What summer tires to choose? 5 tips to consider

Good summer tires should combine an attractive price, interesting appearance and the best parameters. As a result, many variables affect the overall rating of a tire. Before buying summer tires for your car, it is worth comparing prices, analyzing technical details and, above all, taking into account what the specific needs of the driver are. Tires selected in this way will last for many years.

Choosing the right tires takes time. Analysis of individual manufacturers or the properties of their models may not be sufficient. well chosen summer tires they must also take into account the driver's driving style, the place where the vehicle is used, or the frequency of long journeys. Here are five tips to help you make the right decision.

Choose the tires that suit your needs

Do you drive a classic sedan in which you do not develop exorbitant speeds, but mostly move around the city? Consider whether it is worth buying, for example, expensive sports tires - your car may not take advantage of their capabilities. Are you driving an SUV on dirty country roads? Consider buying summer tires optimized for SUVs. They are offered by almost all leading manufacturers.

David Klima, Tire Industry Expert associated with SklepOpon.com, notes: “Currently, the tire market offers a wide range of products with different parameters. As a result, the purchase must be carefully analyzed in terms of the type of car or one's own driving style. Properly selected tires will ensure safety and driving comfort.

Choose tires from trusted manufacturers

Budget is a fairly common constraint for drivers. Prices for premium tires are high as a result of innovations and, for example, additional structural reinforcements. How to choose summer tires so as not to overpay? It's not just the price, of course. Tires are a commodity, the cost of which largely depends on the quality of the materials used. Rubber with a high silica content will naturally be more expensive than a tire with a leaner compound.

The price of tires largely depends on the brand of the manufacturer and the production technologies used by him. As a result, higher-quality tires cost more than less well-developed tires, and the product itself has not passed dozens of complex and costly tests.

So when considering two identical tires with similar parameters, it is worth considering the brand factor. The best companies—the more recognizable, the more resource-intensive quality assurance companies—produce products that last longer. This will make a big difference in the long run. Continental, Goodyear, Michelin, Dunlop are just some of the brands that will provide very good driving performance.

Pay attention to technical innovations

Which summer tires to choose if the key criterion is their behavior on the road in adverse conditions? They should be good at aquaplaning - limiting skidding when the surface of the tire comes into contact with water. The braking distance is affected in particular by:

• tire quality - the compound from which summer tires are made
• structure supporting the load in case of braking
• protector - grooves and lamellas that drain excess water

Summer tires from big-name premium brands will certainly provide better performance than cheaper, but at the same time less developed models from lesser-known manufacturers. This is confirmed by industry tests of automotive associations and publishers related to the car market.

Check tire performance

Are you planning to buy summer tires for your car on the highway? Do you like - in places where it is allowed - to drive at above average speeds? Select tires, incl. for the speed index. This is especially important for summer tires. In winter, drivers naturally limit speed. On the other hand, in summer, due to favorable road conditions, they are more inclined to move at high speeds. Not all tires are ready for such challenges. Therefore, it is worth checking whether this tire model allows you to move at a speed of 170-180 km / h and above.

Select tire tread type

Before buying summer tires, you should also pay attention to their tread. The tread pattern of symmetrical tires is the same in both halves. This is a solution that will work well in small to medium sized vehicles. For larger, more powerful vehicles, consider purchasing tires with a more advanced tread pattern.

A good choice would be summer tires with an asymmetric pattern. The inner part, thanks to the large number of slots, provides more efficient water drainage. On the other hand, the outer has a positive effect on grip when driving fast. It also plays a role in stabilizing the car when cornering. These features are very important for owners of vehicles with great power and outstanding dynamics.

You can also consider directional tires. This type of tread has a characteristic V-shape that provides effective water evacuation. The directional summer tires will also provide effective braking - both on dry and wet roads.

Summer tire comparison - the key to success

When planning the purchase of summer tires, it is necessary to take into account several factors: from the price class of tires to their technical parameters. Therefore, it is important to carefully analyze proposals. A common mistake drivers make is sometimes too quick a choice - for example, to be guided by a temporary promotion. You should also pay attention to the age of summer tires. Formally, both one-year-old and three-year-old models can be defined as new - as long as they are stored and not used on the road. The upper age limit for tires is 10 years. Although good summer tires such as Continental, Michelin or Bridgestone are resistant to wear and tear, the structure of the tire may be more prone to damage or cracking after ten years. That is why it is so important to regularly replace tires and monitor their quality condition.