Guide

Tire Buying Guide

Practical advice for drivers – when to change, which tires to choose, and what to check when buying

Choosing the right tire is the foundation of your safety and comfort. This guide answers the most common customer questions in plain, understandable language — no mechanic expertise required.

When should you change your tires?

Tires should be replaced based on age and tread wear. The two most important rules:

Age: 6–8 years

Rubber hardens over time and loses grip. We recommend replacing tires older than 6 years even if the tread is not worn. The manufacturing date is in the DOT code (e.g. 2417 = week 24 of 2017).

Wear: 1.6 mm minimum

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. For safe braking distances we recommend replacing below 3 mm, and below 4 mm for winter tires.

Summer, winter, or all-season?

The three tire types are optimized for different conditions. There is no single "best" tire — the right choice depends on where and when you drive.

Summer tires

Above +7 °C

Best grip in warm weather (above 7 °C), shorter braking distance and lower fuel consumption. Fewer sipes, harder compound. In Hungary, this is the right choice from April to October.

Shorter braking on warm roads
Lower rolling resistance
Quieter ride

Winter tires

Below +7 °C

Better grip in cold weather (below 7 °C), including snow and ice. Many sipes, soft compound. In Hungary, mandatory from November 1 to March 15 on snowy, icy or frosty roads. Look for the 3PMSF marking — the official winter certification.

Better grip on cold roads
Shorter braking in snow and ice
Mandatory in winter conditions

All-season tires

Compromise

A middle ground usable year-round, but not as good in summer as summer tires, nor as good in winter as winter tires. Suitable for city driving and low mileage. Not recommended for long motorway trips or frequent winter driving.

No seasonal change needed
Fine for city driving
Compromise performance

What to check when buying

We recommend these steps before purchasing tires:

Check the factory size

Find the factory tire size in your vehicle manual or on the B-pillar door frame (e.g. 205/55 R16 91V). Our free tire size finder helps you find the exact factory size by selecting make, model and engine.

Compare sizes

If switching sizes, the tire size converter shows the diameter difference and speedometer deviation. More than 3% difference is not recommended.

Check the manufacturing date

The last 4 digits of the DOT code show the manufacturing week and year. When buying "new" tires older than 1–2 years, ask the retailer about it.

Load and speed index

Never choose a lower index than the factory specification. A higher index only makes sense if your vehicle load or driving style requires it.

Fitting and balancing

Tire fitting and balancing go together. Our mobile service performs fitting, balancing and torque-wrench tightening on-site.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: 2 winter + 2 summer tires, or 4 identical?

Always 4 identical tires of the same type and size. Mixed tires (especially across axles) can be dangerous: grip becomes asymmetric and ESP/ABS systems may not function properly.

Can I install larger wheels than factory?

Increasing wheel size changes the overall tire diameter. Check the difference with the tire size converter. If the overall diameter changes by less than 3%, the change may be safe. Also check wheel arch and shock absorber clearance.

Can I use run-flat tires if my car is not a run-flat system?

Not recommended. Run-flat driving after a puncture requires a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring) system and suspension tuned for run-flat. Without it, you may not notice a puncture in time.

Are used tires worth it?

A used tire is only economical if the manufacturing date is less than 3 years old, the tread is at least 4 mm, and there is no damage (bead, sidewall, cracks). Otherwise the safety risk is not worth the savings.

What is an XL or Reinforced tire?

XL (Extra Load) or RF (Reinforced) tires have a higher load index. Often mandatory for SUVs, vans and larger vehicles. Cannot be mixed with standard tires on the same axle.