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When should you switch to summer tires and which ones should you choose?

When the asphalt starts to melt from the hot, scorching sun, this will be a clear clue for any driver that it is time to remove the winter tires and replace them with summer ones.

But the situation is complicated by the fact that there is a great variety of summer tires on the market, while for your own safety you only need the right set.

Universal tires are considered the most affordable. Their name says it all: these tires can easily carry both cargo and passengers. And they often have a load rating of over 550 kg per tire.

You can fully load your vehicle and be confident that these tires won't get hot, but they'll easily withstand the extra weight. For trips to the countryside, where you need to haul a lot of cargo, these tires are the perfect choice!

A high profile isn't considered a major drawback, as the tire and steel wheels will absorb any mechanical shock. Consequently, a new set of tires and alloy wheels can easily last for several years.

If speed is a top priority, there's no other choice—you need to buy the same tire versions, but with a lower profile (up to 20 mm). The lower the profile, the less the tire will be susceptible to denting, even under the most severe dynamic loads.

If we add that most summer tires are radial, meaning the cords are intertwined diagonally, then the tire will not deform even when taking sharp turns, which will have a positive impact on the safety of the driver and passengers.

It's very easy to find out the profile of the tire being offered – just look at the abbreviation.

For example, if a tire has a rating of 170/70R14, the aspect ratio will be 119 mm, which will allow the tire to withstand mechanical impacts quite well. The next letter indicates that the tire is a radial tire, and the last letter indicates the inner diameter.

When buying tires, pay attention to the speed rating. Most often, it's rated up to 180 km/h, but you can buy versions rated up to 260 km/h, but these are more expensive and are best reserved for sports cars.

Buy only high-quality accessories and parts for your beloved car to ensure it serves you well and without any issues. Good luck!