Tire trade
Tires are one of the most important aspects of every car, so it is important to choose the most suitable and high-quality tires for each car so that driving is pleasant and safe. Last but not least, quality tires will last longer.
Car tires are flexible to absorb the impact when the tire travels on uneven surfaces. The most common tire material is a combination of synthetic rubber, natural rubber and other chemicals. The tires are designed to match the weight of each vehicle, providing pressure that does not move excessively on the surface, so it is very important that the tires are appropriate for the particular vehicle so that they perform as well as possible and last longer.
Types of tires
There are different types of tires, which are suitable for different conditions – winter, summer, as well as sports and others.
Winter tyres – according to Latvian road traffic regulations, cars must be equipped with winter tires from December 1 to March 1. The minimum tread depth of winter tires is 4 mm. It is important to mention that summer tires lose their properties when the temperature bar drops to +7 C. Winter tires can be of different types, so choose them according to your driving style:
- studded winter tires – these tires are more stable and have more control over the car on icy roads. These tires are designed for driving in severe winter conditions, where there is a thick layer of snow or where the roads are not spread and there is frequent icing. It is worth remembering that this type of tires is banned in some countries (Poland, Germany, etc.), as well as according to Latvian regulations they are not allowed to drive from May 1 to October 1.
- studded winter tires (soft winter tires) – these tires have good grip on the road at low temperatures, ice and snow. They are very suitable for driving in Latvia and abroad, as well as they are quieter than studded tires. Some of the disadvantages are the lower braking properties when driving at high speeds, as well as their faster wear when driving on dry or wet roads.
- solid winter tires – these tires are suitable for roads that are regularly cleaned and sprinkled. Due to their rounded shoulder blades, these tires have better cornering grip and are suitable for high-speed driving (high-speed motorways), but they are not really suitable for driving on icy and snowy roads.
- all-season tires – these tires are more designed for the climate zone, where the average air temperature in winter is 0 C, but they are allowed to be used in Latvia also in winter. It is worth noting that these tires do not provide as high safety and traction as winter tires. They are a great option if you do not drive every day and only use it on weekends or less often. Last but not least, they wear faster during the summer than tires for the summer season.
Summer tyres are designed for weather conditions when the air temperature reaches +7 C. According to Latvian regulations, it is allowed to drive with summer tires from March 1. They are designed to drive on dry and wet roads and provide maximum traction, muffle noise. Last but not least, driving is more comfortable and can save up to 4% on fuel consumption.
Truck and bus tires – For these vehicles, the tires are different from those for passenger cars in order to ensure that the weight of the bus or truck is balanced and that the tires are suitable for the specific weight. It is no less important to choose tires that are designed for the specific vehicle (bus, trailer, special equipment, etc.). It is no less important to know under what conditions, for which road surface and other factors the tires are designed, as well as what cargo will be transported, etc.
Sports tires are designed for every type of sports driving – rally on the ground, rally on asphalt, rally on snowy and icy roads and highways. We also offer moto tires .
Our recommendations for buying tires:
- Know the type, model and size of your vehicle – each vehicle has its own tires, so it is important to look for tires that are right for your car. Although it is best to choose the tires that are most suitable for your car, buying tires is also influenced by your driving style and how you feel best. There are cases when car tires are changed to another type, for example, to increase the stability of the car or to improve the visual appearance. If you are not sure which tires you need, ask for help from a garage where knowledgeable people will help you;
- choose tires that are suitable for the climate and conditions in which you normally drive. If you live in a countryside where the roads are rarely cleaned in winter, then it is better to choose studded tires (for winter), if you live in a city where roads are cleaned, we recommend choosing soft winter tires. Evaluate your driving conditions to make driving more enjoyable and safer;
- Think about who, where and how you drive most often – in addition to the conditions and vehicle you drive, think about where you enjoy driving and what your mode of driving is. Maybe you like to drive on roads that are not used often or use a highway that has been cleared? Each of these aspects can affect which tires are right for you.