Your new tyres can be any make and tread pattern you choose, but the size must match those currently on the car.

The easiest way to find the tyre size you need is by using a 'search by registration' facility, but you will still have to double check the size before ordering - by reading the markings on the side of your current tyres.

Look for a group of letters/numbers like the example below, which tell you the tyre's width and profile, the wheel diameter, and the tyre's load and speed ratings.

For example: 215/60 R 16 91 V
In this example:

• 215 is the tyre's width (A) in millimetres
• 60 is the tyre's profile (B)
• R indicates the tyre's construction type (in this case radial)
• 16 is the wheel diameter (C) in inches
• 91 is the vehicle's load index (the maximum load it can carry)
• V is the tyre's maximum speed rating

Speed Rating

The speed and load ratings of the replacement tyre(s) may be higher but cannot be lower than the values given in the vehicle handbook.

Tyre Balancing

Make sure your tyres are balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Unbalanced tyres cause vibration, which can lead to driver fatigue and premature, irregular tyre wear as well as unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension.

Out-of-balance tyres cause a car to vibrate at certain speeds. This can lead to premature, irregular tyre wear, as well as unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. tyre balance should be checked at the first sign of a vibration.

Tyre Inflation

It is essential to periodically check and carry out maintenance on your tyres. And especially to check the inflation of your tyres. Incorrect inflation can cause abnormal, excessive wear and tear, which in turn can cause tyre overheating, fuel overuse or even such a danger as a tyre blow-out.

We recommend you to check your tyres inflation including the spare tyre at least once a month with an accurate tyre pressure gauge. With the right amount of air pressure, your tyres wear longer, save fuel, enhance handling and prevent accidents. If you consider the liabilities of not maintaining the correct air pressure - poor fuel mileage, loss of tyre life, bad handling (perhaps even loss of control), and potential vehicle overloading - then the need to routinely checking of your tyre inflation will become clearer.

Tyre Pressure

The correct air pressure may be found in your vehicle manual or on the tyre sticker (attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door or fuel door). If you cannot find the air pressure information Sava advises you to contact a local tyre dealer for assistance.

Many people believe that they can check air pressure just by looking at the tyre and judging the sidewall appearance. However properly checking tyre pressure requires an accurate air gauge. Note that air meters at service stations, can be grossly inaccurate due to exposure or abuse. The best way to check your tyre pressure is to visit your nearest tyre dealer. When checking your vehicle's tyre pressure, make sure the tyres are 'cold'. Cold air pressure means that the vehicle has not yet been driven (remember that driving on a tyre increases its temperature and air pressure).

Tyre Tread

We recommend you to check your tyre tread regularly to find out whether one of your tyres needs to be replaced or not. A tyre with a tread of 1.6 mm or less could not give you the same level of performance than before and thus is increasing the risk of accidents.

* If the tread is deeper on the edges than it is in the centre, the tyre is possibly over-inflated.

* If the tread is deeper in the centre than it is on the edges, the tyre is possibly under-inflated.

* If the tread is deeper on one side than it is on the other, have your wheel alignment checked soon.

Tyre Rotation

Find out the proper rotation for your tyres. While many people are capable of rotating their own tyres, it is quick, easy and secure to let a professional do it for you. Your vehicle's owner's manual will specify the proper rotation pattern and schedule for your vehicle. If a specific schedule is not indicated, it is a good rule of thumb to rotate your tyres every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometers.

The main purpose of regularly rotating tyres is to achieve more uniform wear for all tyres on the vehicle. If no rotation period or pattern is to be found in your owner's documentation, rotate your tyres at least every 8.000 to 10.000 km. However, rotate your tyres earlier if irregular or uneven wear develops, and check with a qualified tyre dealer or alignment shop to determine the cause of the wear problem. Remember that a hard impact such as hitting a pothole can cause misalignment, which then causes uneven tyre wear. On front wheel-drive cars, it is especially important to rotate your tyres periodically because the front tyres wear faster than the rear tyres.

Tyre Repair

In case your tyre has lost all or most of its pressure you should stop your car immediately and fit your spare tyre. Then go directly to your tyre dealer to check if your damaged tyre can be repaired.

If your tyre has lost all or most of its pressure you should stop your car immediately and fit your spare tyre. Therefore we suggest to regularly check the tyre pressure of your spare tyre as well so to make sure you can use it when you need it. Never continue driving on a flat tyre as this will damage the tyre structure. Once you have mounted your spare tyre you should visit a specialised tyre fitter to have your damaged tyre checked whether it can be repaired. Note that only a specialist tyre dealer can tell you if your tyre can be repaired, as the tyre must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure it's not damaged. Flat tyres that are run even for short distances are often damaged beyond repair.

Most punctures nail holes, or cuts up to 6mm in the tyre tread can be repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. tyres with tread punctures larger than 6mm, or any sidewall puncture should not be repaired. It is also recommended not to repair ultra high performance tyres (tyres with a speed rate W, Y or ZR). Please bear in mind that the final decision whether a tyre can be repaired or not should only be taken by trained tyre specialist.