How to identify good winter tires. When to change and buy winter tires

The approach of cold weather, prolonged autumn cooling and rare morning frosts urge motorists to “change shoes” for their vehicle. The question of which winter tires are better to choose has not lost its relevance since manufacturers have singled out this type of rubber in a separate segment. This is due to the continuous process of improving production technologies and the use of new materials.

The process of improvement has no limit. Now even winter tires are divided into several types, and this is not a marketing division, but real types of wheels for different conditions operation.

A huge selection of tires for winter is more of an illusion. In reality, most buyers make a choice of 3-4 manufacturers. Consumers often form their conclusions about these products by accumulating information from several sources. For some, the authority is a sales assistant, who often works for the minimum wage, accidentally getting a seasonal part-time job in a car shop. Sometimes these "advisors" do not even have their own transport.

Winter tires

Someone is listening to advertising slogans from TV or radio, taking on faith the enticing appeals to "get high status by buying new wheels for the car. More "advanced" motorists read forums with "experienced advice."

The most correct option would be using all this information along with real user reviews and connecting your own logic.

But before you make a choice and determine for yourself what is better to choose winter non-studded tires or wheels with powerful studded tread, you need to change driving style to "winter":

• the speed limit should be reduced by a quarter from the summer one;
• the distance is required to keep a large one and a half to two times;
• avoid sudden maneuvers.

Also, when choosing seasonal slopes, one should refrain from using “universal” types of rubber on domestic roads. Such products are more suitable for the Mediterranean climate than for the harsh Russian winter.

What is the difference between winter and summer tires

In the manufacture of winter tires, a more elastic material is used. It remains the same even with a significant decrease in temperature. Based on natural rubber with the addition of silicon additives. In this way, a better coefficient of friction with the road surface is provided, the contact patch is increased, and traction with the roadway is also increased.

Visually, winter tires will have a larger profile than summer tires and a smaller wheel width. Due to such parameters, the cross-country ability increases and the ability to resist side skids increases.

The tread on winter slopes is more aggressive than on summer slopes. This form helps self-cleaning from freezing plaque. The rubber profile is inscribed with channels dividing the surface into separate segments. Such drainage slots create a reliable grip, and their pattern is calculated by each manufacturing company using complex algorithms.

Winter tire marking

During operation different types rubber you need to know the rules for its use:

• Summer tires most effective above 5 C. Lower temperature conditions roughen slopes. Rubber becomes stiff, the car becomes almost uncontrollable even on a dry surface. The risk of skidding increases, the braking distance increases.
• Winter tires when operating above 5 C, it begins to “float”. The car loses stability. There is additional noise in the cabin, and intensive wear of the wheel surface occurs.
• All season stingrays suitable for the temperature range from +10 C to -5 C. When leaving this range, they are significantly inferior to seasonal products and exhibit negative sides temperature mismatch.

The use of "spike"

In many European countries The use of studded tires is prohibited by law. There is no such strict ban in our country. In contrast to the milder European climate, we have regions with dry snowy winters. Often it is there that the spikes are most effective.

There are several types of spikes:

• steel;
• aluminum;
• plastic, with a core of carbide material;
• with an oval core.

Studded stingrays

For latitudes in which less snowy cold months or temperature fluctuations often make the road “porridge” from melted snow, good and inexpensive winter tires with studs will not only be ineffective, but also harmful.

Required number of winter tires

The statement that it is enough to install a pair of winter slopes on the drive axle and you can be calm is erroneous. After all, such wheels are placed not only in order to easily get under way on a slippery surface, but also for safe ride in various conditions.

Stopping at a traffic light in winter is very important, but you also need to be able to avoid skidding on your car when entering a turn. If there is only one axle "shod" according to the season, then this maneuver will become very risky.

SUV owners with all-wheel drive before thinking about what winter tires it is better to choose, you need to immediately tune in to the purchase complete set tires. After all, these cars have increased ground clearance, which gives additional windage, respectively, less stability on the road.

You may also need a spare. The situation with a broken wheel can catch the driver anywhere, and no one will say how long it will take to get to the nearest service to correct the situation. Therefore, the correct amount for winter tires is five slopes.

Division of winter tires by climate

Modern manufacturers distinguish two types winter tires. They are conditionally called "European" and "Scandinavian". This division characterizes the conditions most favorable for the use of both types.

European

The main weather conditions for the operation of such winter slopes are wet roads with some wet snow. Tires must provide quality grip with the road.

Choice between Scandinavian and European

To a greater extent, the pattern of such a product is similar to anti-rain slopes. Diagonal furrows are complemented by a large number of drainage systems. Visually, it is distinguished by a large number of channels that help to cling to the ground, and lamellas, thin furrows.

More of these long slots helps to perform its function more efficiently. Wet snow enters the channel section, and the tread edge tends to get as close as possible to the roadway. Literally digging to the asphalt, the tread creates a contact patch with the road.

Scandinavian

This type of tire is fully developed on icy roads. This brand of rubber is better for the winter, where the snow crust lasts for several months without significant thawing.

The pattern network on the surface of the Scandinavian type is not as developed as on the European version. The main texture is not slots, but diamond-shaped elements arranged in a checkerboard pattern. This arrangement gives advantages on icy roads. Ice or crust breaks under alternating "diamonds". Tires are often used for cross-country travel in winter.

Division of winter tires by tread pattern

Visual inspection will help to divide the tires into two categories of patterns: symmetrical And asymmetrical. Both categories are divided into a couple of subcategories: directed pattern and non-directional.

The most common pattern is the symmetrical version. Although such tires produce a slight rumble in the cabin, during urban use, their positive quality is the price. They belong to the average and inexpensive price segments. More expensive are wheels with an asymmetric pattern. They are less noisy during operation.

Tire selection

A directional pattern is used to drain water from the point of contact with the road surface. On the side surface of the tires must be indicated right direction wheel rotation.

Three main types of patterns are the most common: non-directional asymmetrical, directional symmetrical and non-directional symmetrical. The fourth option with asymmetric and non-directional pattern is quite expensive and rare.

Riding in urban conditions will be comfortable on asymmetric rubber . On the city streets of megacities, such a pattern will not add noise to the interior and will give confidence on the pavement cleaned from snow. However, this type of wheels will not come in handy for country trips.

High drifts of packed snow will help to overcome directional pattern With bright design. He will not be afraid of even slightly melted snow. Shallow snow with water will overcome the non-directional tread.

For deep snow will need with water non-directional tires with an asymmetrical pattern. Such a profile will remove snow, and longitudinal channels on the surface will be used for water drainage.

Browse by tire model

For central Russia, the most advantageous application would be a symmetrical directional tread pattern. It productively rakes off wet snow clods, at the same time provides directional stability for vehicle. Such tires will behave confidently during slush and snow porridge. Determining specifically which rubber company is better for the winter, we will consider several options. When choosing high-quality rubber, you should not save on your own safety.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice 2 winter tires for rough terrain. Protectors show themselves worthy on slightly frozen ground. The shape of the pattern is designed for efficient snow raking. The product has a long service life. Cost from 49 dollars.

Michelin Alpin A4 tires with directional tread. The stingrays are suitable for snowy winters and frosty weather due to the use of a special soft rubber alloy in their production. It practically does not become stiff in cold weather and stands confidently when maneuvering on a wet surface. Cost from 46 dollars.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R used in off-road areas and during heavy snowfalls. Rubber copes with loose snow and has a long service life. No additional noise from it in the cabin is not felt. It is used during wet snow due to high-quality water removal from the contact patch. Cost from 44 dollars.

Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ Ideal for city road. Quiet tires with external grips cope with high snowdrifts. The drainage grooves do an excellent job of keeping the vehicle under control in slushy, sleet conditions. The tires also cope with wet roads at near-zero temperatures, keeping the car from skidding in corners. Cost from 42 dollars.

Winter tires have several varieties, each of which corresponds to different conditions operation. The article will talk about when and what winter tires to use, what are their advantages and how to save tires in the offseason.

Winter tires: varieties, differences and conditions of use

With the advent of cold weather, all motorists begin to actively prepare for the winter season. The main point of preparation of a car is the replacement of rubber. Let's look at what should be guided by when "changing shoes", what properties winter tires should have and how to choose correct option, according to the expected operating conditions.

Fully universal tires are a myth. There is no rubber that behaves the same under all conditions.

The main properties that distinguish winter tires from summer tires are not the presence of spikes or the tread pattern, but chemical composition rubber. Summer tires, low temperatures hardens, which leads to a decrease in adhesion to the surface and, as a result, heightened danger using.

The materials used in the production of tires for low temperatures solve this problem. However, the use winter tires in the warm season, also leads to a decrease in the handling of your car, as such wheels become too soft.

There are also so-called all-season tires. But, in fact, these are tires that are safe to use only with a very small temperature gap. Approximate temperature for such wheels: from -7 to +10 degrees.

Tires used at low temperatures are divided into two types:

studded
- Friction (Velcro)

Let's take a closer look at all the pros and cons of each type of tire, and perhaps dispel, for some, the myth of the unconditional advantage of studded tires.

Winter tires with studs

Spikes are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, on ice and dense snow, studded wheels can significantly shorten both your car's braking distance and acceleration time. But, on the other hand, on clean asphalt, the spikes significantly reduce grip, which can easily lead to uncontrolled skidding, as well as a significant increase in stopping distance.

friction tires– Velcro

Modern technologies, used in the creation of tires for low temperatures, have taken a big step forward. To date, not studded winter wheels, in terms of their performance, are in many ways comparable to studded ones - on slippery road, and on dry pavement - in many ways they are superior.

Due to the special structure of the tread, such tires seem to stick to the surface, for which they got their name.

Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian has recently introduced a new generation of its products. Tires with retractable spikes. This is only a concept so far, but it is possible that such high-tech products will go into mass production soon.

How to understand when the hour "H" has come

You need to put winter tires in such a way that when the first signs of ice appear, you do not have to urgently run to a tire shop. When the average air temperature drops to +5 degrees, it is already possible to change shoes.

At this time, the queues for tire fitting are not very long, but weather fully correspond to the indicators at which it is recommended to drive on winter tires.

The more versatile a tire is, the less stable it is for any specific operating condition.

Several reasons to choose

In order to make the right choice between studded and friction tires, you need to think about the surface on which you will have to move most of the time. If you are a city dweller and do not intend to often travel outside the stone jungle, then Velcro tires can definitely be your choice.

But in the case of frequent travel on snowy non-urban roads, the studded wheels of your car will be more appropriate.

Important and even critical important point, is the rule that the use of studded tires involves replacing them for all wheels of the car. In no case should such wheels be put on only one axle. This will almost certainly lead to a loss of control and the creation of critical situations on the road. 2) Indicate on which axle and on which side the particular tire was placed
3) Cover the tire with preservative
4) You can use polyethylene, but you should not pack the wheels hermetically so that condensate does not accumulate
5) It's best to store tires on rims

Road safety in winter time year depends on many factors, the determining one of which is high-quality and reliable winter tires. In this article, we will understand the features and nuances of choosing one or another winter tire for a car.

1 Types of tires for the winter season - studded or friction?

It is better to choose tires long before the onset of cold weather and changes in road conditions. Firstly, during this period you can buy tires for more favorable price. Secondly, you will have time to evaluate and compare various models tires, choose the right manufacturer and the configuration that best suits your vehicle.

Car with winter tires Today, there are several types of tires for driving in the winter season. Each of the options has both pros and cons, which we will analyze further. Almost all options for winter tires come down to two types - without studs and with studs. The first type of tires behaves better on asphalt with a minimum amount of snow or ice, the second type (friction) is recommended when driving on snowy roads and in off-road conditions.

• – convenience, practicality, safety!
• to use all the features of the device?
• - a reliable combination or marketing ploy manufacturer?
• – update software with your own hands!
• – modern practicality and safety

Conventionally, there is a third type of winter tires - all-season tires that can be used in both summer and winter. winter period at universal temperatures. Good all-season tires are not produced by many manufacturers and are mainly designed for high-quality roads that are constantly cleared of snow and ice. These tires are strictly not recommended for use during severe frosts in addition, their properties deteriorate noticeably if there is snow or mud on the road.

2 Non-studded tires - Scandinavian or European type?

Used in the manufacture of winter tires sophisticated technology, but the main element of any tire without studs is the tread. The type of protector can be divided into two types:

• Scandinavian type. Large spacing between tread elements and deeper sipes. Suitable for driving on snow or winter mud.
• European type. Diagonal patterning with a good drainage network of channels. More suitable for driving on wet and icy asphalt.

Non-studded tires for cars The first type of tires has a low speed index, different manufacturers rubber, it varies between 160-170 kilometers per hour. This type of tire is suitable for moderate and calm, even slow driving without sharp turns and acceleration. Among popular models winter tires with a Scandinavian tread type can be distinguished such as Nokian Nordman RS, Bridgestone Blizzak VRX, Michelin X-Ice 3,ToyotiresGartG4,G5,ContinentalConticrossViking.

The European version of tires has a higher speed index, which for some manufacturers reaches 240 kilometers per hour, as well as best performance braking on wet and dry pavement, they are also suitable for those who drive aggressively even in winter. But they are also suitable for motorists with a calm style, who often move on snowless asphalt. Among the popular models of this type are following models: Dunlop Winter Sport, Pirelli Scorpion Ice, Nokian WR Series,YokohamaDrivev.

Among the advantages of frictional winter tires it should be noted:

• reliable grip parameters on wet and dry pavement;
• no noise when driving on paved roads without ice and snow;
• stable characteristics in different temperature ranges.

Regardless of the type of tread and chemical composition, non-studded winter tires are more suitable for motorists living in Europe and the European part of Russia, where winter is not constant and there is a lot of snow on the roads. In addition, it is recommended to install such rubber if the car is equipped with additional systems safety features such as ESP and ABS, they are able to compensate for some of the shortcomings of friction tires in certain driving situations.

3 Studded winter tires – key benefits

Winter tires with studded tread are designed for driving on permanently icy or snow covered road. The studs in the rubber are necessary to increase grip on such roads, as they are able to break the ice crust. Such rubber is characterized by balance and a medium degree of rigidity, while using tires of this type possible on other types of road surface. Among the disadvantages of studded tires, one can single out a high level of noise and a longer braking distance compared to Velcro.

Winter tires with studs Among the popular and well-established models of studded tires are the following:

• Nokian Hakkapeliitta Suv 7,8,9;
• Continental IceContact;
• Michelin X-Ice Nord;
• Bridgestone Ice Cruiser;
• GoodYear Ultra Grip.

It is up to you to choose a studded wheel option for your car or not. It should be understood that the spikes are not a guarantee of safety on the road in the winter. on dry and wet pavement these tires have reduced traction, longer stopping distances and increased skidding, noise and fall out. Some modern models friction tires, especially those with a Scandinavian tread type, are not inferior to studded counterparts even on icy roads.

If you move more in the city than outside it, it is better to use any type of friction winter tires. If you often have to go off-road in winter, buy special anti-skid chains that you can install and remove yourself before difficult area roads.

4 Two tires per axle - is it worth saving this way?

Among motorists there is an opinion that for winter season it will be enough to install winter tires only on the drive axle. This is fundamentally wrong. The main danger of installing winter tires only on the drive wheels is uncontrolled skidding. Even with four winter wheels on a slippery road when entering a turn, it can be very difficult to get the car out of a skid, and if a pair of summer tires, it will be almost impossible to do this, and the consequences can be very different.

Installing winter tires As for the installation of tires of the same parameters and characteristics, but with a different tread pattern, this is allowed if the car has a monodrive. However, this state of affairs will make adjustments in the event emergency braking on a snowy road - the car can be thrown into a skid or its braking distance will increase. On four-wheel drive vehicle All tires must be the same and have the same tread pattern.

5 Does the choice of tread affect the overall performance of the rubber?

It should be understood that tires can perform different functions on certain road surfaces and in certain driving situations. If the car is driving on packed snow (not ice), then the tires should scoop the snow as efficiently as possible, literally biting into it, preventing slipping and improving traction. On slushy and muddy roads, the tire's ability to divert flow comes to the fore, providing maximum stability and resistance to skidding.

car protector Thus, a tire with a single tread pattern cannot meet all requirements. road conditions both in winter and summer season. Of course, many manufacturers try to make their tires as versatile as possible, but each model ends up with advantages in one or two road components. To choose the right rubber, it is enough to know how the protectors differ from each other. As described above, there are four types of tires for winter, which also differ in tread pattern. Accordingly, looking at the tread, we can conclude which tire is in front of you and whether it is worth buying it for your car.

Winter tires are different from summer tires, and it's not just about the tread pattern. Manufacturers select the chemical composition for a particular temperature range, therefore, with going beyond its limits, the tires lose their properties. At low temperatures summer tires become less elastic and can no longer provide proper grip with the road surface, minimum braking distance and other inherent characteristics.

Contrary to popular belief, all-season tires are not designed for real winter.

They are designed for moderate weather conditions and high-quality pavement, which is usually dry and only occasionally gets wet. In a good way, they can only be used in the off-season as an addition to winter and summer tires.

That is why it is imperative to change tires depending on the season. As a rule, it is recommended to change the car to winter tires if the air temperature does not rise above 5–7 °С during the week. Usually this is the end of October or the beginning of November.

As in the case with, you need to choose winter ones, taking into account several important criteria and nuances. Let's try to figure them out together.

What type of tires to choose

There are two main types of tires: studded and friction. The latter, in turn, are divided into Scandinavian and European type. As a result, there are only three types of winter tires, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain climatic conditions.

1. Studded tires

Thanks to the metal anti-skid studs, these tires provide better grip pavement and effective braking. They are designed for driving on hard dry ice and are used in countries with severe winters. Due to their specific nature, tires of this type are quite noisy. When driving on dry asphalt, they lose their advantages and wear out quickly. Studded tires are banned in some European countries.

Such tires are suitable for everyone who spends a lot of time outside the city and lives in regions where there is ice. Residents of megacities with roads that are regularly sprinkled with reagents do not need studded tires.

2. Scandinavian style friction tires

Similar in their properties to studded tires and for the most part differ from them only in the absence of studs. Tires of this type are designed for operation at low temperatures and in large numbers snow and provide required grip with the road due to the many sipes on the tread, which push through the snow and crust. Because of its softness scandinavian tires they do not behave well on ice and also quickly wear out on dry pavement, literally starting to swim.

Scandinavian type tires are suitable for snowy areas with long and. With such tires, you can not be afraid of snowdrifts and crossings, but you will have to observe the speed limit, be more careful when entering turns, and also sharp accelerations and braking.

3. European style friction tires

This complete opposite Scandinavian. These tires are ideal for regions with mild and wet winters where sleet and rain are more common. They do an excellent job with snow porridge and are able to ensure safety when driving for more high speeds. But in ice and on packed snow with such tires you should be more careful.

Suitable for driving in the city, where you can often meet snow porridge than ice, as well as when driving on clean asphalt at low temperatures.

Having decided on the type of tires, you can proceed to the consideration specific models from different manufacturers. To compare tires and choose the most suitable ones, you need to be able to read the marking, which encodes the features of a particular tire. Let's figure it out legend on a specific example.

• P- tire size. IN this case- short for Passenger, which indicates a tire for a passenger car.
• 215 - profile width in millimeters.
• 65 - profile height in percent.
• R- radial design.
• 15 - Bore diameter in inches.
• 95 - load index.
• T- speed index.
• M+S- Mud + Snow, winter or all season tires.
• Treadwear 220- wear index (the higher the better).
• Traction A- indicator of braking efficiency. It is marked from A to C, where A is the best.
• Temperature A- an indicator of resistance to heat. It is marked from A to C, where A is the best.

Additional Information:

• All Seasons(or AS) - all-season tires.
• snowflake icon- winter tire.
• Tubeless- tubeless tyre.
• Max pressure- maximum pressure.
• outside And Inside- designation of the outer and inside on asymmetric tyres.
• rotation- direction of rotation for directional tires.
• Water, Rain, Aqua, umbrella icon- resistance to aquaplaning.

Most designations when choosing are for informational purposes only, but some are worth paying close attention to. Among these parameters are the width and height of the profile, load and speed indices, as well as wear and braking indicators.

How to choose the size

When choosing a tire size, it is worth throwing aside all the myths and advice from garage neighbors describing the benefits low profile or larger diameter. Do not deviate from the recommendations of the car manufacturer: he has already calculated everything, found the best option and listed it in the owner's manual.

If you want to save money, get a second set of winter tires with a smaller landing diameter. Buying such tires will cost less.

Before buying, be sure to check when the tires were made. The fact is that manufacturers guarantee the invariance of the properties of the tire for two years of storage. If the tires lie in the warehouse longer, then the rubber loses its qualities and the tires will no longer be able to fully provide grip and efficient braking.

hometyre.co.uk

Finding out the date of manufacture and understanding whether it is worth taking the vending set of tires is quite simple. Manufacturers indicate it on the side surface of the tire using a code from four digits. The first two indicate the week, and the second - the year of issue. For example, 5016 is the 50th week or the middle of December 2016.

What else to consider

And a few useful tips finally:

1. Stop buying used tires. Over time, rubber loses its properties, which, coupled with the existing wear, can negate all the savings.
2. In no case do not buy tires only for the drive axle of the car. Due to the uneven grip of the wheels of different axles, the risk increases.
3. To prolong the life of the tires, it is recommended to switch them from front to rear axle and vice versa every 8,000 km.
4. If you have been using a set of tires for more than a year, install best couple on rear axle car to eliminate the possibility of skidding.
5. Buy a second set of rims specifically for winter tires so that you can change your own shoes and avoid wasting time in line for tire fitting.

With the onset of cold weather, many motorists are thinking about whether it's time to change their " iron horse»rubber "horseshoes" - in other words, buy new winter tires. And since new tires experienced drivers buy quite rarely, then the rules by which you need to choose quality rubber are gradually forgotten. And novice motorists are often not at all aware of how to choose the right winter tires for their car. Today we will remind the first and tell the second what nuances should be taken into account so that the purchased winter tires ensure safety and allow you to enjoy driving during snowfalls and icy conditions.

First, forget about the "miraculous" qualities of the so-called all season tires- they are good in many climatic zones, but not in ours. No, of course, in the Krasnodar Territory they would still fit, but, as practice shows, it’s better to buy “real” winter tires designed for driving on snow and ice. With spikes, you can still think about the choice - to buy tires for them or rely on the tenacity of the rubber tread. And "all-weather" is better left unattended. But when choosing winter tires, you need to pay attention to several factors, attention to which should be increased.

1. Country of origin and brand

A fairly common misconception among beginners that the most best tires made in the Scandinavian countries. No, of course, we do not beg the achievements of the same Finns from Nokian, but there are many companies in the world that make winter tires the worst quality. Therefore, the geographical location of the manufacturing country plays only an indirect role when choosing winter tires. Moreover, most of the products of the same Finnish company have been successfully produced in Vsevolozhsk for several years now, and, as company representatives assure, tires from the Leningrad region are of decent quality.

Tires at the Nokian Tires plant in Vsevolozhsk

The author of these lines visited that plant and had the opportunity to verify this personally, not only in the factory shops, but also at the test site. We note: the country of origin does not play such a big role as in the past, most of the famous tire brands decided to transfer production capacity to countries with developing economies - tires are cheaper to produce there, which does not at all mean a decrease in their quality.

Far more important than the country of manufacture is the brand under which tires are produced. As you know, a large amount of money is invested in the brand, which is why they value the brand name much more than the geographical location of tire factories. The choice of brands in Russia is incredibly wide, as well as price range. Naturally, in addition to the cost of the tire itself, its price also includes the cost of the brand. And this also needs to be taken into account in the process of choosing winter tires. We will not recommend certain brands and models in order not to advertise to companies. Let's just say that before you start looking for tires, you need to be aware of how much money you can spend on them. We advise you to determine this amount, fix it and not deviate from it (at least by a lot) in the search process. That is, do not slip into the cheapest offers - after all, a high-quality, albeit relatively expensive, tire is not only an image, but also safety. Yours and your passengers.

2. Presence or absence of spikes

Having decided on the amount that you can spend without remorse on the purchase of winter tires, and several brands that offer tires at this price point, we proceed to perhaps the most important factor - the choice between studded or non-studded tires.

The differences between these types of tires are minimal: in a studded tire, the surface is replete with holes (their number varies from 96 to 190), into which the spikes are screwed. They help the tire to better grip the surface - especially ice. That is why manufacturers recommend using studded tires in regions where there is relatively little snow in winter, and icy roads are frequent. Non-studded tires are better suited for regions where snowy winters predominate, and snow “porridge” is often present on the roads. In such conditions, they behave almost perfectly, providing optimal grip on the road surface. Therefore, it depends on the region with which winter climate you live, which type of tires is better to choose.

Speaking of studded tires, we recommend choosing " golden mean» - wheels that contain 130 steel hooks. A tire with 96 studs, which is now recommended in the EU countries (they strictly monitor the condition of the roads, and therefore reduce the number of studs that crush the road surface to a reasonable number that provides safety and grip), does not have a special advantage over 130-studded wheels, like the 190-spike.

Yes, 96-studded tires are quieter than 130-studded tires, but as tire tests show, not by much. But the 190-spike is very noisy and causes significant discomfort to the passengers of the car. The whole secret is in the size, weight and shape of the hooks. The 96-stud tire has the thickest tires, while the 190-stud tire has the thinnest. A tire with 130 studs has the most balanced weight and toe size. As for the form modern spikes have basically the same geometry - a polygon with irregular angles and a flat part, which is placed in the direction of the wheel. Our advice is to go for the sweet spot, and 130-studded tires tend to be cheaper than trendy 96-stud and 190-stud tires.

In non-studded (they are also called friction, and popularly - "Velcro") tires, the task of traction with the road surface is performed by treads, which are replete with lamellae cavities. The more such lamellae, the better tire will cling to the snowy road surface. Another important element such tires are lugs located along the outer edges of the tread. They act as additional "hooks", providing the tire with the maximum possible contact patch with the road.

Non-studded tires, in turn, are usually divided into two types: "European" and "Scandinavian". For the former, the tread surface is literally dotted with a network of drainage channels and lamellas, while for the latter, geometric shapes (rhombuses or rectangles) are “squeezed out” on the tread, which are less dense than the lamellas of the “European” type of tires.

The peculiarity of the "Europeans" is that such a dense network of drainage channels and lamellas helps to better "filter" the snow porridge - and therefore it best option winter city tyre. And the peculiarity of the structure of the tread surface of the "Scandinavians" is that such relatively rarely located "diamonds" can break the crust and quickly clear from it, providing the tire good cross and grip. Therefore, the "Scandinavian" version is good for driving on snowy roads.

3. Date of manufacture.
Any product has its own expiration date, and winter tires are no exception in this regard. Maximum term the operation of such a tire is five years old, so the buyer should pay attention to the numbers printed on the side of the tire - there are four of them, the first two indicate the ordinal number of the week, and the last two indicate the year the tire was made.

For example, the number "2113" means the 31st week of 2013 - such a tire is "fresh" and can be bought. You can’t find these numbers yourself - ask the seller, but be sure to check the date before buying.

4. Optimum wear resistance.
Tires are one of the most worn elements of a car, and therefore such a concept as their wear resistance is of great importance. Winter tire manufacturers list the wear resistance index (Treadwear) on the tire sidewall. The number 100 is taken as a starting point, which means that such a tire can, on average, withstand about 50 thousand kilometers. Of course, this figure is approximate and directly depends on the conditions in which the wheel is operated. Therefore, it is better for the buyer to purchase winter tires with as many Treadwear as possible (for example, 400 or 500).

5. Speed ​​index.
Each tire is designed for use at a certain speed mode. In the "manual" for your car, the manufacturer indicated the speed index that you need to consider when buying a tire - it indicates which top speed the car can be driven so that the wheel has optimal grip on the road surface. Its tire manufacturer also applies it to the sidewall of the tire: this is a two-digit number with a letter of the Latin alphabet - from H to Z. The slowest ones are “H”, the fastest (and most expensive) are “Z”.

6. Load index.
It's no secret that the wheels have the biggest load when driving. Therefore, tire manufacturers determine the degree of load on each wheel and also indicate it on the tire. It must be taken into account when choosing winter tires, taking into account the gross vehicle weight. Experts advise choosing tires with a load index of 30-35 percent of gross weight cars.

7. Tire marking.
This factor does not play a special role during operation, it only indicates which certification standards the winter tire meets. If the letter “E” is on the tire, it means that the wheel is certified according to the requirements of the European Union. If "DOT" - then in front of you is a wheel that has American certification. It happens that both of these markers are indicated on the tires - which means that such a winter tire corresponds to the parameters adopted on both continents.

Based on the factors listed above, you can determine what type of winter tires you need for safe and comfortable ride your car in winter. Happy shopping!