It is measured from the sidewall to the sidewall of your tyre. Car tyres are between 125 and 335 mm wide.

How high is the tire compared to the width of its cross section in percent? The smaller the number, the lower the tire sidewall.

The tire carcass consists of fine cord threads.

R (radial tire):
The threads run at right angles to the direction of travel.
D (diagonal tires):
The threads run at an angle. R and D tires must not be combined.
RF (Run Flat Tire):
Self-supporting tire with run-flat properties.

It is measured from rim edge to rim edge. 10 to 20 "are common.

Indicates the maximum load capacity of the tire in connection with its maximum speed. At 94, e.g. B. approved a maximum of 670 kg.

The permissible maximum speed is to be seen in connection with the load index. The load capacity of the tires can decrease at high speeds.

You will find the so-called Date of Manufacturer number on at least one side of the tire. It provides information about the date of manufacture. The last four numbers are relevant here. The first two digits indicate the week of production as a calendar week and the last two as the year of production.

Abrasion points are generally found on the tyre sidewall. These are not wear-and-tear marks caused by simple road use - they are the result of e.g. bumping the kerb. Abrasion points are often dismissed as harmless damages. But: even the vehicle carcass can be damaged by a strong collision. Damages to the carcass are not immediately visible from the outside - making them particularly dangerous. The carcass may break or moisture may seep into the vehicle interior, leading to corrosion of the metal mesh. So, a seemingly harmless abrasion point may lead to the entire tyre becoming unstable. A tyre expert can recognise the pattern of damages - so get in touch with your professional workshop straight away.

Tip:
Do your rims bear clear traces of an impact? Then your tyres might also be affected.

Every now and then, embedded fragments, nails or sharp stones can find their way into the contact surface area. Foreign objects can come into contact with the tyres at any time and any place - especially on gravel surfaces or around construction sites. It's very rare for this to cause to tyre to "burst". It's more likely to cause a dangerous, gradual loss of pressure. What's more, moisture may reach the tyre interior and lead to the corrosion of a steel cord belt. In the worst case scenario, this may cause the tread or the belt to detach. A tyre expert can assess the damages - so get in touch with your professional workshop straight away.

Traces of ageing are not signs of wear-and-tear, but rather damages caused by improper storage. The correct way to store tyres is in a cool, dark and dry environment - and it's important to not stack too many tyres on top of each other. However, if tyres are stored in a place where they are exposed to a lot of sunshine, for example, the UV rays allow the softening agent in the tyres to escape. Over time, this results in the emergence of fine cracks. So, if you notice any cracks, ruptures or porous areas in your tyres, do no re-mount them for the new season. If you are unsure about anything concerning these points, consult a tyre expert in your professional workshop.

Features:
Irregular wear on the tyre shoulder in the shape of a sawtooth, louder rolling noise.

Possible causes:
Defective shock absorbers, misaligned axle geometry, sporty or over-cautious driving style.

Consequences:
Faster usability, more frequent tire changes and the associated additional costs.

Characteristics:
Uniform wear all around in the middle of the tread.

Possible causes:
Too much pressure, therefore mainly the depressed center of the tyre touches the road or exceeds the permitted maximum speed of the tyre.

Consequences:
More frequent tyre changes and associated additional costs.

The best thing to do is to ask your specialist workshop - and check the correct tyre pressure regularly.

Features:
Significantly less worn profile in the middle of the tread than on the two shoulders.

Possible causes:
Too low air pressure, because when rolling, mainly the shoulder areas of the tyre touch the road (with even wear) or habitually fast driving through curves with too little tyre pressure (more wear on the outer shoulder).

Consequences:
Faster usability and associated additional costs. In extreme cases, the carcass may be damaged or the tyre may suddenly fail because the carcass damage remains even if the tyre is driven with the correct pressure again.

Check the air pressure regularly and contact your specialist workshop if you are unsure.

Features:
Wear pattern distributed all around the tyre or selectively.

Possible causes:
Strong or full braking on a blocked tyre (brake plate), usually only in vehicles without ABS, or due to a long service life of the tyre or vehicle in connection with insufficient air pressure (base plate).

If you have any questions about the further suitability of the tyre, please contact your specialist workshop.

Characteristics:
Heavy abrasion on only one shoulder on one or all wheels.

Possible causes:
Incorrectly adjusted or worn undercarriage, overloading or no approved wheel / tyre combination.

With this appearance, you should definitely contact your specialist workshop.