Tyres/Wheels/Accessories

Tires and Rims for All Seasons – Check Out What You'll Find at Inter Cars

Investing in tires and rims is an investment in safety. Of course, the foundation is tires that are properly matched to the season, driving style, and the car. But one must not forget the role that rims play. Aluminum rims - yes, they tempt with aesthetic values, but they also have a significant impact on safety and comfort. Steel rims also deserve attention, especially as a part of a set with winter tires.

A large group of drivers opt for tires and rims as a set, where the set is completed by the buyer. This is a convenient solution, especially when tire and rim replacement is done at the same trusted tire shop.

Tires – Summer, Winter, and All-Season

Today, no one is surprised by the need to match tires to the season. Interestingly, even informed drivers are increasingly turning to all-season tires. They make up over 20 percent of the market, and this trend is expected to continue. The question arises, why have all-season tires regained popularity? There are two main reasons. The first is climate change (milder winters and transitional seasons). The second reason is the significantly improved quality of all-season tires, which offer more than just a minimum in all weather conditions.

Despite the popularity of all-season tires, many drivers still prefer two sets of tires. This is also a good solution, recommended especially for people living in hilly and mountainous areas. Another group for whom seasonal tire and rim replacement is the optimal choice are owners of cars with more powerful engines. Not necessarily in the top versions, but drivers who enjoy the pleasure of driving.

Premium, Medium, and Budget Tires

Size, load and speed indices - when choosing car tires, it is worth considering the division into segments. Tires are typically divided into three segments: premium, medium, and budget. It is worth noting that there are tires that straddle these segments, such as Nokia tires (increasingly considered premium) or Hankook tires (a similar situation).

Premium Tires in the Inter Cars Offer

As befits a good automotive shop, Inter Cars offers a wide range of premium tires. You can choose from brands such as Michelin, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Pirelli, Vredestein, Bridgestone, or Yokohama. Who should consider tires from these brands? Primarily owners of modern cars equipped with powerful engines.

Premium tires typically receive top marks in independent tests. They are also, understandably, the most expensive. But there are exceptions, as Yokohama tires often cost similarly to mid-range tires (same type, size, and indices).

Medium Tires at Inter Cars

Medium tires provide an interesting alternative to both other segments. These brands are often financially and technologically linked to the largest tire giants, which allows them to benefit from their experience. For example, Kleber belongs to Michelin, and Firestone incorporates Bridgestone technologies. Semperit is associated with Continental, Fulda with Goodyear, Uniroyal with Continental, and so on. There are also independent companies that produce good summer, winter, and all-season tires. This group includes brands such as Korean Kumho or Nexen.

Budget Tires in the Inter Cars Catalog

Budget segment tires are recommended for calm and moderate drivers. It is a cost-effective solution that is still much better than buying retreaded or used tires. Just like medium tires, products in the budget class often use solutions from premium brands. A few examples include Dębica (Goodyear), Kormoran (Michelin), Barum (Continental), Apollo (Vredestein), Kelly (Goodyear), Sava (Goodyear), Laufenn (Hankook). There are also affordable tires from independent manufacturers in the Inter Cars selection, such as Trazano, Ovation, or Aplus.

It's worth mentioning that Inter Cars also offers retreaded tires. This type of tire is an option for the most economical and calm drivers. However, be aware that retreaded tires are also a choice for drift enthusiasts because they usually have a much deeper tread than non-regenerated tires, which is an undeniable advantage in this case.

Rims

Inter Cars' offer also includes rims. Both aluminum rims (made of lightweight alloys) and steel rims are popular. The range includes a wide variety of sizes and models.

When choosing rims, pay special attention to the following parameters:

• rim width (the rim should not protrude beyond the fender);
• rim diameter (too large will require tires with very low profiles, too small rims cannot be mounted);
• ET (offset) - a parameter that indicates the distance between the rim mounting surface and the hub; this parameter determines whether the wheel will be more recessed in the fender or closer to the outer edge of the fender;
• bolt pattern: the distance (measured in mm) between the mounting holes;
• center bore diameter; it can be modified (if too large) using centering rings; with a too small rim, it will not fit properly onto the hub.

FAQ

When is it worth buying all-season tires?

All-season tires are recommended for drivers who travel no more than 15,000 kilometers per year. This type of tire works particularly well as tires for vehicles mainly used in city traffic on quickly cleared roads. Interestingly, all-season tires are also gaining popularity among taxi service providers. For this group of drivers, any additional (seasonal) visit to a tire shop is a waste of valuable time. In addition, with all-season tires, the costs of seasonal replacement and potential pressure sensor calibration are eliminated.

Which rims to choose for winter?

For years, only steel rims were recommended for winter use. However, currently, brand-name aluminum rims are just as resistant to winter conditions as their steel counterparts. So, the choice is an individual matter.

How often should tire pressure be checked?

If your tires are less than five years old, you should check the tire pressure once a month. Older tires will require slightly more frequent checks. Of course, it is also worth verifying the tire pressure before any long trip (such as a vacation).