How to choose tires for your needs? We advise!

When looking for the right tires, we must pay attention to both the technical details of our vehicle and our own needs. Each driver has his own preferences, driving style and drives on the most frequently determined routes. We advise you on how to choose tires for yourself.

What do tire sizes mean? Where to find information?

Tires that meet our needs must first of all match the car we use. It makes no sense to look for the ideal model, which over time will be inaccessible to the size we need. Where can I find the tire sizes we need? Information can be found in the owner's manual of the car or on the edge of factory tires.

The code is alphanumeric, for example 205/55 R16. The first three-digit number always indicates the width of the tire in millimeters. The next number indicates the tire profile. This value is not in millimeters, but as a percentage of the tire width. Based on the example above, this would be 55% of 205mm. The letter "R" does not indicate the size, but the type of tire construction. In the vast majority of vehicles operated on public roads, the tire is marked "R" (radial). The number following this letter indicates the rim size the tire is designed for.

Tire selection - how to read tire markings?

Knowing the tire sizes, we can focus on our needs. To begin with, let's think about whether we need seasonal (summer or winter) or maybe all-season tires? The second option may be attractive for people who travel short distances during the year, mainly in urban areas. The advantage of this solution is that there is no need to carry out seasonal tire replacement and, accordingly, incur costs for this. The disadvantage is the lower performance of all-season tires compared to seasonal tires (for summer tires in summer and winter tires in winter). If we drive a lot, cover long distances and care about safety, we should have two sets of tires adapted to the current season.

What tire marking indicates whether it is summer or winter? This is the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake symbol (3PMSF) which certifies that the tire has passed rigorous testing in winter weather conditions. However, it is worth remembering that this symbol can be used on both winter and all-season tires. In the latter case, the edge of the tire must have an additional marking, such as "All-weather", "All-season" or "4-season". Summer tires do not have this marking. Some models, in order not to leave the buyer in doubt, are marked with the symbol of the sun or clouds with rain.

Tires - speed index and load index

The tire marking written on its rim hides many other parameters that may be important to drivers. If, for example, we often carry heavy objects or like to drive fast, the tire load index and the speed index are important symbols for us. The load index indicates the maximum load that can be applied to the tire while driving at the maximum allowable speed (this value, in turn, is based on the speed index). These indexes are expressed in the code written immediately after the size code. A two-digit number allows you to determine the maximum load that one tire (and not the entire set) can withstand. However, to find out the value in kilograms, you need to use a table that allows you to decipher the index.

For example, if a tire has the number 89, it means that the tire can carry a weight of 580 kg. Index tables can be purchased from tire shops and workshops, as well as found on the Internet. The speed index is a letter value immediately after the load index. Here, too, we need a table to find out at what maximum speed we can drive with this tire in order to be safe. For example, the designation S means a maximum speed of 180 km / h, and the designation T - 190 km / h. Therefore, if we are looking for tires for fast driving or tires that can withstand high loads, be sure to check the above indexes. This will help avoid dangerous driving situations and accelerated tire wear.

XL, runflat, tire tread - what do these terms mean?

Some tires have specific features that manufacturers note in different ways. When purchasing, use the filters available for these types of tires, thanks to which we can sort the tires according to their features. Drivers often look for, for example, reinforced tyres, i.e. tires capable of withstanding a greater load than the minimum required by the regulation. Such tires are more resistant to wear and punctures, although these advantages are often combined with increased noise and fuel consumption while driving. Manufacturers usually label reinforced tires with the code XL or REINF (short for "reinforced"), but other markings are also found. Therefore, when searching for such tires, you should use the search engine mentioned above.

The same applies to run flat tires, which almost every manufacturer labels differently. A search engine will also help here. What are run flat tires? They allow you to continue moving after a puncture. They are used in cars with an electronic pressure control system. In the event of a puncture, the driver receives a malfunction message. However, he can continue to drive at the correct speed, for example, to reach the nearest workshop. When looking for tires for yourself, it is worth checking whether our car is equipped with a system that allows you to mount run flat tires.

Another example of a tire feature is the presence of a protective bead. This is an additional reinforcement that protects the rim from damage. This is a very important characteristic, especially when we care about the good condition and appearance of our discs. The presence of a rim is easy to check by looking at the tire. However, if we are looking for tires on the AvtoTachkiu website, we select the appropriate option in the filters.

Tire approval - what does it mean?

For some vehicles, car manufacturers recommend the use of certain tire models. These are tires approved for this vehicle version. Most often, manufacturers decide to take such a step in the case of premium models with high performance. Such vehicles must use tires with appropriate parameters in order to drive safely with maximum load capacity. Is there a tire designation indicating approval? Of course yes, each vehicle manufacturer has its own method of labeling approved tires. For example, in the case of BMW, approved tires have a characteristic sprocket. In the case of Mercedes, the codes will be M0, M01 or M0E. Therefore, before buying tires, it is worth checking whether approved tires are installed on your car model. Then you should use the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer or look for tires in the independent market with parameters that are as close as possible to homologated ones.

You can find more similar guides for AvtoTachki Passions in the Automotive section.