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How
do you find out the right tyre size for your vehicle?
Your owner's manual will give details of the tyres approved for your vehicle.
In some countries the vehicle documents also contain this information. They may
also carry details of optional tyre sizes or special regulations (restrictions
What is written on your tyre?
A short explanation is given below of the elements which make up the complete
tyre designation and the significance of the individual numbers and letters.
What does 205/55 R 16 W actually mean?
- 205 - Tyre width in millimetres
- Select this value from the Width drop down menu
- 55 - Height to width ratio as a percentage
- Select this value from the Profile drop down menu
- R 16 - Code for the tyre design (R = Radial tyre) and Rim diameter in inches (16)
- Select this value from the Rim Diameter drop down menu, ignore the letter R
- W - Symbol for the approved maximum speed (V = up
to 240 km/h [150 mph], W = up to 270 km/h [168 mph],
ZR within the size designation = over 240 km/h [150
mph] )
- Select this value from the Speed Rating drop down menu. This value is optional.
Other designations:
- rf - reinforced or
- XL - Extra Load (designates specially reinforced
tyres)
- M + S - For winter tyres
Tyre
protection!
Approach kerbstones with caution... because
if you drive up them without the necessary care, you run
a high risk
of reducing the service life of your
tyre. If you drive over them too fast or at the wrong
angle, the impact may cause the tyre to crack. Bulging
in the
tyre sidewall indicates this type of damage and the possible
consequences are tyre failure at high speed or under
heavy load - one way or another, the tyre service life
will be drastically shortened.
Drive very slowly over
kerbstones, taking them at as wide an angle as possible.
When parking alongside the
kerb, avoid 'squashing' the tyre
How do you find out the
right tyre size for your vehicle?
Your owner's manual will give details of the tyres approved
for your vehicle. In some countries the vehicle documents
also contain this information. They may also carry details
of optional tyre sizes or special regulations (restrictions
with regard to
tyre manufacturer or tread pattern designs).
What should
you bear in mind when switching to wide tyres?
If the
tyre is listed in your owner's manual, you can go ahead
and have it fitted. If this is not the
case, you may need special approval from the vehicle
manufacturer. Any tyre choice must always take into
consideration the maximum design speed of the vehicle,
as well as
MOT regulations and vehicle, wheel and tyre manufacturers'
recommendations.
Storing your tyres correctly.
Don't abandon your tyres
somewhere in a corner - you won't do them any good that
way!
Before changing your tyres, use a piece of chalk to
mark the running direction and where they were fitted
(e. g. lf = left front wheel; rr = right rear wheel).
Then clean the tyres thoroughly, removing bits of gravel.
Tyres should be stored in a dry, cool, dark room away
from oil, petrol, grease and any other chemicals, as
these attack the tyre compound and can therefore drastically
reduce the service life of your tyres.
Milage Performance
In addition to regularly checking the pressure and
tread depth on your tyres, inspecting them for damage
and ensuring
they are correctly stored, you can also optimise their
mileage performance if you bear the following in mind:
- Tyres
on the drive axle are subject to greater wear than
those on free running wheels, which is why vehicle
manufacturers recommend interchanging the wheels
to ensure even running and avoid unnecessary operational
costs.
- When fitting summer or winter tyres after
a season of storage, you should always have the wheels
balanced
to ensure driving comfort and avoid any unnecessary
wear on the suspension elements.
Why choose new tyres
and not remoulded or used tyres?
New tyres offer more than just optical benefits! In
addition to improved safety through the full tread
depth, new
tyres are often quieter and give a more comfortable
ride. New tyres are checked very thoroughly by the
manufacturer, ensuring optimum safety for you and your
vehicle. Used
tyres available from breakers' yards are also strongly
advised against. There is virtually no way
of knowing what the tyres have been subjected to
-
whether the interior was damaged, for example,
through harsh driving over kerbstones. That could lead
to
blow-outs.
When
did you last check your spare wheel?
Many motorists cannot
remember ever having checked their spare wheel, so
in the case of tyre failure, the shock
is even greater and may involve a potentially costly
mobile breakdown service. The tyre on the spare or
emergency wheel is often flat or the wheel may need
different bolts
from the ones used on your alloy rims.
Tip:
- Check the tyre pressure on your spare wheel regularly!
Make sure you have the right bolts with you for fitting.
- Note! The fact that the tyre on your spare wheel
also needs to have the legally prescribed minimum tread
depth of 1.6mm should really be obvious, but it is
nevertheless
worth mentioning
Cleaning
your tyres
Tyres also need cleaning now and again, but
this is particularly important before putting
them
into storage when switching
from summer to winter tyres and vice-versa. Do
not use cleaning fluids which contain solvents
or
oils, as these
will damage the rubber. Clean water with soap or
washing-up liquid is best for cleaning. If
you are using high-pressure
car-washing equipment, please bear the following
in mind:
- Never
use a circular nozzle for cleaning tyres!
- If
you are using a fan nozzle or a so-called dirt cutter
for cleaning,keep this at least 20cm
(8")
from the tyre!
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