How to choose winter tires for a car

Tire manufacturers recommend: how to choose, break in and store winter tires correctly

In the life of Russian car enthusiasts there are many pressing issues, the debate on which will surpass even the famous “Android vs iOS” discussions. Each driver has his own opinion and his own arguments, and even the most authoritative expert will not be able to convince them. One of these controversial issues is at what point to change summer tires to winter ones. The magazine “Engine” decided not to start another empty debate among ordinary car enthusiasts, but decided to immediately ask the one who, in theory, should know the answer to this question best of all—the manufacturer of winter tires. In addition, we were able to find out what else should be done with tires before the winter season.

The manufacturer’s opinion is clear: the optimal time to replace summer tires with winter tires is the period when the average daily air temperature drops to +7 degrees. For most Russians, such a statement will probably come as a surprise. The most common belief is that tires should be changed before the temperature is expected to drop below zero. The logic in this decision can be traced, but this approach cannot be called optimal for two reasons.

Firstly, we should not forget that there are millions of the same car owners on Russian roads, the vast majority of whom will also wait for the onset of cold weather. Accordingly, queues at the tire shop will last for many hours, and the quality of work performed by the tire service specialists will be much to be desired due to the constant rush in an attempt to serve the maximum number of people.

Therefore, rubber manufacturers advise not to delay replacing wheels, but to do it in advance. It’s better to ride carefully on studs for an extra week than to risk your life moving on the first ice on summer tires. But what to do if the previous set of winter tires has worn out and it’s time to buy new wheels? In this case, car enthusiasts are faced with another question: studs or friction rubber? Tire manufacturers note that when choosing tires, drivers must take into account factors such as weather conditions, types of surfaces and their driving experience.

Break-in is required!

Studded tires have a higher level of cross-country ability, at low temperatures they behave more confidently at high speeds, and overcome snow drifts much easier. Winter non-studded tires for severe winter conditions (or Nordic non-studded) are inferior in grip on ice to studded tires. As for snowy, wet and dry roads, the performance of studded and Nordic non-studded roads is approximately at the same level. The advantage of studless tires is more comfort and less noise. Studless mild winter tires are ideal for short winters with little snow. They perform well on dry and wet roads, but when cold weather sets in, they will not be the best solution for icy roads.

However, tire manufacturers separately draw the attention of all motorists to one very important point that the vast majority of drivers forget about - the need to break in new tires after purchase. Break-in time often varies depending on the manufacturer, but on average this value varies in the range of 800-1000 km. Tire manufacturers note that the driving speed during break-in should not exceed 70 km/h, without sharp turns, braking or acceleration. This is due to the peculiarities of using studded tires, which involves preliminary preparation of tires for long and efficient operation. If the driver neglects the break-in rules, the wheels may lose most of their studs after the first winter.

How to store it correctly

However, such forced inconveniences only affect those who purchase new tires. But even if a car enthusiast already has a winter kit, he should still be vigilant before installing the wheels. Firstly, many potential threats are fraught with such a seemingly simple procedure as “seasonal wheel storage”. Tire manufacturers definitely advise: if winter tires were sent for seasonal storage to a tire center, then during the acceptance process it is recommended to visually inspect them for defects, assess the presence of damage and wear on the tread, the depth of which should be at least 4 mm.

Tire manufacturers also note that if stored improperly, the rubber from which the tire is made can suffer significantly from exposure to very negative or, conversely, positive temperatures, from contact with aggressive chemical elements or from fuels and lubricants. Only professional tire centers can determine whether there was a negative impact and how detrimentally it affected the tire.

However, you hardly need to worry too much if you prefer to store tires on your balcony, in your country house or in your garage. If tires are stored in a position where there is no physical impact on them, then the likelihood that they will lose their basic properties is minimal. However, if winter tires have been propped up by a falling cabinet all summer, then most likely their design is critically damaged.

Formally, tire manufacturers believe that if the storage conditions recommended by tire manufacturers regarding the possibility of exposure to sunlight, temperature, humidity, and the position of the tire during storage are met, then the condition of the tire allows its entire resource to be used. For example, for passenger tires, Michelin sets a service life, regardless of the storage time before installation on the car, up to the maximum wear of the tread pattern (1.6 mm for summer passenger tires, 4 mm for winter passenger tires), but not more than 10 years from the date of production tires.

Separately, the French manufacturer notes that in order to balance tire wear, it is recommended to rotate the wheels every season by installing the front tires on the rear axle and vice versa. In addition, although the studs may have been stored together with the discs, it is important to check the balancing. Naturally, it is better to entrust these procedures to professional institutions with the necessary equipment.

What's the result?

Despite the exact recommendations of tire manufacturers, many experienced car enthusiasts will probably consider them at least too “correct” and will be partly right. Do not forget that tire manufacturers' recommendations are given for a very wide range of drivers living in a wide variety of climatic regions and driving different cars with different tires. Therefore, experienced motorists have long been able to figure out for themselves the optimal formula for completing the annual off-season ritual. True, alas, Russians are also characterized by such traits as a lack of responsibility and a habit of chance, thanks to which even experienced motorists neglect all safety rules. So, if you are driving recently, you should still listen to the advice of those who are thoroughly immersed in the process - that is, tire manufacturers.

How to choose winter tires for a car: advice from professionals and reviews of manufacturers

High-quality tires are not just the key to good car handling and driver comfort behind the wheel, but also the basis for ensuring safety when driving. Winter time is the most dangerous period for motorists, so the choice of shoes for wheels at this time of year should be approached with the utmost responsibility. And the question of how to choose winter tires for a car should be entrusted to professionals who are familiar with the specifics of difficult driving in harsh conditions.

Features of winter tires

By and large, all tires can be divided into three categories: summer, all-purpose and winter tires. Perhaps winter tires have the greatest number of specific characteristics, which is due to difficult operating conditions. First of all, the rubber composition itself is oriented towards use at temperatures below 7 °C. The fact is that ordinary all-purpose or summer tires lose their basic properties at low temperatures, so special compounds are required to ensure optimal grip and rigidity. However, when deciding which winter tires to choose for your car, it is not necessary to chase the solid tire itself. Elasticity is a necessary property for any road; another thing is that the measure of softness must be observed.

A separate issue is the tread pattern. Active corners, grooves, dense notches and serrations are mandatory decorations on the outside of winter tires. Their presence is due to the fact that the wheels must withstand ice, snow cover and watery surfaces.

The question of how to choose the right winter tires for a car cannot but affect the nuances of noise reduction. An overly active and dense profile inevitably contributes to the development of a characteristic hum and even whistle, therefore this nuance is taken into account in the selection process.

Types of rubber

The entire tire market can be divided into two segments: European and Scandinavian tires.

The first option involves ensuring effective adhesion to the coating in rain and wet snow conditions. That is, on the one hand, the material is designed for not the most severe weather conditions, but, from a driving point of view, they are extremely heavy. Technically, European rubber is characterized by the presence of a diagonal tread pattern, which contains many drainage grooves. This feature makes European tires similar to so-called rainproof tires.

Now it’s worth answering the question of how to choose the right winter tires for a car from the Euro segment. First of all, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the thin slats-slots and massive lugs that are placed along the edges. The harder these components are made on the rubber surface, the more confident the car will behave.

As for Scandinavian tires, they are designed for driving on snowy surfaces and icy roads. This type of tire is characterized by a developed network on the tread surface, which is formed not by slots, as is the case with European analogues, but by specific figures applied in a checkerboard pattern.

Studded or non-studded?

Actually, the differences between Velcro and studded tires are based on the concept of separating Scandinavian and European tires. That is, studded tires, due to their active surface, more effectively resist dangerous coatings. This is the optimal solution when it comes to driving on ice or frozen snow crust.

Studless tires, devoid of active elements, would seem to be completely useless during bad weather, but this is not so. The fact is that these types of winter tires mutually exclude each other's disadvantages. Although studded tires perform best on icy surfaces, they should not be used on dry or wet surfaces. This is due to the fact that the presence of a pronounced tread pattern minimizes the area of ​​direct contact of the wheels with the road - as a result, the braking distance increases. Studless tires, which are close in characteristics to European ones, do not have this drawback.

Basic selection options

After determining the appropriate type of tire, you can begin a more detailed study of the optimal performance parameters of the rubber. So, the main characteristics on which the performance properties of tires will depend include wear resistance, speed index and load index.

In markings, wear resistance can be designated as Treadwear and calculated in units. To understand how to choose winter tires for a car based on this parameter, you can give the following example: 100 units. wear resistance corresponds to an average of 50 thousand kilometers.

As for the speed index, it is designated by the Latin letters N, ZR, S, etc. The S format is optimal, since it does not limit those who like to drive fast and at the same time has low wear.

The load indicator, in turn, is calculated based on specific data. This figure should be no more than 35% of the vehicle's curb weight.

Bridgestone tire reviews

The brand is well popularized, which allows its products to regularly take places in the first positions in sales. Users value these tires for their stable, although not premium, but optimal quality, almost always impeccable performance properties of the rubber compound, as well as increased wear resistance.

Now it’s worth taking a closer look at the question of how to choose winter tires for your car. Reviews of the latest series put the Blizzak Spike model in first place. Features of the modification include the presence of a V-shaped directional pattern, as well as an increased number of lamellas with a modified shape of cross grooves. In practice, these qualities contribute to the effective removal of snow-water slurry from the contact spot.

Dunlop tire reviews

This manufacturer is less known, but the quality of the tires produced deserves attention. The company's success is largely due to its specialization. The manufacturer places special emphasis on developing tires for the SUV segment, that is, the target audience, one might say, is formed by crossover owners. According to them, the tires cope with high loads without losing their primary grip qualities.

When deciding how to choose winter tires for a car from Dunlop’s offerings, you should be guided by the requirements for braking performance. This characteristic is the main factor by which products within the family differ. In general, the advantages of this manufacturer’s products include a well-thought-out rubber mixture, optimal rolling resistance and, at the same time, low cost.

Kumho tire reviews

The South Korean brand became famous for its successful studless model for the WinterCraft series passenger car. The developers did not stop there, and quite recently the WS31 modification, intended for the crossover segment, was released. Car owners of Kumho tires note a specific rubber composition with increased rigidity in the tread blocks. Therefore, if the question of how to choose winter tires for a car under severe ice conditions is being decided, then this option will suit both SUV drivers and car owners. Driving practice confirms decent handling performance and, most importantly, confident braking on ice. It should also be noted that sufficient grip is maintained on dry roads and in heavy rain conditions. This effect was achieved through the introduction of a large number of lamellas in the tread pattern.

Nokian tire reviews

Finnish products need no introduction. Nokian is one of the largest manufacturers of winter tires, logically focused on the characteristics of the Scandinavian type. But, of course, the European class is also widely represented in the line of this brand. For example, modifications WR A3-A4 are considered by experts as perhaps the best tires for winter in the category of non-studded models. Car owners point out the increased wear resistance of this rubber, as well as confidence when driving on snow. The developers have achieved a significant improvement in performance properties through the use of a special mixture, which, in addition to natural rubber, included canola oil, which provides a more effective adhesion function to the coating.

Michelin tire reviews

This company is also a recognized leader in tire production. The concern owns several brands covering different segments. For example, the Kleber brand offers a mid-range range. We can say that this is close to the budget class, but users of this product praise it for its pronounced qualities of a reliable tread with an aggressive pattern. If you need good winter tires at an affordable price, then it makes sense to turn to the Michelin brand. According to the owners who are familiar with the company’s premium series, their performance properties are in many ways similar to the mass lines.

How to determine the quality of tires when purchasing?

Even if before going to the store a correct list of the necessary qualities of the target product was compiled, finding rubber that meets these characteristics does not at all guarantee successful operation. Immediately before purchasing, it is worth carrying out several testing checks to ensure the basic quality of the product. So, how to choose the right winter tires for your car?

Professional advice first of all recommends preparing a special glove to assess the quality of tires: it will allow you to determine the smoothness of the surface by touch and understand how effective the grip will be. You can check the softness without gloves. If you want to eliminate the risk of so-called hardening, then the tires should bend smoothly when pressed with your fingers. You also need to look at the date of manufacture. You should purchase tires that are no more than 2 years old.

General recommendations for winter preparation

Of course, tires alone cannot prepare a car for winter. To ensure that personal transport does not fail in difficult times and generally maintains satisfactory technical condition by spring, you should take care of other operational aspects. In particular, in case of severe frosts, it is necessary to provide a thermal “blanket” for the engine, provide heated windows and seats, and also equip the car with fender liners and mudguards.

By the way, to ensure that winter tires for a car that is planned to be used in changeable weather conditions do not wear out prematurely, experts recommend checking the brake pads. The fact is that even after a short period of time, the cuffs of the pads on different sides are erased to varying degrees. This factor may later cause sudden drifts. Accordingly, it is recommended to update even working brake mechanisms before switching to winter time.

Conclusion

In addition to the technical improvement of the car, you should also consider the general approach to its operation. The question of which tires to choose for the winter is key in terms of adapting to new driving conditions, but it will not insure against troubles if the driving style is incorrect. Every car enthusiast must have practical driving skills on ice or wet snow. Tires with suitable qualities for a particular surface are only a technical assistant, but how effective they will be depends only on the driver himself.

Choosing winter tires

With the arrival of cold weather, most car owners begin to think about winter and switching to winter tires. Road conditions at this time are significantly different from summer, and the requirements for tires are also different. Without the use of special rubber, operating the vehicle can be dangerous. Winter tires differ from summer tires in the presence of studs, a different composition, and a special tread pattern. Tires for the winter must be selected taking into account the climatic conditions of your region. It is necessary to ask the question of how to choose winter tires for a car in advance, not when the snow has already covered the roads and the use of summer tires is impossible. In this case, many questions may arise; the choice of tires for driving in winter is quite large. One of the important issues is the choice of studded or non-studded (friction) car tires.

When is the best time to buy and change tires?

Calendar winter begins in December and ends in February, with the arrival of spring, and lasts only 3 months. However, the winter period of car operation in our climate zone starts earlier and ends much later. As a rule, this is from November to the end of March, and in certain regions of the country and in certain years these indicators may shift to an even earlier date. In this regard, the advice is to buy tires for driving in the cold season in advance.

By the way, we do not recommend using so-called “all-season tires” all year round. They are designed for use in winter, but in a warmer climate, without such an abundance of snow cover and severe frosts. The right thing to do would be to “change” your car’s shoes to seasonal tires suitable for a certain climate.

As the famous Russian proverb says, prepare a sleigh in summer and a cart in winter. Similar recommendations for purchasing winter tires, this should be done in advance, in spring or summer. At this time, many stores get rid of the winter collection, freeing up warehouses and shelves for summer tires. Therefore, there is every opportunity to buy a set of tires for winter at a discount.

In addition, based on experience, by the beginning of the season the price of goods may rise. The reasons may be various factors:

• delivery of a new collection;
• exchange rate fluctuations;
• inflationary component.

In any case, it won't be any worse if you buy tires for your car in the spring and put them in the garage. By the way, we advise you to store tires correctly, otherwise they will quickly fail and become unusable.

This advice also has its negative aspects. The most significant is the smaller selection of tires for cars in stores, because they have been actively purchased since last fall and by the end of the season, at best, only half of the assortment remains. In this case, we recommend buying from online retailers; they have much larger stocks and you can buy the necessary set of tires at a good price.

Studded or friction

Studded tires provide maximum safety during winter vehicle operation. At the same time, the car gains greater controllability on slippery roads. This advice has every basis, but it is not always fair. As the temperature drops, the tire becomes very hard and its characteristics change, including such an important parameter as grip on the road surface. This condition is typical for all types of winter tires, both studded and friction.

Considering the above, tips for choosing tires for winter use are as follows. Depending on the average ambient temperature that characterizes winter in your region:

• choosing a winter tire costs from -12 degrees;
• studded tires are recommended at average winter temperatures from 0 to -12 degrees;
• If the winter is warmer and the temperature sometimes drops below zero, we recommend using European or all-season tires.

These tire recommendations only take into account average regional temperatures. Good car tires should be selected taking into account the snow cover, the level of icy roads, the complexity of weather conditions, and the intensity of driving. From this point of view, the recommendations are:

• studded tires are excellent for icy roads, as well as for driving on packed snow;
• , which is used in conditions of little or no snow cover, as well as on cleared roads, behaves better on friction tires, without studs.

What to look for when choosing winter tires

When choosing tires for winter use, you should pay attention to a number of points. First of all, this is the production date. It would be correct to use tires whose release date is no older than 2-3 years. Otherwise, you risk purchasing tires whose rubber compound has lost its quality and cannot ensure safe driving, especially in winter.

The cost of tires also plays a big role in the choice. We recommend not to choose tires that are too cheap, as this will compromise the quality. If you have a budget car, this does not mean that choosing budget tires is enough. We advise you to pay attention to the optimal price-quality ratio.

We also recommend looking at the appearance of the tires. If stored incorrectly, they may become deformed and not provide safe movement. Important parameters are speed and load indices, depending on the type of car for which tires are selected.

Naturally, an important parameter is the tire size. In this direction, it is necessary to focus on the recommendations of the car manufacturer. We do not recommend choosing tires that are much larger.

The pattern type for studless tires is Scandinavian and European. In the first case, the pattern consists of diamonds and rectangles, which are placed on the tire in a checkerboard pattern. In addition, there are powerful lugs. Tires with a Scandinavian pattern are recommended for use on icy or snowy surfaces; they provide the car with maximum stability. The European pattern is similar in nature to a summer rain tire. There is a whole network of channels along the entire surface, as well as many lamellas. In winter, such tires are actively used on cleared roads, in which case they have proven themselves to be excellent.

You have received brief information on how to choose the right tires for driving in winter conditions. The main thing to remember is that you should choose tires taking into account the driving characteristics, as well as the typical weather for your region.

Another feature of choosing tires for winter use is their width. Many people wonder which set the car will perform better on, narrow or wide. In this case, the correct choice will be depending on the type of surface on which the car is supposed to be used. Dense cover (packed snow or ice) is an ideal place for narrow tires:

• greater specific pressure on the surface provides the car with stability and controllability;
• On a slippery surface, narrow tires are of little use; a wide tire better grips a slippery road covered with water or melted snow.

The situation is similar with car braking - on ice, a wide wheel brakes better, on dense snow - a narrow one. Therefore, the choice in this case depends on the type of road surface. It is worth considering that the adhesion coefficient is affected not only by the width of the rubber, but also by the tread pattern, type of snow cover (loose, dense, dry, wet) and air temperature.

By the way, another tip concerns the height of the profile - in winter a high profile is more effective, it allows you to dampen shocks.

How can you save money without sacrificing quality?

When buying friction or studded tires for a car, you need to set priorities that will help you wisely choose tires with the best price and excellent driving characteristics. Among tire manufacturers, there are vendors with the highest prices who allow you to choose studded tires on rims. This is a product of maximum quality, but you won’t be able to save money on its purchase. There is a list of companies that offer a large selection of studded tires for cars at affordable prices. If you choose a compromise between price and quality, then we advise you to look for a tire manufacturer among the second list.

By the way, many well-known brands have cheaper sub-brands that are in a different price niche, but their products are of high quality. In this case, you can purchase a set of tires for your car inexpensively and profitably.

Different retail outlets offer the same product at a discount. We recommend checking out as many dealers as possible, especially since many of them offer excellent discounts and bonuses.

Also a good tip is to buy winter tires out of season, but a little earlier. The ideal time to purchase tires is the end of the previous winter period of car operation. You can buy a good set at a discount, as retailers are preparing for the summer season and are rushing to sell the remnants of the winter collection. True, there may be nothing to choose from, but this is not a problem, you will get high-quality tires at a discount.

You can get a discount on tire fitting or storage services from a tire center or store. This is also a nice bonus that will save you from having to think about where and how to store tires for your car during the summer season.

The main advice is to timely purchase and use winter tires for your car. Don't put it off until the first frost or the first snow, it may be too late.

Is it possible to drive on winter tires in summer?

Among the recommendations for driving in the winter season is one important tip - never use winter tires in the summer. There are no fines for driving a car with winter tires, but you can get into a number of other troubles. By the way, there is a ban on the use of studded tires in the summer.

So, a studless tire for winter in summer can lead to a number of consequences:

• braking distance - on dry asphalt in the summer, a winter tire has a longer braking distance than a summer tire, which is fraught with unpleasant consequences (on wet asphalt this advantage is lost and the tires have the same performance);
• aquaplaning - with the same remaining tread depth, summer tires are not so susceptible to aquaplaning, which makes driving on wet asphalt much easier;

In this case, the principle applies: the more confident a tire behaves in winter, the worse it is in summer. Any manufacturer advises the use of their products exclusively according to the season. Although, it would seem that driving conditions in winter are worse and winter tires should be more suitable for use in difficult conditions.

Choose high-quality and reliable tires from a reputable manufacturer, and be as careful as possible when driving a car on slippery surfaces. It is better to slow down than to leave the road, even on studded tires.

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* Please check with your dealer for specific terms and conditions of each current promotion. The materials presented on this site are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a public offer in accordance with Article 437 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation

How to choose the right winter tires

10/08/2019 at 18:35, views: 6962

It's time to change tires without waiting for "tinsmith's day." How to choose the right winter tires? Let's look at the question piece by piece.

The word “all-season” can be forgotten right away. There are summer tires, and there are winter tires. Clattering your spikes on the July asphalt is just as reckless as riding on bald tires in January.

Many motorists put off visiting a tire shop, waiting for frost and heavy rainfall. This practice is vicious - for a car shod with summer tires, driving out in heavy snow can easily become the last adventure of its life. Not to mention that during the rush to change tires, you can spend a whole day waiting in line. In general, the sooner the better. Moreover, experts recommend switching to “winter” when the average daily temperature drops below +7℃.

Yes, in such conditions, as a rule, there is no ice or snow on the roads, but as the temperature drops below the specified threshold, summer tires become less elastic, and therefore brake worse and deteriorate more intensively. By the way, cold and moisture are not good for summer tires, even in static conditions. That is why they should be stored in dry rooms at a temperature not lower than 0℃.

New tires are always cheaper at the end of the season. Now prices for winter tires are at their peak. The most obvious way to save money is to buy suitable “shoes” on the secondary market. You should immediately refuse to purchase specimens with hernias and cracks, as well as those specimens whose residual tread height is less than 4 mm.

Also keep in mind that over a year of tire operation, its grip properties decrease by almost a quarter. Therefore, it is important to check the issue date - it is indicated in the form of an oval stamp with a four-digit number. The first two digits indicate the week, and the last two digits indicate the “birth year” of the product.

Even if they are apparently in good condition, tires older than seven are a risky product. Internal, hidden damage can be critical. Taking only a couple is also not an option. Installing wheels with different tread patterns on the front and rear axles of a car is not at all beneficial to handling, even if they are of the same season.

In addition to the fact that winter tires differ from summer tires in a more “toothy” tread, and often with studs, they also have a specific marking - a pictogram in the form of a rock with three peaks and a snowflake inside, the letters M and S (from English mud and snow), inscription winter.

The size is also indicated on the sidewall, allowing you to select the tire according to the size of the rim. As a rule, the vehicle manual lists all acceptable tire sizes. For example, on a Kia Rio sedan it is legal to use tires with sizes 195/55R16 and 185/65R15. The higher profile of the latter will somewhat reduce the severity of the car's reactions to steering wheel turns, but will make the ride softer. In addition, within the same model, tires with a smaller bore diameter are cheaper.

You can also save money on the brand. Products from mid-range brands such as Bridgestone, Dunlop and Yokohama have recently noticeably caught up in their properties to premium ones from Michelin and Pirelli. And, perhaps, the more recent year of a model’s release is now more important than its brand. The more modern the tire, the more capable it is.

The assertions of some garage specialists about the helplessness of studded tires on asphalt are groundless. In terms of grip properties, a modern studded tire is superior to others on any winter surface. On ice this advantage is greater, in loose snow less, but the spikes always grip better. Therefore, they are optimal on most roads of our vast homeland. Their main competitive disadvantage, besides the higher price, is noise.

The toothless friction tire, popularly called “Velcro,” is noticeably quieter. The use of such tires on the streets of the capital, maintained by public utilities, is quite justified, and fresh models, with a certain degree of caution, can be used outside the city. Just keep in mind that high-speed European winter tires, characterized by rounded shoulder tread blocks and a smaller number of sipes, at temperatures below - 5 and in deep snow are not much better than summer tires. And ice is completely contraindicated for her.

As for the legislative framework, despite the technical regulations in force since 2015, obliging motorists to use winter tires from December to February inclusive, there are still no monetary sanctions for violators of this regulation. Drivers of cars with studded tires are now also not required to buy or make their own sign with the letter “Ш”. But if the inspector somehow reveals that the remaining tread height of your tires is less than 4 mm, be prepared to pay the state 500 rubles.

How to choose winter tires for a car

from Evgeniy 10/11/2018, 11:15 pm 1.1k P 55 G Comments

Many novice motorists do not know how to choose winter tires. And experienced drivers do not always approach this important issue competently. But it is the correct choice of “shoes” that most often determines how comfortable, and most importantly – safe, winter driving will be.

As a rule, drivers choose the same type of tires for the new season that they rode on last winter. And only a few realize that the choice should be based not so much on experience, but on specific conditions and driving style.

The Myth of All-Purpose Tires

If, when deciding how to choose winter tires, you suddenly thought about universal tires, discard this stupid idea. There's nothing worse than versatility. No matter how the automotive industry develops, no modern material can meet all requirements at once. The range of conditions under which all-terrain or all-season tires can be used is too small. This means that both in winter and summer, tires will regularly let you down.

But the industry has made it possible to produce tires that will have the best performance under certain conditions. However, an important rule applies: no tires in winter can provide the stability and safety that properly selected summer tires provide in summer. This means that when winter comes, you will have to give up your summer driving style, even if you have chosen the best winter tires. It is necessary to avoid sudden maneuvers, reduce the speed by 20-25%, and increase the distance by 2-3 times.

Let's compare seasonal and all-purpose tires

To make it easier for you to understand how to choose winter tires and why it is better not to use universal tires, check out the comparative characteristics of the main types of tires:

• Summer. The lower temperature limit for using summer tires lies in the range from 0 to 5 degrees. The upper one is around 50. Some brands can withstand higher temperatures. If you drive on such tires in frosty conditions, the rubber will harden, which will lead to loss of traction and skidding. In this condition, summer tires are very vulnerable to punctures: they immediately crack and cannot be repaired.
• Universal. If you intend to choose universal tires for winter, remember: the standard operating temperature range for all-season tires is from -10 to +10 degrees. This rubber performs well in the off-season, but in the depths of winter, when the temperature drops to -20 degrees and below, it does not cope with its task: it hardens and slips.
• Winter. Winter tires are designed for use at temperatures from -30/-40 degrees to 0/+5 degrees. Feel free to choose it. It does not harden even in severe frosts, providing good adhesion to the road surface. This rubber has a high profile, which gives better cross-country ability and increased resistance to lateral skidding. But when used at higher temperatures, it softens, which leads to accelerated abrasion and loss of thorns. There have been cases where tires even exploded.

When deciding how to choose winter tires, consider the above. Obviously, neither summer nor all-season tires can be used in winter in regions where temperatures drop below -10 degrees. Such tires can only be used in the Mediterranean, but not in Russia with its severe frosty winters.

What should winter tires be like?

How to choose winter tires? We suggest starting from the functions that it should perform. Mainly in winter the wheels should:

1. Provide maximum grip on the road surface. Even if it is ice or frozen asphalt;
2. Walk on loose and dense snow;
3. Dispose of melt water and snow to the side. Relevant for city roads that are cleaned using reagents;
4. Self-cleanse from freezing deposits.

What to do with the “spike”?

When thinking about how to choose winter tires for their iron horse, many motorists immediately think of studded tires. In most European countries, tires with studs are prohibited by law. Winters in these countries are mild and have little snow. And studded tires here only spoil the asphalt.

In Russia, where winters rarely go without ice and snow jams, the use of studs is justified and therefore not prohibited in winter. However, you can choose tires with studs made of steel, aluminum or even plastic (in which case they will still have carbide cores). “Shipovka” is recommended for residents from the suburbs or rural areas.

You shouldn’t choose studs for driving exclusively around the city: in the middle of slush and snow “porridge”, studded tires are not only ineffective, but also harmful. In addition, it increases noise in the cabin and slightly increases fuel consumption. When driving on loose snow, studs can do you a disservice: there is an increased risk that the car will “burrow” and “sit on its belly.”

Which tires to choose: European or Scandinavian?

Winter tires are divided into European and Scandinavian by type. This division is made due to the conditions under which it is recommended to use one and the other type.

How to choose winter tires for mild climates when the roads are covered with slush and a small amount of wet snow? This is exactly what is observed in large Russian cities. The European type is perfect here. It has a not very bright pattern, a lot of drainage and longitudinal furrows. The design is dominated by slits rather than shapes. These tires are designed to provide good traction and a large contact patch.

However, Scandinavian tires are more suitable for Russia. It is designed for good cross-country ability on roads covered with a layer of snow or crust. The tread pattern in this case is more aggressive and thinner. It consists of rectangles and diamonds that help the car break through the crust. A car with Scandinavian tires moves more confidently on icy and snowy roads and rough terrain.

Is tread pattern important?

When it comes to choosing the right winter tires, the tread pattern plays a huge role. It affects the vehicle's maneuverability and passenger comfort.

So the drawing could be:

• symmetrical or asymmetrical;
• directed or undirected.

Most often, motorists choose a symmetrical pattern. These winter tires are always cheaper than asymmetrical ones, but they produce additional noise when driving. Tires with an asymmetric pattern are more expensive, but they are less noisy. But at the same time, it is better not to use them on country trips, since they are intended for city roads cleared of snow.

The direction of the pattern is needed to drain water in those places where the wheel comes into contact with the road surface. Such rubber must be installed in accordance with the direction indicated on it.

How to choose winter tires if the streets in your city are poorly cleared of snow in winter? Look for tires with an asymmetrical non-directional pattern. They belong to the most expensive segment, but these are the tires that perform best on roads covered with a lot of snow and melt water. These winter tires also perform well on country roads.

Which wheels should I put winter tires on?

Surprisingly, when asking how to choose good winter tires, many expect to save money and “change” only 2 wheels. You can't do that. Ideally, all four wheels should have the same tires. There is probably no need to explain what threatens the imbalance of braking forces.

Installing different tires on all-wheel drive SUVs is especially dangerous. These cars have a large mass, their inertia is much greater than that of single-wheel drive sedans. Therefore, with different tires, such cars lose control more easily.

Let's sum it up

Good winter tires are the key to vehicle stability and driving safety. Each car owner decides for himself how to choose winter tires. At the same time, he must take into account the conditions in which he plans to operate the selected tires.

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