The timely transition to winter tires is a guarantee of not only safe driving, but also long-term tire operation and fuel economy. However, the variety of tire models often leads to the wrong choice, which can be avoided if you have an idea of / u200b / u200bthe types of winter tires.
Replacing summer tires with winter tires and vice versa is an inevitability that almost every Russian driver faces every year. The main question is when is the best time to do it. According to experts, it is best to change the car's shoes into winter tires when the temperature reaches + 5-7C. However, it is better to play it safe: even if the air warms up to + 10C, the probability of morning frost is always quite high. In order for the car to skid, a very thin crust of ice is enough. Therefore, it makes sense to think about purchasing winter tires even when the temperature drops to 8-10C.
Tire and temperature
There is a connection between them, and quite a strong one; when it gets colder, the rubber becomes harder, its adhesion to the road surface is sharply reduced, and the braking distance increases. At a higher temperature, the opposite process takes place: the tire softens, the adhesion properties increase. However, there are also disadvantages: resistance increases and fuel consumption increases. Therefore, when using rubber in their products, manufacturers use different chemical compositions that react differently to the degree of air heating.
• Winter tires have softer rubber, - therefore, when used in summer, it softens a lot, wears out quickly, there is a feeling of heaviness when turning the steering wheel. But already at zero elasticity increases, the car is better controlled.
• Summer tires are made of tough rubber that can contact hot asphalt without decreasing its hardness. In frosty conditions, the tire becomes stiff and the ride can turn into a slip.
• There is also an all-season "rubber". It refers to the budget option. In summer, such tires wear out faster, and in winter they lose their elasticity, making it difficult to control the machine. The ideal temperature for such products is zero degrees.
When choosing a tire, you should also pay attention to the tread pattern. If you intend to often ride on wet snow, then a directional pattern is best suited, capable of deflecting the slush to the side. The non-directional drawing looks like it is made of two. When installing such a tire, it matters which side you put it in and which side out. Non-directional tires are well suited for those driving on contrasting surfaces; for example, sometimes dry asphalt, sometimes wet.
Spikes: pros and cons
Studs significantly increase winter grip. The more there are, the better the car's handling; slippage decreases, the braking distance becomes shorter. However, the use of studded tires is advisable when there is constant snow and ice on the roads. On dry asphalt, such tires will slow down worse, acceleration will become more sluggish. This is due to a decrease in the grip surface. In addition, the “spike” makes a lot of noise. If studded tires are right for you, then you need to run them in after driving for half an hour at a speed of 70-80 km / h on a flat road.
