Summer, winter or all-season tyres: how to choose and read the codes
Choosing tyres in Baku really comes down to two questions: the right compound for the season and the right size for your car. As of 27 September 2026, Prayk's Tyres section has 3,231 listings; among the 200 newest, the most common sizes are R17 (27 listings) and R16 (23), and the median price of an R16 tyre is 187 AZN each. Below: the difference between summer, winter and all-season tyres, what the sidewall markings mean, and how to check used tyres before buying.
Short answer: for city driving in Baku many drivers choose all-season (M+S) tyres — as of 27 September 2026, of the 200 newest tyre listings on Prayk, 46 were presented as all-season or M+S, 16 as winter and 8 as summer tyres. If you often drive to mountain areas in winter, a winter tyre with the snowflake symbol (3PMSF) is the safer choice. Before buying, check the size (e.g. 205/55 R16), load and speed index, DOT production date and tread depth.
What is the difference between summer, winter and all-season tyres?
- Summer tyres use a compound that stays firm on hot asphalt, giving short braking distances on dry and wet roads. In the cold the rubber hardens and grip drops. The commonly cited threshold is about +7 °C: below it, a summer tyre loses its advantage.
- Winter tyres use rubber that stays soft in the cold plus many small cuts (sipes) to grip snow and ice. In summer they wear quickly and braking distances grow. A true winter tyre carries the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) on the sidewall.
- All-season tyres are a compromise, handling a mild winter and a hot summer "reasonably". The sidewall usually says M+S (mud and snow), but M+S on its own is not a winter certification — it only describes the tread pattern.
Winters in Baku are usually mild and snow is infrequent, so for city driving an all-season tyre is a sensible choice. If you regularly travel to Guba, Gusar, Shamakhi or other mountain areas in winter, a 3PMSF winter tyre is the safer option. Prayk's listings reflect this: 46 of the 200 newest (23%) are all-season or M+S tyres.
What does "205/55 R16 91V" on a tyre mean?
Every tyre sidewall shows the size and indexes in the same order. Take 205/55 R16 91V:
| Part | Meaning | In the example |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | Tyre width, mm | 205 mm |
| 55 | Sidewall height as % of width | 55% of 205 mm ≈ 113 mm |
| R | Radial construction | Almost all passenger car tyres |
| 16 | Rim diameter, inches | 16 inches |
| 91 | Load index — maximum load per tyre | 615 kg |
| V | Speed rating — maximum permitted speed | 240 km/h |
Common load indexes: 88 — 560 kg, 91 — 615 kg, 94 — 670 kg, 95 — 690 kg, 100 — 800 kg. Speed ratings: T — 190, H — 210, V — 240, W — 270, Y — 300 km/h. The rule is simple: a new tyre must be a size approved by the car manufacturer, and its load and speed ratings must be no lower than the factory spec. Approved sizes are usually printed on a placard by the driver's door or in the owner's manual.
Which sizes are sold on Prayk, and at what price?
The Tyres section had 3,231 listings on 27 September 2026. Here is how the 200 newest break down by rim size, with median prices (we show the median — the middle value of the sorted prices — only where a size has at least 15 listings):
| Rim size | Of 200 listings | Median asking price, AZN | Middle half, AZN |
|---|---|---|---|
| R13–R14 | 17 | — | — |
| R15 | 19 | 110 | 92–256 |
| R16 | 23 | 240 | 158–280 |
| R17 | 27 | 249 | 150–304 |
| R18 | 22 | 284 | 211–352 |
| R19 | 19 | 270 | 227–337 |
| R20–R23 | 37 | — | — |
In this table some listings are priced per tyre, others per set and some include wheels, so the ranges are wide. For a larger sample we separately measured listings with "R16" and "R17" in the title: there are 455 R16 listings, and the 200 newest have a median of 187 AZN (middle half 114–280 AZN); there are 460 R17 listings, and the 100 newest have a median of 265 AZN (209–372 AZN). Over 90% of these listings come from shops and are priced per new tyre — so budget roughly 750 AZN for a set of four R16s at the median. The most common R16 sizes are 205/55, 215/60, 225/55 and 215/55 R16.
DOT date and tread: how do you tell a tyre's age?
The last four digits of the code after "DOT" on the sidewall are the production week and year: 2324, for example, means week 23 of 2024. Rubber ages even when unused, so a tyre that looks "as new" but has sat in a warehouse for six or seven years is not ideal. Many manufacturers recommend annual inspection after five years and replacement after ten years at the latest. When buying a set, make sure all four have similar production dates.
To judge tread depth, look for the small bars inside the grooves — the tread wear indicators (TWI). If the tread is level with them, about 1.6 mm remains and the tyre must be replaced. In practice it is advisable to replace summer tyres at around 3 mm and winter tyres at around 4 mm, as grip on wet roads and snow drops sharply below that.
What should you check when buying used tyres?
- Read the DOT date and compare it with the year the seller quotes.
- Measure tread depth in at least three places — both edges and the centre. Uneven wear points to alignment, pressure or suspension problems.
- Inspect the sidewalls: do not buy a tyre with cracks, bulges or cuts — such damage cannot be repaired.
- Check the inside: patches, visible cords or creasing of the inner liner can mean the tyre was driven flat.
- Keep sets matched: tyres on the same axle should share size, model and wear.
- If sold with wheels, check that the rims are not bent or cracked and that the bolt pattern (PCD) fits your car.
- Compare the price: a used tyre's price should reflect the remaining tread compared with a new tyre of the same size.
Listings are in the Tyres section, and wheels are listed separately under Wheels. Type the size into search (e.g. "205/55 R16"); if nothing suitable is available, save the search — you will be notified when a new listing appears. If you are about to buy a car, include tyres in your first post-purchase costs — our first-car buying guide suggests a budget split. We explained the difference between genuine and aftermarket parts here.
Frequently asked questions
Which tyres are better for Baku — winter or all-season?
If you mostly drive in the city, all-season (M+S) tyres are enough, as Baku winters are usually mild. If you regularly travel to mountain areas in winter or have to drive on snow, choose winter tyres with the 3PMSF symbol.
How much does a 205/55 R16 tyre cost?
As of 27 September 2026, the median price of the 200 newest Prayk listings with R16 in the title is 187 AZN per tyre, with the middle half at 114–280 AZN. The actual price depends heavily on brand and production year; a set of four at the median comes to about 750 AZN.
How can I find a tyre's production date?
Look at the last four digits of the code after "DOT" on the sidewall: the first two are the week, the last two the year. For example, 0925 means week 9 of 2025.
What is the minimum tread depth?
The tread wear indicators (TWI) correspond to 1.6 mm; once the tread is level with them, the tyre must be replaced. For safety it is advisable to replace summer tyres at about 3 mm and winter tyres at about 4 mm. This is general information — check the official requirement in the traffic rules.
Can I fit different tyres on the front and rear axle?
Tyres on the same axle must match in size, model and wear. Some cars are designed with different front and rear widths, but even then the sizes must come from the manufacturer's approved list.
Sources and methodology
Listing counts and prices come from Prayk's public catalogue API on 27 September 2026: the Tyres category (3,231 listings) and listings in that category with "R16" (455) and "R17" (460) in the title. The rim-size breakdown and season mentions were read from the titles and descriptions of the category's 200 newest listings; 200 newest listings were measured for R16 and 100 for R17. Medians and 25th–75th percentiles use AZN prices only; we do not publish a median for sizes with fewer than 15 listings. The new/used field is not filled in for most listings in this category, so we do not show that split. Information on markings, load and speed indexes, DOT codes and wear indicators is based on generally accepted tyre-industry standards; check the approved sizes for your car in the manufacturer's manual.