How to choose winter tires, which will not bring

Why use winter tires

Winter tires are different from the summer, and it is not only in the tread pattern. Manufacturers are selected for the chemical composition of a certain temperature range, so to go beyond it tires lose their properties. At lower temperatures summer tires become less elastic, and can no longer provide adequate adhesion to the road surface, minimum stopping distance and other inherent characteristics.

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

They are designed for moderate weather conditions and high-quality road surface, which is usually dry and only occasionally gets wet. In an amicable way, they can be used only in the offseason, in addition to summer and winter tires.

That is why it is necessary to change the tires depending on the season. It is generally recommended change smb.'S shoes machine in winter tires, if over a week the air temperature rises above 5-7 ° C. Usually this is the end of October or beginning of November.

As is the case with

summer tiresChoose the winter is necessary, taking into account a number of important criteria and nuances. Let's try together to understand them.

What type of tires to choose

There are two main types of tires: studded and friction. The latter, in turn, are divided on the tire of the Scandinavian and European type. The result of all three varieties of winter tires, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain climatic conditions.

1. studded tires

Due to such anti-metal spikes tires provide better traction with the road surface and effective braking. They are designed for driving on solid dry ice and used in countries with severe winters. Due to the specificity of this type of tire is quite noisy. When driving on dry asphalt, they are deprived of their benefits and are quickly erased. In some European countries, studded tires are not allowed.

These tires are suited to anyone who spends much time in the country and live in regions where there is black ice. Residents of cities with roads that are regularly sprinkled with reagents, studded tire useless.

2. Friction tires Scandinavian

Are similar in their properties with studded tires and largely differ from them only in the absence of thorns. Tires of this type are designed to operate at low temperatures and large amounts of snow and provide the necessary traction due to a plurality of sipes on the tread, which is forced snow and ice crust. Because of its softness Scandinavian tire not the best act on the ice, too quickly erased on dry pavement, literally starting to swim.

Scandinavian-type tires are suitable for snow-covered areas with long and cold winters. With these tires you can not be afraid of the snow drifts and fishing weir, but will have to respect the speed limit, be careful with the entry into the turns, and sudden acceleration and braking.

3. Friction tires of European type

This is the exact opposite of the Nordic. These tires are ideal for regions with mild and wet winters, which are more frequent sleet and rain. They do an excellent job with snow porridge and able to ensure the safety when driving at higher speeds. But in the ice and rolled snow with such tires should be careful.

Suitable for driving in the city, where more can be found slush than ice, as well as when driving on pure asphalt at low temperatures.

How to read the markings

Decide on the type of tires, you can proceed to the consideration of specific models from different manufacturers. To compare the tires and choose the most suitable, you need to be able to read the marking, which is encrypted characteristics of a particular tire. We will understand the legend on a concrete example.

• P - size tires. In this case - short for Passenger, which indicates the tire for passenger cars.
• 215 - the width in millimeters.
• 65 - height in percent.
• R - radial design.
• 15 - rim size in inches.
• 95 - load index.
• T - Speed ​​index.
• M + S - Mud + Snow, or winter season tires.
• Treadwear 220 - wear index (the higher the better).
• And Traction - The brake performance. It is marked by A to C, wherein A - is the best.
• Temperature A - an indicator of resistance to heat. It is marked by A to C, wherein A - is the best.

Additional Information:

• All Seasons (or AS) - all-season tires.
• snowflake icon - snow tire.
• Tubeless - tubeless tire.
• max pressure - maximum pressure.
• Outside and Inside - indications of outside and inside on asymmetric tires.
• Rotation - the direction of rotation for directional tires.
• Water, Rain, Aqua, umbrella icon - hydroplaning resistance.

Most of the symbols in the selection are for information only, but some worth paying attention to. Among these parameters width and height profile, the load index and speed as well as braking and wear indicators.

How to choose the size

When selecting the size of the tires should put aside all the myths and tips neighbors in the garage, painted the advantages of low profile or increased diameter. It is not necessary to deviate from the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations: it has everything figured out, find the best option and have it in the manual.

If you want to save money, Get a second set of disks for winter tires with a smaller bore diameter. Purchase a rubber will be cheaper.

How to check the date of manufacture

Before buying it is necessary to check when the tires were manufactured. The fact that manufacturers ensure the immutability of the tire properties within two years of storage. If the tires are in stock longer, the tire loses its qualities and tires will not be able to fully ensure the adhesion to the road surface and effective braking.

Learn and understand the date of manufacture, whether to take vending set of tires is quite simple. Manufacturers indicate it on the side of the tire with a code of four digits. The first two indicate the week, and the second - Year. For example, 5016 - this is the 50th week or the middle of December 2016.

What else do you need to consider

And finally a few useful tips:

1. Refuse to purchase used tires / y. Over time, the rubber loses its properties, which, coupled with the existing wear can reduce the entire savings to nothing.
2. In no case do not buy tires only on the driving axle of the car. Because of the uneven traction wheels of different axles increases the risk skid.
3. To prolong the life of tires is recommended to rearrange them on the front axle to the rear or vice versa every 8000 km.
4. If you are using a set of tires is not the first, place the best pair on the rear axle of car, to eliminate the possibility of skidding.
5. Buy a second set of wheels for winter tires specifically to change one's shoes on their own and do not waste time in line at the tire.