Before you start looking for your tires, it is important to define the type of vehicle on which you are going to fit them. This seems obvious, but it is worth remembering. Indeed, it would be stupid to spot a model that suits you only to realize too late that it is not suitable for your car… As a general rule, manufacturers sort tires into several categories:

Look at tire dimensions

To avoid ending up with a tire that doesn’t fit your car, pay attention to the dimensions! They are located on the sidewall of your old car tires and take the following shape: 165/60 R15 77 H, i.e. width, height, diameter, load index and speed index.

These instructions are essential if you do not want to end up with new tires that are too small or too large. It is possible to find additional information such as for reinforced tires (XL) or RunFlat (anti-puncture).

The different types of tire

Choosing a tire based on your driving style

How to choose a tire that suits you? We can never say it enough, the best tires are those that suit their driver . It must be chosen according to its needs. To do this, you must first define what type of driver you are . Are you driving quietly in a minivan? Do you drive lively and sportily? Do you often take the highway? For example, city drivers have no need for an all-terrain tire.

Tires for sporty driving

For families or drivers who want a versatile and reliable tire , the Goodyear  Vector 4seasons Gen-2 all-season touring tire or the Michelin Primacy 4 summer touring tire  meet their needs. More sporty

motorists will turn to the ContiSportContact 5 (summer tourism) from Continental or the Pirelli P Zero (summer tourism), from the famous Italian manufacturer.

A tire based on geolocation

Do you live in the mountains or in a cold region? Your expectations are not the same as those of a driver driving on the flat. People living at altitude are faced with difficult climatic conditions  : snow, ice, frost, hail, etc. All factors that make the roads slippery and potentially dangerous. To prevent risks, these drivers must favor winter tires as soon as the temperature drops below 7°C, often from October.

If you are in this case, it is possible to opt for winter tires (also called studded tires or contact tires) like the I-Cept Evo2 W320 and switch to KinergyEco K425 in summer, two models from the Hankook brand . All major manufacturers have a winter range. Nokian  is a specialist in this field, with more than ten models! The manufacturer’s Hakkapeliitta range has survived the years and today remains a must-have for the winter season.

Motorists who rarely use difficult roads or who live in a temperate region can keep 4-season tires all year round. It is still preferable to have 2 sets of tires , one for summer and one for winter to maximize the performance of the rubber and reduce fuel consumption. Likewise, winter car tires in summer will not have the same handling and vice versa. Choose from the safest tires .

A tire for every season

Summer tire, winter tire or all-season tire? A tire is chosen according to the climate of a region, but also according to the season . As we mentioned previously, it is best to change your tires twice a year, opting for winter tires and summer tires. However, people living in generally very cold temperatures will keep their tires in contact longer.

There are 3 categories of tires:

Summer tire  : this is the tire most used by the French and therefore the most sold. It performs well when the temperature exceeds 7°C. It has a robust rubber that resists high heat.

Winter tire  : it is suitable for winter conditions (snow, frost, ice) and very cold temperatures. Its rubber remains supple despite the cold. It is generally used between the end of October and the end of March. The change to winter time is a good way to remember the switch to winter tires.

4-season tire  : it has the performance of a summer tire and a winter tire. It is a good compromise between the two, but it does not have excellent qualities for one season or the other. It is a medium tire that is suitable for temperate climates.

Understanding European labeling

tire label

European labeling…Késako? It’s quite simple! As with household appliances, tires are subject to a multitude of standards and regulations depending on the country, the seasons, legislation, etc. The European labeling presents 3 essential criteria for tires, namely , rolling resistance (tread grip), wet grip and noise caused by the tire. For the first two criteria, grades range from A to F (A being the best grade) and noise is measured in decibels.

When you decide to buy new tires, take the time to look at the label that corresponds to each tire to avoid unpleasant surprises. A tire with a rating of E or F for rolling resistance will consume more fuel than a model rated A. Likewise, if you regularly drive on wet ground, for your safety, do not neglect the criterion of good grip. !

Ah the jungle of prices! Tires are a sector where prices can quickly vary depending on the age of the tire (DOT), its brand, its rubber compound, the season, its European labeling ratings, who sells it, etc. Brief ! It’s hard to know who offers the best price. The best thing in this case is to use a price comparator like Tiregom to get an idea of ​​the prices of the models you have spotted before purchasing