The Automobile Club of Germany (AvD) examined 15 summer tires across all price categories. The best tire came from Pirelli. Tires from China performed very poorly once again, as was also the case in tests by ADAC.

Fifteen summer tire models were tested, ranging from premium to quality to budget tires, all in size 215/55 R17. The test vehicle was the Volkswagen T‑Roc. The Pirelli Cinturato C3 was the best in the test field.

“The test winner impressed with consistently strong performance on both dry and wet roads. Short braking distances, high driving stability, precise handling, and very good aquaplaning resistance ensured top ratings in all safety-relevant disciplines,” according to the tire testers.

Pirelli Wins, Followed by Continental and Goodyear

At €135 per tire, the Pirelli is in the higher price range, but it wasn’t the most expensive tire in the test. That title went to the second-place Continental UltraContact NXT from Continental AG, priced at €159.

The Continental tire also delivered strong performance in dry and wet braking, handling, and driving stability.

The price-performance winner was the Maxxis Premitra HP6 from Taiwan-based Maxxis International. While it received a “Good” rating instead of the “Very Good” awarded to the test winner, the Premitra costs just €94 per tire.

Chinese Tires Show Mixed Results

As in the ADAC summer tire test, budget tires from China also performed worse in the AvD test, landing at the bottom of the rankings.

However, the Linglong Sport Master (€78) still earned a “Recommended” rating. This Chinese tire is also used by Volkswagen as original equipment on some models.

The Nexen N’Fera Primus (€100) from Nexen Tire is also still recommended.

In contrast, testers rated the Sunfull SF‑88 (€84, very poor wet performance) and the Autogreen Smart Chaser SC1 (€73) as “Not Recommended.” The latter failed to impress the tire experts on either wet or dry roads.

FAQ

1. When should you change your tires?

As a general rule of thumb for changing tires, the “O to O” rule applies: winter tires come off and summer tires go on at Easter, and the process is reversed in October. Ultimately, however, the actual weather conditions should always determine the timing.

2. How do I measure the tread depth?

Tires should be replaced after eight years at the latest due to natural aging, or sooner if they are worn out.

There are several ways to measure tread depth:

One method is to use a special measuring gauge that you insert into the grooves of the tread to measure the depth (measure at several points).

A 1-euro coin can also help. The gold rim is exactly 3 millimeters thick. If the gold rim is no longer visible in the tread, the tread depth is therefore at least 3 millimeters, as recommended by the ADAC.

However, the legally required minimum tread depth is only 1.6 millimeters. Tire manufacturer Michelin emphasizes that tires can be worn down to this point without affecting driving performance.

Another indicator is the tread wear indicator. If small crossbars become visible at the level of the small triangles on the tire shoulder, a tire change is urgently necessary.

3. Don’t forget the tire pressure

To extend tire life, it’s worth checking your tire pressure regularly. As a positive side effect, optimal tire pressure can also reduce fuel consumption.

When changing your tires, the correct pressure is usually set at a garage. If you are doing it yourself, check the spare or emergency tire (if you have one) in addition to the four main tires, as it is often forgotten.

You can find the correct tire pressure (which also depends on tire size and the vehicle’s load):

• On a sticker in the door frame or inside the fuel filler flap

• In the vehicle’s operating instructions

4. Tire storage and maintenance

Tires should be stored in a dry room away from direct sunlight. The surface should also be clean to prevent damage during storage.

Labeling the wheels before storage is advisable to avoid confusion (e.g., FL = front left).

Some people store their wheels at the dealer, while others keep them in their own garage or basement. The rule of thumb is: if the tires are mounted on rims, they are best stacked on top of each other.

Alternatively, wall mounts or tire racks available from auto parts stores can hold the wheels securely in position.

Increasing the tire pressure to about 0.5 bar above the standard value before storage helps maintain tire stability in the basement or garage.