Overview
- ADAC reiterates higher safety thresholds than the legal minimum: replace around 4 mm tread for winter tyres and 3 mm for summer, with age limits of roughly eight years for winter and ten for summer.
- Five frequent changeover errors are highlighted: unstable or sloped working surfaces, incorrect jack points, bolts not tightened in a cross pattern to the specified torque, grease on hub contact areas, and skipped post-change checks.
- Drivers are urged to verify pressure immediately after fitting and to recheck all wheel bolts with a torque wrench after 50–100 km because settling can loosen them.
- Proper storage extends tyre life: mark positions, clean and fully dry, raise pressure by about 0.5 bar, store cool and dark, stack complete wheels, and keep loose tyres upright and rotated periodically.
- Transport requires securing tyres with nets or straps and keeping the rear seatback upright, with reports noting fines up to about €200 and ADAC crash tests showing unsecured wheels can become lethal projectiles at 50 km/h.