With the arrival of cold weather, it is necessary to change tires from summer to winter. Every car enthusiast knows this. And which tires are better: studded or so-called Velcro? The choice is not obvious, and each type has its own adherents. This article summarizes the main pros and cons of these types of tires.
Instructions
Step 1
Studded winter tires are the most classic option. Their advantages:
+ Snow tread.
+ Steel studs break up the ice crust when braking and allow the machine to effectively decelerate.
Disadvantages of spikes appear in the city:
- Spikes are grinded when driving on clean asphalt. However, in modern studded tires, the spikes are removed in motion and protrude from the rubber only at the moment of braking.
- The spike creates noise when driving. This causes discomfort for some car owners with poor interior sound insulation.
Step 2
Velcro has the following advantages.
+ Rubber, unlike summer tires, does not "dub" in frost. The softness of the tire allows you to significantly shorten the braking distance in the cold season. On velcro in cold weather, the distance to a complete stop of a car from 80 km / h is about 70 meters, and for summer tires this figure is 110 m or more.
+ In the city, on clean asphalt, "Velcro" wear out no more than summer ones in their season.
+ The special shape of the tread ensures the car's handling in cold weather on snow and clean asphalt.
+ Minimal noise when driving. No more than summer tires.
There are also disadvantages:
- Velcro is less effective in braking on clean ice than studded. However, the softness of the rubber allows you to stop fairly quickly. According to independent tests of the magazine Behind the wheel, in freezing temperatures below -10-15 ° C, studs and Velcro show a similar result when braking on ice. But at temperatures from 0 to -10 ° C, the advantage of spikes is obvious.
Step 3
So what should you choose?
Experienced drivers recommend choosing the type of tires depending on where you are going to drive more often.
- If your main habitat is a city, then Velcro will be a good choice.
- If you live outside the city, then you should not risk it, only classic reliable spikes.
