Expert Knowledge for Your Safety
Your tires are the only connection between your vehicle and the road. To ensure you reach your destination safely, efficiently, and comfortably at all times, we have summarized our concentrated expertise from over 50 years of experience for you.
Small steps and regular checks not only significantly extend the lifespan of your tires but also noticeably reduce fuel consumption. Discover everything worth knowing about care, maintenance, and the right technology in our overview - for an optimal driving experience on every surface.
Rechberger Reifen has compiled several recommendations and tips for you.
Tire Pressure
- Check regularly while the tires are cold (do not forget to check the spare wheel).
- For vehicles parked or decommissioned for extended periods, increase the pressure by 0.5 bar to reduce the strain on the tires.
- Observe the tire pressure specifications provided in the owner's manual.
This ensures higher safety, a longer tire lifespan, and reduced fuel consumption.
Wheel Balancing
Occasional checks can help prevent irregular tire wear and premature wear and tear on the vehicle.
Running in New Tires
New tires should be run in for the first 200 to 300 kilometers at moderate speeds and, if possible, on dry roads to roughen the tread surface.
Wheel Bolts
Wheel bolts should be checked and retightened after approximately 40 kilometers.
Replacing Valves
Tire valves lose their seal over time; therefore, it is necessary to replace the valves with every tire change.
Spare Wheels
The maximum speed of 80 km/h as well as the conditions prescribed by the vehicle manufacturer for this case must be observed.
Mount New Tires on the Rear Axle
If only two tires are replaced, they must be mounted on the rear axle, regardless of which axle is driven.
Tire Storage
Tires should be protected from UV light and stored in a dry place. If they are mounted on the rim, they are best stored lying flat on top of each other; otherwise, they should be stored standing upright.
Signs of Aging
Tires age even with infrequent use or when not in use at all. Signs of this include, for example, cracks in the tire sidewall and deformation of the carcass. You should therefore have these checked by a specialist workshop.
Tire Rotation Front / Rear
Tires should be rotated between the front and rear wheels approximately every 9,000 kilometers to ensure consistently good handling (do not cross-rotate, as this changes the tire's direction of rotation).
Checking Tread Depth
The tread depth should also be checked regularly. The legally prescribed minimum tread depths are:
- Summer tires: at least 1.6 mm.
- Winter tires (bias-ply): at least 5 mm.
- Winter tires (radial): at least 4 mm.
- Motorcycles: at least 1.6 mm.
- Mopeds: at least 1 mm.
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are located in the tread grooves. If these are worn down, the tires must be replaced. The shallower the tread depth, the higher the safety risk (e.g., risk of skidding on wet roads, increased risk of aquaplaning). For safety reasons, summer tires should be replaced once they reach a remaining tread depth of 3 mm.
Tire Age
The tire age is found on the sidewall of every tire and is identified by four digits following the word "DOT" (the first two digits indicate the calendar week and the 3rd & 4th digits indicate the year, starting with 00 for 2000). For older tires produced up to 1989, there are only three digits; from 1990 to 1999, they are marked with a triangle and three digits.
Passenger Cars: Generally, we recommend replacing tires after 4–5 years of use. It should be noted that tires can be up to 3 years old before being mounted and still be considered "factory-new" (according to BRV standards). For tires older than 3 years, we inform our customers that the tire has been in storage longer, and the price is reduced accordingly. Logistically, wholesalers do not specifically label tires that are less than 3 years old.
Campers / Caravans: Experience shows that little attention is often paid to tire condition and air pressure in this sector. Furthermore, vehicles are frequently overloaded, exceeding the load capacity of individual wheels or axles. We recommend replacing these tires after a maximum of 4 years of use and always carrying a spare wheel. We also recommend driving the fully loaded vehicle onto a weighbridge (at a warehouse, building material dealer, etc.) before starting a journey to weigh the axles individually and compare the results with the vehicle registration document (don't forget the trailer's tongue weight!). It is also crucial to check and adjust the tire pressure.
Commercial Vehicles / Agriculture: In this area, general tire condition is the primary focus, though tires should be replaced after 20 years. To protect our employees, tires with inflation pressures exceeding 3 bar and an age of over 20 years will no longer be mounted or inflated.
