DIY + Garden
DIY + Garden
We have a wide selection of tires for every season from well-known brands such as Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Pirelli and Michelin as well as cheaper alternatives for the smaller budget. Use our filters to help you find the right tire.
The yearly change of tires is not a requirement of Swiss law. However, the driver must be able to control his car or motorcycle in all road situations. Therefore we recommend you to equip your vehicle with winter tires when the temperature drops - approx. below 7°C or before the first snow. This will not only make you safer on the road, but will also protect you from liability claims from your insurance company in the event of an accident. We explain the most important terms here:
Speed index: The maximum speed in km/h that can be reached with the tire.
Load index: The maximum load per wheel.
Fuel efficiency: A scale from "A" to "G" shows how efficient the fuel economy is. Here, "A" has the greatest efficiency and "G" the least.
Wet grip: The closer a letter approaches the "A" class, the better the tire's handling properties on wet roads.
Noise emission: winter tires or summer tires can be noisier when driven, depending on the rubber compound and tread. Noise is expressed in decibels or "dB". The rule of thumb here is that the lower the decibel number, the quieter the tires are while driving.
The most frequently asked questions on the subject of "tires":
What do the numbers and figures on the side of the tires mean?
This is the tire designation, which is noted on most tires. Let's take the example "175 / 65 R 14": "175" stands for the tire width in millimeters, "65" for the ratio of the tire height to the tire width - in our case 65%. The letter "R" provides information about the type of construction - in our case it is a radial tire used on passenger cars. The number 14 describes the rim size in inches.
What is the difference between summer and winter tires?
Basically, two characteristics determine the seasonality of the tire: the rubber hardness and the tread pattern.
Summer tires are harder than their winter counterparts because they are exposed to higher temperatures. To reduce the risk of aquaplaning, the tread is designed so that water is transported away from the tire more quickly and thus gains better grip. As a general rule, the narrower the tire width and deeper the tread, the lower the risk of aquaplaning.
Winter tires are softer than summer tires. This makes it easier for slush and snow to be transported in the grooves. You can recognize winter tires by the fact that their tread has many tread grooves. If the tires have an Alpine symbol (also known as a snowflake or 3PMSF symbol), this means that they have been tested and have achieved the minimum traction on snow and ice - making them suitable for the cold season. From the end of September 2024, only tires marked with the Alpine symbol will be legally permitted on the road.
Can I just leave my winter tires mounted all year round?
You can... but it's not recommended. If you drive with winter tires during the summer months, you will have softer wheels and therefore more wear and tear. This means that you not only have to replace your tires sooner, but also that the braking distance becomes longer - and thus the risk of an accident increases.
When do summer or winter tires need to be changed?
The rule of thumb is: "From O to O" - i.e. from October to Easter, when the temperature rises above seven degrees again or falls below seven degrees. Consequently, the weather must always be kept in mind.