Bosch Car Service: Tire Guide

What Is the Difference between Winter and Summer Tires

A vehicle fitted with summer tires traveling on a snow-covered road needs 140 ft to come to a standstill from a speed of 30 mph. With winter tires, a distance of only 115 ft is required. Winter tires are made from a special blend of rubber and their coarser, usually deeper tread ensure better a better grip.

Get safely through the year with the right tires

Statistics show that the risk of an accident is six times greater in winter than in summer. What's more: In the case of accidents, insurance companies tend to apportion some of the blame to the drivers of vehicles not fitted with the appropriate (legally specified) tires. So before you get into your vehicle it is best to take a look at the weather conditions and switch to winter tires in good time.

How Important Is the Correct Tire Pressure

The weight of a vehicle is not carried solely by the tires, the air in them also plays an important part. The safety risk increases with every journey if the inflation pressure is too low:

• The braking distance is unnecessarily long.
• There is an increased risk of tire damage caused by excessive heat generation.
• Fuel consumption increases because of the greater rolling resistance.

When Do Tires Need Changing

There are three important factors to bear in mind: Age, tread depth and possible damage. Take a few minutes to go around your car and inspect your tires. If the tire tread is below 2/32 of an inch or doesn't pass the penny test, the tires need to be replaced. Tires should also be replaced if they are more than 10 years old – even if the tread depth is still adequate. The age of a tire can be seen from the four-digit DOT number stamped on it. The last two digits indicate the year of manufacture and the first two show the week of manufacture. If you find uneven wear along the tire's tread, your tires are in need of rotation or alignment.

Our advice for correct checking:

Place a penny in the tread of the tire with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your car needs new tires.