How to choose summer tires for a car

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Only puddles are left of the snow, and even those are already drying up, which means it's time to change winter tires to summer ones. Pay attention to important characteristics and consider your driving style so as not to miscalculate.

Of course, you can ride on winter tires or not bother and buy all-season tires, but it's still better to get separate sets of rubber for winter and summer. After all, only tires designed for specific weather conditions can provide maximum safety on the road.

When choosing, it is enough to follow the recommendations of the car manufacturer, as well as take into account the peculiarities of your driving style and operating conditions. To find the right tires for your car, you need to pay attention to five things.

1. Size

Everything is relatively simple here. Tire size is the ratio of width, height and outer diameter. The type designation looks like this: 175 / 55R13 … Using this bus as an example, let's figure out which number is responsible for what:

1. 175 is the width of the tire in millimeters.
2. 55 is the section height expressed as a percentage of the tire width.
3. 13 is the bore diameter in inches.

The rim diameter must match the size of the rim, otherwise it will simply not work to install the tires. But with the width and height of the profile, you can play a little.

Wider tires increase the contact patch and, as a result, improve traction. At the same time, they are heavier and worsen the dynamics of the car, handling on a bad road, and also increase fuel consumption. On wet asphalt, they also create a treacherous aquaplaning effect.

By height, tires are divided into low-profile (55% and below), high-profile (60-75%) and full-profile (80% and above). The latter are designed for SUVs and driving on country roads with bumps and bumps, while the former and the latter are installed on ordinary cars.

The height of the profile is also a double-edged sword: the lower the profile of the tires, the better the handling, but at the same time the more susceptibility of the tires to the slightest irregularities in the road surface and the risk of damaging the rims on bumps. Therefore, a low profile should only be chosen if you are driving mainly on the highway and at high speeds.

2. Tread pattern

Needed not for beauty. It directly affects the performance of tires. There are three types of tread pattern:

1. Symmetrical non-directional - the most common option, which is considered classic and is suitable for driving in the urban cycle and on the highway. Such a tread is most often used in budget tires, usually they are installed at the factory. Tire performance is independent of operating conditions and direction of travel. The wheels can be swapped.
2. Symmetrical directional pattern removes water from the tire contact patch as quickly as possible and provides good grip on the road surface. Option for lovers of speed and driving in wet weather. Tires are installed strictly in the direction of rotation (indicated by an arrow on the side surface of the tire), otherwise it will be dangerous on wet surfaces.
3. Asymmetric pattern good both in rain and dry weather. A universal tread that can be used on SUVs, family sedans, and speed coupes. Different tread patterns are used on the outside and inside of these tires, one for the best dry grip and the other for wet grip. With the installation here, you need to be even more careful: look at the Inside / Outside markings, which mean the inside and outside of the tire, respectively.

3. Speed index

Another important parameter. It is designated with the help of Latin letters, each of which speaks about the maximum speed that can be developed on such tires.

Index	M	N	P	Q	R	S	T	U	H	V	W	Y
Maximum speed, km / h	130	140	150	160	170	180	190	200	210	240	270	300

Tires with a high speed index have increased grip, which, in turn, provides a minimum braking distance. But they are also more expensive. Therefore, if you are not going to recklessly or your car gives out only 180 km / h, and even then from a hill, you should not overpay. But if you are a fan of fast driving, do not save and take V or W tires.

4. Load index

This indicator determines the load that the tire can withstand at maximum speed. In other words, it is the maximum weight (including cargo, passengers and driver) per vehicle wheel.

Index	70	75	80	85	90	95	100	105	110	115	120
Maximum load, kg	335	387	450	515	600	690	800	925	1 060	1 215	1 400

If you often carry passengers or cargo, then it is worth taking tires with a high load index. The best option can be selected using this table, checking the data with the technical characteristics of the machine.

5. Tire carcass construction

According to their design features, tires are divided into diagonal and radial. The first ones are almost never found now, modern tires are mostly radial. It is this fact that the letter R indicates in the tire marking, and not the diameter, as many believe. Radial tires are suitable for all vehicle classes, from small cars to SUVs.

Regardless of the type, tires can be reinforced. This is indicated by the letter C (Cargo) or LT (Light Truck) in the designation. Reinforced tires are designed for minivans, light trucks and vans, which are heavier than conventional passenger cars and are used to transport goods and large numbers of passengers.

Which tires to choose

As you remember, it all depends on the driving style and operating conditions. To make it easier for you to choose, Lifehacker has identified the three most common scenarios. You just have to find yours.

1. Driving in and out of the city at a moderate speed … Tires with a profile of 60% and above, symmetric non-directional or asymmetric tread pattern and an S or T speed index are suitable.
2. Driving at high speed … Tires with a profile of 55% and below, symmetric directional or asymmetric tread pattern and speed index V or W are suitable.
3. Off-road driving … For SUVs, it is worth taking high-profile tires with deep tread and a load index corresponding to the weight being transported. Minivan and van owners are better off buying special tires for commercial vehicles labeled C and LT.