Even experienced motorists get lost when choosing a new set of tires. Manufacturers classify products by several criteria – seasonality, driving style, tread type, width, height. Before buying tires, be sure to check the vehicle’s technical passport, which contains a lot of useful information.
The second step is to use practical recommendations from auto mechanics. The list of criteria for determining tire compatibility includes 5 main points.
Tire Seasonality
The tire marking will help you choose tires suitable for the season, where:
- M+S (mud+snow) or the “snowflake” symbol indicates winter tires;
- M+T means tires for muddy landscapes;
- AW, AS, Any Season – these are markings for any season/any weather tires.
Tread Pattern
Manufacturers offer 3 types of tread patterns:
- Symmetrical non-directional, optimal for city driving. This is a universal pattern consisting of two identical halves.
Tires have good stability on dry and wet roads, with an optimal “price-quality” ratio.
- Symmetrical directional with a shape resembling the English letter V. The tires demonstrate good grip in wet or snowy road conditions, suitable for sporty driving. When mounting the tire, it is necessary to observe the direction of wheel rotation.
- Asymmetrical, ensuring safety during travel in any road conditions. The tire consists of two parts: the “dry” left side and the “wet” right side. The pattern, lacking symmetry, effectively channels water away, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.
Asymmetrical tires are marked with Outside (outer side) and Inside (inner side) designations, which help during installation.
Numeric Indices
Every tire has numeric markings in the form:
185/70 R14 88H
where: 185 – tire width, 70 – profile height, R14 – rim diameter, 88H – load index.
Tire Width is indicated in millimeters.
This parameter must exactly match the width of the rim. Installing too narrow or too wide a tire poses the risk of it becoming unmounted. The vehicle’s user manual will help choose the correct tires – manufacturers list allowable rim diameters and tire sizes for each model.
Profile Height is given as a percentage of the tire width. In this case:
- a high profile provides additional ride comfort and tire resistance to punctures;
- low profiles guarantee good handling.
You can convert profile height from percentages to millimeters using the formula: width*profile/100.
Load Index sets the maximum load on the tire during operation. There are special tables that decode the markings.
In our case, the 88H index implies a load of no more than 560 kg.
Speed Index
Another important criterion is the speed index, indicating the maximum allowable speed for the tire. The parameter is formed based on the tire’s dimensions, rubber compound composition, etc. If with index J the speed should not exceed 100km/h, then for V it is possible to accelerate up to 240 km/h, and for Y – up to 300 km/h.
Brand Manufacturer
When choosing tires, pay attention to the brand under which the tire is produced. Prefer brands that have earned a positive reputation among consumers.
For example, occupying 40% of the Ukrainian car market Rosava tires meet international and national quality standards, confirmed by certificates ISO 9001, Inmerto, ISO/IEC 17025, UkrSEPRO. This allows the company to guarantee product efficiency and safety, allowing the driver to feel confident on the road.
Tires have many functions: they complement the car’s exterior, influence the vehicle’s speed characteristics, and provide stability and maneuverability on the road.
Choosing tires should be done with great responsibility to ensure driving safety.