Overview of the different tyre types

Tyres are an essential component of any vehicle, providing the necessary grip and traction between the road and the vehicle. Tyres also play a critical role in ensuring the safety and handling of a vehicle, as well as impacting its overall performance and fuel efficiency.

The basic structure of a tyre consists of several layers of materials, including a rubber tread, inner lining, reinforcement layers, and a metal or synthetic bead. The tread is the outer layer of the tyre that comes into contact with the road and is designed to provide grip and traction. The inner lining, also known as the inner tube, is designed to hold air pressure and protect the other components of the tyre from punctures and other damage. The reinforcement layers, made of steel or other materials, provide strength and stability to the tyre. The bead, typically made of steel or synthetic materials, helps to secure the tyre to the wheel.

Tyres are available in various sizes and types to meet the needs of different vehicles and driving conditions. Radial tyres are the most common type of tyre used on passenger vehicles and are known for their durability and good handling performance. Bias-ply tyres, on the other hand, are used primarily on commercial and off-road vehicles and are known for their heavy-duty construction and rugged durability.

The type of tyre that is right for a particular vehicle and driving condition will depend on several factors, including the vehicle type, driving habits, and climate conditions. Tyres designed for high-performance sports cars will be different from those designed for family sedans or SUVs, for example. Similarly, winter tyres, designed specifically for driving in snowy and icy conditions, will be different from summer tyres, which are designed for warm weather driving.

When it comes to tyre safety, it is essential to ensure that your tyres are in good condition and inflated to the correct pressure. Regular tyre checks, such as checking the tread depth, sidewall condition, and air pressure, are important in maintaining the performance and safety of your tyres. Tyres should also be replaced when the tread depth becomes too low or when the tyre becomes damaged.

In addition to regular maintenance, it is also important to consider the impact of driving habits on tyre performance and safety. For example, driving aggressively or at high speeds can put excessive stress on the tyres and lead to quicker wear and tear. It is also essential to ensure that the wheels are properly aligned and balanced to avoid uneven wear and potential handling problems.

In conclusion, tyres play a critical role in ensuring the safety, performance, and efficiency of a vehicle. Regular maintenance and proper usage are essential in maintaining the performance and longevity of your tyres. When it comes to choosing the right tyre for your vehicle and driving conditions, it is important to consider factors such as vehicle type, driving habits, and climate conditions, and to consult with a professional if necessary.


A Tyre is a crucial component of a vehicle that provides support, traction, and helps to absorb shocks and vibrations. Tyres are designed to grip the road surface and transfer the weight of the vehicle to the road, providing stability and control.

There are several types of Tyres available, each designed for specific driving conditions and vehicle types. The most common types of Tyres include passenger car Tyres, light truck Tyres, high-performance Tyres, and off-road Tyres.

Passenger car Tyres are designed for everyday driving and are commonly used on sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. They are made with a soft rubber compound to provide good traction and handling, but may wear out quickly when used in high-performance driving conditions.

Light truck Tyres are designed for SUVs, pickups, and other light trucks. They are made with a harder rubber compound to provide better durability and traction on rough terrain. They also typically have a more aggressive tread pattern for better traction in mud, snow, and other slippery conditions.

High-performance Tyres are designed for sports cars and high-performance vehicles. They are made with a softer rubber compound to provide maximum grip and handling. They also have a unique tread pattern to provide maximum traction on dry roads.

Off-road Tyres are designed for use on rough terrain, such as mud, rocks, and snow. They have an aggressive tread pattern and are made with a tough rubber compound to provide maximum traction and durability.

When purchasing Tyres, it is important to consider the driving conditions in which they will be used. Tyres are rated for their traction, handling, and temperature resistance. It is also important to consider the Tyre's load capacity, speed rating, and size.

Proper Tyre maintenance is crucial for ensuring the safety and performance of a vehicle. This includes regularly checking Tyre pressure, rotating Tyres, and having them balanced and aligned. It is also important to replace Tyres when they become worn or damaged, as worn Tyres can reduce traction and handling and increase the risk of a crash.

In conclusion, Tyres play a vital role in the performance and safety of a vehicle. Proper Tyre selection, maintenance, and replacement are important for ensuring that a vehicle operates at its best and provides a safe and comfortable ride.

Today there are a lot of different tires. In order to give you a small overview, we have compiled some tyre types, which you will of course also find in our tyre100 marketplace.

Wide tyres

The wide tyre is very popular in the tuning sector. It offers some advantages, especially for vehicles with a higher speed class. The contact surface with the ground is larger, which improves grip and power transmission. Both on dry and wet roads. And you are also an eye-catcher. Wide tyres make the car look sportier and more attractive.

All-season / all-weather

They can be driven in summer as well as in winter. Since 01.01.2018, the M+S and snowflake (Alpine symbol) must be found on the flank of winter or all-season tyres. Only if they have these symbols do all-season tyres comply with the winter tyre regulations. An all-season tyre combines the characteristics of a summer tyre with those of a winter tyre, but does not reach the same level as these tyres. Nevertheless, all-season tyres have been enjoying increasing popularity for some time now.

Used tyres

Used tyres are one thing in particular when it comes to procurement: they are inexpensive. The purchase of used tires can be worthwhile, but one should consider some thereby. The statutory minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. The recommendation for used summer tyres is 3 mm, for winter tyres 4 mm. The tyre age should also be taken into account. A maximum of 10 years for passenger car tyres, whereby the recommendation is a maximum of 6 years. It should be checked for damage and other wear and tear, such as dents, blisters, incisions, etc.

Off road tyres

Off-road tyres are for SUVs or off-road vehicles and can be driven both off-road and on the road. The tread is coarser than that of passenger car tyres. There are differences here as well. Off-road tyres are specially designed for off-road use. The corresponding markings can be found on the tyre. There are:
  • All Terrain - AT
  • Mud Terrain - MD
  • Street Terrain - ST
  • Super Swamper and Boggers

Runflat

Runflats are tyres with an emergency running characteristic. If a normal tyre loses air, it becomes flat and due to the heat it breaks down in a short time, so that it is no longer possible to continue driving. Runflats have a self-supporting, reinforced lateral effort, which mainly prevents the tyre from slipping off the rim in the event of a puncture. With a runflat you can, depending on the condition of the road, continue driving at a maximum speed of 80 km/h up to 80 km. The designations vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The most common abbreviations are RFT, CSR, DSST, HRS, EMT, ROF, SST, SSR, ZP, XRP.

Retreaded

If a passenger car tyre is retreaded, it must meet certain requirements. On the one hand, it may only be retreaded once and the substructure must not be damaged. During retreading, the tyre is given a new tread; similar to shoes, the tyre is "soled" as new. Retreaded tyres are cheaper and do one thing above all - they protect the environment.

Summer

From O to O - from Easter to October, summer tyres should be used. It is not required by law, but summer tyres offer the best driving characteristics at temperatures in the double-digit plus range. The hard rubber compound provides the necessary grip.

Winter

In some countries, legislation stipulates that winter tyres (M + S identifier and snowflake symbol) must be driven in winter conditions. Winter tyres have a softer rubber compound than summer tyres in order to remain flexible even at low temperatures and offer the necessary grip on snow and ice. At temperatures as low as 7 degrees, winter tyres should be used on the road.

XL

XL tyres have an increased load capacity. The load capacity of an XL can be 93 or more. even 95. Such a tyre is also called RF, extra load or reinforced. At the end of the tyre designation there is always an XL at these tyres.

Tyre ABC - What do the abbreviations actually mean?

Abbreviations for certain vehicles

* = BMW, MINI
AO, AOE, R01, R02 = Audi
F = Ford
MO = Mercedes
MO Extended / MOE = recommended by Mercedes with emergency running characteristics
RO1 = recommended by Audi, for Audi Quattro vehicles
S1 = recommended by Peugeot
VW = recommended by Volkswagen

Abbreviations rim protection

FL = with rim protection
FP = Protective strip
FR = rubber lip to protect the aluminium rim
FSL = rubber lip to protect the aluminium rim
MFS = with rim protection
ML = rib on the tyre sidewall, tyre and rim protection
RPB = with rim protection

Other abbreviations

All Weather = All-season tyre
DA = B-goods (with blemishes)
DEMO = dismantled
DOT = tyre age (production calendar week/year)
GRNX = Energy-saving and ecological tyre
LRR = optimized rolling resistance
M+S = mud and snow
TL = Tubeless, tubeless
TT = Tube Type, Tube Tyre

Abbreviations Vehicle load

EL = Reinforced for increased vehicle load
LT = Light Truck (Light LWK tyres)
RF =with reinforced carcass
XL = Reinforced for increased vehicle load