Cabs in India are used as no-nonsense workhorses, and these long-lasting tyres for cabs make a perfect match with their claimed durability and least maintenance.
- Most cabs used in India are compact hatchbacks and sedans, in addition to a few compact MPVs.Â
- The cabs in India come with tyres ranging between 13 inches and 16 inches.Â
- Cab drivers and owners generally prefer affordable tyres that have a long life span, are durable even in unpredictable situations and make ride quality smoother.Â
With the advent of online app-based cab rental services, the taxi and ride-sharing businesses have witnessed a sharp rise and popularity, while undergoing a significant evolution. Unlike before, people now prefer taxis and ride-sharing as more practical mobility solutions for their daily commutes or even for outstation rides, thanks to the ease of booking a cab in seconds on the apps of service providers.
With such a revolutionary change in its functionality, the vehicles used in these businesses have also become more durable and advanced to face daily challenges, including heavy usage in various driving conditions.Â
What Tyre Sizes Are Used In Taxis And Vehicles For Ride-Sharing Services?
In India, the cars and UVs, which are popular in the taxi and ride-sharing services, include entry-level compact hatchbacks, sedans and MPVs. The taxi service providers usually buy the entry-level variants of these vehicles, which come with tyre options ranging between 13 inches to 15 inches, with the larger MPVs being exceptions with larger 16-inch tyres.
S. No. | Popular Tyre Sizes for Cabs and Taxis | Suitable Car Models |
1 | 155/70 R13 | Hyundai Eon, Maruti Suzuki Alto, Maruti Suzuki WagonR |
2 | 165/70 R14 | Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Hyundai Aura |
3 | 185/65 R15 | Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Renault Lodgy |
4 | 205/65 R16 | Toyota Innova Crysta, Mahindra Marazzo, Chevrolet Tavera |
Popular Tyres For Taxis In India:
Like before, cab rental services continue to have affordable vehicles which are high on efficiency and comfort, and at the same time, are durable enough to last long without digging deeper holes in the pockets of service providers. For such vehicles, the tyres on duty should also be equally good in durability and performance to deal with all kinds of roads – whether the broken and unpaved roads for low-speed in-city driving or munching miles on long stretches of highways for outstation rides.Â
Here, we look at five efficient and robust tyres suitable for hatchbacks, sedans and MPVs used as taxis in India.
-
Apollo Amazer 3G Maxx
Claiming to offer an impressive tyre life of over 1 lakh km, the Apollo Amazer 3G Maxx uses an asymmetric tread pattern design for balanced performance on wet and dry surfaces. Also, while the optimized sipe density of this tyre reduces road noises, its connected shoulder blocks give it a stable contact patch during braking.Â
-
CEAT Fuelsmarrt
One of the most affordable tyres for taxis and ride-sharing vehicles in India, the CEAT Fuelsmarrt features stiffer ribs with high pitch design, which are effective in reducing road noises that enter the cabin. This CEAT tyre also increases the fuel efficiency of a vehicle with its low rolling resistance and advanced polymer compound. The CEAT Fuelsmarrt has a wide contact patch to ensure stability at higher speeds.
-
Bridgestone B250
Another sturdy tyre commonly preferred for taxis in India is the Bridgestone B Series B 250. This durable Bridgestone tyre has a flat contact patch technology for the prevention of tyre deformation under excessive usage, which reduces shoulder wear of the tyre and eventually increases the tyre’s life. While its two-ply construction in sidewall reduces vibration which betters the ride comfort and durability of the tyre, its 3D triangle blocks make it grippier on wet surfaces.Â
-
JK Taximax
One of the most efficient tyres for cabs in India with a long list of features for its design and construction is the JK Taximax. Exclusively created for touring vehicles used in the taxi business, this JK tyre has anchors connecting shoulder blocks for improved stiffness and enhanced cornering grip. This tyre from JK also has an enhanced tyre contour through finite element analysis for excellent durability against external damages like tyre bursts and cuts. While its exclusively designed tread compound has minimal wear and tear rate, the design of the serrated grooves in its tread reduces road noises and vibrations while driving.
-
MRF ZVTV
Besides being an efficient tyre for cars for personal use, the MRF ZVTV is also a recommendable option for cabs and vehicles for rental services due to its durability and ability to offer comfortable ride quality. This MRF tyre has maximised rubber in its tread pattern for improved longitudinal and lateral movements, resulting in better tyre life and performance under acceleration and braking. The interlocked buttons with offset sipes of this tyre stiffen the tread blocks, which betters the ride quality and handling of the vehicle.Â
Conclusion:
Unlike personal cars, cabs used for commercial purposes are subjected to extensive drive cycles, which demand tyres claiming reliability, durability and comfort of the higher orders. The tyres mentioned above not only fulfil these requirements with their unique and well-distinguished qualities but are also light on the pocket by being affordable choices of tyres. Â
FAQs
Q1. What are the requirements for tyres for cabs and vehicles for rental services?
Answer – Cabs demand tyres that are high on durability with life spans longer than usual, while they should also be able to make the ride quality of vehicles comfortable and silent.  Â
Q2. What are some of the best tyres with high tyre traction for compact and midsize cars and SUVs?
Answer – Some of the affordable tyre options for cabs in India are CEAT Fuelsmarrt, MRF ZVTV, Apollo Amazer 3G Maxx, Bridgestone B Series B250 and JK Taximax.
Q3. What tyre sizes are used mostly in cabs in India?
Answer – In India, most cabs in the rental service business are entry-level hatchbacks and sedans and compact MPVS, which use robust tyres ranging between 13 inches and 16 inches.