Car Insurance Tax liability Suspending Cars Car tires

Car tires

Why to change winter tires for summer tires and the other way around?

The first difference is in the composition of the rubber. Above 7˚C, equals 44,6˚F, your standard tire, summer tire, is the right and safe choice. Below 7˚C, equals 44,6˚F, a winter tire is the right choise because it remains soft. This gives you a better grip and a shorter braking distance compared to your summer tire.

The second difference is in the profile, a winter tire has a somewhat higher and straight profile that keeps grip in the snow. This will prevent the snow to stick to your tire profile. In the old days a winter tire was producing slightly more noise, now a days this is reduced to a minimum. Despite the fact that you have purchased winter tires, you still must take the winter weather conditions into account.

Tire pressure

To obtain a correct tire pressure is of importance for the driving characteristics of your car. Besides a reduction of your control over your car a too low tire pressure has a negative affect on your fuel consumption. A To high tire pressure wil also affect your control negatively duet o a smaller surface contact with the road. In both situations, to low or to high tire pressure, will affect the lifetime of your cartire in a negative way. In most cars, on the driver's side, a stiker is placed in the door frame by the car manufacturer where the recommended tire pressure per situation is stated.

Nitrogen or working air?

The main affect is based on temperature difference, which causes the gas in your tire to shrink or expand. Nitrogen is less affected by temperature changes and therefore volume change. However since the air we breath consists of 70% nitrogen, this is also used to make working air, you will not notice any difference between a nitrogen or the conventional filling of your tire as a regular car driver. As long as you are not participating in Nascar or in a Formul-1 competition of course.

Explanation tire size

On each car tire there is on the side of it an indication code consisting of numbers and letters. The first number indicates the width of the tire. The second number indicates the height of the car tire. The last number indicates the inch size of your rim/tire.

The last letter indicatest the maximum aloud speed index.

Speedindex code

J	up to 100 KM/H	S	up to 180 KM/H
K	up to 110 KM/H	T	up to 190 KM/H
L	up to 120 KM/H	H	up to 210 KM/H
M	up to 130 KM/H	V	up to 240 KM/H
N	up to 140 KM/H	W	up to 270 KM/H
P	up to 150 KM/H	Y	up to 300 KM/H
Q	up to 160 KM/H	VR	> 210 KM/H
R	up to 170 KM/H	ZR	> 240 KM/H