This is how to change a tire

Even if you are driving with all-season tires, you should regularly replace the tires completely, as worn tires with insufficient tread increase the risk of accidents. To make sure you do everything right, we at CARIFY provide you with a step-by-step guide to changing tires.

The right time for the tire change

From O to O – this rule of thumb stands for "from Easter to October" and indicates the period when you can safely use summer tires. So, the right time for seasonal tire change is in spring or autumn. Of course, there are exceptions if you are driving in an area where snow can be expected before October or after Easter. By the way, seasonal tire change is not legally required in Switzerland and especially for smaller vehicles, all-weather tires, also called all-season tires, can be a good solution. The following information shows how much safer and more economical you are when driving with the right tires. We'll reveal the difference between summer and winter tires and what's special about all-season tires.

Winter tires

Winter tires are made of a soft rubber compound with a high proportion of rubber, which provides elasticity and better grip on smooth roads at temperatures below freezing. The tread pattern of winter tires is also optimized for snow, icy conditions, and other weather conditions you might encounter in the cold season. However, in warm temperatures, winter tires lack block rigidity. The tread blocks become too pliable in heat. The tread pattern of Skoda winter tires has been carefully developed to withstand snow, ice and other weather conditions typical of the colder months. This effect is even more pronounced when the vehicle is heavily loaded, such as with holiday luggage.

Another significant disadvantage becomes apparent in braking distance: The braking distance significantly increases when driving winter tires in summer – a test by ADAC revealed a 16-meter longer braking distance at 100 km/h. The tires yield and almost slide on the road. Of course, the soft tires wear out faster in heat and increase the risk of aquaplaning, as sudden heavy rain can be expected in summer. The greater rolling resistance also leads to higher fuel consumption. You can recognize winter tires by the marking on the sidewall: You'll find either the M+S symbol (validity until 2024) or the Alpine symbol (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake, 3PMSF).

Summer tires:

In your region, it hardly ever snows, and you mainly drive in the city. So why invest in expensive winter tires and deal with the hassle of tire changes? We'll explain why summer tires are not a good idea in winter. The rubber compound of summer tires hardens in cold temperatures. If you drive with such a tire on ice, it provides little traction. Your car slides like on skates. Summer tires also lack suitable tread for slushy snow, and your braking distance is significantly longer. So, driving with summer tires in winter poses a risk of accidents.

By the way, if you have an accident caused by incorrect tire usage, your insurance can accuse you of gross negligence and refuse to cover the damage. That alone is a compelling reason to opt for seasonally appropriate tires.

All-season tires

If you rarely use your car in winter and live in an area where it doesn't often snow or get extremely hot, all-season tires are an alternative to seasonal tire changes. Their rubber compound provides sufficient grip in winter as well as driving stability and reasonable braking distance in summer. They are designed for temperatures between minus 30 and plus 40°C and, like winter tires, bear either the M+S or Alpine symbol on the sidewall.

By the way: If you plan to drive your car to neighboring countries, you should inform yourself in advance about possible winter tire requirements. We'll tell you where inadequate tire use in winter can become costly:

Changing Tires: Here's How It Works Easily

If you change your tires yourself, you don't need a garage appointment and save money. It's not that difficult – just follow our guide.

Safety first

Engage the handbrake and put the car in first gear. For automatic cars, set the gear selector to 'P'. This prevents the vehicle from moving unintentionally. Check the tread of your tires. You must replace worn-out tires immediately and should not drive or store them any longer. Even though the minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm, we recommend 4 mm for winter tires and 3 mm for summer tires.

The right tools

Nothing is more annoying than having to interrupt work constantly to fetch suitable tools. You need:

• (Hydraulic) jack

• Lug wrench

• Torque wrench

• Jack stands

• Key for wheel lock

• Wire brush

• Appropriate screws and nuts (for changing from steel to alloy wheels, for example)

• Container for loose screws to prevent them from getting lost

Loosen the wheel nuts

After removing the wheel cover, loosen each wheel nut with the lug wrench by a quarter turn.

Lift the car

Place the jack under the designated spot on the vehicle frame. The user manual will show you where that is and what safety precautions you should take. Then lift the car to a suitable height for tire replacement.

Remove the wheel

Now fully loosen the wheel nuts. Inspect them for damage and rust. Remove rust using the wire brush; replace damaged nuts as a precaution. Then, the wheel can be removed. Place it under the vehicle.

Mount the new wheel

Clean the hub surfaces from dirt and rust. To ensure even tread wear, it's recommended to change the wheel positions from front to rear. Keep in mind that good tread at the rear is more important than the front to prevent aquaplaning. Some tire treads require the correct rotation direction. You can recognize this by an arrow on the sidewall. These tires cannot be swapped diagonally. After placing the new wheel, hand-tighten all nuts with the lug wrench. Important: Never lubricate the threads! Retrieve the exchanged wheel from under the vehicle.

Lower the car, tighten the wheel nuts properly, and check the tire pressure

Lower the car with the jack until the wheel is on the ground. Now, use the torque wrench to tighten the nuts firmly. Tighten them diagonally (top left, bottom right, top right, bottom left). Pay attention to the specified torque and avoid over-tightening the nuts. Otherwise, the threads could break, or the wheel bolts could stretch. But they shouldn't be too loose either. Tip: If you ever need to access your spare tire, check if it requires a different torque setting. Now, check the tire pressure and store your wheels in the order of their positions. It's best to store the wheels and tools in the same location.

Check the screw positions after the first 50 km. Tighten them if necessary.

In the CARIFY car subscription, tires are included

If you want to ensure the right tires for your driving in terms of tread, you can look forward to a CARIFY car subscription: Our vehicles always come with seasonally appropriate tires and good tread. And because your safety matters to us, the seasonal tire change at our partner garages doesn't cost you anything extra.

Conclusion

Worn or weather-inappropriate tires, whether you drive a VW or Opel, increase the risk of accidents. Increased fuel consumption is just a minor issue. Longer braking distances and reduced driving stability affect safety. In the worst case, you could even lose your insurance coverage. Enough reason to change your tires in a timely manner. With CARIFY, our partner garages take care of that for you – at no additional cost.

FAQ:

What should be considered when changing tires?

Tires must be suitable for the weather and season and have sufficient tread.

Can tires be swapped from left to right?

As long as the tread doesn't have a specific direction, you can swap from right to left and diagonally. Swap the previous year's tire positions from rear to front to achieve even wear.

When should tires be changed?

The Easter to October rule of thumb for summer tires should only serve as a guideline. Weather conditions are crucial. When temperatures drop, it's time for winter tires, which provide better traction due to their soft rubber compound. All-season tires are a good solution for moderate climate conditions, but not for extreme weather situations.

Is it irrelevant which tire is where?

No, it's not. Firstly, the tire's rotation direction must be correct; otherwise, the tread won't perform its function. Secondly, having good tread at the rear provides protection against aquaplaning.

How can you tell if the tires are mounted correctly?

On the tire sidewall, you'll find 'Rotation' or 'Direction' in combination with an arrow indicating the rotation direction. If it points in the right