How do I choose the right tires for the car?
How do I choose the right tires for the car?
The cold season is already here and car maintenance must become a priority whether you use a personal or a work car because your safety depends on it.
When the outside temperature drops significantly, road conditions become problematic. Rain and snow are just two of the atmospheric phenomena that should put you on alert during this period and tires are a good ally for road safety.
Whether you opt for all-season tires or strictly for winter tires, changing them on time and filling their pressure are the main things you need to do regardless of the season. This will offer the car the grip it needs, it will help you brake more effectively, but also reach the desired speed in a shorter time.
Why is it necessary to change tires in winter and summer?
The weather conditions specific to the two seasons directly affect tire performance. For example, in winter friction with the ground decreases and therefore the suitable tires for this season have a larger and more uniform contact surface with the ground, allowing a gradual transition from one profile block to another. Thus, grip will increase and provide more control and stability on ice and snow.
Winter tires are manufactured to provide high grip in conditions with temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius. Thus, if the temperature during night time falls below 7 degrees Celsius constantly for at least 2 weeks, it is recommended to change the tires with the winter ones.
Of course, we should not use the car with winter tires during the summer because they are made of a softer rubber that at constant temperatures above 7 degrees Celsius will lose its grip. Always choose the right tires depending on the season and check the pressure because it decreases along with the outside temperature.
How do you know you have to change the tires?
The fact that tires have a limited lifespan is an obvious thing. However, it is in your power to extend it or reduce it, depending on many factors. Your driving style, road conditions, asphalt quality and tires quality are only a few things that can influence the tires’ lifespan.
You will know when you should change them when:
- 1. The maximum 5-year term limit is approaching
- 2. You can notice cracks on their surface
- 3. Uneven wear is very noticeable
- 4. The depth of the profile is nearing the accepted minimum
- 5. The grip level drops dramatically
Because your safety is the most important thing, you should consider these 5 components. If you are already looking for new tires, make sure you know exactly the right specifications for your car.
How to choose the best tires?
Choosing the best tires must be done according to the indices imposed by the car manufacturer. So, the car’s instructions book is where you should look for information such as the recommended diameter, width, height and pressure for tires, both for the front and the rear ones.
Thus, the first step in choosing the tires is checking the technical details, having as main reference the car’s instructions book. But the real search stars from here on.
To choose the right tires for your car, you should consider the following aspects:
- The brand who manufactured the tires
- The price (cheap, medium or premium)
- The speed and weight index
- The model: symmetrical or asymmetrical, normal, sport profile etc.
The advantages that a high-quality set of tires should offer you are:
- Reduced braking distance on wet or dry roadway (depending on season)
- Safety and stability at high speeds
- High grip regardless of the weather
- Cornering stability
- Slow wearing
- Low or normal fuel consumption
Except for the above factors, there are a few other things that you should know if you are about to buy a new set of tires. For example, the manufacture date is very important. Even if they were not used, tires kept in storage for a long time will not offer the expected results.
The efficiency of fuel consumption is another important factor. Even if you chose a model with a speed and weight index ideal for your car, make sure you purchase a tire model with a good fuel index. An A index is a superior one, that will facilitate saving fuel consumption, while the G index is inferior.
You must not forget about the noise index, which is graded from 1 to 3 for tires. Choose index 1 if you want very quiet tires.
Do not underestimate the importance of the right tires for the car you are driving! Do you want to learn more about car maintenance methods? See 5 helpful tips for maintaining your car.