Kia Optima: Tires and wheels / All season tires, Summer tires, Snow tires

All season tires

Kia specifies all season tires on some models to provide good performance for use all year round, including snowy and icy road conditions. All season tires are identified by ALL SEASON and/or M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire sidewall. Snow tires have better snow traction than all season tires and may be more appropriate in some areas.

Summer tires

Kia specifies summer tires on some models to provide superior performance on dry roads. Summer tire performance is substantially reduced in snow and ice. Summer tires do not have the tire traction rating M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire side wall. If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or icy conditions, Kia recommends the use of snow tires or all season tires on all four wheels.

Snow tires

If you equip your car with snow tires, they should be the same size and have the same load capacity as the original tires. Snow tires should be installed on all four wheels; otherwise, poor handling may result. Snow tires should carry 28 kPa (4 psi) more air pressure than the pressure recommended for the standard tires on the tire label on the driver's side of the center pillar, or up to the maximum pressure shown on the tire sidewall, whichever is less. Do not drive faster than 120 km/h (75 mph) when your vehicle is equipped with snow tires.

WARNING

Do not use summer tires at temperatures below 7°C (45°F) or when driving on snow or ice. At temperatures below 7°C (45°F), summer tires can lose elasticity, and therefore traction and braking power as well. Change the tires on your vehicle to winter or all-weather tires of the same size as the standard tires of the vehicle. Both types of tires are identified by the M+S (Mud and Snow) marking. Using summer tires at very cold temperatures could cause cracks to form, thereby damaging the tires permanently.