Buying summer tires for your car can be compared to buying shoes for yourself. And car owners approach this process very responsibly. First of all, this is due to the rules for the correct and safe operation of the car. Using winter tires in summer is unreasonable and impractical. But what tires to choose for the summer, what should you pay attention to, what parameters are more important? In order not to miscalculate, it is best to pay attention to the characteristics and take into account your driving style, so let's take a closer look in the article.
With the onset of spring, the question of choice of winter tires is no longer relevant. However, some do not particularly worry about this, and at the end of the winter season they continue to ride on winter tires.
Forgetting that a soft winter tire loses its important characteristics at high temperatures, and wears out faster. Using them in the summer season, you reduce their resource by 2 times, at best.
What is the difference between summer tires and winter tires:
- Tire composition. Summer is more solid. And as already noted, a winter tire will wear out many times faster.
- Tread pattern. It is different for a reason, and it is applied not for beauty, but to ensure high-quality grip.
Recall that tightening your iron horse with a rebuke and using winter tires in the summer is fraught with the loss of studs and their rapid wear.
Choosing the right summer tires Read on for what to pay attention to.
There is nothing difficult in choosing summer tires for a car, the main thing is to follow the recommendations of the automaker, and focus on the following parameters:
- Size;
- Tread pattern;
- Speed and load indices;
- Tire construction.
Before deciding which tires for the summer are better to choose, you need to figure out the dimensions.
This is the ratio of the width, height, outer diameter of the tire. Each tire has its own marking, e.g. 185/65 R14. These parameters are applied to the sidewall of the tire, where the tire width is 185 mm, the profile height is 65%, and the outer diameter is 14 inches.
Incorrectly selected tire dimensions in terms of the outer diameter will not allow you to put it on your car.
There are 3 types of profiles:
- Low profile (up to 55%);
- High profile (60-75%);
- Full profile (more than 80%).
Low profile advantage in that they give the car owner excellent handling and excellent ride quality. However, here it is worth paying attention to the fact that operation on poor-quality roads on such rubber will greatly affect the suspension of your car. If your iron friend has a rigid suspension, then with a low-profile stiffness it will be even more pronounced.
High profile and full profile tires more suitable for off-road operation and driving on bad roads. They perfectly extinguish all the pits of the road and also add performance characteristics of the car's suspension.
The wider the tire, the larger the contact patch with the road. As a result, grip improves and the car behaves more predictably, there is a sharpness in control. Minuses in that handling, maneuverability worsens and fuel consumption increases. On wet roads, the risk of hydroplaning increases. Wide tires are typical for heavy premium cars.
Due to the incorrectly selected tire width of the summer tire, the front wheels can cling to the wheel arches when cornering.
When choosing tires for the summer according to the profile, remember that the lower the profile, the better you will feel all the bumps in the road and the higher the risk of damaging the disc on bumps, but at the same time you get better handling. Therefore, here you need to choose a compromise, and not sacrifice comfort for the sake of speed.
The projector can be:
- Symmetrical non-directional;
- Asymmetric.
- This is a classic, a common version of the rubber tread. A car with such tires can be operated both outside the city and on the highway. This pattern is most often found in tires of the budget price category.
Summer tires with a symmetrical non-directional pattern have the following pluses:
- controllability,
- wear resistance,
- comfort,
- hydroplaning resistance.
Wheels on such rubber are allowed to be rearranged from one side to the other.
Tires with a symmetrical non-directional pattern are an excellent choice for car owners who do not yet know which summer tires to choose for leisurely and moderate driving.
- A great choice for use in rainy weather. It has excellent vehicle stabilization on wet roads and high drainage performance.
The symmetrical directional pattern allows you to immediately and efficiently drain water, due to which better indicators of resistance to aquaplaning are achieved. Will appeal to those who love speed.
Minuses:
- Such tires cannot be put from the rear axle to the front, and vice versa.
- You can't take these as a spare.
They should be installed strictly in the direction of the arrow on the sidewall of the rubber.
- universal, which combines the advantages of the two previous ones, is excellent for operation in both wet and dry weather.
This tire has 3 zones- internal, middle and external. The midsection tread is directional for water evacuation, while the inner and outer tread is designed to increase responsiveness in handling and increase traction for cornering.
Pros:
- High levels of controllability, unlike the previous ones;
- Tires are allowed to change places.
When deciding which projector pattern to choose for summer tires, be guided by the weather conditions in your area.
Speed and load parameters
Has a letter designation. It reflects at what maximum speed it is allowed to drive with such rubber.
What summer tires are better to choose if you are an adherent of a calm and moderate driving. Focus on max. the speed of your car, what is the point of overpaying for something that you will not use. For connoisseurs of speed, tires with the H and V markings are perfect.
- this is the maximum weight that one wheel of the machine can withstand.
Tire noise
When choosing summer tires, you need to focus on the technical characteristics of the rubber and the conditions for using the car.
Driving on city roads and rarely outside the city. Take with a profile up to 65%, both symmetrically directed and with an asymmetrical pattern. By speed index S or T.
Driving at maximum speeds. Here you should pay attention to low-profile tires (up to 55%) with symmetrically directional and asymmetric patterns. Speed index H-W.
Off-road operation. High-profile or full-profile (off-road) with a suitable vehicle weight load index.
There are dozens of different manufacturers on the market that produce a wide range of tires for different cars. What tires for the summer to choose? In our opinion, it is better to give preference to well-known brands, despite the slightly overpriced rubber, it will serve its entire life flawlessly. Brands we can recommend: Nokian, Bridgestone, Hankook, Michelin, Toyo, Continental.
| Tire name | pros | Minuses |
| Nokian Hakka Green | Affordable price, high wear resistance, low noise level, good handling, lower fuel consumption, high braking performance | Short service life, "cotton" at high speed |
| Nokian Nordman SX | Low price, asymmetric pattern, good driving performance | High noise level |
| B.F.Goodrich Grip | Low price, good structural rigidity, excellent directional stability, good maneuverability. | Poor traction on wet pavement, poor ride |
| Hankook Kinergy Eco | Low price, excellent grip, good moisture removal due to the three-channel groove | Notched tread, noisy, poor wet handling |
| Yokohama BluEarth | Affordable price, fuel saving up to 10%, low noise level, low tire weight | Difficult handling during extreme driving, low level of comfort |
| Michelin Primacy 3 | Asymmetric pattern, good grip, comfort, high braking performance, lower fuel consumption, high wear resistance, excellent noise-comfort ratio | High price, soft sidewall tire |
| Michelin Energy Saver+ | Excellent wear resistance, low rolling resistance | Noise, harshness, dry handling problems |
| ContiPremiumContact 5 (Continental) | Excellent balance, high braking performance, elasticity | Soft cord leads to premature wear, good roads only |
| Bridgestone Turanza T001 | Shows itself well in wet weather, provides a short braking distance | Not suitable for cars with a rigid suspension, only high-quality and smooth roads (primer is not suitable) |
| Toyo Proxes T1-R | Excellent traction, high hydroplaning resistance, good handling at high speeds | Noisy, quick wear, high price |
About, how to choose summer tires, see the video:
We hope that our article will help you make the right choice. Good luck on the roads!
Each of us knows well that you need to change tires for a car twice a year. For the cold season, you need one tire, for the summer, completely different. As a rule, for most motorists, this is where knowledge about changing seasonal tires ends. Some still know that there are still all-season tires, and that, supposedly, by putting such tires, you can generally solve all your problems in one fell swoop. It is very important for every driver to understand that you need to take tire changes for your car seriously. Not only the noise level in the cabin depends on the type of tires, but also the quality of grip on the road!
It is impossible to drive on winter tires in the summer and, moreover, it is dangerous to use summer tires in the cold season. But if it’s even more or less easy to figure out the seasons, then the question is: what tires does your car need? Depending on the region, seasonal temperatures and weather conditions can be very different. Somewhere the average summer temperature is 42 degrees, and somewhere 312 rainy days a year. If you want to find the best type of rubber, you will have to try different options anyway, but you still need to have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat to choose from. That's exactly what we're going to talk about today.
Brand
A brand is what each of us pays attention to when choosing any product. And this is not surprising, because in many ways a brand is a kind of quality criterion. And price-quality, as you know, is a universal formula in choosing any product. Tires in this case are no exception. When it comes to car tires, there is no consensus on the “best” brand. There are really a lot of manufacturers. You can buy inexpensive domestic tires from us, as well as tires from world-famous manufacturers like Goodyear or Bridgestone. Everyone chooses, depending on their capabilities and preferences.
It is worth saying, however, that for cars of the budget and middle class there is no significant difference in the quality of tires from different manufacturers. Such a domestic brand as Belshina, for example, produces solid and quite modern tires, including those with an asymmetric tread pattern. To bring some clarity for those who do not understand brands at all, we will briefly list the most popular ones.
- Belshina- Belarusian manufacturer of tires. It produces tires for all types of road transport, including for heavy dump trucks, which definitely indicates a serious scientific and technical base of the company. Belarusian tires are of low price and good quality
- Sava is a company headquartered in Slovenia. In 1998, it was bought by the American Goodyear, thanks to which the brand received serious support, and the company was able to use high technologies in production.
- Nokian- a fairly well-known Finnish brand. Popular winter tires from this manufacturer Nokian hakkapeliitta and Nokian nordman
- Bridgestone- Japanese manufacturer with a worldwide reputation. Bridgestone tires are the most popular for sports cars, but under this brand tires are produced for almost all types of road transport.
- good year is an American company, the world leader in sales of car tires. More than 160 factories on 4 continents produce tires for almost all types of road and aviation transport. Goodyear sports tires are very popular.
- Michelin- French company with a worldwide reputation, one of the world leaders in the production of car tires. Michelin tires are very popular in Europe.
- Continental- German manufacturer. The quality of tires is considered one of the highest in Europe. Produces tires for almost all types of road transport.
- Hankook- South Korean brand with a worldwide reputation. Thanks to the high quality of its products, it successfully competes with Japanese manufacturers in the Asian region.
- Pirelli is a world famous Italian brand. Pirelli tires are equipped with cars coming off the assembly lines of Mercedes, Audi and BMW.
- Dunlop is a British tire manufacturer. Active sponsor of many major sports racing series. Dunlop tires for sports cars are very popular.
- Maxxis is a Chinese company, one of the largest manufacturers in the Asian region. Included in the top ten in terms of sales in the world.
Tire markings and main characteristics
Almost all car tires have various designations. An inexperienced motorist is not always able to figure out what this or that indicator says. In this figure, the marking details that are most common. Let's talk about each in more detail.
Tire size
Size - an indicator that is on all tires. It looks something like this: 195/65 R15. The first digit is the profile width in millimeters. The second is the ratio of the height of the rubber to its width, expressed as a percentage (profile series). Further, the letter designation is the type of tire (radial / diagonal). The third digit is the mounting diameter. Sometimes, after the indicator of the mounting diameter, the Latin letter C is indicated on the tires. This is an abbreviation for "Cargo". This designation indicates that you have a commercial vehicle tire in front of you. That is, such tires are designed for light trucks and minibuses. In general, in the documentation for the car, the manufacturer always indicates a certain limiting range of standard sizes for your car. Tires always choose exclusively from the proposed options.
Profile width- this is a pretty important indicator. The wider the tire, the larger the grip patch of the tire with the road. It is important to just remember that wide tires are good for summer tires, and narrow tires are good for winter. The undoubted advantage of wide tires is faster acceleration and shorter braking distances. In addition, wide tires have better dynamic characteristics. For this reason, this type of tire is also recommended for sports car drivers. The disadvantages of wide tires are higher fuel consumption and the appearance of hydroplaning at low speeds.
Profile height (series) is another important indicator. The lower the profile, the better the handling. At the same time, low profile tires are more vulnerable on bad roads, and the chances of wheel damage increase. So, if you need high reliability at high speeds, and good quality of the roads you will be driving on, you are also sure, feel free to choose low-profile tires with a height of 55 or less. If you often have to drive on dirt roads, then high-profile tires with a rating of 75-80 will be a more reliable option. At the same time, keep in mind that high profile tires are nowhere near as good at high speeds and tight corners. Tires with a height rating greater than 85 are full profile tires designed for off-road driving.
Letter designation R indicates that you have a radial type of tire in front of you. Diagonal tires for passenger cars are now practically not produced.
Mounting diameter index All tires are in inches. This figure should match the size of your rims. Otherwise, the purchased tires will simply be useless, and they will have to be changed.
Load index and speed index
Load and speed indices are also indicated on almost all tires. These are quite important numbers that you also need to pay attention to when choosing rubber.
Load index always denoted by a two-digit number. Each number corresponds to a certain level of load in kilograms per wheel. You never know what you'll be hauling, so choose a set of tires that can handle a significant amount of extra weight.
Speed index always indicated by a Latin letter. Each corresponds to a certain maximum allowable limit, measured in km / h. Typically, tire manufacturers specify this maximum limit with some margin. At the same time, professionals recommend not only not to exceed this threshold, but also try not to bring the maximum speed closer to the limit at all. Remember the highest speed that you usually allow yourself on country roads, add 20 and buy tires with that speed index. If 160 is your normal maximum, then the S index will suffice.
Other markings
In fact, there are as many varieties of markings as there are varieties of wheeled vehicles. There are designations for off-road and construction vehicles, for tractors, scrapers and truck cranes. The labeling of tires intended for sale in Anglo-American geographic areas may also differ. If you encounter non-standard designations, ask the seller what this indicator means.
Profile picture
It is well known that the same manufacturer may have several different tire models for the same conditions. Usually they differ only in the tread pattern. In this case, the question arises, how important is the geometry of the pattern on car tires? Let's start with the fact that the world's leading companies spend tens of millions of dollars to develop and test new patterns. And, yes, a lot really depends on the geometry of the notches. Experienced motorists can tell you by the tread pattern what conditions the tire is designed for. What you need to know in order to independently choose tires for your car? There are three main types of drawing:
- Symmetric non-directional
- symmetrical directional
- Asymmetrical.
Symmetrical non-directional pattern- This is the classic geometry of the pattern for tires. This type is usually used in the budget segment of tires. Tires with a symmetrical non-directional pattern are somewhat versatile. They can be moved from one wheel to another in any order, they have good dry grip and good drainage. In addition, they are inexpensive, which is why they are well-known popularity. Buying tires with such a pattern can be recommended to those who prefer a calm driving style and low speeds.
Symmetrical directional pattern is a v-shaped notch geometry. Tires with this type of pattern have two major advantages. Firstly, they are great for driving in rain and slush, as they perfectly remove water from the tire's grip patch with the road surface. Secondly, the symmetrical directional serration pattern provides the best traction at high speeds. It is tires with such a tread that are recommended for owners of sports cars. When installing such tires, it is important to observe the correct direction. It is easy to find a special marker on the side of the tire. It usually looks like an arrow.
Asymmetrical pattern is positioned by manufacturers as a more perfect alternative to a symmetrical non-directional pattern. The peculiarity of such rubber is that the tire is divided into two parts. Winter tires use a classic pattern on the outside that provides good grip on paved surfaces, while the pattern on the inside is adapted to driving on snow and slush. In the summer version, tires with an asymmetric pattern are designed to provide maximum efficiency when maneuvering. Asymmetric tires tend to cost more than conventional tires, and it's hard to say how much this is justified in terms of the difference in performance benefits.
The most important thing about seasonal tire changes
Each type of tire adapts to some narrow temperature range, as well as a certain type of coating. Golden rule number 1 - rubber ideal for all conditions and seasons does not exist! The second automatic rule follows from the first rule: the higher the declared versatility, the worse such tires behave in individual conditions. That is, an all-round tire will never be the best on a dry road, or on narrow city streets, or on a highway, or anywhere else.
You may be surprised, but professionals generally do not recommend buying tires labeled "all season". Why? Because such tires are nothing more than summer tires adapted to near-zero temperatures. The temperature range for all-weather tires is from -5 C to +10 C, and for difficult road conditions (snow, rain, ice) they are designed a little better than summer tires. What to do? Ride on summer tires in the summer, and on winter tires in the cold season.
All season tiresHow are summer tires different from winter tires?
There is a fairly common stereotype that winter and summer tires differ only in the tread pattern. In no case! Rubber is a material that changes its properties quite quickly with temperature changes. Leave an ordinary washing eraser in the cold for a long time and see what happens to it. It can literally be broken in half. The same processes affect the tires of your car. Of course, manufacturers have foreseen this, which is why the chemical composition of tires for different seasons is very different.
Generalized temperature limits for car tires are not prescribed anywhere, but we can confidently talk about the following indicators:
- Summer tires are best used in positive temperatures. Zero Celsius is the limit. At temperatures below +7, summer tires harden, which greatly affects traction and increases the risk of rupture during a puncture.
- For winter tires, the upper limit is +7 C. At higher temperatures, they lose their properties, wear out faster, and the car significantly loses its stability.
- All-season tires perform well at temperatures around zero +/- 5 degrees. These can be installed in early spring or late autumn, but, as we already wrote, this is a dubious option, because they still cannot become a full-fledged replacement for summer or winter tires.
Thus, the temperature limit is a very important property for car tires.
How to choose winter tires?
Winter is a rather difficult season for European roads. The weather in winter can change very often, and temperature fluctuations can be very severe. During the week, we can get rain, snow, ice, and squeaky frost after the thaw from Mother Nature. So which option is still to stop?
Usually, drivers pay attention to the price, brand, pattern and tread depth. For northern regions with frequent snowfalls and prevailing low temperatures, sometimes you have to choose between studded and non-studded tires. You need to choose tires for your driving style and weather conditions, which usually correspond to your geographic region. At the same time, you need to be aware that in any case you will have to compromise. Winning in one thing, we will lose in something else.
Classic winter tires- These are usually tires with a symmetrical non-directional pattern. In the design of such tires, everything is unified: medium clearances, wide longitudinal grooves, tread depth from 6 to 8 millimeters. They are designed for quiet, safe driving, mainly on paved roads. Significant advantages of such tires are low price and relative durability. At the same time, you need to understand that such tires are not designed for high speeds and off-road. In severe snowfalls and in icy conditions, driving on such tires can also be problematic.
High speed winter tires- these are tires relevant for a mild European winter. Ideal if you have to drive mainly on clean paved roads. High-speed winter tires most often have a symmetrical directional pattern and a low tread depth. Thanks to this design, they perfectly remove water and wet snow from under the wheels, which makes it easier to drive in slush conditions at near-zero temperatures. Another plus of these tires is the low noise level. In other words, high-speed winter tires are a great option for residents of big cities.
Off-road winter tires- these are tires with a pattern of large free-standing elements, the shape of which may be different. The tread pattern always contains many longitudinal and transverse gaps, the depth of which can reach 9-10 millimeters. The main task of such a tire is to effectively bite into rolled snow and snowdrifts. On country, rural and dirt roads, such rubber will be an indispensable option. A significant disadvantage of these tires is that they are not designed for high-speed driving and are very noisy on dry paved surfaces. In addition, they have reduced braking efficiency, and fuel consumption with driving on such tires increases.
Winter tires with asymmetric pattern- This is another attempt to universalize the tire for various weather and road conditions. Yes, the presence of an external and internal pattern on the same tread can, in some sense, increase the grip of the tire with the road, but here it must be taken into account that the grip spot, at the same time, is reduced by half for each part. Surely manufacturers take into account all these nuances in the design. Whatever the case, the choice is ultimately up to you. Perhaps tires with an asymmetric pattern will appeal to someone.
When do you need studded tires?
The main and only task of the studs is to improve grip on the road in icy conditions and on packed snow. The characteristics of acceleration and braking on such a surface with studded tires will also be higher. Such tires are definitely good in those regions where winter comes early, and low temperatures are stable until early spring.
The main disadvantage of studs is that on dry pavement they greatly reduce the grip of the wheels with the road. And this is not their only disadvantage. Studded tires are absolutely not adapted to high speeds, they give the highest noise level, and at positive temperatures they completely lose their functions. Winter non-studded tires with transverse lamellas, popularly called Velcro, are now being produced. These tires have excellent traction even in icy conditions. In a word, if you were going to buy studded tires, just remember how often you had to drive on open ice? Perhaps it makes sense to change the decision in favor of non-studded winter tires.
Choose studded tiresWinter tires for SUV
There is one very common and very wrong opinion that four-wheel drive cars are much safer in winter. All owners of such cars need to learn a few simple truths:
- Jeeps with a 4x4 formula only accelerate faster. Other things being equal, they fail to slow down faster than a 2WD sedan.
- The higher the ground clearance (clearance), the less stable the car on the road
- Jeeps behave much better in off-road conditions, but not in ice
- The braking distance directly depends on the weight of the car. Heavy SUVs will always have longer stopping distances
It is well known that summer tires for an SUV look very similar to winter ones. Due to this, some motorists believe that such tires are quite suitable for winter conditions. At the same time, they do not take into account that the chemical composition of summer tires is designed for positive temperatures. In winter, however, such a tire becomes dull and completely loses its functionality. In addition, the likelihood of a tire rupture during a puncture in this case greatly increases. The only advantage of a jeep in winter is the increased cross-country ability in snowdrifts, which, you see, is not so often useful. From all this, it is easy to conclude that SUVs in winter are high-risk vehicles. In the cold season, jeep drivers need to be even more careful and cautious than everyone else.
Select SUV tiresHow to choose summer tires?
For summer, picking up tires is much easier. Here you need to proceed, again, from the weather conditions that accompany most of the warm season in your region, and your driving style.
- When choosing summer tires, keep in mind that for low speeds and measured driving, it is better to stay on symmetrical non-directional tires.
- If you often drive on highways, it may make sense to choose tires with a symmetrical directional pattern. They also provide good grip on wet roads.
- Asymmetric tires are good for both measured movement and high-speed cars. Here, when choosing, pay special attention to the load and speed indices.
Is it possible to put unequal tires
Quite often, motorists discuss the question of what happens to the car if you put different tires on different axles. Yes, sometimes it happens that a kit bought for a season may not be enough, and tires of the same model can no longer be found. If you choose tires that are similar in characteristics, then, most likely, nothing terrible will happen.
And if, for example, in winter in a two-wheel drive car we prefer to put winter tires only on the drive axle, then serious problems arise here. Some believe that winter tires are needed, at best, in order to accelerate faster and stop faster. You already know what happens to summer tires in winter. Hardened rubber completely loses its functionality and breaks down much faster. It is not difficult to imagine what happens to a car when, when turning, the rear wheels simply do not hold traction. Skid even at low speed is almost guaranteed. And it does not matter how much the car weighs and what kind of drive system it has.
You need to remember a simple rule: you need to put the same tires on all wheels. This is especially true for seasonal tires. A set should always consist of five wheels. Why fifth? This is a spare. Only this way and nothing else.
What is Run Flat?
Run Flat are the so-called "impenetrable" tires. Tires with reinforced sidewalls that prevent a punctured wheel from "standing on the rim" while driving. Run Flat is a technology that is only used in premium tires. That is, they are, compared to conventional tires, very expensive. However, this is far from their only drawback.
According to numerous reviews, these tires have as many minuses, and maybe more, than pluses. Firstly, you can drive on a punctured wheel no more than 80-90 kilometers, and secondly, the speed, at the same time, also cannot exceed 80 km / h. Almost all reviews from motorists' forums about Run Flat tires come down to simple definitions: very tough, poor handling, unreliable. Again, repairing such tires is not always possible. Not every service has equipment that allows them to be restored. This is especially true of the depths. Tires from some manufacturers can only be repaired at branded car services and only once. Against this background, the main advantage of Run Flat is almost completely overshadowed by the disadvantages.
If in most cases you still have to install a spare tire, is there any point in them? The only thing that can be confidently said in defense of such tires is that the most advanced materials are used in their production. Since tires with run flat technology belong to the premium segment, manufacturers, of course, do not save on them.
Select RunFlat TiresRetreaded tires
Some well-known manufacturers, as part of an environmental protection program, retread worn tires. Some brands even have subsidiaries specializing in tire retreading. How to identify a retreaded tire? By special marking. It is usually applied on the side of the tire. Most often, this is the inscription "Retread", for American tires - "Remould", for German tires - "Regummerad".
How safe and functional are these tires? Since the tread and (often) the sidewall are usually welded on at the factory, the tire really gets new life. At the same time, only a frame usually remains from the old version. The tread pattern can change completely. The purchase of such a tire is always a kind of roulette game. It is easy to guess that the very fact of restoration leaves no chance of the technology that was used in the original version.
As a result, a retreaded tire is the chemical composition of rubber for one model, and the tread pattern for a completely different one. When does it make sense to install retreaded tires? Only if you prefer an extremely discreet driving style and very rarely get out of the city. Such rubber is quite capable of performing the main functions, but in no way is designed either for high speeds, or for additional loads, or for special grip and off-road properties. Retread tires are usually purchased for municipal commercial vehicles. Whether it makes sense to save and buy such tires for your car, decide for yourself.
Colored markers on tires
Sometimes on tires you can see various markings, which are done with ordinary paint. Small round spots on the sidewall of the tire or longitudinal colored stripes on the tread of the tire. It is obvious that such markers are erased over time, which means that they do not carry any significant information either for the driver or for the master of the tire shop. Quite right, markers applied with colored paint are landmarks for various services that install tires on a conveyor or store them.
Spots of various colors with a diameter of 5-10 millimeters on the side are marks for workers who carry out the first installation of a tire on a car. Usually such a spot during assembly is combined with a tire nipple. The number inside the geometric pattern (circle, triangle, etc.) is just a stamp marking the passage of technical control at the factory. The number usually means the personal number of the specialist who carried out the inspection.
The longitudinal colored stripes on the tread are marks that in no case mean the presence of a marriage or some kind of non-compliance with the standard. Such stripes are applied to the tread solely to make it easy for warehouse workers to distinguish tires of a certain model in the total mass.
Here, in general, is everything you need to know in order to choose tires for your car. In any case, do not forget that all your questions about tire labeling can be answered by the seller. Just call and find out everything you need.
Select tiresBefore the winter season, every car enthusiast faces a difficult choice - which winter tires are better to buy. The safety of traffic, people's lives and compliance with the law as a whole depend on this. According to paragraph 5.5 of Annex No. 8 of the Customs Union, the law stipulates a mandatory period for driving on winter tires from December to February of each year. However, the weather conditions in our country are different every year, and the snow can “fall” as early as October, and come off at the end of January. That is why the period of mandatory "change shoes" is determined by the regional authorities. Both non-studded and studded winter tires are allowed. The traffic rules regulate the mandatory tread size and the size of winter tires for each car.
In addition to creating road safety, the presence of studs (according to the authorities) threatens the modern road surface, which is not covered with snow. This leads to the destruction of the layers of the road, so the traffic police carefully check the "shoes" of cars in the off-season.
If you know everything about winter tires, have chosen a model and want to buy winter tires already, go to the store "Free Wheels"- verified! I have ordered from him many times, the prices are always better than others . Large selection of tires, wheels and various auto products. The order can be made online with delivery even to the regions.
New or used winter tires
In addition to a wide variety of tire manufacturers in the store, car enthusiasts choose between new wheels and used ones. Both of them have their pros and cons.
Such wheels are guaranteed not to swell during the first ride (in the case of high-quality production). If this happens, they can be returned under warranty. New tires will last longer without repair, and it will not be difficult to install new studs in them, if possible. It is difficult to find used tires for some car models, so you have to buy or order only a new product. The only downside is the high price. But it also turns into a plus if you calculate the data in the ratio of depreciation and the life of the new rubber.
When looking to buy winter tires, many car owners first turn to popular sites that sell used goods. There, the owner indicates how long the wheels have been in operation. Information is presented from words, it can be impossible to verify the authenticity of the information, so the buyer has to believe. The price of winter tires that have already been used by another car owner will be lower than for new products. But taking into account the average service life of 2 to 4 seasons, as a result, such an acquisition is unprofitable.
Which winter tires are best
As already mentioned, winter tires can be studded and non-studded. The difference between them is not only in the presence of spikes.
- Scandinavian winter tire- Designed for maximum grip on snowy or icy road surfaces. It has an average depth of drawing from 8 to 10 mm, with a discharged effect. The pattern is applied in a checkerboard pattern, rectangular or diamond-shaped patterns. The protector is equipped with lamellas. There is a large distance between the drawing. This form is designed to punch through the surface;
- European winter tire– Designed for driving on wet roads from rain or snow. All slots are thin, with a large number of channels for water.
The spikes on such tires are arranged in a different order, depending on the manufacturer. Most often they can be of 2 types: round or diamond-shaped. The most reliable are considered "recessed" in the coating. They are deeply soldered, while the tip from the outside protrudes strongly and interacts well with the road.
Interesting fact! In some countries, the use of studs on wheels is prohibited.
Studs can help with traction on icy and snowy roads, but when it rains, they can fail, increasing the stopping distance. The spikes add noise and quickly fly out when driving on a surface without snow and ice.
The definition of "all-weather tires" is often heard. Such products are actively used in Europe, but they are not suitable for use in the harsh Russian climate. The rating of the best winter tires for Russians consists of studded and non-studded wheels, which is what you should be guided by.
Rating of the best winter tires in 2018
So, let's get down to reviewing the best winter tires. The top brands and the most time-tested models of winter tires will participate in the ranking.
The best winter tires of 2018 from several popular manufacturers. In general, last year's situation on the supply market has not changed much, the annual leaders in quality according to the rating of winter tires firmly hold their positions
1 place. Opens our winter tire rating - Nokian
A popular winter tire with a wide range of wheels adapted to the harsh Russian climate. Nokian winter tires are specially designed to suit the characteristics of each car and for different weather conditions. Despite the large range of products, there are negative opinions about this brand in the reviews. One of the drawbacks is the noise when driving. They complain about slight braking difficulties and skidding. For the price, the wheels are in the golden mean of similar offers.
Nokian winter tires are popular among Russian car owners in 2 models: Hakapelita and Nordman. Both models are claimed to be the best in the line especially for the harsh Russian winters.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta studded winter tires
A series of winter tires designed specifically for harsh climatic conditions. The presence of spikes makes the coupling with the road reliable, the rubber does not make much noise, and does not cause strong complaints from the reviews. This rubber has been the leader among studded tires since 2009. In total, there are 8 models in the Hakapelita winter tire line. The popular Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 features vacuum clutch technology, with RunFlat technology available for some sizes. Radii from 13 to 22. In the line "Sun" from 14 to 22 specifically for SUVs.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 according to the assurances of the developers, it was created for fuel economy, the absence of noise and excellent adhesion to the road surface. The test of winter tires 2018 showed that this model does really well on ice, but the reviews say that the tires are very noisy.
Latest Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9— even more balanced and adapted to winter conditions. Equipped with two different types of studs, which gives even better grip on ice, under different temperature conditions.
The second most popular winter tire from Nokian also made it to the top:
The range is presented from 13 to 17 radius with a profile width in the range from 155 to 235. Rubber is equipped with spikes, tubeless, radial. It promises excellent grip on ice, snow and wet surfaces. In fact, it gets along well only with snow and partially with moisture. Ice contributes to drifts, prevents successful braking. Another variation of the series - Nokian Nordman 7 Sun with radii from 15 to 18 and with a profile width of up to 285 is produced specifically for SUVs.
2nd place. Bridgestone tires
Bridgestone winter tires have been produced by a Japanese company since the 1930s. Since then, car models and production technology have changed a lot. The company produces several model lines of summer, all-season (Velcro) and studded tires. The most popular winter tire models are Blizak and Ice Cruiser.
Non-studded winter tires bridgestone blizzak VRX and DM
Bridgestone Blizzak VRX for cars and DM for crossovers is considered the most versatile tire that has proven itself very well. Designed for long service life on difficult icy surfaces. A feature of these models is a clear instruction for mounting the wheels - they have an outer and inner side for more efficient operation. The creators of the models of this series took care of the reliability of the rubber coating. When the outer layer wears off, the porous surface does not lose grip for a long time. Bridgestone Blizzak tires last a long time, while remaining soft and resilient. Despite the difficulties of covering domestic roads, they are very resistant to natural features.
Also in the line of bridgestone blizzak winter tires there is the SPIKE-01 and SPIKE-02 model, which is gaining popularity, which also deserves attention.
Designed for even more difficult climatic conditions. The new arrangement of studs in 16 lines instead of the previous 12, increases the chances of maximum stability of the car. Bridgestone Ice Cruiser winter tires repel moisture and have good road holding properties. The rubber was specially developed as a multi-component rubber with the ability to hold studs longer than other manufacturers. The latest model of studded winter tires bridgestone ice cruiser 7000 has proven itself among motorists and has taken pride of place not only in our rating, but throughout the world.
3rd place. Michelin tires
The French manufacturer of winter tires is quite popular throughout Russia. Michelin winter tires have several lines specifically for severe weather with negative temperatures.
The michelin x ice range of winter tires is based on the unique "APS: Adaptability" system. It allows the rubber to bend only in the right places, fixing the position of the car on the road. The sipes of michelin x ice 3 winter tires are made in a Z-shape, the shoulder area with sharp edges. This allows a car equipped with such rubber to get out of any snow “porridge”, the wheels simply grind the substance, throwing it back and pushing the car forward without skidding.
The Michelin X Ice Nord 3 winter tire is equipped with a smart stud system. At a large negative air temperature, the rubber around the stud seizes, hardens and contributes to better retention of the studs and more aggressiveness on the road. This may increase noise, but it retains traction more reliably. In general, the tire is quite soft and behaves well on any snowy surface.
4th place. Tires
The solid frame of the products of the German manufacturer won the hearts of Russians back in the 90s. Tires were imported into the country along with used foreign cars. Their endurance made the products popular and gradually Continental winter tires entered the top three in popularity.
The composition of the products includes high-quality artificial rubber and silicates. The tread with a water-wicking pattern and many small dashes on the tread wicks liquid well. The tire is equipped with rigid diamond-shaped checkers, which perfectly hold the car in corners.
Winter tires Continental Conti Viking Contact 6 are ideal for all-wheel drive vehicles. They easily cope with off-road, literally scattering snow porridge and keeping the car from skidding.
They interact well with asphalt, have an asymmetric tread, radii from 12 to 24. Designed for fuel economy and good handling on ice with a smooth ride. A large number of studs gives good grip on ice, and a deep tread well rakes snow-covered sections of the road.
According to reviews, the tires are quite noisy and do not pull well out of drifts with snow “porridge”. But a good distribution of tread zones, with a fairly large number of toothy studs, gives a sense of security and confident driving sensations.
5th place. Cordiant tires
Unlike previous representatives of tires, Cordiant winter tires have an average price category. They are available to most car owners in Russia, so there are more product reviews.
Winter tires Cordiant Polar
The cordiant polar winter tire series is available in both studded and non-studded versions. Rubber developed on the basis of the predecessors cordiant polar. It has an ornate serpentine tread pattern that allows you to easily get rid of moisture on the go. The tire is designed for 128 studs in 4 rows. Longitudinal and transverse grip, efficient braking and successful driving. The disadvantages include acoustic features and increased fuel consumption. Cordiant polar 2 pass poorly on a snowy road, can contribute to skidding during heavy braking. The main reason for buying from many owners is the affordable price and a satisfactory number of studs.
Cordiant snow cross - tires for compact and middle class cars. Maneuverability is stabilized by a V-shaped tread pattern and a contact patch that wicks moisture away from the tire. Tire Cordiant Snow Cross is not suitable for winter with air temperatures above +5 degrees. This does not apply to the beginning of the off-season - despite the "mess" on the roads, it often freezes at night and the use of studded tires is necessary. But if such a winter is throughout the season, and the asphalt is not covered with snow at all, this model will not be suitable for use. When driving on a road without snow cover, it creates a lot of noise, wears out quickly, the spikes fly off quickly.
6th place. Dunlop tires
Dunlop winter tires are less popular in Russia compared to the previous titans of rubber production for cars. It has the widest range of models specifically for the harsh snowy winter. The wear resistance of tires of this brand allows you to successfully use them for several seasons. In total, the company has several popular series, each of which is divided into a list of models with features in the tread pattern and tire structure.
Dunlop produces quite a few good models of non-studded tires, such as Maxx SJ8, Maxx WM01.
Tire radii from 13 to 21, there are one and a half sizes. Quality rubber, withstands long trips at low temperatures. Minimal noise on the road, the rubber does not "dube".
But the most popular and best winter tire among the whole line is Dunlop sp winter Ice 02 and Dunlop Grandtrek Ice 02
Studded winter tires Winter ice 02 for passenger cars and Grandtrek 02 for crossovers are well suited for a region with harsh winters and difficulties on snowy roads. Winter Ice and Dunlop Grandtrek tires are equipped with 3D Maura-Ori sipes and a unique triangular pattern in the middle that effectively wicks away moisture. Dunlop winter tires have unique carbide core studs. This makes them practically indestructible on ice and effective in the fight against snow on the road.
7th place. Pirelli tires
Manufacturer of the world's only tires for racing on snowy terrain. The high-speed Pirelli model is designed for speeds up to 270 km/h. More modest models are designed to pass through bad weather in its various manifestations.
Produced according to the innovative technology "Pirelli Dual Stud", which produced special double spikes, literally soldered into rubber. Pirelli winter ice zero is sharpened for rapid acceleration. Otherwise, it does not exhibit very good braking properties in the snow, it is quite noisy.
Equipped with hexagonal spikes mounted in special flanges. Presented side by side from 13 to 21 radius, for cars of the SUV class. Pirelli formula ice is the most "long-playing" model of the manufacturer. It is almost impossible to lose or damage reliable spikes, so Pirelli winter tires retain their properties for a long time.
8th place. Hankook tires
Hankuk winter tires are one of the best, adapted to the variety of the harsh climate of Russia. The special structure of the lamellas, the snowflake on the tread and the “husky marks”, together with the elegant functional tread pattern, won the hearts of Russian motorists. The affordable price of rubber finally influenced the popularity.
The hankook winter tire range has 14 models, each designed for specific conditions and created according to the desires of customers.
Hankook Winter I Pike has gained good popularity among car enthusiasts and is well established in the market, gaining its fans. The line also has a sports version of Hankook Winter I Pike RS and Hankook Winter I Pike RS+.
Under heavy braking, Winter I Pike winter tires "grab" the road, preventing the car from going into the skid and securely holding the device in place. There are through drainage systems and the number of tread blocks is doubled. Outwardly, the pattern is very elegant, which also catches the eye of buyers.
9th place. tires
Despite the active efforts of foreign manufacturers of winter tires, they cannot fully understand the difficult climate of Russian roads. In this matter, the domestic plant "Nizhnekamskshina" acts as an expert. For many years they have been producing reliable, inexpensive and practical tires for modern cars.
The only variant of KAMA winter tires that deserve attention:
Kama 519 tires do not have intricate patterns or complex stud systems. They are developed according to the Finnish Irbis system - one of the most reliable studded tires in the world. Winter tires Kama euro 519 have 2.45 mm spikes, securely planted in high-quality rubber.
Modern rubber used in the manufacture of products perfectly adapts to difficult weather conditions. Winter tire Kama euro 519 has a two-layer tread. The duration of the operational period of this model is achieved precisely due to the two-layer structure, where the lower layer is hard, holding the spikes, and the upper one is softer and can change depending on the type of road surface. This model is the most adapted to all types of roads. The only dissatisfaction is expressed in reviews regarding the handling of a car “shod” in such tires on ice. But the cost and braking qualities are at a level suitable for most buyers.
10th place. Yokohama tires
The uniqueness of this manufacturer for Russian consumers lies in the versatility of the range. The company produces not only tires for passenger cars, but also wheels for agricultural machinery, aircraft, etc. With respect to modern production methods, it is one of the leading leaders worldwide. Yokohama's analytics are based on test drives, scientific research on rubber properties and customer feedback.
Yokohama winter tires are popular among Russian car owners. The use of an asymmetric tread pattern makes the tires as resistant to slip as possible and has a good effect on traction.
The rating includes studded winter tires Yokohama Ice Guard IG35 PLUS
These tires have been on the market since 2013. During this time, a general opinion has already been formed regarding the quality of tires. The wide center in the tread pattern has a positive effect on stability during maneuvers. Modern 3D lamellas also contribute to the high-quality operation of the tire on the road surface with ice and snow. Of the shortcomings - it quickly loses spikes.
Let's sum up the rating:
All listed winter tires are the best in their class for winter. The rating was compiled primarily on the basis of surveys of owners, reviews on the forums and a general comparison of characteristics.
If you want to buy the best winter tires, check out all the options listed. If they are in our rating, then they deserve attention and even more purchase.
Proven and profitable sites where tires were bought - not just for testing!
- Internet shop "Free Wheels"— Large selection of winter tires, wheels, auto oils and other automotive products.
- Internet shop "S-Tire"— Large selection of winter tires, convenient search by selection and free consultation of specialists.
If you are careful about choosing winter tires, be sure to read the reviews. This list of reviews about winter tires will be constantly updated.
An article about how and which tires are better to buy: 10 important tips and recommendations for the buyer. At the end of the article - a video on how to choose tires and what you need to know when buying them.
The content of the article:
A variety of manufacturers and brands of tires can confuse any buyer, especially if the purchase of this important component for a car is for the first time.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that the tires differ not only in the name of the manufacturer - they are really very different. How to avoid mistakes and make the right purchase? Let's figure it out.
Wealth of choice
According to their purpose, tires are very diverse. For driving in a dynamic sports style - one, for a measured movement - others. Moreover, when choosing tires, you need to take into account the weather in the area where the car will be operated.
Car tires also differ by season: there are tires for winter and for summer, and there is also a budget all-weather option.
Summer tires can be used at temperatures above plus five degrees. They fall into the following categories:
- tires of universal type;
- tires for movement on highways;
- tires for driving on dirt and rough terrain.
road tires- the most common option. Marking - N / T, N / R. They are distinguished by low noise, a high degree of adhesion to the road, but it is better not to use them in mud and off-road.
mud tires more suitable for off-road. Their marking is M/T. On a clean road, they are noisy, but they do an excellent job in mud and rough terrain.
Winter tires also have their own categories, depending on what kind of winter the motorist expects:
- scandinavian studded;
- arctic;
- European.
Arctic tires, or, as they are also called, Velcro, are focused on harsh winter conditions, low temperatures. The treads of such tires are distinguished by a very dense pattern, their rubber is soft, retaining its properties well at low temperatures.
European tires designed for the winter in a mild European climate (hence their name), which is dominated by precipitation in the form of rain and wet snowfall. They have well thought out drainage, but on an icy or snowy road, tires of this type are not the most convenient option.
All season tires good for short distances, low vehicle load. They are inexpensive, but they do not last long. The only plus is the ability to use them at any time of the year.
In addition to the above classification, tires are also distinguished:
- low profile - convenient for smooth roads in the city, but unsuitable for off-road;
- Run Flat tires - for cars with tire pressure control, allowing you to drive up to 150 km even on rubber that has received a puncture;
- off-road - for rough terrain and clay roads.
- symmetrical directional - for high-speed sports driving, stable on a wet track;
- symmetrical non-directional - inexpensive, the most common for the city, but do not allow high speeds to be developed in winter;
- asymmetric directional - the most expensive option, which makes it possible to move at good speed on wet roads, but is difficult to install;
- asymmetric non-directional - a popular choice for driving on wet roads, it has good handling.
As can be seen from the above classifications, the abundance of brands and varieties of tires can really confuse. Therefore, when buying, it is better to use a number of useful tips.
1. Choose the right time to buy
It is best to plan the purchase of tires in advance - this is an opportunity not only to thoughtfully approach the choice, but also save significant funds.
It is most profitable to buy tires during the off-season, from January to March or from May to September. It was at this time that there was a lower activity of customers in stores and tire fitting: everyone had already “changed their shoes”, the queues had disappeared, discounts on rubber appeared in stores.
It is also a good time when manufacturers are changing their product line. During this period, stores tend to get rid of previous models as quickly as possible, doing this with the help of large discounts. Sometimes the discount can reach half the original cost of the tires.
Finally, buy tires in advance for the simple reason that with a “burning” purchase in stores, the right model and brand may simply not be available, and then you have to take something else, and even at exorbitant prices.
2. Analyze opinions and reviews
Having opted for any brand of tires, it would be useful to get acquainted with the reviews of motorists. And here there is one important nuance: the most valuable will be the reviews of those motorists for whom these tires have served no less than a quarter of the declared resource.
That is, if the rubber has a maximum mileage of 80 thousand kilometers, the reviews of drivers who have such tires managed to “run” at least 20 thousand kilometers will be interesting and informative.
Any tires will be perfect as long as they are new. But statistics indicate that most of the problems in rubber occur when its resource is depleted by a quarter or more. At this time, there may be problems with balancing, uneven abrasion, hydroplaning, blisters on the rubber, and noise when driving.
Another important point is the brand of the car on which the tires are installed. For the buyer, the reviews of the owners of cars of the same brand will be most useful. The modern assortment has a wide range of tires that can be installed on almost any type of passenger car, from sports coupes to SUVs.
But on different types of cars, such tires behave differently, so it is important to know what it is like when used on a car of a specific weight and power.
3. Average cost is not a measure of durability
This advice is based on observations in recent years. Unfortunately, even manufacturers of high-quality tires have recently “lowered the bar” somewhat, and now the concept of “the most expensive rubber” is not identical to the concept of “the most durable”.
Manufacturers of well-known brands focus on the performance of their products, not on their durability. If earlier to buy expensive tires meant to buy them for a long time, today the emphasis has shifted: expensive tires are excellent characteristics that correspond to the declared data in the product passport, but at the same time, such tires are not at all obliged to serve for a long time.
4. Features of using the car
When choosing the type of tires, it is important to take into account the real conditions in which the car is operated.
With the constant operation of the car in the urban cycle and traffic jams, it makes no sense to purchase tires designed for the dynamic food of a sports car - with their beautiful appearance and excellent performance such tires in traffic jams will “kill” very quickly.
Rubber is a material that changes over time. Even the highest quality tires degrade over the years. Therefore, it is best to purchase newly manufactured products.
The shelf life of rubber largely depends on the conditions under which it is stored before being sold and installed on a car. You should know that rubber tires do not tolerate ultraviolet, sunlight, and storage conditions in store warehouses can be very, very different. Therefore, there is only one way out - to try to purchase tires that were stored there for a minimum time.
The tire release date can be seen on the side wall. Tires are marked with the year and week of manufacture (four-digit DOT code).
Tires are something that you should never buy used. If a car is purchased, there must be enough funds for its tires, otherwise it is not worth buying it at all. If other components can still be purchased used, then with tires this is unacceptable.
The reason for such a strict rule is that used tires are very difficult to evaluate. The inner cord of the tire may be damaged, and this problem “crawls out” only when air is supplied to the tire under pressure for a year. Used tires, as a rule, are sold without wheels, and you won’t be able to see the problem.
To be fair, it should be said that good used tires also exist, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
7. Don't pay too much attention to the brand
Modern production is not a single, even the most famous brand insures the consumer against low quality.
Even Nokian or Michelin have both excellent and not the best tires in their model line. Therefore, you should not become an ardent fan of the brand, not paying attention to the features of various models.
8. Shop selection
The selected model must be carefully examined. An important characteristic is the sidewall of the tire. If it is thin, the car can get additional instability on the track. And an overly soft wall will be unnecessarily vulnerable to side effects on the tire.
A small tread is, of course, beautiful, but it should be remembered that after 15 thousand kilometers many tread elements disappear, and with them the main characteristics of the tread.
9. The choice of tires depends on the intensity of use of the car
If the driver operates a car with little intensity, he should not buy tires that have a long resource. The reason for this warning is that rubber loses its properties over the years. Therefore, it may turn out that a lot of money has been paid for the protectors, the resource has not yet been exhausted, and the quality is already starting to deteriorate rapidly.
With a small annual mileage, it is better to purchase cheaper tires, which will "cope" with the mileage, but during this time they will not have time to lose the properties of the material.
Living in regions with severe winters requires a special approach to the choice of "winter" tires. You should not try to save money by purchasing "all-season" tires: such savings can be expensive. All-season tires are only good for warm climates without snow and ice, and even then they require frequent replacement.
Tire choice is a matter not to be taken lightly., because not only ride comfort, but also safety on the road depends on how well the protectors are selected.
Video on how to choose tires and what you need to know when buying them:
