Tyre guides
Practical advice for choosing tyres and wheels.
Winter, studded and summer tyre dates in Estonia 2026/2027
Winter tyres mandatory 1 Dec 2026 – 1 Mar 2027, studded allowed 15 Oct – 31 Mar (1 Oct – 30 Apr in wintry conditions). Studless tyres need the 3PMSF mark.
Studded or studless winter tyres?
Studs grip ice; studless is quieter and legal all year. Compared on grip, noise and the law — which suits an Estonian winter.
Tyre size: what 205/55 R16 91V means
205/55 R16 91V decoded: width, aspect ratio, rim diameter, load index and speed rating. Where to find the right size for your car.
EU tyre label: fuel, wet grip and noise
Fuel efficiency A–E, wet grip A–E and pass-by noise in dB — the label rates EXTERNAL noise, not cabin noise. What each class really means.
What is the 3PMSF marking? 3PMSF vs M+S
3PMSF is snow grip tested to UNECE R117; M+S is only a manufacturer self-declaration. Which one counts for an Estonian winter, and ice.
Rim sizes: bolt pattern, ET and bore
Bolt pattern (e.g. 5x112), ET offset and centre bore decide whether a rim fits. What each number means and where to find them.
When to fit summer tyres? Key dates
The winter requirement ends 1 March; studded tyres must come off by 31 March. Why it is worth waiting for April, and the tread minimum.
Summer or all-season tyres?
An all-season tyre saves a second set but wears faster and falls behind in winter. When it pays off in Estonia and when it does not.
Correct tyre pressure: where to find it
The right figure is on the car, not the tyre. Where to find it, why to measure cold, and what underinflation costs. Takes two minutes.
DOT code: tyre age and production date
The last four DOT digits give week and year — 3624 is week 36 of 2024. How old a tyre it still makes sense to buy.
Tyre sidewall markings: XL, RF, M+S
Size, load and speed ratings, XL, runflat, M+S, 3PMSF and OE codes like MO or AO. All the sidewall text in one place.
SUV tyres: highway, all-terrain or mud?
Highway, all-terrain and mud-terrain tread: what each costs on the road and how to choose by the driving you actually do.