Tires are a very important compound in any car. Besides, it’s that thin slice of rubber is what’s putting all of your car’s might and power onto the ground. So, it’s worthwhile choosing the best set of tires possible to fit onto your beloved automobile. But of all the many different brands of tires you might’ve come across at your local tire shop, Primewell Tires is probably one of them. That then leads us to the question, are Primewell tires any good?
After all, why not pick from among the more popular and recognizable brands out there, like Michelin, Pirelli, Yokohama, Continental, Goodyear, and so many more. Well surely, if we’re talking about them, then they must’ve been doing something right, no? So, come along with our guide here as we take a look into Primewell tires, what they offer, and how they could fit your vehicle. More importantly, let’s try to answer whether they’re any better than the competition.
- Primewell Background & Overview
- Why Choose Primewell Tires?
- Primewell’s Most Popular Tires
- Where To Buy Them?
- Knowing When To Replace
- Different Tire Tyres
- Final Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Makes Primewell Tires
First, let’s acquaint ourselves a bit more with Primewell tires. They’re one of a few brands under the Singapore-based Giti Tires, which includes Giti, GT Radial, Runway, Dextero, and the aforementioned Primewell. Giti’s roots began as making tires and tubes for bicycles. Following this success, Giti then started evolving its tire design to fit cars and trucks. From the 60s onwards, Giti started experimenting with creating other tire brands to better suit international markets.
This then, is where Primewell came from. Now, Giti has grown to become the 11th-largest tire maker in the world, raking in more than $3.2-billion in sales. They have eight manufacturing facilities in China, Indonesia, and South Carolina, USA making more than 300,000 tires every day. This is not to mention the huge number of R&D offices in major hubs across the world, hiring over 32,000 people. Not to mention, Giti has a distribution chain for its tires in 130 countries and beyond.
Meanwhile, Primewell is more popularly offered in the US and Europe. Proof in point, Giti was named the ‘Automotive Supplier of the Year’, and ‘Hardlines Supplier of the Year’ by Walmart. They’ve even dipped their toes into the world of motorsport. The larger Giti parent company debuted its tires at the 24-hour endurance series at the Nürburgring, starting in 2017. Giti also sponsors a few drivers and events for other championships, including the Asian Formula 3 Championship.
Are Primewell Tires Good
So far then, it looks like we’re discussing more about Giti than Primewell tires. However, there’s a good reason for this, in that much of the tire designs are shared between them. For instance, Giti’s SP8 tires that ran in that Nürburgring 24-hour race are very similar in form to Primewell’s PS870 summer tires. As such, we can make the assumption that all of Giti’s beaming success will also translate into Primewell potentially making good tires.
Moreover, this should also mean that a lot of the learnings, research and development, and refinements undertaken by Giti (and its subsidiaries) would also carry over to Primewell, too. So, all those motorsport endeavors, despite not directly featuring any of Primewell’s tires, should have some tangible benefits. But what else is there about Primewell that would make you pick it over the competition? Well, here are a few reasons why…
1. Good Value For What You’re Getting
Compared to the more well-known brands that we noted earlier, Primewell tires are comparatively cheaper. However, they’re not the cheapest on the market. But we can consider that a good thing, as the cheapest tires often have poor quality in the material, comfort, and design.
Operating on the lower end of the price bracket, Primewell makes for a great choice if you have an older vehicle or an economy car. The price is perfectly reasonable for a lot of people, while still offering a decent set of tires.
2. Great Driving Comfort
One of the reasons why Primewell tires are more expensive than the bottom end of the tire market is their design. Primewell puts a lot of focus on comfort. They’re great when it comes to smoothening out bumps or potholes compared to some of its competition.
Another benefit other than feel, is a much quieter ride, without the overbearing tire noise that you might hear with other cheaper brands. For most customers, comfort and ride quality will be important checkmarks when choosing the next set of tires for their car.
3. Good Quality And Reliability
One other good reason for choosing Primewell tires is its attention to the quality and robustness of the tire compound itself. Despite its lower price and large variety of different tires, many customers were quite satisfied with how their Primewell rubber has held up. They last for a decent amount of time without wearing down too quickly.
Plus, you can expect good (for the price) handling and braking characteristics with these tires, too. It’s comforting to know that your set of Primewell rubber has been individually inspected to ensure its quality.
How Bad Are Primewell Tires
Of course, we can’t expect every single product to be perfect. For all the benefits of choosing Primewell tires, they have their share of downsides, as well. Most crucially for many drivers, Primewell’s tires aren’t suited to more aggressive or sporty driving. They’re apparently quite over-excitable when it’s slippery out, too. Now, we understand that not everyone has a sporty vehicle. That’s especially so if you’re looking for more budget-friendly tires like those offered by Primewell.
However, it’s good to know that your tires can perform well if you’re having a bit of fun. Or, you might want a good set of rubber that can work beyond its call of duty in the event of emergencies, such as being able to get good traction to avoid something. In the case of Primewell, it falls off the mark in this regard. One consequence of that focus on comfort is that Primewell’s tires can lose grip if you’re driving aggressively. Plus, they’re not as overly responsive or have good feedback.
Primewell Tires Review
Now, we can finally talk more about the many individual Primewell tires that are on sale today. Aside from all the upsides about Primewell that we highlighted earlier, there’s also their product range. Although not as diverse as some of the larger, more expensive tire brands, Primewell nonetheless has a healthy selection to choose from. They sell a variety of tires for cars, SUVs, light trucks, vans, and heavier vehicles like buses.
Therefore, you’d surely be able to find a set of Primewell rubber somewhere in the catalog that’ll fit your car. So, here are some of the most popular Primewell tires that you can find today…
1. Primewell PS830/850
Primewell’s PS830 and PS850 line of tires are the top sellers of the brand. Both have been designed for cars or crossovers, and with all-season use in mind. So, never have to worry again when the seasons change… With some caveats. The standout feature of the tires in particular is the increased shoulder grooves. These not only help to increase traction during sharper turns but also provide lateral traction to aid you in the event of slipping.
As with many other Primewell products, you bet that these tires are softer and comfier than rival tires at the same competitive price level. They even work decently in moderate off-roading situations. A bit more on that caveat we mentioned earlier, some customers have been somewhat disappointed with the traction in wet or snowy conditions. If you’re planning to get one, Primewell’s PS830 and PS850 have speed ratings of up to 112mph (S), 118mph (T), and 130mph (H).
2. Primewell PS870
Another top seller in the Primewell tires stable is the PS870. Similar to the earlier PS830 and PS850, the PS870 works best with smaller vehicles. If you have an older or classic vehicle, the PS870 is a good choice, too. Officially, Primewell markets them as summer tires, not all seasons. However, some owners have reported them working decently well all year round. Still, it doesn’t have as many advanced drainage designs.
There are only two wide channels and two narrow channels in the grooves to evacuate water. So, be wary before driving it in overly wet conditions, as it may suffer from hydroplaning. Otherwise, Primewell’s PS870 works great when it’s dry out. The rubber compound has a silica compound mix which improves traction on rougher surfaces.
This means that even on the spottiest of roads, you can expect good braking and handling from those tires. The treadwear on Primewell’s PS870 is slower than on competing tires as well. This is thanks to some very clever engineering in the rubber itself. It’s also built around a jointless overlay construction. In layman’s terms, the driver and passengers will feel less of the bumps on the road. That lack of “shock” after an impact plays well into Primewell Tires’ focus on maximal comfort.
3. Primewell PS890 Touring
Now we can get to the fancier line-up in Primewell’s collection. The PS890 Touring is among the few higher performant rubber offered by Primewell, designed to fix the compromises in the slightly lower-end tires. As such, the PS890 is a good all-rounder, once more made for regular cars or crossovers. The tire treads here have symmetrical grooves with added biting edges. The result of this is good all-season performance, regardless of how the weather may look outside.
Though you probably wouldn’t want to take that too literally. An Achilles Heel of many Primewell tires is that they can’t get as much traction in extreme conditions as some competing brands. Their PS890 is no different, with some owners reporting poor traction in snowy weather. So, do be cautious. However, Primewell did at least try to address this. There are huge boulder blocks meant to add additional stability under braking and cornering.
A marked improvement over the PS870, the PS890 Touring from Primewell Tires offers good traction in wet conditions. Redesigned water evacuation channels make it a better performer while driving on wet roads, especially in the handling and braking department. An added bonus would be decreased road noise and a comfier ride.
4. Primewell Valera Touring II
Continuing onwards with our theme of higher-end Primewell tires, we now have the Valera Touring II. These can be considered to be among the better (and most expensive) tires in the budget category. Primewell’s Valera Touring II is conceived as all-season tires, good for running in every weather. The biggest difference between these and the PS890 Touring is its dynamic rib system.
This construction improves handling and sporty performance, while the variable pitch design further reduces the amount of tire noise. Plus, there are deep channels to aid in avoiding hydroplaning, making it a great companion in the wet. And to top it all off, Primewell offers a limited 50,000-mile warranty for the Valera Touring II.
5. Primewell Valera H/T
Finally, we can talk a bit more about Primewell Tires’ more utilitarian rubber collection. The Valera H/T is made best for larger vehicles like SUVs, vans, or light trucks. These all-season tires can get the job done in any weather or season. This is thanks to open-slotted shoulders and four ribs on the circumference of the tire.
On the Valera H/T, that alone makes it a worthy tire for controlling it steadily on dry or wet surfaces. However – a theme we’ve seen before – is that some owners have reported hydroplaning and low grip on wetter roads. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Primewell if it wasn’t comfier and quieter than what you could get with other brands in this price range.
Who Sells Primewell Tires
It’s worthwhile to make a quick summary of their product range so far. We’ve learned that Primewell’s tires are comparatively more affordable than many other brands. You’d also get a lot for the money with tires that handle quite well (in the dry). Moreover, these rubbers are more comfortable to ride on and don’t produce as much tire noise. The downside is that they’re not as sporty as one would want if they’re planning to thrash their cars.
Another shared flaw is their rather lackluster performance in slippery conditions, like wet or snowy roads. But if you can accept these compromises, then you’re probably thinking of where you could buy them for your car. The great news is that Primewell’s tires are sold quite far and wide across the US, with more than 3.5 million cars in the USA alone fitted with them. So, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a shop that doesn’t have some in stock.
In the US, Primewell operates under an umbrella company led by Firestone (or Bridgestone, in its international guise). Firestone is one of the leading auto maintenance services in the US. Other than them, you could look at other dedicated tire shops like bestusedtires.com, SimpleTire, Utires, Tires Plus, or TiresNet. Best of all, some of these sites can help you find the right tires that match your car just by choosing your vehicle’s make, model, and model years.
When To Replace Tires
Right, now we’ve looked long and hard enough at the specifics of Primewell tires. Whether you’re planning to swap out your rubber for a set of Primewells doesn’t matter as much as knowing the right time on when you need to change them. After all, tires eventually degrade owing to regular wear and tear. Failing to change it in good time can be deadly. Your tire could blow, or at the very least you won’t be able to get enough (if any) traction.
This leads us to loads of nasty accidents, simply from poor tires. The best possible scenario, in this case, is poor fuel economy, or a slightly more uncomfortable ride. So then, how can you tell when is a good time to change out your car’s tires? The good news here is that there are a few tell-tale signs of a worn-out tire…
1. Uneven Tread Wear
This isn’t so much attributed to the tires wearing down naturally, as it is caused by your car’s tires not being aligned or balanced properly. As a result, the load isn’t being spread evenly on all four (or more) tires. You can take a peek at your car’s tires to see if this is happening. See if one side of the tire is wearing out faster than other parts. For instance, if the outer wall of the tire is running bald a lot faster than other sections.
2. Treads Wearing Out
As we learned so far, tires have treads in order to provide the optimal amount of traction on the road’s surface. These treads won’t last forever, and will eventually wear out. You can run your fingers or a coin across your tire threads. If they’re shallow, then this is a good time for you to consider a change. Worst, they might be completely bald! Some tires have markings on them, so you can better tell if the treads are below a certain threshold for them to work as intended.
3. Changes In The Driving Experience
Your car’s tires can send back a lot of feedback to you, often felt through the steering wheel. You can thus be able to assess the well-being of your tires without even looking at them. Drive around, and feel if your car is running a bit harder or rougher than usual. This happens when the rubber compounds start to wear out. And see if your car takes a lot farther and more time to come to a complete stop. Or, it might slide around when the roads are a bit wet.
These are signs that your tires aren’t able to put down enough grip, since the treads are probably worn down. Odd vibrations through the steering wheel could tell a lot about the tires, too. And keep your ears open to hearing any weird sounds while you’re driving. If you’re hearing a ‘clinking’ sound while moving, it might be that something’s lodged in your car’s tires. It could be a stone stuck between the treads, or a nail that’s punctured through.
4. Bulges and Blisters on the Surface
When the outer surface of a tire starts to weaken, you’ll often find blisters or bulges extending outward. This is not only unsightly but dangerous. A bulge indicates a spot where the tire’s structure is compromised, and it’s more prone to a sudden blowout. If you spot any such signs on your tires, take action immediately.
5. Excessive Vibrations
While some level of vibration is natural when driving, especially on rough roads, excessive and unusual vibrations are a cause for concern. Often, these vibrations originate from the tires. While it could be due to misalignment or an unbalanced tire, it might also suggest internal damage to the tire itself. So, if your drive feels shakier than usual, especially on smoother roads, it’s a sign to inspect your tires.
6. Cracks in the Sidewall
The sidewall of your tire plays a crucial role in its overall health. Over time, you might notice tiny cracks or cuts in the sidewall – these are signs of a tire that’s developing leaks or about to blow out. Unlike tread wear which you can feel or measure, sidewall damage is purely visual. Regularly inspect your tires for such signs to ensure a safe drive.
7. Age of the Tires
Even if you don’t drive your car often, tires age. Most experts recommend changing tires every six years, regardless of their wear. After a decade, the risks increase significantly, no matter how “new” they might appear or feel. The rubber compounds in tires degrade over time, losing flexibility and strength. Always check the manufacturing date when buying new tires, too.
8. Persistent Air Pressure Loss
If you find yourself regularly pumping air into your tires, there’s a good chance they have a slow leak. While it could be a minor issue like a loose valve stem, it might also mean a small puncture or internal damage. Regularly check your tire’s air pressure and ensure it’s within the recommended range.
9. Noticeable Tire Damage
Objects on the road can inflict damage on your tires. Be it a shard of glass, a sharp rock, or other debris – your tires face many threats. If you notice any punctures, cuts, or other visible damages, it’s crucial to address the situation immediately. While some damages can be repaired, others might necessitate a complete tire replacement.
10. Poor Handling in Wet Conditions
Tires are designed to channel water away, ensuring a good grip even in wet conditions. If you find your vehicle sliding or hydroplaning more than usual in the rain, it’s an indication of worn-out treads or compromised tire integrity. Not addressing this can seriously jeopardize your safety in wet weather.
In conclusion, tires are your vehicle’s direct link to the road, playing an integral role in ensuring a safe and smooth drive. Regularly inspecting them and understanding the signs of wear or damage can make all the difference in driving safety. When in doubt, consult with a tire expert or mechanic to ensure your tires are in prime condition.
Summer vs All-Season vs Winter Tires
Something that may or may not have confused you as we explained more on Primewell tires, it’s those seasonal markers. Summer, all-season, and winter. What does it all mean, and how does it relate to tires? Simply put, different weather conditions and seasons will ultimately affect the slipperiness of the road. That has led tire-makers – like Primewell – to design tires more specifically depending on the time of the year to attain the most optimal traction.
Here then, are the most popular types of tires that you need to understand when choosing the right set of tires… Also, we’re omitting run-flat tires since Primewell doesn’t sell them. Essentially, they’re tires that can work at limited speeds, even in the event of a puncture. Right, moving on.
1. Summer Tires
As that name suggests, summer tires are designed to work best in warmer climates. The rubber compound, construction, and design of the tires themselves ensure good traction and handling in both dry, and wet conditions. So, rain shouldn’t be an issue. Summer tires are the best when it comes to providing the most amount of performance and agility.
An extra benefit with summer tires is reduced rolling resistance. For the driver, this results in lower fuel consumption and less road noise. All the attributes of Primewell tires, then. Although, it’s worth bearing in mind that summer tires harden when the temperatures around them drop below 45°F (7°C). As a result, summer tires can’t give adequate grip in cooler or snowy conditions.
2. Winter Tires
The polar opposite of summer tires is winters. They work best on cold, wet, or completely snowy surfaces. This is thanks to the special formulation of the rubber that prevents it from hardening in the cold. Winter tires’ rubber can stay flexible, which ensures that your car can get as much traction as possible in colder climates. It has deeper grooves to remove any snow or grime from the treads more effectively; all the better in the name of the grip.
The disadvantage here is that winter tires are far, far too soft for use during warmer weather. Hence, using winter tires while it’s hot outside can wear out the rubber a lot quicker. Furthermore, they’re not as agile or performant as summer tires. And on top of that, winter tires have increased rolling resistance – which leads to more fuel consumption – and more road noise.
3. All-Season Tires
Most of Primewell Tires’ product line consists of all-season tires. There’s a good reason for this, in that they offer the best compromise between summer and winter tires. They’ve been designed to take advantage of the benefits of both rubber compounds. What does this mean for you? Well, you’ll no longer have to worry about switching tires on and off at the passing of every single season. Although, they still don’t have the same performance as summers and winters in extreme conditions.
Primewell Tires: In Conclusion…
With that, we’ve now come to the end of our overview of the entire Primewell Tires line-up. In short, they offer a widely diverse array of tires for a fairly low price. Yet, you’re still getting a set of fairly good tires that perform adequately enough, while also being comfortable and quiet to drive with. Still, there are lingering questions over whether they’re up to the task of keeping traction when the weather starts turning cold and wet.
Then, there’s the old recall notice a couple of years ago regarding cracked Pimewell tires. Overall, they’re not the absolute best tire you can find on the market, but for what you’re paying for, Primewell tires are a decent option to pick from.
Primewell Tires Essential Knowledge
- Primewell tires are manufactured by Giti Tire, a company based in Singapore that also produces tires under the GT Radial, Runway, and Dextero brands.
- The company has eight plants in China and Indonesia, with the capacity to produce around 289,900 tires per day, and a new plant in South Carolina, USA.
- Primewell tires are cheaper than premium brands like Bridgestone or Michelin but are not as cheap as some lesser-known brands, making them affordable for the cash-strapped consumer.
- Primewell produces a variety of tire types for passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks and vans, and heavy trucks and buses.
- Primewell offers seven different variations of passenger car tires, covering summer, winter, ice, and all-season needs.
- Primewell has R&D centers in Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, and the United States that work together to deliver high-quality tires that meet the different needs of different regions.
- Primewell tires are specifically tuned to deliver driving comfort, rather than focusing solely on grip and handling.
- Each Primewell tire undergoes a final personal inspection by trained professionals to ensure there are no defects, and a barcode on the sidewall allows for tracing of the raw materials used.
- The breadth of range and engineering of Primewell tires suggests the company is innovative and up-to-date in its tire manufacturing processes.
- Overall, Primewell tires offer a good balance between affordability, quality, and comfort, making them a good choice for consumers looking for a reliable tire brand that won’t break the bank.
Primewell Tires: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you still have some questions about Primewell tires, our FAQs here might have the answers…
How Good Are Primewell Tires
While not the best set of tires you can get, for the money, Primewell tires are pretty decent. They’re great value, and offer pretty good driving comfort and ride quality. As such, they’re soft and quiet to ride on, especially when compared to other budget brands. Yet, they offer good handling and braking traits, as well. Primewell’s tires are also pretty solidly-built and are reliable, made to last quite a while before they need changing. However, Primewell tires aren’t the best when it comes to sporty driving. Or, for gaining optimal traction in wet-weather and snowy surfaces, as they can break traction quite a bit more than rival tires.
Where Are Primewell Tires Made
Primewell is a brand under Singapore-based Giti Tires. As such, Primewell tires are made in the same factories as Giti, and its other sub-brands. As the 11th-largest tire maker in the world, they have facilities in China, Indonesia, and South Carolina. Altogether, they’re capable of manufacturing more than 300,000 tires every day. Although, Primewell’s tires, in particular, are generally made in China and Indonesia, before being imported into the US.
Who Owns Primewell Tires
Primewell Tires is one of the many brands underneath Giti Tires, based in Singapore. This includes tire brands such as Giti, GT Radial, Runway, Dextero, and Primewell. Back in the old days, Giti started its business by selling bicycle tires, before then moving on to trucks and cars. Since then, Giti has become the 11th-largest tire maker in the world, with the capacity to manufacture over 300,000 tires each day. Giti has more than 32,000 employees and has distribution chains across 130 countries. They’ve also taken part in motorsports, such as endurance racing and the Asian Formula 3. In the US and Europe, Primewell is more well-known than its parent company, Giti.
Primewell Tires Recall
Back in late 2016, Primewell issued a recall of more than 400,000 Valera Touring II tires. Specifically, those sold through Firestone, here in the US. These recalls impacted these Valera Touring II tires of sizes 185/65R14 86H, 195/60R15 88H, 205/55R16 91H, 205/60R16 92V, 215/60R17 96H, and 235/60R17 102T. Apparently, these tires were found to show signs of cracking, of which 219 cracked tires were confirmed. Thankfully, no one got hurt because of this. Nevertheless, these cracks around the lower sidewall can lead to a sudden loss of air pressure after just a few months.
Primewell Tires Problems
As a whole, Primewell’s tires are pretty good, given their budget pricing. However, they do have some pitfalls. This includes their lack of dynamics. Unlike higher-tier brands, Primewell’s tires aren’t able to best manage sporty or aggressive driving. For enthusiasts, this means they lack feedback and responsiveness. Meanwhile, they can get slippery and loose if you’re driving on slippery surfaces, too. Otherwise, this means poor traction on snowy, wet, or damp surfaces.
