It's time for summer tires

The replacement of winter tires with summer tires began in workshops last week. There is almost no day when drivers do not call and ask for free dates.

- Theoretically, tires should be changed to summer tires when the air temperature is above 7 degrees Celsius for several days. That is why the first customers are already there,” explains Jerzy Strzelewicz from Humovnia in Sucholeski. – In practice, however, the largest number of clients apply for this about April 1st. Regardless of the weather, he says there are two deadlines: before winter, most people try to change their tires on November 1, and then take them off in early April.

However, Dante's scenes taking place in autumn, when the first snow falls, however, should not be. Someone is planning trips abroad, to the mountains, skiing and prefers winter tires. Others plan to trade after Christmas.

– The process of changing tires to summer tires is always delayed, adds Jerzy Strzelewicz.

“But the first customers are already coming, although there are no queues yet,” confirms Marek Nedbala, an Opel dealer.

Why change tires to summer tires? When it gets warm, winter tires (made with a different rubber compound than summer tires) heat up too quickly, causing excessive tread wear. The cost of the project depends on the size of the rim and the type of rim.

Replacing winter tires with summer tires is one of the main activities that should be performed when preparing a car for operation in the spring-summer season, but not the only one. Many turn to service stations and workshops with a request to clean the air conditioning system. Before using the air conditioner, the air ducts must be cleaned to kill any bacteria or fungus that may be growing in them and to avoid unpleasant odours.

- We have such orders, we have already cleaned the first air conditioner this season, - says Marek Nedbala.

In the service, the service is performed with ozonizers, during which time the air is ionized (the cost is almost PLN 100). For an additional fee, you can also order a cabin filter replacement. Some people, however, prefer to clean their air conditioner cheaper because they do it themselves. Car shops have products that spray in a car with tightly closed windows, in which the air conditioner is turned on for internal circulation. This takes up to several minutes.

What do tires not like?

It is worth remembering that:

– monitor the correct pressure in the tires,

– do not move or brake too hard,

– do not turn at too high a speed, which may lead to a partial loss of traction,

- do not overload the car,

- drive slowly over curbs

- Take care of the correct suspension geometry.

Tire storage:

– wheels (tires on disks) should be stored lying down or suspended,

– tires without rims should be stored upright and rotated from time to time to avoid marks,

– the place of storage should be dark and cool,

– avoid contact with oils, propellants and chemicals, as these substances can damage the rubber.