Tips and knowledge about buying tires and rims

Rims from third-party suppliers can only be used with a suitable rim certificate, which provides precise information about the rim and confirms its suitability for road traffic. If you do not have a rim certificate, it is absolutely necessary to request this from the manufacturer. You will incur high costs here, up to and including expiry of the operating license and insurance cover. Anyone who buys rims from foreign shops is taking a risk. These online shops are not the main importers of rims in Switzerland and are therefore not authorized to issue rim certificates. However, Swiss online shops obtain the rims from the main Swiss importers and can therefore deliver the rims with an original Swiss rim certificate.

Furthermore, there can be problems in return and guarantee cases with foreign online shops. If you purchase goods from a Swiss dealer, you are better protected in this regard.

In order for you to make the right decision, you need to consider these three important aspects:

1. The tire size: You can read the name of the dimension of your tire on the tire sidewall. See also "Where can I find my tire size?"

2. The weather conditions: Your tires have to withstand different climatic conditions: strong winds, rain, snow, fog, ice, etc. These conditions affect the requirements of the tires and the handling of your car.

3. The conditions in which the tires are used: since your tires are the only link between the road and your vehicle, they play a key role in road holding, braking distance, fuel economy and driving comfort. Different uses (driving mainly in the city or in the mountains) and different vehicle types (sports vehicles or off-road vehicles) require different tire properties that must be taken into account.

Drivers of an electric vehicle, for example, prefer "silent tires", which minimize tire noise and enable quieter driving. In addition, the tire should have a low rolling resistance so that a longer range can be achieved.

Many customers also refer to TCS test reports. This tests a large number of different tires in two dimensions before each season and issues a comprehensive test report with the advantages and disadvantages of the respective tire profiles in the tested dimensions. On our product pages we have shown you the test results of the last two years. You will also find videos and further information about the products on the relevant page for the most common products. We would be happy to advise you personally on Tel: 0848 88 55 88 and work with you to find the right tires.

You can find information about your tire size on the sidewall of the tire or in the vehicle registration document. The tire manufacturer and tire type are always stamped on the sidewall of the tire. Please note that the dimensions of winter and summer tires differ.

205/55R16 91H

"205/55" denotes the tire cross-section width (in mm) and the ratio of height to width of the tire cross-section. "R" stands for radial tires and the "16" describes the rim diameter in inches. "91" is the index for the load capacity and "H" denotes the speed index.

You will also find information on the tire on the date of manufacture (DOT XXXX), the wear indicator, additional designations for tires with increased load capacity (XL/REINFORCED (increased load capacity) and information on winter suitability for winter and all-season tires (3PMFS: snowflake symbol provided in a mountain ) recorded. 

All-season tires or all-weather tires can be used all year round. These tires need a snowflake symbol (3PMSF) because they are recognized as all-season tires throughout Europe. The material and equipment is a compromise between summer tires and winter tires. All-season tires are mainly driven in countries with small temperature differences and mild climate conditions. Many customers who hardly ever travel by car or only in a big city opt for all-season tyres. On the other hand, if you want to go to the mountains in winter or fear snow-covered roads, these are not recommended.

The tire label shows three environmentally and safety-related properties of a tire. This should offer the buyer a buying aid and give him a look at the important properties. The colored scales classify the rolling resistance and wet braking on the EU tire label. Grade A, the best grade is shown in green. The noise level is divided into 3 classes (GK 1-3) and also given in dB (decibels). 

Runflat tires allow you to continue your journey quickly and safely (to the next workshop) in the event of a flat tyre. Anyone traveling with run-flat tires does not need a spare or emergency wheel, which reduces fuel consumption due to the lower weight on board. Furthermore, run-flat tires are compatible with all standard rims.

A special tire pressure monitoring system is required (if not installed, it must be retrofitted). In addition, the ride comfort and the suspension of the tires are weaker.

Tires must be replaced under these three factors:

1. Too old: You should replace the tires after 8 years at the latest, because the rubber becomes hard and brittle over time.

2. Tread depth too low: The legal minimum depth is 1.6 mm. However, we recommend 4 mm for winter tires and 3 mm for summer tires.

3. Cracks or damage in the tire wall: Regularly check the condition of your tires and examine them for damage, cracks and uneven wear.

The pressure specifications are given inside the fuel filler cap, on the side panel of the driver's door or in the driver's manual. Please make sure that you have 2 pressure specifications: vehicle with a full load and vehicle with a normal load. The tire pressure must be checked when the tires are cold, i.e. your vehicle should not have driven more than 3-5 km in the past 2 hours. 

This designation refers to tires in which the profile and structure have been designed in such a way that they should ensure better driving characteristics in mud and snow compared to ordinary summer tires. However, this symbol is not enough to identify a tire as an all-season tire throughout Europe, which is why we recommend paying attention to the snowflake symbol (3PMFS).

The tire industry has agreed to introduce this symbol to introduce a universally recognized designation for all-season tires and winter tires. Therefore, look out for this symbol when buying all-season tires and winter tires. All tires that are classified as winter and all-season tires in our online shop are equipped with the snowflake symbol and therefore have the properties of a recognized all-season tire.

The type approval number can be found in the vehicle registration document under "number 24" and this defines the vehicle type.

This number certifies that the vehicle has been approved in accordance with the applicable EC vehicle regulations. The certificate number that belongs to this vehicle type is looked up under the associated and tested assembly group.
 If there is an «X» in your type approval, your vehicle has been imported. For this purpose, please give us all vehicle details.