They are the most fragile part of your vehicle but, paradoxically, they are highly resistant. So, how can one easily assess their condition? There are several simple methods that can help you to examine your tyres, such as placing a 1€ coin in its groves and checking the thickness of the rubber with the naked eye. However, the most competent person for assessing the state of your tyres is your equipment manufacturer.

During the period from November to March, it is advisable to fit winter tyres on your vehicle. Why? Snow, black ice, water and other elements can affect the grip of your tyres. This makes winter tyres an absolute must for the coming cold period. Winter tyres are designed to displace a greater amount of water and to reduce the risk of aquaplaning. Furthermore, thanks to their special shape, they “cling to” snow and black ice. The tread depth is greater than that of summer tyres, which provides better traction and improved grip. This means you will also save on fuel.

Winter tyres come into their own on roads that are covered in snow or ice or that are damp or wet, cold or dry… What is more, their main advantage is that they can withstand extremely low temperatures. However, you must keep an eye on their pressure to ensure that they remain efficient. During periods of extremely cold weather, the tyre pressure may be lower than that shown on a pressure gauge.
As a general rule, tyres lose 0.1 bar. In other words, if the pressure gauge shows 2.0 bars, your tyre is actually inflated to 1.9 bar. Although this does not mean that your tyre is under-inflated, tyres should be inflated slightly more in winter.

Mixing tyres of different structures and/or characteristics on the same axle is now prohibited for safety reasons on passenger cars and vans.

The popular belief that winter tyres should be fitted on the drive axle is wrong. All equipment manufacturers and studies recommend that winter tyres be fitted on both axles. The car is more balanced if both axles are fitted in the same way. Fitting winter tyres on the front of a front-wheel drive may result in a lack of rear traction and can cause the car to slew around. If, on the other hand, the car is a rear-wheel drive, an inverse phenomenon occurs and the front part loses traction…Therefore, specially designed winter tyres should be fitted on both ends.

Here are some tips for driving on snow:
- Prepare for braking by using a low gear.
- If your tyres suddenly lock, take your foot off the brake and then brake again. This system allows the brake pads to be “released” from the brake discs.
- When starting your car, accelerate slowly so that the wheels do not start spinning.
- Corners should be taken with extreme care.
All these factors are moderated with the use of winter tyres, which counterbalance the effects of winter.

In general, the pressure of your tyres, regardless of whether they are winter tyres or not, should be checked once a month and before any long trips. This will make your tyres last longer. Replace the valve each time, so as to ensure the tyre is airtight. Regularly check your car’s balance and wheel alignment. This will improve handling, especially when driving in a straight line at high speeds.

Your choice of tyres is extremely important, so choose wisely…