How do I choose the right tires for my car?

I choose tires suitable for my car

When changing your tires, you should be careful about the spare assembly to be replaced. It is indeed tempting to fit inexpensive tires or tires other than the original ones. Be aware that this can be a good option and that it is even sometimes advisable, although our European cars are generally always fitted with quality tires at the origin.

On the other hand, we should not not do anything and always take a good quality tire that matches the dimensions of the original fitment! To do this, you will have to read the information on the sidewall of the tire, write it down and order a new fitment that meets these specifications exactly (size, width, height, speed rating, etc.). Do not give in to the sirens of low-cost either, at the risk of ending up with poor quality tires which could well reduce the performance and grip of your car, and therefore your safety.

Always keep in mind that a car's tires are its only points of contact with the ground, so choose quality rubbers because it is your driving safety that is at stake, as well as that of your passengers and other users of the road. road. To illustrate these differences in performance between normal range tires and low cost tires, here is a small comparative video:

I take tires suited to my needs and to the season

Before choosing your tires, ask yourself questions about your use, the criteria for your car and your research, as well as your place of residence. These elements will allow you to make the best choice when the time comes!

The first question to ask yourself is how much you use your car on a daily basis. Is it a car for holidays and weekends? Is she the one who accompanies you twice a week to do your shopping? Or is it the one that has to start every morning to take you to work, using expressways?

We all have very different uses of our cars and this should be taken into account when tire replacement. The constraints of everyday life will push you to favor more economical and durable tires, while less intensive use will allow you to favor softer and more efficient tires. This is a first point to take into account, of course correlated with the two points which follow!

The second criterion to take into account when changing car is the one inherent in your car: what type of car is it? A sports car, a sedan, a city car, a minivan? Are you looking for performance, economy, compromise or versatility of use in these tires? The question is open and you will have to determine, by a cost / benefit calculation, which tires will suit you best and which will suit your car the best. Also remember that not all tires are indicated for all cars, even if the dimensions match!

This last point is very important, because it will also condition your choice, and quite importantly. Living in the city, in the open countryside or in the mountains means living in 3 drastically different environments. The constraints are totally different, and the same is true for your tires. You should prioritize grip if you drive on steep roads, while the seasonality of the tires will have less of an impact on your car in the city than in the countryside or in the mountains.

The season is also very important in choosing your tires. If you live in a warm or temperate region, such as a seaside, you may be able to choose to keep your summer tires all year round (or to fit “green” ecological tires), but we still recommend that you as much as possible to choose 4-season tires. Even if temperate zones do not experience intense cold, temperatures often oscillate between 0 ° C and 10 ° C, temperatures in which summer tires are reduced in performance, especially in the rain. All-season tires will be better but will not achieve the performance of winter tires in these conditions. However, they represent a good alternative.

If, on the other hand, you live in a more remote region, in the plains, in the countryside or in a mountainous area, we can only advise you to renew your tires according to your the season, and invest in two separate rises: a summer ride for the months of April to October, and a winter ride for the months of November to March. This will allow you to wear your tires half as quickly because you will have two sets, so you will change them twice later, while you will have in all circumstances top performance for your car.

Summer tires are very efficient and very catchy when temperatures are above 7 ° C, but from this temperature and more generally below 10 ° C, they lose their qualities and harden. As a result, their grip decreases and your braking distances increase even more! For winter tires, the reverse is true: their qualities are preserved in cold weather and their grip is much better. On the other hand, they don't like heat and will be less efficient in hot weather, while wearing out faster!

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