205 Width
The tyre width in millimetres, measured sidewall to sidewall. Here, 205 mm. A wider tyre grips better on dry roads, but uses more fuel and floats on snow.
The tyre specialist in Lausanne
Sales, fitting, balancing, repairs and storage of tyres for cars, SUVs, motorcycles and vans. The workshop has been advising private customers, companies and public bodies since 1927.
The tool
Learn to read your tyre
Everything is written on the sidewall: dimensions, maximum load, top speed, date of manufacture. Tap each part of the marking to decode it, then try your own.
55 Aspect ratio
The sidewall height as a percentage of the width. Here, 55% of 205 mm, so a sidewall of about 113 mm. A low number means a sporty look, a firmer ride and a rim more exposed to kerbs.
R Construction
R for radial: the carcass plies run perpendicular to the direction of travel. Virtually every modern tyre is built this way. ZR simply flags a tyre rated for more than 240 km/h.
16 Diameter
The tyre's inner diameter, which is the rim diameter, in inches. Here 16 inches, or 40.6 cm. Rim and tyre must match exactly.
91 Load
The load index: the maximum weight the tyre can carry. 91 = 615 kg per tyre, so 2,460 kg across all four, roughly four Hérens cows. Never fit a lower index than the one prescribed for your vehicle.
V Speed
The speed rating: the maximum speed the tyre can sustain, here V = 240 km/h. It must cover your vehicle's top speed: a car rated for 220 km/h needs at least a V index, even though the Swiss limit is 120 km/h. The one exception is winter: a lower rating (Q, 160 km/h, at minimum) is allowed, with a sticker showing that speed in the driver's field of vision.
M+S Mud and snow
Mud + Snow: a manufacturer's own declaration, with no mandatory testing behind it. Even a summer tyre may carry M+S. For a true winter tyre, look for the 3PMSF snowflake.
3PMSF Alpine snowflake
Three Peak Mountain Snowflake: a snowflake inside a three-peak mountain. This marking is certified by a standardised snow braking test. It is the one that counts for winter.
DOT 3621 Date of manufacture
The last four digits of the DOT code give the week and year of manufacture: 3621 = week 36 of 2021. From 5 years on, have the rubber checked yearly; at 10 years, replace the tyre even if the tread looks fine.
Try it with your own tyre
Copy the main marking from the sidewall, for example 225/45 R17 94W.
How old is your tyre?
Find the DOT code on the sidewall and enter its last four digits.
Services
What the workshop does
Sales, fitting and balancing
Summer, winter and all-season tyres for passenger cars, SUVs, motorcycles and vans. We order the exact size prescribed for your vehicle, fit it and balance it, same day whenever stock allows.
Puncture repairs
A perforation in the tread: a durable repair from the inside whenever the carcass is sound. A straight diagnosis before any replacement.
Seasonal storage
Your summer or winter set spends the off-season with us, checked and ready to refit when the season changes.
Rims and sensors
Steel or alloy rims, TPMS pressure sensors supplied, programmed and fitted.
Snow chains
Chains matched to your tyre size, with a fitting demonstration on request.
Washing and light mechanics
Off-season and by appointment: chassis, engine, body and interior washing, plus small mechanical jobs.
Brands
Tap a brand to see what sets it apart. All of them are available at the workshop, in stock or quickly ordered: we recommend according to your driving and your budget, not our margin.
Michelin
The French premium brand. Strong points: some of the best longevity on the market and performance that stays stable down to the wear indicator. A safe bet in summer (Primacy, Pilot Sport), winter (Alpin) and all-season (CrossClimate).
Continental
The German benchmark of TCS and ADAC tests, regularly first in braking, dry or wet. Original equipment on many European cars. PremiumContact in summer, WinterContact in winter.
Pirelli
The sporting Italian, original equipment for performance marques with the P Zero. Great steering precision; Cinturato for daily driving, Sottozero for winter.
Goodyear
The versatile American, very strong on wet roads. Its Vector 4Seasons is one of the most awarded all-season tyres in Europe.
Bridgestone
The Japanese giant, one of the largest tyre makers in the world. Turanza in summer, Blizzak in winter, and genuine run-flat expertise.
Dunlop
A racing and motorcycle heritage. A good performance-for-money compromise, popular with keen drivers and riders.
Vredestein
The Dutch brand with Giugiaro-designed treads, a long-standing favourite of the workshop. Remarkable winter and all-season tyres (Quatrac), high quality at a fair price.
Hankook
The Korean maker now fitted as original equipment by several European manufacturers. One of the most convincing price-quality ratios on the market.
Nokian Tyres
The Finn that invented the winter tyre in 1934. A specialist in deep cold and snow, ideal if you drive up to the resorts often.
Yokohama
The Japanese choice of keen drivers: the Advan sport range, the Geolandar SUV range, and solid dry-road discipline.
Uniroyal
The "rain tyre" of the Continental group: water clearance and aquaplaning resistance at a contained price.
Barum
The Czech entry level of the Continental group: certified basic safety at the best price, for low annual mileage.
Guides and advice
Tyres for cars and SUVs
Sizes, summer or winter, when to change: the complete guide.
Tyres for motorcycles and scooters
Profile, running-in, pressure: what changes on two wheels.
Tyres for vans and light trucks
C marking, reinforced load ratings, company fleets.
Why winter tyres
What Swiss law says, and what rubber does below 7 degrees.
Studded tyres: rules and sensible use
Permitted dates, 80 km/h, motorways: the exact rules.
Advice to make your tyres last
Pressure, wear, punctures, storage: the habits that make tyres last.