How to choose the right winter tires
• Models and types of tires behave differently when used in different climatic regions and conditions. We can say that a particular model of winter tires is better than other tires, but this is not the case. When choosing winter tires, you can only give some recommendations, taking into account the conditions of their operation. First of all, when choosing winter tires, you need to pay attention to non-studded and studded models.
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• Studs allow you to shorten the braking distance, increase the coefficient of adhesion to the road, in conditions of snow rolling and ice they reduce the likelihood of slipping, so it is not so easy to choose the right winter tires.
Motorists who live in snowy areas or those who often travel out of town in winter are best suited winter studded tires. Studded tires out of season are designed for temperatures from -20'C to -5'C. The most efficient are tires with an asymmetric tread pattern. They optimize traction on packed snow and ice, but degrade traction on dry pavement. On a clean asphalt surface, during operation, they grind off, fly out and make noise.
• They are less effective when accelerating and braking in areas where most of the winter on the roads is either wet snow or completely dry. Since the tires have a sufficiently large number of studs, the area of contact between the wheel and the road is reduced.
This leads to the fact that the coefficient of adhesion decreases and, as a result, vehicle control deteriorates. The best winter tires There are two types: Scandinavian type (maximum grip in snowy and icy roads), European type (better grip in rain and wet snow). Tires that are designed for a warm winter are European-type tires. They differ from the "Scandinavian" ones in a harder rubber compound and in the number of sipes.
• The protectors of "European" tires have "ribs" of checkers and, of course, they improve the control of the car on the asphalt road. A car enthusiast who has chosen non-studded tires needs to pay attention to the tread pattern. Tires with a directional tread pattern are best suited for wet snow. It helps to remove dirt and wet snow from under the wheels. The pattern of such tires is similar to rain tires, their tread structure resembles a herringbone. When choosing tires, size is an important parameter. As a rule, the desired tire size is indicated in the machine's instruction manual.
