With most Portuguese counting down the days until the end of July and the start of the summer vacation period in August, many are already starting to prepare their vehicles for long car trips, which in many cases leads drivers to change the tires of their vehicles to travel with greater safety.
However, choosing the right tires is not always an easy task, as there are several aspects to consider. Bridgestone, a global leader in premium tires and sustainable mobility solutions, offers five tips to help make the best choice when purchasing tires.
1- Choose only homologated tires
To drive on European roads, tires must be homologated according to the corresponding CEPE/UN Regulation, and their dimensions and characteristics must comply with what is specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Each vehicle is homologated to operate with tires of specific sizes, load indices, and speed symbols.
Therefore, when replacing the tires of the car, you should always consult the technical data sheet for the sizes indicated in field L.2 or in the remarks, where the “equivalent” alternatives are listed, taking into account the load capacity index, speed category, the same outer diameter (with a tolerance of ±3%), and the corresponding rim profile for the tire.
The measurements and characteristics are also marked on the side of the tire. For example, a tire 205/55 R16 89V indicates: Width: 205 mm; Profile: 55 (height/width ratio in %); Rim diameter: 16’’ (the “R” indicates that it is a radial tire); Load index: 89 (580 kg per tire) and Speed category: V (up to 240 km/h)
The manufacturing date can be found in the DOT code, also on the side of the tire. The last four digits (e.g., 1024) indicate the week and year of manufacture: in this case, week 10 of 2024.
2 – You don’t skimp on road safety
Many drivers automatically opt for cheaper tires without evaluating their advantages and disadvantages, which can be a mistake.
The Consumers and Users Organization (OCU) warns that “choosing the right tires and keeping them in good condition helps reduce vehicle consumption, improves driving safety, and avoids risks and breakdowns.” Therefore, Bridgestone recommends investing in premium tires, which offer greater durability and superior performance compared to low-cost tires.
3 – A tire for every car and driving style
The type of vehicle and the driving style also influence the choice of tires. For driving an electric vehicle, or for a calm driving style, tires with low rolling resistance are suggested, which are more energy and fuel efficient, quiet, comfortable, and provide maximum safety.
On the other hand, for a powerful vehicle and/or for a more sporty driving style, the requirements change: tires with characteristics oriented towards precision in handling, steering response, high stability, cornering control, and greater grip on asphalt.
4 – Consider the geographical area and climate
The region and weather conditions for where we are going on vacation are also factors to consider. There are summer tires, the most common, for dry weather, intense heat, and little precipitation, and winter tires, which perform better below 7ºC, more suited for low temperatures, rain, and even snow. There are also all-season tires that combine the advantages of the previous ones, but are less specific for each season.
5 – European label
Before choosing the new “shoes” for the vehicle, it is necessary to check their performance on the European label. This European classification informs about the following parameters: Fuel efficiency: rolling resistance (A = more efficient; E = less); Wet grip: braking distance (A = shorter; E = longer); External rolling noise and average value in dB (A = quieter; C = noisier); Snow grip: mountain symbol with snowflake (“3 Peaks Mountain Snow Flake”), if certified for winter driving; Ice grip: triangle symbol with frozen mountain (specific for Nordic winter tires).
Remember that choosing tires suitable for the driving conditions and the vehicle is a decision that directly influences safety, performance, and peace of mind behind the wheel. Because when the unexpected happens, the right tires really make all the difference. Have a great holiday!
