Tips on how to choose tires for a car

10 important rules when buying tires

An article about how and which tires are best to purchase: 10 important tips and recommendations for the buyer. At the end of the article there is a video about how to choose tires and what you need to know when buying them.

The content of the article:

• Wealth of choice
• Buying Tips
• Video about how to choose tires and what you need to know when buying them

The variety of tire manufacturers and brands can confuse any buyer, especially if this is the first time purchasing this important component for a car.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that the tires differ not only in the name of the manufacturer - they are actually very different. How to avoid mistakes and make the right purchase? Let's figure it out.

Wealth of choice

Tires are very diverse in their purpose. For driving in a dynamic sports style - some, for measured movement - others. Moreover, when choosing tires, you need to take into account the weather conditions in the area where the car will be used.

Summer tires can be used at temperatures above plus five degrees. They are divided into the following categories:

• universal type tires;
• tires for traveling on roads;
• tires for driving on mud and rough terrain.

Universal tires are marked A/T. They perform well on clean asphalt and in mud. The downsides are driving noise, higher than with asphalt tires, and less stability on city asphalt.

Road tires are the most common option. Marking – N/T, N/R. They are distinguished by low noise and a high degree of road grip, but it is better not to use them in mud and off-road.

Mud tires are more suitable for off-road use. Their marking is M/T. On a clear road they are noisy, but cope well with mud and rough terrain.

Winter tires also have their own categories, depending on what type of winter the motorist expects:

• Scandinavian studded;
• Arctic;
• European.

Scandinavian studded tires are designed for icy conditions. On “bare” asphalt, such tires are noisy, and it is not recommended to develop high speeds on them so that the spikes do not fly out.

Arctic tires , or “Velcro” as they are also called, are designed for harsh winter conditions and low temperatures. The treads of such tires are distinguished by a very dense pattern; their rubber is soft and retains its properties well at low temperatures.

European tires are designed for winter in the mild European climate (where their name comes from), where precipitation in the form of rain and wet snow prevails. They have well thought out drainage, but on icy or snowy roads, tires of this type are not the most convenient option.

All-season tires are good for short distances and low vehicle loads. They are inexpensive, but do not last long. The only plus is the ability to use them at any time of the year.

In addition to the above classification, tires are also distinguished:

• low-profile – convenient for smooth roads in the city, but unsuitable for off-road;
• Run Flat tires – for cars with tire pressure monitoring, allowing you to drive up to 150 km even on tires that have been punctured;
• off-road – for rough terrain and clayey roads.

Tires are also distinguished by their pattern. He can be:

• symmetrical directional - for high-speed sports driving, stable on wet roads;
• symmetrical non-directional - inexpensive, most common in the city, but does not allow high speeds in winter;
• asymmetrical directional - the most expensive option, which makes it possible to move at good speed on wet roads, but is characterized by the complexity of installation;
• asymmetrical non-directional - a popular choice for driving on wet roads, characterized by good handling.

Buying Tips

As can be seen from the above classifications, the abundance of brands and varieties of tires can really confuse you. Therefore, when purchasing, it is better to use a number of useful tips.

1. Choose the right time to buy

It is best to plan the purchase of tires in advance - this is an opportunity not only to make a thoughtful choice, but also to save significant money.

The right time is also when manufacturers change their product lines. During this period, stores strive to get rid of previous models as quickly as possible, doing this with the help of large discounts. Sometimes the discount can reach half the original cost of the tires.

Finally, it is better to purchase tires in advance for the simple reason that during a last-minute purchase in stores, the required model and brand may simply not be available, and then you will have to buy something else, and even at exorbitant prices.

2. Analyze opinions and reviews

Having decided on any brand of tires, it would be useful to get acquainted with the reviews of motorists. And there is one important nuance here: the most valuable reviews will be from those motorists whose tires have lasted no less than a quarter of the declared service life.

Any tires will be perfect as long as they are new. But statistics indicate that most of the problems with rubber arise when its service life is a quarter or more exhausted. At this time, problems with balancing, uneven abrasion, aquaplaning, swelling on the tires, and noise when driving may appear.

Another important point is the brand of the car on which the tires are installed. For the buyer, the most useful will be reviews from owners of cars of the same brand. The modern assortment includes a wide range of tires that can be installed on almost any type of passenger car, from sports coupes to SUVs.

But on different types of cars such tires behave differently, so it is important to know what they are like when used on a car of a specific weight and power.

3. Average cost is not an indicator of durability

This advice is based on observations from recent years. Unfortunately, even manufacturers of high-quality tires have recently “lowered the bar” somewhat, and now the concept of “the most expensive tires” is not identical to the concept of “the most durable.”

Brand name manufacturers focus on the performance of their products rather than their durability. If earlier purchasing expensive tires meant purchasing them for a long time, today the emphasis has shifted: expensive tires have excellent characteristics that correspond to the stated data in the product data sheet, but at the same time, such tires do not have to last a long time.

4. Features of using the car

When choosing the type of tires, it is important to take into account the actual conditions in which the car is used.

When constantly using a car in city traffic and traffic jams, it makes no sense to purchase tires designed for the dynamic driving of a sports car - despite their beautiful appearance and excellent characteristics, such tires will “kill” in traffic jams very quickly.

5. Release date matters

Rubber is a material that changes over time. Even the best quality tires degrade over the years. Therefore, it is best to purchase recently produced products.

The shelf life of rubber largely depends on the conditions in which it is stored before sale and installation on a car. You should know that rubber tires do not tolerate ultraviolet radiation and sunlight, and storage conditions in store warehouses can be very, very different. Therefore, there is only one way out - try to purchase tires that have been stored there for a minimum time.

The tire release date can be seen on the side wall. Tires are marked with the year and week of manufacture (four-digit DOT code).

6. No used tires!

Tires are something that you should never buy used. If you have purchased a car, you must have enough money for its tires, otherwise you should not purchase it at all. While other components can still be purchased used, this is unacceptable with tires.

The reason for such a strict rule is that used tires are very difficult to value. The inner cord of the tire may be damaged, and this problem only appears when air under pressure is supplied to the tire. Used tires, as a rule, are sold without wheels, and you won’t be able to see the problem.

To be fair, it is worth saying that there are also good used tires, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

7. Don't pay too much attention to the brand

Modern production is such that not a single, even the most famous brand insures the consumer against low quality .

Even Nokian or Michelin have both excellent and not the best tires in their model line. Therefore, you should not become an ardent fan of the brand without paying attention to the features of various models.

8. Selection in store

The selected model must be carefully examined. An important characteristic is the sidewall of the tire. If it is thin, the car may experience additional instability on the highway. And an excessively soft wall will be excessively vulnerable to lateral impacts on the tire.

A small tread is, of course, beautiful, but it should be remembered that after 15 thousand kilometers many tread elements disappear, and with them the main characteristics of the tread.

9. The choice of tires depends on the intensity of use of the car

If a driver operates a car with low intensity, he should not purchase tires that claim to have a long service life. The reason for this warning is that rubber loses its properties over the years. Therefore, it may turn out that a lot of money was paid for the protectors, the service life has not yet been exhausted, and the quality is already beginning to rapidly deteriorate.

With a small annual mileage, it is better to purchase cheaper tires that will “cope” with the mileage, but during this time they will not have time to lose the properties of the material.

10. Winter tires

Living in regions with harsh winters requires a special approach to choosing “winter” tires. You should not try to save money by purchasing “all-season” tires: such savings can be expensive. All-season tires are only good for warm climates without snow and ice, and then they require frequent replacement.

The choice of tires is an issue that should not be approached lightly , because not only driving comfort, but also safety on the road depends on how well the treads are selected.

Video about how to choose tires and what you need to know when buying them:

What tires should I choose for my car this summer?

In spring it's time to put summer tires on your car. If the old tires are already worn out, you have to buy new ones. The driver faces the question: which summer tires to choose? Even tires of the same size from different manufacturers vary greatly in price and performance. Therefore, making a reasonable choice of summer tires is not an easy task even for experienced car owners. You need to know what characteristics you should pay attention to and how they affect the car’s behavior on the road.

In this article you will learn:

• What is the difference between summer tires and winter tires?
• What to look for when choosing summer tires?
• Rating of the best summer tire manufacturers

At the end of the article you will find a short video that tells in detail how to choose the right summer tires.

Differences between summer tires and winter tires

The temperature and speed conditions of tire operation determine the main quality - the hardness of the rubber. Winter tires are softer . This provides them with better traction in frosty weather. Therefore, they quickly wear out on hot asphalt. Solid summer tires that hold the road well in the heat, but in the cold they slide even on clean asphalt.

The tread pattern is also different . On winter tires it is cut into thin sipes, which improve grip on ice or snow. The pattern of summer tires is designed to quickly remove water from the contact patch and provide a high coefficient of adhesion at high speeds.

In addition to the varieties listed, there are all-season tires. They have average characteristics. In winter, such tires hold the road worse than winter ones, and in summer they wear out faster than summer ones. The longer braking distance and worse handling are compensated by the fact that you can drive an all-season vehicle at any time of the year.

How to choose the right summer tires?

In addition to seasonality, tires differ in size, strength and other characteristics. Let's figure out what 6 important parameters you need to pay attention to first:

Standard size

This characteristic is indicated on the side of the tire in the form of letters and numbers. For example, marking 205/55R16 is deciphered as follows:

• 205 — tire width in millimeters.
• 55 - profile (height) of the tire, expressed as a percentage of the width (55% of 205 is 112.75 mm).
• R - denotes a radial tire design (all modern rubber is exactly like this. Manufacturers no longer produce bias-ply tires for passenger cars).
• 16 — fit size in inches. It determines the radius of the rim for which the tire is designed.

Car manufacturers indicate acceptable tire sizes. This information is contained in the instructions and is duplicated on a sticker located on the inside of the gas tank flap. However, slight deviations are allowed for almost every parameter.

Important : deviations in the bore diameter are not allowed. It must exactly match the size of the disk.

When choosing a non-standard size, you need to consider the following points:

1. Tires whose diameter is significantly larger than that specified by the manufacturer will touch the wheel arches. This not only shortens their service life, but also poses a serious danger - the tire may burst while driving.
2. Reduced tire diameter reduces ground clearance. The car becomes more stable in corners, but the maneuverability deteriorates and the risk of damage to the crankcase or exhaust pipe increases.
3. Tires that are too wide touch the wheel arches when cornering. However, in this case, the disc offset also matters.
4. As the width increases, the area of ​​the contact patch with the road increases. The braking distance is reduced, but the dynamics and fuel consumption are slightly worse.

And don’t forget: the wider the tires, the lower the speed needed for hydroplaning.

Purpose of summer tires

This criterion is relevant when choosing tires for SUVs. Three types of tires are produced for them:

• Highway (H/T, Highway Terrain) - tires with shallow tread. Designed for driving on asphalt roads. They have a high coefficient of adhesion and provide good car handling. But the tread of road tires does not cope well with off-road conditions.
• Universal (A/T, All Terrain) - tires with a deeper tread than road tires. This worsens handling and increases noise levels, but makes it possible to overcome light off-road conditions.
• Mud (M/T, Mud Terrain) - tires with large, deep tread elements, designed for off-road driving. Some have lugs that improve maneuverability. These tires are needed by those who drive a lot on mud, sand or rocky soil. But on the highway, off-road tires do not grip the road well and wear out quickly.

Tread pattern

According to this parameter, passenger tires are divided into two groups: symmetrical and asymmetrical. The pattern determines the characteristics of the rubber and the features of its installation.

• Symmetrical non-directional (classic) tires are designed for lovers of leisurely driving. The pattern, symmetrical relative to the plane of rotation, ensures low noise levels and smooth running of the vehicle. However, such tires are prone to hydroplaning.
• Symmetrical directional tires are distinguished by a tread with grooves diverging from the middle to the edges. They quickly move water away from the contact patch, reducing the likelihood of hydroplaning. The effectiveness of the tread depends on the direction of rotation. Therefore, when installing such rubber, you need to follow the arrows that determine the direction of rotation. They are painted on the side surface of the rubber.
• Asymmetrical non-directional tires are characterized by good handling, rigidity and resistance to aquaplaning. The pattern of such tires is divided by a longitudinal rib, which increases directional stability. Grooves on the inside effectively remove water from the contact patch. Therefore, such tires must be installed in a strictly defined manner. The inner side is marked with the inscription INSIDE, the outer side - OUTSIDE.
• Asymmetric directional tires differ from non-directional tires in that they have restrictions on the direction of rotation. The left and right side tires are not compatible. This is inconvenient, which is why such rubber is not widely used.

If possible, buy asymmetrical non-directional tires. They are less susceptible to hydroplaning and have a higher coefficient of traction.

Speed ​​index

When the wheel rotates, a centrifugal force acts on the tire, proportional to the square of the speed. The speed capabilities of tires are marked with letters of the Latin alphabet. This parameter is called the speed index and determines two characteristics at once:

• Road grip coefficient. For high-speed tires this parameter is higher.
• The maximum speed for which the tire is designed.

How to choose the right tires for your car

We have already figured out how to choose the right wheels for a car. Now our task is to select tires. There are probably as many markings on the sidewall of tires as there are parameters on the rim, but in general choosing a tire is a little easier. Let's find out what numbers like “185/70 R14 88H” mean and how to deal with them.

You need to choose the right tire for a wheel with the specified parameters or for a specific car.

When choosing tires, you need to consider the following parameters:

• seasonality;
• tread type;
• type of tire design - tubed or tubeless;
• type of cord construction;
• mounting (or landing) diameter;
• tire width;
• profile height;
• load index;
• speed index.

As in the case of choosing wheels, let’s make a reservation right away: if at this stage you no longer want to understand numbers and indices, you can simply use the tire calculator of any large online store or online service, where you can instantly select tires by indicating the model of your car or characteristics of existing disks.

However, if you continue reading, then it has already become clear to you that in fact the above list of parameters is quickly reduced to two or three points, since most of them are obvious or subjective characteristics. Let's go in order.

Seasonality is an obvious parameter: at the time of choosing tires, you understand perfectly well whether you need winter or summer tires. The issue of choosing so-called “all-season” tires and its applicability in conditions of year-round use is a topic for a separate discussion, as is the choice of mud or “universal” tires. Here it is only worth saying that winter tires must be marked with the “snowflake” icon or the letters “M+S” or “MS”.

In general, the tread pattern can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, as well as directional or non-directional. Symmetrical non-directional tread is the simplest basic type of tread: these tires are the most common and inexpensive. The directionality of the tread primarily increases its ability to effectively drain water from the contact patch - this reduces the risk of aquaplaning . Well, the asymmetrical tread pattern is designed to combine good drainage and directional stability. The issue of choosing a projector pattern also deserves a separate discussion.

By design, tires are designed for use with or without a tube. However, in modern conditions, the question of choosing a tire design is almost predetermined: almost all modern passenger tires are tubeless. Such tires are marked with the inscription “Tubeless” (which means “tubeless”) or “TL”.

The type of cord construction – the strength part of the tire, its “skeleton” – is also a characteristic that does not require much attention when choosing modern tires: almost all of them today are radial. This fact is indicated by the very letter “R” in the tire marking: for example, the mark “185/70 R 14 88 H” means that this is a radial tire with a 14-inch bore diameter, and not a 14-inch “radius,” as is often mistakenly said consider.

This is also a simple parameter if you already have wheels for which you are choosing tires: the seat diameter of the tire must match the diameter of the wheel. If you choose wheels along with tires, you need to check in the instruction manual which diameter wheels are acceptable for use on your model, and only then select tires of the same size for them.

Tire width is the first digital index reflected in the tire marking. It is indicated in millimeters: the 185/70 R 14 tire has a width of 185 millimeters. This is perhaps the first parameter on our list, which can vary when choosing a tire for a particular wheel or car.

The point here is that the rim can also have different widths, and the tire must fit correctly on the rim. A tire that is too narrow will sit “like a house” on the rim, which is unacceptable due to the high risk of spontaneous dismounting, and a tire that is too wide will “mushroom”, which is also unacceptable. Some tuning trends like stance consider the “house” landing to be beautiful and make it a separate style element , but from the point of view of civilian use it is not justified and incorrect.

Each car model has several options for wheel diameter and tire size suitable for use. All these options, recommended by the manufacturer, are listed in the car's operating manual: it is from this data that you should choose. In turn, a rim of a certain width has several acceptable tire options. Here the choice should be made depending on the desired characteristics.

Firstly, wider tires usually provide a larger contact patch with the road and, accordingly, better grip. Secondly, given the same diameter, tires with a larger width have a smaller profile - we’ll talk about it a little lower. Thirdly, wider tires have more weight, which will slightly affect the car's dynamics and fuel consumption. Well, fourthly, as the width of the tires increases, their tendency to hydroplaning . In addition, tires of different widths have different final costs - as a rule, you will have to pay a few extra hundred rubles for additional millimeters. Thus, the width of the tires must be selected taking into account the range allowed by the manufacturer and the desired characteristics.

The profile height, or series, is the second index reflected in the tire marking. It is indicated as a percentage of the tire width: that is, it is the ratio of the profile height to the width as a percentage. For example, a 185/70 R 14 88 H tire has a profile height of 70% of its width. It’s easy to calculate the height in millimeters: you need to multiply the width by the profile and divide by 100 - for our tires this figure is 129.5 millimeters.

The profile height affects the characteristics of the tire. First, the higher profile provides better comfort and puncture resistance. Lower profile tires, therefore, better transfer the road profile to the suspension and body, and are also more prone to damage when hit by defects in the road surface. Secondly, a lower profile provides better handling, and a higher one, on the contrary, provides greater “rollability” of the car. Thirdly, as mentioned above, given the same diameter, tires with a larger width have a smaller profile - this must be taken into account when choosing in accordance with the desired characteristics.

Load index is a parameter that reflects the maximum permissible load on a tire during operation. It is indicated by a digital index, indicated after the geometric parameters of the tire: for example, our conventional tire 185/70 R 14 88 H has a load index of 88. The decoding of the index can be found in the table provided by the tire manufacturer - in our case, the index 88 means a permissible load of 560 kilograms. When choosing tires, it is worth considering that the maximum permissible weight of the car, accordingly, should not exceed the maximum load multiplied by 4 - the number of tires on the car.

Speed ​​index is a parameter that reflects the maximum permissible speed at which the tire maintains its performance characteristics. This is a letter index, the decoding of which also needs to be clarified in the table provided by the manufacturer. Tires of the same diameter can have different speed indexes depending on other parameters - width, profile, rubber compound composition and, accordingly, price. If the parameter of the maximum permissible operating speed is important to you, then you need to choose tires in a high price category with the best consumer qualities.

How to choose the right summer tires for a car?

For those who do not see the point in purchasing summer tires when you can buy all-season tires, let us explain: no matter how attractive the idea of ​​​​universal tires may be, in reality they will not be able to perfectly suit the weather conditions of all seasons at once and ensure safe driving. Therefore, we still decided to pay attention to how to choose summer tires.

Choosing summer tires: basic parameters

There is nothing overly complicated about how to choose summer tires, the main thing is to study the following parameters:

Tire size

The standard size is the ratio of such tire parameters as its height, width and bore diameter, that is, the outer diameter. For example, the 195/65 R15 marking on a tire means that its width is 195 mm, its profile height relative to width is 65%, and its outer diameter is 15 inches.

To choose the correct summer tire size, you need to remember that the tire profile is a rather relative value. This means that it will not be possible to take tires with a width slightly larger than the required one, wanting to maintain the profile height - it always increases in direct proportion to the width. Pay close attention to the seat diameter - incorrect dimensions will simply not allow you to install the tires.

The profile height of car tires is divided into three types: they are low profile (≤ 55%), high profile (60-75%) and full profile (≥ 82%). Low profile tires provide good vehicle handling, but are not very resistant to road irregularities. High-profile tires, on the contrary, make it difficult to control the car, but they can easily move off-road. They often don’t even have the appropriate markings, so if you see only the width and diameter on the tire, then you have a high-profile tire with an indicator of 80-82%.

Tread pattern type

The pattern on a thick layer of rubber directly affects the grip of the car with the road surface, as well as the rolling resistance of the wheel. The following types of summer tire tread patterns are distinguished:

• Classic symmetrical, or non-directional, is the most common and is well suited for city driving and highway driving, which is why it is considered classic. This type of tread is installed during the production of the car.
• Directional symmetrical - the pattern is excellent for driving in wet and damp weather, as it has good drainage and stabilization of the car on wet roads. However, rear tires with this pattern cannot be swapped for front ones, and vice versa, which prevents them from being taken as a spare tire.
• Asymmetrical - this pattern ensures comfortable driving in any weather and is suitable for both regular sedans and SUVs. These tires have an inner and outer side with different patterns, so they need to be installed in a strictly specified direction.

Load capacity index

The load that summer tires can withstand when driving at their maximum speed is indicated by this index. Therefore, in order to choose the right summer tires, you need to get an idea of ​​what kind of cargo or passengers you are going to transport in your car. It is the load index that determines how much weight will fall on one car wheel.

Typically this index takes the form of numbers from 60 to 125 units. Look for the correspondence of this value with the permissible weight in kilograms in the table:

Speed ​​index

To know how to choose summer tires correctly, you also need to pay attention to their speed rating. It is he who indicates the maximum operating speed of the rubber. Look for its designation on the tire next to the load capacity and size markings - it is a large Latin letter, the meaning of which can be found in the table below:

A high speed index can also provide the shortest braking distance. But when choosing summer tires, remember that they cost much more than tires with a low speed index. If you are a fan of fast driving, then you can choose summer tires with the index H, V or W, but if you don’t plan to drive recklessly, and the maximum speed of the car itself does not allow it, then there is no point in paying more.

Tire construction type

There are two types of structures - radial and diagonal. You can see their practical advantages in the following table:

As can be seen from the table, the radial design has many more advantages, so diagonal frames are already becoming obsolete, and modern summer tires on the market are mostly radial. You will learn about this by seeing the letter R in the size marking next to the diameter value.

How to choose summer tires - determine the type of driving

To correctly select summer tires based on the parameters described above, you need to determine how you usually drive and under what conditions. We suggest you choose from the following examples.

• Do you like to drive at high speeds? Take tires with any tread pattern, speed index V, W and profile no higher than 55%.
• When driving within the city and beyond, you can stop on tires with any known tread pattern, profile height of 60% and speed T, S.
• Do you often drive off-road? Note the 80% profile with deep tread pattern. If you want to change tires on a van/minivan, look for the C or LT marking.

And if you are interested in learning about how to choose winter tires, then watch the following video:

Wise choice of car tires

There is probably no car enthusiast who has not at least once had the question of purchasing car tires. After all, just as a person’s shoes wear out, car tires gradually become unusable. No matter how old your body, transmission, engine, tires should always be in perfect technical condition and appropriate for the current season.

Properly selected tires have a direct impact on driving safety. Since the moment of changing car tires during the off-season occurs unexpectedly for many car enthusiasts, we will tell you how to properly prepare for it. We will also tell you what parameters and criteria you should use to choose tires, so that when traveling in your car you feel safe and experience only comfort.

All tires differ from each other in size , profile width , tread pattern and seasonality . To find out exactly what size you need, you can look up this information in your car's service book. Or buy new tires with the same parameters that are already installed on your car. But remember, in order for the sidewall of the wheel to suffer as little as possible, you need to buy tires with the minimum diameter allowed by the manufacturer.

Seasonality

Car tires are changed according to the season of use. Timely replacement is necessary both for the safety of the tires themselves and for safe driving conditions. Tires are divided into the following categories:

• Summer tires;
• Winter tires;
• All-season tires.

Summer tires

Designed for use in the warm season, when the ambient temperature during the day does not fall below +5°C. If it’s already much cooler outside, the rubber hardens, elasticity disappears, and traction is lost. Manufacturers make summer tires from wear-resistant rubber and materials that allow them to reach high speeds on hot asphalt.

The tread pattern of summer tires plays an important role. It comes in the following types: with a directional tread pattern, non-directional and asymmetrical.

• The directional pattern allows water to be removed from under the wheels as quickly as possible, which eliminates aquaplaning - the car almost does not lose control. But such tires need to be installed correctly! When installing, pay attention to the word ROTATION, indicated on the tire itself in the form of an arrow indicating the direction of wheel movement. If you install a wheel with such a tire on the wrong side, then an emergency situation may arise on a wet road.
• Non-directional - the simplest and most universal pattern; such tires can be installed on any side. They do not require specific installation conditions. The most budget option. Great for dry roads.
• Asymmetrical is a tire version on which the tread pattern is divided into two parts. On the right side is the tread pattern for wet asphalt, on the left - for dry asphalt. Since in the manufacture of such a tire the inner part is stiffer than the outer part, traction and road handling become noticeably better. The best option for summer tires when your region has a temperate continental climate. You can determine the asymmetrical version of a tire simply by looking at it, because the pattern on the right and left sides will be different from each other. The tire markings indicate Outside and Inside, or Side Facing Out and Side Facing Inwards, indicating the inside and outside of the tire. After installation, only one of the marking options should be visible.

Winter tires

Every year there comes a time when you have to change summer tires to winter ones. It should be used when the air temperature outside the window is below +5°C. The rubber of such a tire is soft, it does not harden when exposed to negative temperatures. It is necessary to approach the choice of such tires strictly based on your weather conditions, because winter passes differently in different regions of our country. When choosing such rubber, a mandatory parameter is the zigzag slots (sipes) on the tread. They help to cling to ice and rolled snow. Each manufacturer has at least one patent for a protector with such an element. Winter tires can be divided into the following classes:

• Studded tires;
• Laminated rubber (popularly known as “Velcro”).

Studded tires are tires equipped with studs, designed for the best traction in bad, snowy weather and on icy roads. In such conditions, the best braking is achieved. In the harsh Russian winter, they are the most in demand. However, they are the noisiest and wear out quickly on bare asphalt; when driving on it, spikes quickly fly out, of which on average there are from 80 to 190 pieces on one wheel. By the way, the holder of the record for the number of studs is considered to be a tire size 20555R16 from the Nokian company of the Hakkapeliitta 8 series.

Here are some recommendations for using winter studded tires:

• New winter tires need to be run in for about 500 kilometers. It is necessary for the spikes to fall into place in the direction of movement. At this time, sharp braking and sudden starting, as well as sudden changes in direction of movement, are not recommended. This will affect how long the studs will last in your wheel and whether they will fall out before their service life.
• Buy studded tires that have been studded at the factory. Don't do this yourself.

Laminated rubber or “Velcro” is the same winter tire, similar in quality and appearance, but differs in the complete absence of studs on it. Thanks to a larger number of zigzag slots (sipes), traction on the road surface is improved. The damage to the road surface, unlike studded tires, is minimal. On wet asphalt, Velcro seems to stick to it, since it absorbs water better due to the soft rubber included in its composition. At very low temperatures it still does not tan and works the same, but still loses on ice and snow. This tire should be used in regions with minimal winter precipitation.

All-season tire

This tire can be used all year round, but only in conditions with a very favorable climate. Despite the fact that in large cities the streets are constantly cleaned in winter, the weather can be unpredictable. That's why you often don't know what awaits you tomorrow. In this regard, there is constant debate about the choice of all-season tires. There are both opponents and defenders of this type of tire. As they say, how many people, so many opinions.

Other types of tires

• Off-road tires - this type of tire has nothing to do with the summer or winter type. Such tires are used specifically for driving on swampy, rough terrain. The tread usually has a sparse pattern. The tires feel great off-road, but are not effective on flat roads, as they have a long braking distance and wear out quickly.
• Flat-free tires are being introduced more and more quickly by global brands. Inside these tires there is a special mass that instantly seals the resulting hole with a diameter of up to 5 mm, preventing air from being released from the wheel. There is also Run on Flat technology, in which the sidewalls are reinforced with a special compound that prevents the tire from going flat if punctured. This way you can travel about 150 kilometers. Please note that different manufacturers designate such technologies in their own way.
• Low profile tires - these tires have a profile height to width ratio of no more than 55%. Designed for dynamic and fast driving, but only on smooth roads. Such tires have great grip on the road and, accordingly, better handling. Acceleration is faster and braking distances are shorter.
• The extended range tire is capable of operating at temperatures from +50°C to −15°C. This is a special summer tire that can withstand freezing temperatures. It will be especially relevant for all-season use in the southern expanses of our country, when the winter temperature does not drop below -15 °C. At the moment, it is very difficult to find such a tire on the market. One example of such a tire is Michelin Energy XT 2.

With a camera or not?

Tires come in tubed and tubeless varieties. A tube tire loses pressure almost instantly. The air comes out of it through a valve hole in the rim. But air comes out of a tubeless tire only at the puncture site. If the hole is small, then the air comes out very slowly. The tubeless type has long proven itself on the market on the positive side; it should be chosen for a passenger car. Indicated on the wheel as Tubeless.

How to “read” a tire correctly

At first glance, the markings on the tire are a collection of incomprehensible words, numbers and letters. Let's try to figure out what they mean.

The load index indicates the maximum weight of the vehicle per wheel. The passport of any car indicates the recommended maximum load on the wheel and it is worth adhering to it, and if you want to take it with a reserve, then you should not overdo it, a maximum of 30-35% of the recommended value. The load index can be different: from the designation 62, which indicates the ability to withstand a load of 265 kg, to the index 126, in the presence of which the tire will withstand a 1700-kg load.

The speed index in the form of a letter indicates the maximum permissible speed limit for this tire: P – 150 km/h, Q – 160 km/h, R – 170 km/h, S – 180 km/h, T – 190 km/h h, H – 210 km/h, V – 240 km/h, W – 270 km/h, Y – 300 km/h.

Important indicators when choosing a tire

Dry grip . This indicator determines the grip and braking properties on hard, dry surfaces. It is influenced by the rubber composition, the tread pattern, and the size of the contact patch with the road. Of course, you won’t find all this in the tire labeling. Only the results of official tests can help here.

Wet grip is a measure of how a tire behaves when braking on wet roads. The results of assessment tests will also help here.

Resistance to aquaplaning is one of the most important indicators of tire quality, especially when driving at high speeds. Heavy rain and puddles on our roads are far from uncommon, and without a sufficient number of drainage channels, it will be difficult for the tire to cope with the drainage of water from under the contact patch, which means that the tire will float rather than ride along the road and the car will become uncontrollable.

Wear resistance. First of all, this indicator depends on operating conditions, driving style, wheel alignment angles, and tire pressure, but tire manufacturers still indicate the average mileage of a tire until maximum tread wear.

The noise of the tire is more related to driving comfort, but you must admit that few people will like the noise in the cabin.

Rolling resistance . In the era of total economy, tire manufacturers began to strive to reduce fuel consumption due to this indicator. It depends on the composition of the rubber mixture, the design of the frame and cannot be determined by eye or touch, but leading manufacturers have begun to indicate the criterion of economy in the tire labeling (E, Economy, Fuel saving signs).

popular manufacturers

Popular brands among tire manufacturers include Continental , Michelin , Nokian , Pirelli , Goodyear , Hancook , Yokohama , Brigestone and Kumho . With their name they represent excellent quality, as such manufacturers value their reputation. But it is worth noting that the price of their products is not small. Less expensive tires come from brands such as Dunlop , BFGoodrich , Nordman , Fulda and Gislaved . Despite the difference in names, all these companies are subsidiaries of the above companies. By producing tires at a lower cost, they are trying to take their place in the sun just as confidently. Popular manufacturers in Russia are Amtel and Cordiant . Both of these companies are constantly improving their technologies, their products are perfect for both budget Zhiguli and middle-class cars. The final choice always remains with the car enthusiast, based on his personal preferences.