Are you planning to purchase new tires? Keep in mind that the tires are the only points of contact of the vehicle with the road, therefore the performance of your vehicle will depend on the quality of your tires and their suitability for the vehicle. So here are some tips that will help you make the right choice:

Mandatory requirements:

1. The first requirement when choosing new tires is that they match your vehicle type. To know which type of tires is right for you, check the manufacturer’s instructions in the vehicle manual and/or the characteristics listed on the sidewall of the existing tires.
2. In order to maximize the performance and control of a vehicle, it is highly recommended to use the same type of tire on all four wheels. When replacing just one, two or even three tires, make sure they match the type already installed on the rest of the wheels.
3. Different tires have a different structure and you can distinguish between diagonal tires that are made of layers of cord that cross each other diagonally and radial tires in which the back layers are placed at a right angle to the circumference of the tire. These days, most cars use radial tires, which you can recognize by the letter R which is stamped on them.
4. The tires must be able to support the entire load of the vehicle and this ability is called the load rating. Therefore, look for the tire load index to determine the weight it can support, and check that all the tires together can indeed withstand carrying the total load of the entire car.
5. The speed rating, indicated as a letter on the sidewall, indicates the maximum speed that the tire can withstand. The speed rating of your tire must be at least as high as the maximum speed of your vehicle. Note that tires designed for a higher maximum speed also tend to wear out more quickly.
6. The manufacturer must provide you with information on the ideal tire pressure for optimal operation of the car. In order not to cause accelerated wear of the tire, avoid filling it with the specified maximum air pressure.
7. Be sure to check the sidewall of the tire for additional information such as size, safety codes and association symbols, which will give you an indication of whether the tire is approved for use in Israel, and whether it meets common quality standards.

Additional considerations: Beyond the mandatory tire requirements, there are additional optional considerations related to your driving style and the budget available to you:

1. How important is it to you that the ride be quiet and comfortable? There are softer tires designed to minimize noise, but their rate of wear is accelerated and they are mainly suitable for paved roads.
2. How important is it for you to save on fuel? There are tires with low resistance that improve the ratio of kilometers per liter and save on fuel expenses. Do you drive off-road? If so, at least some of the time, you can ask for tires with sidewall protection designed for this.
3. And finally, keep in mind that different tires will give you a different feeling of road grip, so if you change tires, drive carefully and take some time to adapt to them, especially when accelerating, braking and stopping.