How to optimise your tyres

Worn tyres with less than four millimetres tread depth increase the risk of aquaplaning. Correct tyre pressure prolongs durability, reduces fuel consumption and provides more driving comfort, according to Nokian.

Worn tyres are no longer safe for driving on wet surfaces, less than four millimetres tread depth increases the risk of aquaplaning. Correct tyre pressure reduces wear, increases safety, saves fuel and improves driving comfort.

Tyres last longer if the motorist drives calmly and avoids unnecessary braking. T

Optimum Safety
To ensure optimum safety, motorists are advised to check their tyres regularly for signs of wear, correct pressure and tread depth. A tyre with less than four millimetres groove depth is no longer safe in wet weather, as its wet grip and aquaplaning protection are drastically reduced.

The surface of the tyre can also wear unevenly. Even with six millimetres tread on the outer shoulder, the grooves on the inside can be virtually worn away.

High wear is often attributable to excessively low tyre pressure, incorrect steering angle adjustmentor worn shock absorbers.

Correct tyre pressure
Driving with the correct tyre pressure for the car and adjusting the tyre pressure to the load improves safety, durability and fuel consumption, not to mention the driving comfort.

Calm driving
Driving style impacts significantly on the tyre wear. Tyres last longer if the motorist drives calmly and avoids unnecessary braking. Correct tyre pressure greatly reduces tyre wear.

If a motorist is looking to save fuel, it is advisable to choose tyres with as little rolling resistance as possible.

The key information about the right tyres for your car

What does the tyre designation 205/55 R 16 94 V XL? This combination of numbers and letters informs you of the right tyre type for the car.

The letter V indicates the speed index, i.e. the maximum speed 240 km/h the tyre is allowed to be driven at. When choosing the speed index, motorists are advised to follow the car manufacturer’s recommendations.

A lower speed index such as H with a maximum speed of 210 km/h can impair the handling, i.e. the steering, a higher speed index such as W with a maximum speed of 270 km/h reduces the driving comfort.

The number 205 denotes the width of the car tyre in millimetres.The number 55 is the height of the tyre as a percentage of its sectional width. If, according to the car’s registration document, 225/45 is also permissible, it is also possible to fit this 20 millimetres wider tyre with a significantly smaller profile.

This wide tyre offers a better steering feel than a narrower tyre with a higher profile and responds more directly to steering movements.

Tyres should not be more than six years old. Older tyres grip significantly less well on wet roads and the rubber also starts to crack. The last four digits of the DOT number on the sidewall indicate the production date. The number 1314 means that the tyre was produced in week 13 of the year 2014