Ferrari Tire Selection

Selecting new tires for your Ferrari shouldn’t be done lightly; picking the wrong ones could impact your vehicle’s overall performance around Chicago. Whether your treads are wearing thin and you need new everyday tires or you’re searching for a set of winter tires for your Ferrari, selecting the right tires is essential.

Consult Your Owner’s Manual

Before buying new tires, your first step should be the Ferrari Owner’s Manual for your vehicle (our Service Department can help, too). There you will find detailed specs, including:

• Measurements for front, rear, and spare wheel rims
• Ferrari-approved tire manufacturers (such as Michelin or Pirelli).
• Detailed tire specifications and recommended tire pressure based on manufacturer.
• Instructions for the use of run flat tires, when applicable.

Reading Your Tires

Your owner’s manual should detail the specifics for any replacement tires; here is how to read your tires to ensure they match the recommendations.

Example tire reading: 245/35 ZR20

• 245 = Nominal width (distance from side to side in mm)
• 35 = Ratio of height/width as a percent
• Z = Speed rating (Z indicates use for speeds over 149 mph)
• R = Radial tire, the most common tire construction
• 20 = Rim diameter (inches)

To determine the age of the tires currently on your vehicle, you should see another code that starts with DOT. The last 4 digits indicate the week and year the tire was manufactured (DOT .. 1011 means it was manufactured in the 10th week of 2011).

When looking for new tires, it’s important to consult both your manual and the actual tires you have been driving on. Modifications made to your vehicle (such as a lowered suspension) will impact the right choice for your next set of tires.

Breaking in New Tires

In order to get the most out of your Ferrari’s new tires and allow for the best tire adjustment on the wheel rim, you should follow these guidelines for the first 125-185 miles of driving:

• Avoid sudden acceleration
• Avoid sharp braking or steering
• Drive at moderate speeds

Have a Professional Install Your Ferrari Tires at Ferrari Lake Forest

Ferrari Lake Forest has the necessary equipment to properly replace your tires, avoiding damage to wheel rim sensors that is common when Ferrari tire replacements that are not performed at certified service centers. Contact us today to learn more or to have one of our tire experts go over your options with you.