The tire width must be in line with the rim used and indicates how wide a tire is. The vehicle registration document of each car also shows the maximum permitted width of the tire strip.
The tire aspect ratio indicates the ratio of tire height to tire width. The tire aspect ratio is given in percent.
The rim diameter is a value which is measured between the rim shoulders and given in inches. This is used to calculate the inner diameter of the tire used.
The load-bearing capacity index, also known as the load index, indicates the maximum permissible load that the vehicle is allowed to exert on a tire. The larger the number, the higher the weight. The range is from 19 (=77.5 kg) to 204 (=16.000 kg).
The speed index indicates the maximum permitted driving speed for tires and can be determined directly from the last letter in the tire’s name. The later the letter is in the alphabet, the faster the tire can be driven (E=70 km/h, V=240 km/h).
Car tires are divided into different classes depending on their fuel efficiency. Class G denotes the lowest efficiency, class A the highest. In the comparison of the classes a difference of up to 7,5% is possible and expresses itself as saving of approx. 0.5l/ 100km.
The wet grip of passenger car tires is determined by driving on a wet test track. Road grip and braking distance are determined on the basis of a predefined standard value. Depending on the length of the braking distance, wet grip is rated in a class from A to F.
Current products in this category have been sold within the last 18 months at billiger.De new listed. The period during which a product is considered current is determined separately for each category by our product experts.
The external rolling noise of SUV tires is perceived outside a vehicle while driving at 80 km/h and does not necessarily correspond to the internal rolling noise. For measurements, it is given in decibels. To reduce noise pollution, it must be below the applicable EU limit of 80 db.
Car tire guide
Knowledge compact
The choice of a suitable tire can bring considerable advantages for you as a vehicle owner. Car tire manufacturers have different models in their range for summer and winter use. Depending on the benefits you wish to obtain from the tire for your passenger car, it is advisable to look at certain characteristics of the models to pay attention. For example, the properties of a tire can influence the driving behavior of the car. Some tires make the vehicle more difficult to steer, while others make the car more maneuverable. Also, the structure of the tire can have an influence on the fuel consumption of the car.
Depending on the manufacturer and model, the prices for passenger car tires vary. Very inexpensive variants can be purchased for as little as 25 euros. However, these products are usually made of less durable materials, which may show the first signs of damage after only a few months of use. Products from established manufacturers in the passenger car tire category are usually available in stores for a price starting at around 50 euros and upwards. In our buyer’s guide, you can already get an idea of the range of car tires on offer, and we also offer you helpful tips and hints for buying tires.
Buying guide for passenger car tires
When choosing your new tire, you should first decide whether you want to use a seasonal or an all-season tire. Both tire systems have their advantages and disadvantages. In addition to summer, winter and all-season tires, there are also special off-road and SUV tires – in the following, we would like to briefly introduce you to the entire range of available passenger car tires.
The profile
Car tires are manufactured in different profiles. The tread pattern of a tire indicates the surface structure of the products. These must be manufactured according to special criteria in order to be optimally prepared for the conditions in road traffic. For example, the tread provides grip. This term means that the tire adheres better to the road surface. This ensures that the tire does not lose contact with the road at high speeds or on certain curves. If the tread is too weak in contact with the ground, this would cause the vehicle to skid, posing a significant risk to yourself and other road users.
Furthermore, a certain tire profile is also very important for the drainage of water. It is not uncommon for vehicles to be driven on the road even in the rain. However, there is a risk of aquaplanings. If there is an enormous amount of water on the road and the tire tread does not provide enough space to allow this water to drain off, a layer of water will form under the tire and the vehicle will skid along on it. Here, too, safe and controlled steering of the vehicle is no longer guaranteed.
What do the tire designations mean??
- Tire width
the tire width is always the first numerical value to be taken from the model designation. Basically, the value should be adapted to the rim. It is measured in mm. The tire width required for your vehicle can be found in the vehicle documents.
- aspect ratio
aspect ratio describes the percentage ratio of tire height to tire width. the flatter this turns out to be, the flatter the tire sidewall will also be. This determines to a large extent the type of the tire. A flat sidewall enables a correspondingly sportier ride.
- Rim diameter
the rim diameter describes the diagonal from rim edge to rim edge. This is usually measured in inches. However, some manufacturers also specify this in mm. The required rim diameter is also included in the vehicle documents.
- Load index
the load index indicates the maximum load a tire may carry. The higher the index, the higher the maximum tire load. The range is from 19 (corresponding to a 77.5 kg load) to 204 (max. 16.000 kg per tire).
- Speed index
the speed index indicates the maximum speed at which the manufacturer still guarantees damage-free continuous operation. Basically this is coded with letters. The range here is from N (up to 140 km/h) to Y (up to 300 km/h). The speed index is to be found in the last position in the tire designation.
EU tire label
Since the 30.06.in 2012, tires produced from then on must be labeled with the EU tire label. The external rolling noise, fuel efficiency and wet grip are indicated here. Since may 2021 there are new rules and additions for the EU tire label.
- External rolling noise
the external rolling noise is also called passing noise and should not be confused with the internal operating noise of a car. It is mainly responsible for traffic noise. The EU would like to promote the production of quieter tires here. The noise level is indicated in decibels (db) on the label and divided into classes A to C.
- wet grip
wet grip provides information about braking performance under standardized conditions on wet surfaces. Here, too, the braking distance is coded in letters. The range is from E (longest braking distance) to A (shortest braking distance). Between two values, the difference in braking distance on wet roads can be one to two vehicle lengths.
- Fuel efficiency
the fuel efficiency of a tire depends to a large extent on its rolling resistance. They can be divided into classes E (lowest efficiency) to A (highest efficiency). A better class also means lower fuel costs.
- Snow and ice suitability
The EU label uses the alpine symbol and the ice logo to indicate suitability for winter weather conditions. The alpine symbol, which is now also decisive for winter tires, indicates suitability for winter road conditions. The ice logo on car tires provides grip on icy roads.
The summer tire
The summer tire is best suited for use in the hot season. Here are used certain materials, which can adapt to the outside temperatures optimally. This means that even higher temperatures are no problem for the summer tire. Especially in strong sunlight, enormous temperatures can arise on the road surface. But these make the particularly heat-resistant rubber nothing from passenger car tires.
Furthermore, with summer tires usually also a high grip is guaranteed. This has the advantage that your vehicle gets secure grip on the road.
Summer tires score points because even at high speeds, the wear of the models is low.
summer tires may differ slightly in price from other tires in this category. In general, however, these products are somewhat cheaper than other passenger car tires. This is because summer tires do not usually have to be as resistant as winter tires, for example.
The winter tire
The winter tire is a product from the passenger car tire sector, which is designed primarily for use in the cold season. A special tire is needed here, as the vehicle the tire is exposed to heavier loads due to weather and the like is exposed to. Due to this nature, winter tires are usually fitted to the car towards the end of the year, when the temperature outside drops and it starts to freeze.
For this purpose, winter tires are made of particularly resistant rubber manufactured. This is best designed to withstand very low temperatures below freezing point. This is especially important because otherwise the structure of the tire could be damaged. Very low temperatures below zero degrees celsius cause many plastics such as rubber to become brittle and lose stability.
If this were to happen to a car tire, there would be a risk of the tire bursting during the journey or similar. This would be an enormous danger, since in such a case you would no longer have control over the vehicle. The car tire must be able to withstand extreme influences and forces, which is why winter tires in particular are very carefully designed for such situations.
From O to O
As a rule of thumb, winter tires should always be used from october to easter, even though the law only explicitly requires them for use in icy, slippery and snowy conditions.
the tread pattern of winter tires is also usually somewhat different from that of summer tires. This is due to the fact that in winter, precipitation is more likely to fall from the sky. Thus, the tire must be designed to withstand larger amounts of water or even snow on the road surface. Mostly grooves of the tread slightly deeper than in summer tires and usually winter tires also have much more complex patterns. The advantage of this is that the tire can absorb and release more water without aquaplaning.
The all-season tire
As a rule, the tires of a passenger car are changed twice a year. In summer once the summer tires mounted, which is optimally designed for the hot season. When the road comes to an end, the vehicle is usually equipped with winter tires to be ready for the cold season.
If this mounting twice a year is too inconvenient for you, you can have a look at the all-season tires save this work. Models of this type are designed to be used both in summer and in winter. an all-season tire is elastic enough to withstand the hot temperatures of summer, yet weatherproof enough to withstand the harsh climate of winter.
But the all-season tire is a compromise view. It is, so to speak, the fusion of winter and summer tires. In order to combine both advantages in one product, however, the tire had to save some details. Although these tires achieve good results on the road, they are generally not as optimally adapted to the respective conditions as the corresponding seasonal tires.
However, the materials are strong enough not to become brittle even at minus temperatures. In addition, all-season tires usually have a rather deep tread, which avoids aquaplaning and similar hazards. However, when buying a car tire of this type, pay attention to the structure of the tread and its depth, to find out how the tire is equipped for such eventualities.
Special tires
Furthermore, special off-road tires are made, with characteristics that make them suitable also for off-road driving. In addition, they also provide good performance driving on the road, sometimes even at high speeds.
In a similar direction go the so-called SUV tires (sport utility vehicle tires). These models are best suited for larger, heavier cars suitable, which can be used however only conditionally in the free terrain.
Our team consists of editors whose extensive knowledge is based on years of journalistic experience in e-commerce. We enthusiastically research all the information on a wide range of topics and summarize it for you clearly in our guidebooks.
