Inspect before the changeover rush

Check for cuts, cracking, bulges, irregular wear and embedded damage. A tyre can require replacement even when tread remains.

Read tread and age correctly

The Swiss legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm, but wet-weather safety can deteriorate before that point. Follow current safety guidance and a tyre professional's condition assessment.

The date code shows manufacturing week and year: 1219 means week 12 of 2019, not December 2019. Age alone does not create one universal eight-year replacement deadline; storage, use and condition matter.

Buy for fit and conditions

Use the size, load, speed and vehicle approvals specified for the car. Plan early enough to compare suitable tyres and secure an appointment.

Prices and availability change with supplier and market conditions. The older claim that March and April are always cheapest is not a reliable buying rule.