When to install winter tires? What to put winter tires?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Car tires, regardless of brand, are one of the most important components of driver and passenger safety. Worn or out-of-season skates can cause not only handling problems, but also accidents.

To avoid this, it is important not only to know when to put on winter tires and when to put on summer tires, but also to understand how different types of tires behave in different temperature conditions and weather conditions. This knowledge will also help you choose the right skates when buying.

Types of tires and their differences

All car tires according to seasonal use are divided into the following types:

• summer - for driving on any type of road surface in the spring-autumn period;
• winter - for operation in winter;
• all-season - universal for year-round use;
• road - for driving on dry or wet hard pavement;
• high-speed - used on sports cars and have high traction;
• all-season high-speed - an improved version of the universal tire, which makes it possible to drive on snow and ice

Latestthree types of skates are most often used in motorsport, and are used very rarely by motorists. Therefore, we will focus on the most familiar tires for us, which can be purchased at any specialized auto shop.

Summer tires

Summer and winter tires differ significantly from each other in composition, density and porosity. In addition, they have a different pattern and tread area. Summer tires have a stiffer structure for maximum traction. While driving, a certain friction occurs between the slope and the road surface, due to which the temperature of the tires increases. This makes the rubber softer and more pliable.

Usually, the protector of summer stingrays has a simple pattern. Its main task is to drain water when driving on wet roads. Due to these properties, summer tires are absolutely not suitable for use at low temperatures.

All season tires

This type of stingray is designed for those who don't want to wonder when to put on winter tires and when to put on summer tires. All-season tires make it possible to use them in various temperature conditions. However, this solution involves more disadvantages than advantages.

There is only one plus in the use of all-weather tires - there is no need to replace summer tires with winter ones. In return, the driver will receive year-round tire wear, additional noise when driving on dry and hard roads, and unstable behavior of slopes in high and low temperatures. Besides,motorists who prefer an aggressive way of driving will have to give up hard starts and stops.

All-season tires are suitable for motorists who do not use personal vehicles in winter or careful drivers who do not use their "iron horse" for long trips in extreme conditions. In this case, changing summer tires to winter tires, and vice versa, will simply be unjustified.

Winter tire features

Winter tires have a lower density due to their porosity. It is much softer than summer tires, which allows you to significantly increase grip even on icy roads. The tread of winter tires has a more complex pattern, which makes it possible to remove not only water, but also snow slurry from under the wheels. Its increased footprint is also designed to provide maximum traction.

Which winter tires?

Winter tires can be divided into two types: studded and Velcro. The first ones are a slope, in the working surface of which metal spikes are placed in a special way. These tires are ideal for driving on snowy roads and off-road, but it is better not to use them on wet or icy surfaces. A test of winter tires equipped with studs in such conditions showed a significant increase in braking distance due to a decrease in the quality of traction.

Velcros are the best solution for winters with little snow and for driving in the city. This type of tire is also called friction. Their speci alty isthe selected composition of rubber, which allows you to adapt to different temperature conditions. A small tread applied to the entire working surface absorbs and removes water, as if sticking to the road surface. A brake test of Velcro winter tires and studded tires, conducted on ice at -15⁰C, showed that friction slopes definitely have an advantage. However, as the temperature increases to 0^{0C, the spikes win.}

When to install winter tires?

There is no definite answer to this rhetorical question. Some car owners do this, focusing on the beginning of the heating season, others - on the transition to winter time, others are waiting for the first snow.

The best option for changing tires is the stabilization of the average daily temperature at +5+70С. With further cooling, it is not safe to ride on summer slopes - they become stiff, and their grip on the road surface deteriorates. Tire manufacturers agree with this. It is this temperature, according to their recommendations, that is the signal to change the rubber.

And in no case should you wait until the snow falls. Firstly, this is an additional risk factor, and secondly, the queues for tire fitting during this period will not allow you to do it in one day.

Features of winter tires

For novice drivers, it will be important to learn not only about when to install winter tires, but about some features of its operation in cold and bad weather. Except that tires with lower temperaturesbecome stiffer, the pressure in them drops. This is due to the physical ability of any substance to contract and expand. Air in tires is no exception. With a decrease in temperature, it is necessary to check and, if necessary, pump up the slopes. Low tire pressure not only impairs the driving ability of the car in winter, but also leads to excess fuel consumption.

When installing winter tires, you need to pay attention to the degree of wear. Typically, front-wheel drive vehicles wear the front tires in the middle and the rear tires on the sides. In order for the development to be uniform, it is recommended to change their places every 8-10 thousand km.

Switching to summer tires

With the end of winter, some motorists are in a hurry to change tires for summer, fearing their rapid wear. Indeed, soft winter tires wear out very quickly when driving on asph alt under the influence of increased temperature caused by friction. But here it should be borne in mind that the weather conditions in early spring in our latitudes often change, and even in April there are frosts, not to mention March snowfalls.

Therefore, there is no need to rush here. It is better to wait for a stable average daily temperature of +100С, and also get acquainted with the synoptic forecast for the next month. If the weather allows, then you can safely “change shoes”. And in case of a sharp drop in temperature or snowfall, you should refrain from planned trips.

What is the best way to store rubber?

Partmotorists prefer to use two sets of wheels: one with winter tires, the other with summer tires. This is convenient in its own way, and you can change the wheels yourself. Firstly, during the period when you need to change tires, there will be no question about making an appointment for a tire fitting and paying for service stations. It is enough to have a jack and a wheelbrace on hand. Secondly, the tires put on the wheels will not be deformed during seasonal storage.

But even here there are some nuances. This decision will be correct under certain conditions. First - when installing the wheels in the kit, they must be carefully examined for deformation. A bent or cracked disc can cause an accident. Second, the wheels need to be balanced. Otherwise, problems with the chassis of the car cannot be avoided. Unbalancing the wheel during rotation creates vibration, which will gradually destroy the hub bearing. And, of course, do not forget about tire pressure. If its indicator is insufficient, you need to use a pump or compressor.

Without rims, the tires also hold up very well. It is enough to put them vertically on the floor, having previously laid it, and your rubber will calmly lie down until its next season. Under no circumstances should tires without rims be stacked horizontally one on top of the other or suspended.

Also, do not store stingrays on the street under the open sky. The sun and sub-zero temperatures have a detrimental effect on rubber. If you do not have your own garage or other similar premises, it is better to use storage servicestires on special services. There, they will additionally check the condition of the tires and help “change shoes”.

Whatever tires are installed on your car, do not forget about the high-speed mode. On a winter road, it is not the quality and condition of the tires that is more important, but the care and caution of the driver.