre size optimises your respective vehicle's performance, ensuring that overall driving performance is balanced and not bumpy.
To find the right size, read the info displayed on the tyre. The abbreviations have been explained above.
You can also check the owner’s manual of your vehicle or look for the tyre information sticker at the driver’s side door.
Tread Width (Wide or slim)
Ensure that your tyre's tread width is just right for your car.
Pairing wider tyres with a small and light car would cause higher fuel consumption as well as a noisier ride.
Meanwhile, using slimmer treads on a heavier car will wear the tyres down quicker and affect their durability due to carrying a heavier load.
- What makes a good tyre?
Not all tyres are created equal since it all depends on what you need. Soo Zi Jie explains the three common types of tyres in Malaysia:
Summer (for all-weather conditions including dry & wet roads)
- This is the most common tyre segment for the Malaysian market.
- The tyres are usually designed to suit the summer weather with a focus on wet/dry road performance as well as comfort for the average road user.
Off-road (for all terrains, as in 50% road & 50% off-road)
- These tyres are suited for users that occasionally go off-road.
- However, the downside is that they tend to be on the noisier side.
- A general rule of thumb; the bigger the block pattern on the tyre, the noisier it can be.
Mud-terrain (for competitive off-road sports)
- These tyres are usually for professional off-roaders.
- They are commonly used in jungle competitions as well as for professional jungle missions.
- The tyres are usually noisy and not commonly used among general car users.
Soo Zi Jie
All in all, a good quality tyre should have a good tread pattern that can prevent aquaplaning, say when driving in the rain. The tyre grip is just as important and so is the noise level as you want it to be quiet and comfortable when driving on the road.
Additionally, a good tyre makes sure to help with fuel efficiency to ensure optimum performance & durability on the road.
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