The approach of cold weather, the prolonged fall of the year and the rare morning frosts call for motorists to “overshoot” their vehicle. The question of which winter tires are best to choose does not lose its relevance since the manufacturers have identified 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 wheel types for different operating conditions.

Content

• 1 How to choose winter tires for a car
• 2 What is the difference between winter and summer tires
• 3 Application "spikes"
• 4 Required number of winter tires
• 5 Winter tires by climate
  • 5.1 European
  • 5.2 Scandinavian
• 6 Division of winter tires according to tread pattern.
• 7 Overview on tire models

Как выбрать зandмнюю резandну для автомобandля

A huge choice of rubber for winter is rather an illusion. In reality, most buyers make a choice of 3-4 manufacturers. Consumers often form their conclusions about this product, accumulating information from several sources. For some, the authority of the sales consultant, often working for the minimum wage, accidentally settling for a seasonal part-time job in the autoshop. Sometimes these "advisers" themselves do not even have personal transport.

Winter tires

Someone listens to advertising slogans from a TV or radio, taking on faith appealing appeals to “get high status” by buying new wheels for a car. More "advanced" motorists read forums with "tips experienced".

The most correct option would be use of all this information along with reviews of real users and connecting your own logic.

But before you make a choice and decide for yourself that it is better to choose winter studless tires or wheels with a powerful spike tread change driving style to "winter":

• speed limit should be reduced by a quarter of the summer;
• the distance is required to keep a large one and a half to two times;
• avoid abrupt 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 using a more elastic material. It remains the same even with a significant decrease in temperature. Based on natural rubber with the addition of silicon additives. In this way, the best coefficient of friction with the road surface is provided, the contact patch increases, and the grip to the road surface increases.

Visually, winter tires will have a larger profile than summer tires and a smaller wheel width. Due to such parameters, the permeability increases and the ability to resist to lateral drifts increases.

The tread on winter slopes is more aggressive than on summer ones. This form helps self-purification from freezing plaque. The rubber profile is inscribed with channels dividing the surface into separate segments. Such drainage slits create a reliable grip, and their design is calculated by each manufacturer for complex algorithms.

Marking winter tires

When operating different types of rubber, you need to know the rules for its use:

• Summer tires most effective above 5C. Lower temperatures harden the slopes. Rubber becomes tough, the car becomes almost uncontrollable even on a dry surface. The risk of drifts increases, the stopping distance increases.
• Winter tires when operating above 5With begins to "swim." The car loses stability. There is additional noise in the cabin, and there is an intense wear on the surface of the wheel.
• All-season ramps suitable for temperatures from +10C to -5C. When leaving this range, they are significantly inferior to seasonal products and show negative sides of inconsistencies in temperature.

See also: What to do with a hernia on the wheel and is it possible to drive

Application "spikes"

In many European countries, the use of rubber with spikes is prohibited by law. There is no such sharp ban in our country. In contrast to the milder European climate, we have regions with dry snowy winters. Often it is there that the thorns most effectively manifest themselves.

There are several types of spikes:

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

Studded ramps

For latitudes in which less snowy cold months or temperature fluctuations often make “porridge” of melting snow on the road, good and inexpensive winter tires with spikes will be not only ineffective, but 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 a mistake. After all, these wheels are set not only to easily get under way on a slippery surface, but also for safe driving in various conditions.

Stop at the traffic lights in the winter - it is very important, but you also need to be able not to get into a skid on your car when entering the turn. If there is only one axis “shod” in the season, then this maneuver will become very risky.

Владельцам внедорожнandков с полным прandводом перед тем как задуматься о том,what winter tires is better to choose, нужно сразу настраandваться на покупку полного комплекта шandн. Ведь у этandх авто увелandченный клandренс, что дает дополнandтельную парусность, соответственно меньшую устойчandвость на дороге.

You may also need a spare. The situation with a beaten wheel can catch the driver anywhere, and no one will say how much you need to get to the nearest service to correct the situation. Therefore, the right amount for winter tires is five ramps.

Winter tires by climate

Modern manufacturers distinguish two types of winter tires. They are conventionally called "European" and "Scandinavian." Such a division describes 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 a small amount of wet snow. Tires at the same time should provide high-quality grip.

The choice between Scandinavian and European

To a greater extent, the design of such a product is similar to the rain showers. Diagonal grooves supplemented by a large number of drainage systems. Visually, it is characterized by a large number of channels that help to cling to the ground, and lamellae, thin furrows.

A larger number of such long cuts helps to more effectively perform its function. Wet snow comes into the channel section, and the tread edge aspires to get close to the road surface. Literally digging up asphalt, the tread creates a patch of contact with the road.

Scandinavian

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

The network of patterns on the surface of the Scandinavian type is not as developed as on the European version. The main texture is not cuts, but diamond-shaped elements, arranged in chess order. Such an arrangement offers advantages on icy roads. Ice or crust is broken under alternating "rhombuses". Tires are often used for winter rides on rough terrain.

See also: How to choose tires by car brand

Division of winter tires by tread pattern

A visual inspection will help divide the tires into two categories of pictures: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Both categories are divided into a couple of subcategories: with directional pattern and undirected.

The most common pattern is a symmetrical version. Although such tires produce a small buzz in the cabin, with urban use, but their price is a positive quality. They belong to the middle and low price segments. More expensive are wheels with an asymmetrical pattern. They are less noisy during operation.

Rubber selection

To divert water from the point of contact with the road surface, a directional pattern is used. On the side of the tire must indicate the correct direction of rotation of the wheel.

Трand основных вandда рandсунков являются наandболее часто встречающandмandся: ненаправленный асandмметрandчный, направленный сandмметрandчный and ненаправленный сandмметрandчный. Четвертый варandант с асandмметрandчным and undirected рandсунком является достаточно дорогandм and редкandм экземпляром.

Riding in urban areas will be comfortable on asymmetric rubber. On the city streets of megacities such a picture will not add noise to the salon and will give confidence on the pavement cleaned from snow. However, this type of wheels will not be useful at country trips.

High drifts of rammed snow will help to overcome directional drawing with a bright design. He will not be afraid of even slightly melted snow. Shallow snow with water pereret non-directional tread.

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

Review on tire models

For central Russia, the most advantageous application would be a symmetrical directional tread pattern. It efficiently shovels wet clods of snow, at the same time provides directional stability for the vehicle. Such tires will surely behave during slush and snow porridge. Defining specifically which firm of rubber is better for the winter, we consider several options. When choosing high-quality rubber is not worth saving on their own safety.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice 2 winter tires for rough terrain. Protectors worthily show themselves on poorly frozen ground. The shape of the picture is designed for efficient snow raking. The product has a long operational resource. Cost from 49 dollars.

Michelin Alpin A4 шandны с directional протектором. Скаты подойдут для снежной зandмы and морозной погоды за счет andспользованandя прand andх проandзводстве спецandального мягкого каучукового сплава. Практandческand не становandтся жесткой в мороз and уверенно стоandт прand маневрах на мокром покрытandand. Стоandмость от 46 долларов.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R it is used in areas with off-road and during heavy snowfalls. Rubber copes with friable snow and has a long service life. There is no additional noise from her in the cabin. It is used during wet snow due to high-quality drainage of water from the contact patch. Cost from 44 dollars.

Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ ideal for city road. Low noise tires with external hooks cope with high snowdrifts. Grooves for water disposal cope perfectly well, providing control over the car in muddy conditions with wet snow. Tires also cope with the wet road at near-zero temperatures, keeping the car from drifting in corners. Cost from 42 dollars.