Considering that many manufacturers recommend using wider profile tires in summer and narrower ones in winter, the service book may indicate several sizes. We do not recommend installing tires of a different size, since car manufacturers have tested the car in various conditions and selected the optimal tire size that ensures the safest operating mode for the car. Tires of the recommended sizes have a certain circumference by the outer diameter, so installing tires of a different size will distort the readings of the odometer and speedometer.
When choosing tires, it is necessary to pay attention to the permissible maximum speed of the tire (see Table 2, in the article tire markings). It is important that it is not less than the maximum speed of the car. In addition, the permissible load capacity of each tire (see Table 1, in the article tire markings) must not be less than half of the maximum mass per axle of the vehicle.
Depending on the conditions in which the tires will be used, their seasonality and tread pattern are selected.
In summer, during rain, when driving at high speed, the car may become uncontrollable, as the tire will slide (float) on the surface of the water. This effect is called aquaplaning. In order to avoid this, tires are provided with lamellas (grooves) of a special shape that can effectively drain water from the contact patch of the wheel and the road. Very often, such tires are marked accordingly - "RAIN" (rain) or "AQUA" (water). It should be noted that if there is no such marking, this does not mean that the tires cannot be used in the rain.
In winter, snowy and icy sections of the road create a problem for drivers. The car becomes difficult to control on such sections, which can lead to an emergency situation. This problem is solved in the following way: winter tires are equipped with a rougher tread pattern and often studs. Such tires are marked accordingly: "M+S" (Mud + Snow) and/or "WINTER" (winter).
You should not use winter tires in the summer, as they become quite soft at elevated temperatures. Such tires are subject to rapid wear in the summer and do not provide safe operation of the car. Summer tires, on the contrary, become very hard in the winter and do not provide good traction.
Some manufacturers produce all-season tires that are suitable for use in both winter and summer conditions. However, these tires generally perform worse than seasonal tires. They are more difficult to manufacture, so they usually cost more than seasonal tires.
Sometimes there is an inscription on the tires "ALL SEASON" (all seasons) or "ALL WEATHER" (any weather). When buying, you need to take into account that these tires may be produced for hot countries, where winter colds remain at around 0°C and, naturally, are not suitable for our winter.
Material copied from this website [www.opelbook.ru]
Make sure that the tires you buy comply with international and Russian standards. Tires that have passed certification are marked with the letter "E" (compliance with European standards) or the inscription "DOT" (compliance with American standards), and sometimes bear both of these markings.
Regardless of international certification, all tires sold in Russia must have a certificate of conformity issued by the Russian State Standard, which conducts its own tests. The seller must present the certificate at the first request of the buyer.
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