Common questions
Answers to the most common questions. Can’t find yours? Message us on WhatsApp.
How much does a tyre change cost?
It depends on size, brand and wheel type. Send the size (e.g. 205/55 R16) and we’ll reply with a clear fitted quote including balancing and disposal.
Do I need an appointment?
It’s the best way to avoid waiting, especially in changeover season. Call or WhatsApp us to book a slot.
Where do I find my tyre size?
On the sidewall as width/profile R rim, e.g. 205/55 R16 91V. It’s also on the vehicle registration document (libretto).
Is seasonal storage really included?
Yes: if we fit your tyres, we store the off-season set free until the next changeover.
When are winter tyres required?
On roads where the road authority has issued an ordinance with signs, the obligation generally runs from 15 November to 15 April: you need fitted winter tyres (M+S) or chains on board, even without snow. There is usually a one-month window either side for fitting and removal. Book in October or April.
Can you repair a puncture?
If the hole is in the centre tread and the carcass is sound, usually yes. On the sidewall or after driving flat, replacement is safer.
Do you work on motorcycles?
Yes — we fit and balance motorcycle tyres. Bringing the wheel already off speeds things up.
All your tyre questions
280 answers in 20 topics: sizes, ratings, seasons, maintenance, punctures, motorcycles, vans, lorries and rules. Every technical figure has its source.
Sizes and markings
Width, profile, diameter, R and ZR, DOT, M+S, run-flat and the other markings on the tyre sidewall: what they mean and where to find them.
Read the answersThe 27 questions
- How do you read a tyre size, for example 205/55 R16 91V?
- What does the profile (the second number) of a tyre mean?
- What is the difference between R, ZR, B and the dash in the size?
- What does the letter C after the diameter mean, as in 205/65 R16C?
- How do you read a tyre's production date (DOT)?
- After how many years should a tyre be replaced even if barely used?
- What does M+S on the tyre sidewall mean?
- What is the 3PMSF symbol (mountain with snowflake)?
- What does TWI on the tyre sidewall mean?
- What are run-flat tyres and how do you recognise them (RF, ROF, SSR, ZP)?
- What do the markings MO, AO, N0 or the star on the sidewall mean?
- What does the circle with an E and a number on the sidewall mean?
- What are the UTQG codes (treadwear, traction, temperature) on the sidewall?
- Can I fit a different size from the one on the registration document?
- What does an approved size mean?
- Can you fit larger rims and low-profile tyres (plus-sizing)?
- If I change size, does the speedometer still read correctly?
- What is the difference between asymmetric and directional tyres?
- How do you fit an asymmetric tyre marked OUTSIDE and INSIDE?
- Can I cross-rotate wheels with directional tyres?
- Why do some cars have different tyre sizes front and rear?
- What do the markings EV, HL and similar mean on tyres for electric cars?
- Are tyres with markings like Seal, Silent or Acoustic different from the others?
- What does XL or Reinforced on the sidewall mean?
- How do you tell a tubeless tyre from one with an inner tube?
- What is a space-saver spare wheel and what does the T in its size mean?
- Where do I find a tyre's maximum load written on the sidewall?
Load index and speed
What the load index and speed code are, how to read them, whether they can be changed and what happens if you fit values different from the factory ones.
Read the answersThe 11 questions
- What is the load index and where do you find it?
- How do I calculate the vehicle's maximum load from the load index?
- What is the conversion table between load index and kilograms?
- Can I fit a lower load index than the one on the registration document?
- What does the dual load index mean, such as 107/105T?
- What are LT tyres and how are they read?
- How do you read the load index on motorcycle tyres?
- What is a tyre's speed code?
- What are all the speed codes, from J to Y?
- Can I fit tyres with a higher speed code than the one on the registration document?
- What happens if I exceed the tyre's maximum speed?
Summer, winter, 4-season
Differences between summer, winter and all-season tyres, when two sets make sense and how to choose based on where and how you drive.
Read the answersThe 12 questions
- What is the difference between summer, winter and all-season tyres?
- Why is 7 °C mentioned as the threshold for winter tyres?
- How do the sipes on winter tyres work?
- Can I use winter tyres in summer too?
- Is it better to have two sets (summer and winter) or all-season tyres?
- Are all-season tyres fine in a city like Milan?
- How do I recognise a true all-season tyre?
- What is the difference between winter tyres for mountains and for flat areas?
- When is it best to change from summer to winter tyres and back?
- How do you store off-season tyres?
- Is a winter or all-season tyre fine with few km a year?
- Can I fit narrower tyres for winter?
Choosing tyres
Premium or budget, how many tyres to replace, where to fit the new ones, noise, consumption and lifespan: how to choose tyres for your car.
Read the answersThe 13 questions
- When does it make sense to replace only two tyres and where should they go?
- Can I replace just one tyre?
- Can I mix different brands or models on the car?
- What is the difference between premium and budget tyres?
- How do you read comparative tyre tests?
- Are retreaded tyres safe?
- How do you run in new tyres?
- Do new tyres need balancing too?
- How many kilometres do tyres last?
- What affects a tyre's noise?
- Do tyres affect fuel consumption?
- Are sports tyres (UHP) suitable for everyday use?
- What tyres should I choose for city use?
European label
Fuel efficiency and wet grip classes, noise, snow and ice symbols and the EPREL QR code: how to read the EU tyre label.
Read the answersThe 9 questions
- What is the European tyre label?
- What information does the EU tyre label contain?
- What do the classes A to E on the label mean?
- How do you read the wet grip class?
- What do the decibels and the waves on the label indicate?
- What is the difference between the 3PMSF symbol and the ice symbol on the label?
- What is the QR code on the label and what is EPREL?
- Which tyres do not have the European label?
- Does the EU label show tyre life?
Tyres by car type
Alternative sizes, larger rims, electric cars, directional and asymmetric tyres, different front and rear sizes: tyre questions for every car.
Read the answersThe 9 questions
- What tyres does an SUV need?
- What is the difference between H/T, A/T and M/T tyres?
- How do you choose tyres for light off-roading?
- What tyres does an electric car need?
- Do you also change run-flat tyres and tyres for alloy rims?
- Do you have motorcycle and lorry tyres?
- Can I use car tyres on a van?
- How do you choose tyres if you drive in the mountains with frequent snow?
- How does the choice change for someone who drives few kilometres or rarely uses the car?
Pressure and TPMS
What pressure to keep, how often to check it, nitrogen or air, TPMS sensors and warning light: the answers on your car's tyre pressure.
Read the answersThe 19 questions
- How often should I check tyre pressure?
- Where do I find the right pressure for my car's tyres?
- What does measuring pressure cold mean?
- If I measure the pressure hot, what should I do?
- Does the outside temperature change tyre pressure?
- Why does tyre pressure drop even without punctures?
- What are the effects of under-inflation?
- What are the effects of over-inflation?
- How does pressure change if I travel with a loaded car?
- What is TPMS and what is it for?
- What is the difference between direct and indirect TPMS?
- What does the tyre pressure warning light on the dashboard mean?
- After inflating the tyres the TPMS light stays on: what should I do?
- What happens to the TPMS sensors when I change tyres?
- Can I have pressure checked and inflated with nitrogen or air at the workshop?
- Nitrogen or air in tyres: what is true and what is not?
- Can I mix nitrogen and air in the same tyre?
- What are valve caps for and must they always be fitted?
- How often should tyre valves be replaced?
Wear and checks
How to measure the tread, spot uneven wear, cracks and bulges, and tell when a tyre needs checking or replacing.
Read the answersThe 12 questions
- How do you measure tread depth?
- What are the TWIs on the tyre sidewall?
- Why do tyres wear more on the outer edges?
- Why does the centre of the tread wear before the sides?
- What does stepped or sawtooth wear mean?
- What is patchy or 'cupped' tread wear?
- What causes uneven tyre wear?
- When is a crack in the tyre sidewall dangerous?
- What should I do if I see a bulge or swelling on the sidewall?
- How can I tell if a tyre is deformed?
- How often should I inspect tyres by hand?
- How do I know it's time to change my tyres?
Age and storage
How tyres age, how to read the DOT date and how to store the off-season set, on its own or mounted on the rim.
Read the answersThe 11 questions
- Do tyres age even if they aren't used?
- After how many years should tyres be replaced even if barely used?
- How do you read the DOT on tyres?
- Is a new tyre that is several years old still good?
- How do you store seasonal tyres without rims?
- How do you store tyres mounted on rims?
- Can I keep tyres in the garage or on the balcony?
- What temperature and light are needed to store tyres well?
- How do you clean tyres and with what?
- Are tyre shine products bad for the rubber?
- How long do tyres last on average?
Vibrations, balancing, alignment
Steering wheel vibrations, car pulling to one side, abnormal wear: the difference between balancing, alignment and camber, and when to act.
Read the answersThe 12 questions
- Why does the steering wheel vibrate when I drive fast?
- Vibration in the steering wheel or body: is it balancing or alignment?
- What is wheel balancing?
- When does balancing need to be redone?
- Adhesive or clip-on weights: which is better?
- Can I have my tyres balanced at Pneumatici SuperStore?
- Why does my car pull to one side?
- Why is the steering wheel crooked when I drive straight?
- What are toe and camber?
- When should alignment be checked?
- Can I get wheel alignment at Pneumatici SuperStore?
- What abnormal noises can come from tyres?
Punctures and repairs
When a puncture can be repaired and when not, sealant kits and sprays, run-flat and what to do if you get a puncture on the road: the answers on punctures.
Read the answersThe 14 questions
- When can a punctured tyre be repaired?
- Why can a tyre sidewall never be repaired?
- Is a plug or 'mushroom' enough to repair a puncture?
- Why must the repair be done from the inside of the tyre?
- Can I repair the same tyre more than once?
- Do you repair punctures at Pneumatici SuperStore?
- What is puncture sealant liquid and how does it work?
- Does puncture sealant liquid damage the TPMS sensor?
- How far can you drive on a space-saver spare wheel?
- What are run-flat tyres and how do they work?
- Can a run-flat tyre be repaired?
- What should I do if I get a puncture on the motorway?
- What should I check after hitting a kerb or pothole?
- What do I do if I lose air from a tyre while driving?
Snow, ice and chains
Driving on snow and ice, fitting snow chains and snow socks, winter and studded tyres: practical answers for winter.
Read the answersThe 7 questions
Maintenance
Tyre rotation, wheel bolts and tightening torque, rims, tyre change step by step and a car left standing for long: maintenance that extends tyre life.
Read the answersThe 11 questions
- How often should tyres be rotated?
- How do you rotate directional or asymmetric tyres?
- If I change only two tyres, where should the new ones go?
- What happens step by step when I have my tyres changed at the tyre shop?
- How can I get a quote from Pneumatici SuperStore?
- How should I tighten the wheel bolts or nuts?
- Do I need to recheck bolt tightness after fitting?
- What are anti-theft bolts for and where do I keep the key?
- Alloy or steel rims: which is better for maintenance?
- What happens if the car stands for a long time?
- Do flat spots disappear after a long standstill?
Motorcycles and scooters
Motorcycle sizes, front and rear, pressures, running in new tyres, compounds and when to replace them: the answers for motorcycles and scooters.
Read the answersThe 20 questions
- How do you read the size of a motorcycle tyre, for example 120/70 ZR17?
- What is the difference between radial and bias motorcycle tyres?
- What does a size like 3.00-18 mean on a motorcycle tyre?
- Are the front and rear motorcycle tyres different?
- What types of motorcycle tyre exist (road, sport-touring, sport, enduro, scooter)?
- What pressure should motorcycle tyres be inflated to?
- Do new motorcycle tyres need running in?
- How often should motorcycle tyres be changed?
- Do motorcycle tyres age even if they aren't used?
- Are motorcycle tyres fine in the wet?
- What tyres are needed for 10, 12, 13 and 14 inch scooters?
- Tubeless or inner tube motorcycle tyre: which is better?
- Can I fit motorcycle tyres of different brands front and rear?
- Can I fit a different size on my motorcycle from the one on the registration document?
- What tyres are used on classic motorcycles?
- Do electric motorcycles have special tyres?
- Are there winter tyres for motorcycles?
- How do you balance a motorcycle wheel?
- Can I bring only the motorcycle wheel to be changed to the tyre shop?
- Do motorcycles have a pressure sensor (TPMS)?
Vans and commercial vehicles
C tyres, dual load index, motorhomes and caravans, fleets: the answers on tyres for vans and light commercial vehicles.
Read the answersThe 10 questions
- What does the letter C mean on van tyres, for example 195/70 R15 C?
- What does the dual load index mean, such as 109/107?
- How do you choose tyres for a van?
- What pressure should van tyres be inflated to?
- How do twin wheels on vans work?
- What tyres are needed for motorhomes and caravans?
- How often should motorhome and caravan tyres be changed?
- Are there 4-season tyres for vans?
- How do you manage the tyres of a fleet of vans?
- Can van tyres be rotated between axles?
Lorries and buses
Sizes 22.5 and 19.5, steer, drive and trailer axle, retreads and pressures: the answers on tyres for lorries, HGVs and buses.
Read the answersThe 12 questions
- What does a size like 315/80 R22.5 mean on a lorry tyre?
- What is the difference between 22.5, 19.5, 17.5 and 24.5 inch rims?
- What does 385/65 R22.5 mean on a lorry tyre?
- What do the numbers 156/150 L mean on a lorry tyre?
- What is the difference between steer, drive and trailer axle tyres?
- What are retreaded (remanufactured) lorry tyres?
- What is the European C3 label for lorry tyres?
- Do winter lorry tyres have the 3PMSF marking?
- What pressure should lorry tyres be inflated to?
- Why do lorry tyres wear unevenly?
- What is the difference between regional, long haul and construction lorry tyres?
- How do you ask for a quote for lorry or HGV tyres?
SUVs, electric, sports cars
Tyres for SUVs and 4x4s, electric and hybrid cars, sports cars: load index, noise, wear and what changes compared with a conventional car.
Read the answersThe 16 questions
- Are tyres for electric cars different from normal ones?
- Do tyres on an electric car wear faster?
- How does rolling resistance affect the range of an electric car?
- Are tyres for electric cars noisier?
- Can I fit non-EV-specific tyres on an electric car?
- What does a high load index mean for SUV tyres?
- What is the difference between SUV, 4x4 and all-terrain tyres?
- On a 4x4 must I fit four identical tyres?
- What are run-flat tyres and can I fit them instead of normal ones?
- What tyres does a sports car or supercar need?
- What does the marking N0, MO or the star mean on tyres?
- Can I rotate tyres if the car has different sizes front and rear?
- How should directional and asymmetric tyres be fitted?
- Do the tyres of an SUV used with a trailer or heavy load wear faster?
- Does a plug-in hybrid car have special tyre needs?
- What tyres are needed for a trailer?
Classic cars
Sizes in inches such as 5.60-15, sizes without a profile such as 165 R13 and equivalent modern tyres: the answers for classic cars.
Read the answersThe 9 questions
- How do you read a size in inches like 5.60-15 on a classic tyre?
- What does a size without a profile like 165 R13 mean?
- Can modern tyres be fitted on a classic car?
- What is the difference between classic and modern tyres?
- How do you work out the age of a classic or old tyre?
- Does a classic car need an inner tube and spoked rims?
- How do you store the tyres of a classic car that stands for a long time?
- How do you find the modern equivalent of a classic tyre size?
- Can I fit wider tyres on my classic car?
Going to the tyre shop
What to bring, how to choose a tyre shop, what a tyre change includes, tyres bought online and quotes: the answers before you go to the workshop.
Read the answersThe 29 questions
- What should I bring to the tyre shop for the tyre change?
- How do I choose a reliable tyre shop?
- What does a tyre change normally include?
- What are PFU and why is there an environmental contribution?
- How do you read a tyre quote?
- How long does it take to change tyres?
- Can I buy tyres online and have them fitted by a tyre shop?
- How do you check the age of a tyre bought online?
- Can I change tyres myself?
- What should I do if I lost the anti-theft bolt key?
- Are alloy and steel rims treated the same way?
- What should I do with a leased or rented car?
- How do you store seasonal tyres when not in use?
- When do you need to check the alignment?
- When can a puncture be repaired?
- Is it better to inflate tyres with nitrogen or air?
- What should I check after a tyre change?
- How do I find out the right size for my tyres?
- What are the opening hours of the Pneumatici SuperStore tyre shop in Milan?
- Does Pneumatici SuperStore handle motorcycles and lorries as well as cars?
- Does Pneumatici SuperStore have experience in motor racing?
- Is Pneumatici SuperStore suited to premium and sports cars?
- What is the Pneumatici SuperStore concierge service?
- Does Pneumatici SuperStore offer fleet contracts for company cars?
- Does Pneumatici SuperStore have several locations in Milan?
- How does seasonal tyre storage work at Pneumatici SuperStore?
- Does Pneumatici SuperStore do mobile tyre fitting in Milan?
- Does Pneumatici SuperStore do pit stops and tyre changes on track?
- Which cars does Pneumatici SuperStore assist on track?
Rules and obligations
Winter tyres and chains, minimum tread, speed code, fines and checks: what the Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada) says about tyres, with sources.
Read the answersThe 17 questions
- When are winter tyres mandatory in Lombardy?
- Who decides where the winter tyre obligation applies?
- Does the winter tyre obligation apply even if it isn't snowing?
- Do 4-season tyres count for the winter obligation?
- Is the snowflake symbol (3PMSF) mandatory in Italy?
- Are studded tyres allowed in Italy?
- Must motorcycles have winter tyres?
- How much is the fine without winter tyres or chains?
- Will I be stopped if I have no winter tyres or chains?
- Can I fit winter tyres with a lower speed code than the one on the registration document?
- What is the label to put in the car with lower-speed winter tyres?
- What is the minimum tread for motorcycles and scooters?
- What do you risk with bald or worn tyres?
- What do you risk with tyres different from those on the registration document?
- Is there a maximum age for tyres?
- Does the winter tyre obligation apply on Milan's ring roads?
- Are the winter obligation dates the same throughout Italy?