How expensive tires differ from cheap ones and which ones are better to choose: an understandable guide

Budget tires: up to 5 thousand rubles per wheel

“Re-shoeing” a car for 20 thousand rubles or even cheaper is a tempting offer. But what about security? Will cheap tires be an additional risk factor on wet or icy roads?

Chasing a low price is still not worth it. So, you should not take a frank brand name or products of "young Chinese brands" with a price tag of 1,000–1,500 rubles per wheel. Better to look for options that are a little more expensive - for example, domestic production. Too cheap tires are always a lottery, and body repair is also a good thing, if only bodywork!) after skidding on low-quality rubber can be more expensive than a set of tires of a proven brand.

Many large manufacturers have budget lines or even separate brands for this segment - for example, the Serbian Strial Winter belongs to Michelin. These wheels often use the technology of "big brothers". But, of course, they can be noisier, not so comfortable, and it is definitely not recommended to go into corners at high speed - however, in winter it is not worth doing this even on expensive tires.

When choosing winter tires, pay attention to models with a reinforced shoulder area and a large number of sipes that can effectively wick moisture out of the contact patch. If you want studded tires, try the factory studded models right away - they'll last longer.

Check the ratings of the models before buying. Pay particular attention to the quality of braking on snow and ice, handling on slippery surfaces, prevention of aquaplaning and durability - including resistance to hernias. The issue of comfort is secondary here, because with a limited budget, you first need to evaluate the tire in terms of safety and suitability for the conditions in which you will use it.

What to buy:

• Nokian Tires Nordman 7 →
• Pirelli Ice Zero →
• Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice + →
• Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ →
• Kumho I'Zen KW31 →

If your budget is tight, you can buy used tires from well-known brands hand-held to save money without sacrificing safety. In this case, you need to carefully look at the remnant of the tread and the year of manufacture. First, the old tires may have passed more than the seller claims. Secondly, over time or with improper storage, cracks appear on the rubber, so that it does not provide good running properties.

The tread depth of winter tires of a passenger car must beTraffic rules of the Russian Federation, 5. Wheels and tires. Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of 23.10.1993 N 1090 (ed. of 12/31/2020) "On the Rules of the Road" (together with the "Basic Provisions for the Admission of Transport means of operation and duties of officials to ensure road safety ") (with rev. and additional, entry. in force from 01.09.2021) / ConsultantPlus 4 millimeters. Choose a rubber that was released 2-3 years ago. If she is older, she could dry out, lose elasticity and firmness. Riding such tires in winter is simply dangerous.

You can find tires in the right price range at Avito. There is a convenient filter system here: just indicate the desired amount and rubber parameters - you will receive the available options in the search results. And if you choose your city, you can see the offers directly on the map.

Detailed photos will help you understand the condition of the rubber, and for all questions you can write or call the seller. Many also offer free tire service so you can immediately check the tires and make sure they are free of hernias and other defects.

Buy winter tires on Avito

Tires of the middle price category: up to 10 thousand rubles per wheel

In this segment, the choice is wider. Each model is presented in a larger number of standard sizes, while the driving characteristics are more interesting, and the scores in the ratings are higher than those of the budget options. The subtlety is that it can be difficult to distinguish mid-segment tires from cheaper models. This is partly because budget tires sometimes "inherit" and "creatively rework" the tread shape of their expensive counterparts, while incurring much lower development and testing costs.

In addition, it is impossible to determine the composition of the compound (rubber compound) and the cord ("skeleton" of the tire) by its appearance. You can only consider the quality of performance, for example, the absence of burrs, but it is better to study this using real “non-photoshopped” pictures, and not by presentation photos from the manufacturer.

As a rule, a softer rubber compound with the addition of various polymers is used to create tires in the mid-price category. It provides a long service life and accurate passage of irregularities, does not tan at low temperatures and retains its properties in cold weather. The special shape of the tread cuts the water film better, more effectively removes liquid from the contact patch and does not slip on loose snow.

Even in more expensive tires, the cord consists of more elastic and stronger threads, which reduce the weight of the wheel, and with it the load on the suspension, as well as fuel consumption. The special mixture ensures less wear on the tires, so they can travel more kilometers - the specific data depends on the model and the road.

The reliability is also increased: the tire withstands blows and punctures without the formation of hernias and punctures. The risk of skidding is reduced and handling is increased, especially at speeds above 70–80 km / h. Finally, the tire noise is reduced so that long journeys are more comfortable. And that's not to mention the improved traction.

Studded models will most likely have multi-flanged studs. In contrast to single-flange versions, such spikes are of a more complex shape, they stand more stable and fall out less. In addition, due to the unusual cross-section (not round, but, for example, polygonal), better stability of the car on ice is ensured.

What to buy:

• Continental Viking Contact 7 →
• Michelin Alpin 6 →
• Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R3 →
• Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9 →
• Yokohama Ice Guard IG65 →

On Avito you can find a specific manufacturer's winter tire models - studded or non-studded. To do this, indicate the brand and seasonality, and all suitable options will appear in the search results.

Choose tires for the winter

Premium tires: more than 10 thousand rubles per wheel

On the one hand, wheels of large standard sizes fall into this category, on the other - options for specific conditions of use. For example, for winter off-road driving or sports driving.

When choosing, much depends on the specific task. So, for ice, models with spikes are suitable. If snowfalls are common in your area, Scandinavian tires are worth a look. They provide good traction even on snow-covered roads. European type tires are an option for mild winters, where snow gives way to rain, and there is often slush on the roads. Regardless of the model chosen, on country trips, it is better to keep track links, chains and a small sapper shovel in the trunk for safety reasons.

A separate story - pretentious tires for expensive cars. Here you can overpay, for example, for different studs in different tread zones, which in combination provide better grip. However, this solution is also used in the less expensive model Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9.

Another high price can be explained by the fact that expensive winter tires are much quieter than their budget counterparts and do not buzz at speeds above 80 km / h. Some drivers buy more expensive, wider, low profile tires because they provide better traction. It's cool to drive them on the asphalt, but it's better not to go out on ice.

When choosing a rubber, pay attention to a higher speed and load index. The required markings can be found on the side of the tire. It consists of a letter and a number: the letter is the speed index, the number is the load index. For example, the 91V marking means that such a model is designed for driving at speeds up to 240 km / h, and the permissible load per tire is up to 615 kilograms. But it is better to stay within the values ​​10% lower than stated: even during sports races, the maximum speed should not exceed 220 km / h.

A good option in the premium segment could be, for example, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5. Compared to the manufacturer's previous model, these tires have a modified tread pattern, which improves handling on ice and shortens the braking distance. You can also look at the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance +. The model received an updated rubber compound and performs well on snowy and icy tracks.

What to buy:

• Dunlop Winter Sport 5 →
• Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + →
• Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V3 →
• Yokohama W.Drive V905 →
• Continental WinterContact TS 850P →

On Avito collected 850 thousand offers for the sale of winter tires from all over Russia. You will find tires for everyday city trips, as well as for sports competitions or off-road conquest.

WITH Avito it is easy to find even a rare model in the required standard size or see all suitable options in your city and choose the most advantageous offer. Here you can also buy discs, hubcaps and other accessories for a stylish and comfortable ride.

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Please note: prices and offers are valid at the time of publication of the article.