How to choose summer tires for a car? Useful Tips + Video

The trivial procedure for “changing shoes” for a car with the advent of spring is not as simple as it might seem. First of all, in our geographic latitudes and climatic conditions it is very difficult to guess when you should switch to summer tires, because sudden snowfall and frost can last right up to mid-April.

On the other hand, driving on studded tires on asphalt is also impossible, because you simply “kill” them ahead of time. But usually, most motorists are guided by weather forecasts and switch to summer tires in late March or early April, when average daily temperatures are around five to ten degrees Celsius.

Tips for choosing summer tires

If a set of last year's tires is already completely worn out, the driver is faced with the question of choosing new tires. On our autoportal Vodi.su, we previously wrote about the parameters that must be considered when choosing:

• size - must match the size of the disk;
• tread pattern;
• speed and load index;
• brand.

It is also necessary to carefully inspect the tires for any damage, because even microscopic cracks will lead to serious problems in the future. An important factor is the date of manufacture of tires. If the rubber has been in the warehouse for more than five years, it is better to refuse it, or buy it only if there is a good discount.

Protector types

According to the tread pattern, rubber can be divided into three large subgroups:

• classic symmetrical;
• directed;
• asymmetric.

Symmetric tread can be called universal, as it is suitable for any vehicle. If you drive within the rules of the road, do not do street racing or off-road survival racing, then this pattern will be ideal. Moreover, such tires belong to the budget or mid-price segment.

But they also have disadvantages: at high speeds on a wet track, you can easily lose control, and problems can also arise in dangerous areas with a lot of sharp turns. In a word, such a pattern is optimal for a measured calm ride.

Tires with directional tread in the form of a "Christmas tree" they cope much better with the removal of dirt and moisture. They can feel more confident on wet pavement.

There are also problems:

• quite noisy;
• reduced directional stability characteristics due to softer sidewalls and outer edges of the tread;
• problems with interchangeability - there are separate tires for the right and left axles, respectively, you need to carry two spare wheels or a stowaway with you, on which you can slowly drive to the nearest tire service.

Asymmetric tread type today it is very popular, as it can significantly improve the characteristics of rubber: good directional stability, resistance to aquaplaning, it is possible (but not desirable) to change the wheels in places, that is, it is enough to have one spare tire for unforeseen situations. By installing just such rubber, you can be sure that even at high speeds the car will obey the steering wheel well.

Profile height

As we remember, the standard size designation is as follows: 175/70r13.

These numbers represent:

1. width in millimeters;
2. profile - as a percentage of the width;
3. radius in inches.

If you do not want to change wheels, then buy tires of the exact size that is indicated in the instructions. However, in order to give the car a more sporty look, many motorists purchase larger diameter wheels. In this case, you have to switch to tires with a low profile.

High profile (more than 60%) performs well on tracks with not the best coverage, because it absorbs all the bumps better. But, at the same time, the car has some valkost. High-profile tires are installed on SUVs, freight and passenger vehicles, as they reduce vibration as much as possible.

Low profile tires suitable for driving on highways and autobahns. The car is distinguished by better controllability, its dynamic characteristics are improved. Do not forget also that all vibrations will be transmitted to the suspension, comfort also suffers while driving on poor quality roads.

Selection of summer tires by manufacturer

The leaders of the car tire market are well known to readers of Vodi.su:

• bridgestone;
• Continental;
• Nokian;
• Dunlop;
• Pirelli;
• Toyo;
• Kumho;
• Yokohama;
• Michelin etc.

Of the novelties of 2017-2018, I would like to highlight the following products. Cooper SC7 - American tires specifically for European roads. They are distinguished by an asymmetric pattern, they are installed on medium-sized and compact cars. Pros: stable handling, effective braking, increased contact patch, low noise. Available for 14" and 15" wheels.

Sumitomo BC100 - asymmetric tires for passenger cars and crossovers. They are made of rubber of a special composition, due to which they are distinguished by excellent grip, low rolling resistance and aquaplaning, noiselessness, directional stability.

Pirelli Belt P7 - budget universal rubber from a well-known manufacturer. We had the opportunity to test these tires in rainy weather. Their main advantage is hydroplaning resistance and effective braking on wet pavement.

Finnish Nokian offers a wide range of tire models for the summer period:

• Hakka Blue;
• Hakka Green;
• Nordman SZ;
• Nokian cLine Cargo or cLine Van is a good tire for light trucks, vans and minivans.

Other manufacturers also have their own unique developments: Yokohama BluEarth, Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 (according to some auto resources recognized as the best summer tires in 2017), Michelin Energy XM2, Bridgestone Turanza, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance.

What tires to choose for the summer?

We specifically did not write about the choice of size or load index, since all this information is present on our website.

But there are general recommendations for all drivers:

• tires with a profile of 60% or higher with an S or T index are ideal for moderate city driving;
• profile 55 and below, index V or W - for lovers of aggressive driving style;
• for off-road, high-profile tires with a powerful tread and an appropriate index are chosen;
• for cargo or passenger minivans, most often they choose all-weather reinforced universal rubber with a classic symmetrical pattern.

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