How to choose winter tires. What kind of winter tires it is better to choose - tips for beginners and experienced motorists! Winter tires: with spikes and without

How to choose the right winter tires

Change or not to change rubber - the question is no longer relevant. Perhaps today the emphasis should be done on how to choose the right rubber, especially for winter pore.

The fact is that the choice of winter rubber is very complex, since the universal version, alas, does not exist. So you have to drivers, deftly labby between options, choose what is needed, based on several factors.

Initially, the calculation is to take the activity and the average operating conditions of the car. For example, wonderful studded tires with a rough pattern of the tread will be ideal for the region in which the winter is usually dry weather, and the road leather is a tightly rolled ice.

But such a rubber noise is an order of magnitude stronger, not suitable for newbies, which are trying to drive more than 130 km / h, as well as for regions, where snow porridge prevails on the roads - the spikes will not be able to provide sufficient adhesion and safety of the machine operation will be reduced. And since most of our roads are precisely that, it is worth talking about winter non-checked rubber.

Inspected Rubber - Features of Choice

Winter tires of this plan is divided into two types. Manufacturers of similar products deliver to the world market:

European rubber;

Scandinavian rubber.

The choice between these two types is due to the fact that each option will be optimal in its weather conditions. Consider the rubber of each type in more detail.

European rubber. Purpose. Ensuring the most efficient tire clutch with road coating With bad weather conditions (rain, wet snow).

Description. In essentially, the rubber is somewhat like a conventional antihorn. It has a diagonal tread pattern with a large number of drainage channels, which, connecting, form a well-developed network. You can also distinguish with European type rubber in the presence of fine slots (lamellas) and large primrates located along the edge of the tread.

Moreover, the ability of rubber to provide a larger adhesion directly depends directly from the length of the slots. The greater this indicator, the longestly each edge of the tread, with the help of which the tire when moving the car literally "clings" for the road surface. At the same time, the most porridge falls in the slot, and the tire further contacts directly with the road cloth.

Scandinavian tires. Purpose. Providing optimal clutch on icing

road and road surface with snowy infusion.

Description. It has a less developed network of the pattern, in which not slits, and special figures having a rectangular or diamond shape and alternating in a checker order. These figures are located not too often, thanks to which the protector during the movement of the machine with ease smits the upper layer of ice or snow nast, and then cleared. Thanks to such a drawing, the car is ideal for travel along the suppressed area.

Marking - our all!

Each tire is marked by the manufacturer. On this marking, you can judge the qualities that rubber possesses. Let's start, perhaps, from such an indicator as:

It looks like four digits on the sidewall bus (the first two digits - number of the year, the second two - the year);

Wear resistance. This parameter called "treadwear" and is calculated in units. Standard wear resistance - 100 units. They are usually enough for 48,000 km. mileage (for season);

Denoted by the letters of the English alphabet - from n (140 km / h) and to Zr (above 240 km / h). Those who are interested in the speed of driving and such an indicator as low wear, it is best to take tires with marking "s";

Load indicator. In essence, he means what weight falls on each wheel. According to experts, this index must be within 30 - 35 percent of the weight of a circular car;

Type Tire. In winter models, rubber marking should be "M + S" (MUD + SNOW) and / or "Winter", which means "dirt and snow" and / or "winter". You should not take the tires with the label "All Season" - "all-season" or "All Weather" - "all-weather", because some tire manufacturers produce similar products for regions with a hot climate type, where the temperature is lowered only to zero and no more;

Certification. The letter "E" means compliance with the requirements of the European Union, and "DOT" - the requirements of the United States. Sometimes there are both these labeling on some models.

Additionally, such signs are labeled as a clutch indicator on wet road (from a to g), fuel efficiency (from a to g), as well as acoustic comfort (1 division - the optimal level, 3 divisions are weak). It is also worth recalling that professional off-road and racing tires are not labeled, as well as welded, studded and some other types. It should be considered when buying.

So, summarize. We offer you a step-by-step libez, which will help beginners:

1. We determine which type of tires will be preferable in order for the machine to "on the go" (European or Scandinavian);

2. We are determined with the manufacturer (branded (type Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone); strong middling (for example - Firestone, Kleber, Toyo, etc.); cheap (rosava, etc.);

3. We are determined with the specification, for which we study the size and type of tires acceptable for each specific car model. This data can be found in service book. Knowing them, it is worth buying tires exclusively to the size, which is specified in the service documentation. It is they who provide the most secure mode of operation of the machine;

4. Select a reliable dealer who will not sell fake tires under the guise of branded;

5. We look at the tires, while it is desirable to spend a pair of practical tests. Of course, on your car new rubber No one will allow you to put it, but you can bring with you the usual textile working glove. It can be carried out in the direction of the tread pattern and if the glove is correctly slides, the grip will be good;

6. Take the tires to determine their softness. If the tires are soft and well bend under the fingers, then such tires do not harden and will well perform their function;

7. When buying, we look at the shelf life of the tire, it should not be more than 2 years (3- and 4- summer tires May already have no qualities). The tire production date can be found on the side surface of the wheel (four digits);

8. We look at the marking and demand a certificate of conformity at the dealer, which proves that this type of tire is suitable for exploitation on the territory of our state.

And the last thing to be noted is to change the rubber immediately on all wheels and should not be tightened with it so as not to risk the costs and danger to your own life at the time of the accident, the likelihood of which is significantly increased due to the poor clutch of summer tires with a winter road. So as soon as the weather begins to deteriorate, and the air temperature drops to plus 7, you can safely go to a hundred and change rubber. Good luck!

One of the most expensive and responsible moments in the service of the Iron horse becomes the choice of winter rubber. Winter in Russia will differ significantly from European or Asian climatic conditions. To safely move around for frozen roads, you need to know which rubber to choose for the winter for your car.

Features of the use of winter tires

Car tires make up one of the essential costs of expenses in the budget of the owner. That is why there are doubts about motorists in expediency to have two sets of wheels, some of which are for the summer season, and others - for the operation of the car in the winter. There is a problem in front of the car enthusiaeer, what to choose tires to safely carry yourself and their loved ones on the snow-covered streets and tracks?

Winter tires is a specially designed automotive product, which can be operated at temperatures below + 7 ° C. The main difference between such tires from summer models is not in the figure and depth of the tread, which, first of all, novice motorists pay attention. The main difference lies in the properties of rubber.

As you know, rubber is a material, the elasticity of which depends on temperature ambient. So it is necessary to rein the manufacturers of tires to invent various chemical compositions so that the wear-resistant wheel at the same time turned out. For winter, tires are required that retain elasticity at low negative temperatures.

Laws in many countries do not regulate the use of winter rubber, but only recommend to use it. But if the motorist is not indifferent to the preservation of the life of loved ones and their own, then it will not save on security.

Car shoes for winter

The selection of winter tires must be made long before the winter. After all, in the middle of autumn, the weather can be given a unpleasant surprise in the form of frost or wet snow. For some cars with summer rubber It can play a cruel joke. Yes, and the cost of winter tires in summer is significantly lower than in a hot autumn-winter time.

Winter tires have a rather complicated device.

The main element of the tire is the protector, which is made of wear-resistant rubber. There are European and Scandinavian types of prototors. Scandinavian wheels are distinguished by a large distance between the tread wheels, and the lamellas in them are deeper and wide. European models of winter tires have proven themselves on wet and dry asphalt. And the advantage of the Scandinavian winter tires is manifested when driving on the roads with loose snow or mud.
The tread connection with the inside of the tire is carried out through the database, which is responsible for decreasing rolling and for the leveling of the journey from the roads.
The stable shape of the wheel must support steel cord. Thanks to the metal construction, the tire is resistant to auto and durability.

This is only a small part of those elements that are used in the manufacture of winter tires. The quality of the tire depends on the properties of the material and compliance with the technological chain.

When visiting the car market or after a conversation with experienced drivers, a novice car enthusiast can learn about the studded types of winter rubber. And additionally, the question appears, what kind of winter tires to choose, studded or without spikes?

Winter studded tires

Studded winter wheels are designed for trips by the selected road. Metal spikes are absorbed into the ice crust, increasing the clutch of the wheel with a winter road. But with frequent ride on asphalt, metal spikes are loss, and the roadbed is destroyed. If the car owner decided to give preference to studded rubber, you should know several important moments With its operation.

The first 500-1000 km need to roll up new wheels, limiting the speed of movement at 80 km / h. This will make the "wipe" of spikes and more reliably fasten them in a tire.
Using the tires with spikes, the driver needs to change the sport style ride on calm movement. It is necessary to eliminate such driving manners as touching slipping or emergency braking.

To the pluses of studded rubber include:

excellent work on icing and snow-covered roads;
reducing the brake path on the ice compared to the smooth tread.

The minuses of such wheels will be:

lengthening the brake path on dry and wet coating;
installing wheels on a swampy road;
increasing noise;
destruction of asphalt coating;
some increase in fuel consumption.

Winter awakened tires

In the European part of Russia, the winter is not distinguished by constancy. After strong frosts can come tightening tightened, under New Year It happens to rain, and in February it can melt the snow. Therefore, choosing tires for winter motorists will give preference to untapped wheels.

An ideal option for Russian conditions is the Scandinavian version of winter tires. An excellent clutch with a roadbed provides a discharged tread pattern, which consists of diamonds and rectangles.

The main advantages of the unwanted rubber look like this:

excellent parameters for moving across asphalt (dry or wet);
preservation of its parameters during operation in warm weather;
minimal noise increase;
"Careful attitude" to asphalt roads.

The main disadvantage of the nothesive rubber is unsuitable for movement on the roads covered with an ice crust.

Impact on the choice of brake tires type

Most modern vehicles are equipped with anti-lock systems brakes. They prevent the occurrence of a drift, not allowing the wheels to go to the "UZ" when harsh pressed On the brake pedal. It is not surprising that many foreign tire manufacturers produce wheels under cars with electronic systems.

What to select tires depending on the type of brake system? When the machine is equipped with a course stability system, the best results when passing turns are achieved by using tires with longitudinal tread slats. A similar situation is observed and in the case of ABS. In the absence of anti-lock electronic braking tools, the opposite picture is observed. When the wheel lock occurs, then best result Shows rubber with transverse lamellas. Find a compromise in this matter failed, so manufacturers prefer the release of tires under modern cars With ABS.

So before choosing winter tires, you should pay attention to brake system His car. And if someone thinks this question, then under equal conditions, the difference in the sliding coefficient can reach 10-15%. When translating dry numbers to the actual meters of the brake path it turns out that emergency braking At a speed of 50 km / h, the difference is 10 m.

The best winter tires of recent years

If we abstract from the price indicator, then the most popular winter tires Produced abroad. In recent years, motorists have managed to feel the excellent properties of the next brands.

One of the unconditional leaders in the production of winter rubber is the company Michelin. The X-ICE North model is soft, the presence of a large number of transverse lamellas. Even with complete locking wheels, the tires provide the most efficient braking.
The next leader is among winter species Shin is Goodyear Ultra Grip. Tires provide acceptable braking distances Not only in the case of blocking the wheels, but also on the verge of stopping the rotation. Moving on a car without ABS, experienced driver It may feel when blocking occurs, and proceed to step-in braking.
Excellent winter tires Made in Russia under the brand AMTEL NORDMASTER. At the design stage, designers took into account the feature of the Russian fleet, where many cars are not equipped with electronic braking systems. This rubber allows you to clearly determine the moment of blocking the wheels.
The highest quality demonstrates winter tires nokian. Hakkapeliitta. They work well when braking "Yuz", that's just the moment of blocking is practically not felt. Such rubber is best to buy for cars with ABS.
With the orientation of modern vehicles are made by Continental Contiwinterviking tires. They work perfectly on the winter road in a pair with electronic system Brakes.

Many motorists, not knowing, nothing about tires, want to get a specific model. But in this case, much depends on the ownership of the automotive braking skills.

Economy options

When buying winter rubber, many car enthusiasts want to save a little. However, in most cases, savings can negatively affect security.

Among absolutely unacceptable ways of saving, it is necessary to allocate:

use of summer tires in winter;
purchase of used winter rubber;
application "All-season";
installing new winter tires only on 2 drive wheels.

There is a competent approach to savings when "re-circulation" of the car for the winter. You can spend less money if you purchase a smaller bus. It is important to notice that in no case cannot retreat from the recommendations of the automaker. But on the same car can be used wheels with different profiles, and also differ in the speed index. The higher the indicators, the more expensive the tire is estimated. If in the winter the motorist does not exceed the speed of 100 km / h, then you should not choose the rubber with the index more than k (110 km / h).

The main characteristics of winter tires

For a novice car enthusiast to understand how to choose winter tires, you should stay in the following basic parameters.

With sufficient financial resources, give preference better to proven foreign brands. These are world leaders like:

Michelin;
Gislaved;
Pirelli;
Bridgestone;
Nokian.

When there are restrictions in the family budget, then optimal option Can be found in domestic products. It is best to draw your gaze to rubber, created with the participation of foreign partners.

Choosing a tire for riding in winter, it is necessary to decide on the pattern of the tread. If the car comes from good roads, which are regularly removed from snow, it is better to stay on small checkerels. For the assault of deep snowdrifts, an aggressive type of drawing is required.
An important point when choosing winter rubber becomes the age of the model. The new items that appeared are definitely valued more expensive than old samples. But it is not necessary to abandon the tested and loved tires.
Much decides when selection of tires for winter planned machine mileage. When the car leaves his yard or garage only on weekends, here you can think about savings. But if the vehicle runs daily by hundreds of kilometers, then you need to buy high-quality winter tires.

Winter tires differ from summer, and the matter here is not only in the tread pattern. Manufacturers select a chemical composition for a specific temperature range, so with the yield beyond its limits, the tires lose their properties. At reduced temperatures, summer tires become less elastic and can no longer provide proper clutch with road surface, the minimum brake path and other laid characteristics.

Contrary to popular belief all-season tires Not intended for the real winter.

They are designed for moderate weather conditions and high-quality road coating, which is usually dry and only occasionally becomes wet. In a good way, they can be used only in the offseason as an addition to winter and summer tires.

That is why you need to change the tires depending on the season. As a rule, it is recommended to transfer the machine into winter tires if during the week the temperature of the air does not rise above the mark of 5-7 ° C. This is usually the end of October or the beginning of November.

As in the case of, choosing winter needed, taking into account several important criteria and nuances. Let's try to figure them out together.

What type of tires to choose

There are two main types of tires: studded and friction. The latter, in turn, are divided into Scandinavian and European tires. As a result, only three varieties of winter tires are obtained, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain climatic conditions.

1. Studded tires

Thanks to the metallic spike of anti-skid, such tires provide best clutch Road coating and efficient braking. They are designed to ride on solid dry ice and are used in countries with severe winters. Because of its specifics, the tires of this type are rather noisy. When driving on dry asphalt, they lose their advantages and quickly erase. In some European countries, studded tires are prohibited.

Such tires are suitable for everyone who spends a lot of time outside the city and lives in the regions where ice happens. Residents of megalopolises with roads that regularly sprinkle with reagents, studded tires for nothing.

2. Scandinavian type friction tires

Similar in its properties with studded tires and for the most part differ from them only the absence of spikes. Tires of this type are designed for operation when low temperatures and a large number of snow and provide the necessary clutch with the road due to the set of lamellas on the protective, which are pushing the snow and the present. Because of its softness scandinavian tires Do not mostly behave on ice and too quickly erase on dry asphalt, in a literal sense, starting to sail.

Scandinavian type tires are suitable for snow-covered areas with long and. With such tires, you can not be afraid of snowdrifts and movements, but you have to observe speed mode, be careful with entering turns, as well as sharp accelerations and braking.

3. Friction tires of European type

This is the complete opposite of Scandinavian. Such tires are ideal for regions with soft and wet winters, in which wet snow and rain are more common. They perfectly cope with snow porridges and are able to ensure safety when moving on more high speeds. But in the ice and on the rolled snow with such tires should be careful.

It is suitable for driving within the city where more often can be found a snow porridge than ice, as well as when moving on pure asphalt at low temperatures.

Deciding with the type of tires, you can move to the consideration of specific models from different manufacturers. To compare tires and choose the most suitable, you need to be able to read the marking, in which the features of a particular tire are encrypted. Let's discern in the conventions on a specific example.

P. - Tire size. In this case, the reduction from Passenger, which indicates a bus for a passenger car.
215 - profile width in millimeters.
65 - Profile height in percent.
R. - Radial design.
15 - planting diameter in inches.
95 - Load index.
T. - Speed \u200b\u200bindex.
M + S. - MUD + SNOW, Winter or All-season tires.
Treadwear 220. - Wear index (the higher, the better).
Traction A. - Brake efficiency indicator. It has label from A to C, where A is the best.
Temperature A. - Scientific resistance indicator. It has label from A to C, where A is the best.

Additional Information:

All Seasons (or As) - All-season tires.
Snowflake icon - Winter tire.
Tubeless - Cameless tire.
Max Pressure. - Maximum pressure.
Outside and Inside - designations outdoor and inner on asymmetric tires.
Rotation - Rotation direction for directed tires.
Water, Rain, Aqua, umbrella icon - Resistance to aquaplaning.

Most designations are only informational in charge when choosing, but some worth paying close attention. Among such parameters, the width and height of the profile, load indices and speed, as well as wear indicators and braking.

How to choose Size

When choosing the size of the tires, it is worth discarding all myths and tips of the neighbors on the garage that describe the advantages of a low profile or increased diameter. You should not retreat from the recommendations of the car manufacturer: he already calculated everything, found the best option and pointed it in the instruction manual.

If you want to save, get a second set of disks for winter tires with a smaller planting diameter. Buying such rubber will cost cheaper.

Before buying, it is necessary to check when tires were made. The fact is that manufacturers guarantee the invariance of the tire properties over two years of storage. If the tires lie in the warehouse longer, then the tires loses its qualities and the tires will no longer be able to fully provide grip with road surface and efficient braking.

Hometre.co.uk.

Learn the date of manufacture and understand whether to take a closing set of tires, quite simple. Manufacturers indicate it on the side surface of the tire with the help of four-digit code. The first two means a week, and the second is the year of release. For example, 5016 is the 50th week or middle of December 2016.

What else to take into account

And several useful tips in the following:

Refuse to buy b / y tires. Over time, the tires loses its properties that there can be all savings with the existing wear.
In no case do not buy tires only on the drive axis of the car. Due to uneven clutch with expensive wheels different axes Risk increases.
To extend the service life of the tires, it is recommended to rearrange them from the front axle to the back and vice versa every 8,000 km.
If you use the tire kit is no longer the first year, set the best pair to the back axis of the car to eliminate the likelihood of driving.
Buy a second set of disks specifically for winter tires to change yourself independently and not waste time in the throat.

Properly selected tires affect the safety of the ride is hardly more than all other systems of the car. Winter tires differ from summer softer rubber mixture, which does not "dub" at low temperatures, as well as a deeper and aggressive tread pattern, which helps provide traction and braking on snow-covered coatings.

When changing rubber on winter

In this matter, all tire manufacturers are unanimous and proposed to replace during the period when the average daily temperature drops to +7. At temperatures from +4 to +7 year old rubber mixture Begins to lose its qualities, becomes more rigid, as a result of which the braking path of the car increases significantly. Therefore, to operate summer tires at temperatures below +4 is already unsafe.

Types of winter tires

For operating in B. winter Three types of tires have been developed by various manufacturers: studded, awkward (frictional) and all-season.

The studded are equipped with special metal inserts - spikes that provide adhesion on iced surfaces. The spikes are located in the tire rows so that the trace of each spike does not coincide with the neighboring. The studded tires provide maximum ice safety, but at the same time less grip and greater noise on dry asphalt. Therefore, it should be chosen if frequent rides are expected in the winter, or if there are harsh winters in your region, and find on the road - not uncommon.

The current autumn is incredibly capricious in terms of weather. We have sharply cold and worried about the night frosts, then, as if nothing had happened, warm days are coming, and weather forecasters predict warming to + 19ᵒ.

It is necessary to make motorists who know that as soon as the air temperature drops below + 7ᵒs, then it is necessary to look at the tire on the tire and rebuild your car in winter tires. While some drivers adequately performed their duty before iron horse"Some still fluctuate: Will it be possible to ride in winter tires until the cold come? Experts say that it is possible. It is terrible if you go to the "summer shoes" will find snow or ice. AiF.ua compiled for drivers instruction that will help choose winter tires.

How to choose Winter Rubber Photo: AIF in Ukraine

How to choose winter tires: 6 steps

Choose winter tires based on several factors. First, the conditions for using the car are taken into account. For instance, scandinavian tires Just needed with ice coating and snow chain.

Secondly, if you are a lover to drive by car, then she is clearly not suitable for you. In this case, the driver can provide a European type of rubber on wheels.

Thirdly, pay attention to the manufacturer and the specification of the tires, which we will talk about just below. The cheapness of auto strokes is always in doubt, so be careful when buying them. Remember, it is better to measure seven times and cut off once, and not vice versa.

Fourth, spend a kind of test drive for the tire - spend the textile glove on the tire in the tread pattern. If there were no obstacles on your hand, it means that the product is good.

Fifth, when buying rubber, be sure to check the shelf life. According to GOST, the new "winter shoes" for the car cannot be kept for longer than two years.

And, sixth, examine the tire marking and get from the seller a certificate of compliance with European and Ukrainian standards.

Studded rubber: to be or not to be

In infographics instructions, we presented several types of tires that can be installed on your car. Recall that Ukrainian legislation, in contrast to some European countries, does not prohibit the use of studded rubber on vehicle. Their main advantage is that they significantly reduce the braking path on the icing or snow-covered road, which you can not say about the unwanted wheels.

If you are new to autodel, then the most the best option It will rebuild your car into rubber with spikes. They are several species: aluminum, plastic with a carbide core, with an oval core and others. In addition, such auto strokes are chosen for transport operated in the regions with dry winter and well-rolled snow on the roadway.

How much to buy winter auto strokes

Do not save and do not buy winter tires only for one axis of the car. Among motorists there is an opinion that the functions of such rubber are only to pull out transport from a snowdrift or help brake on an ice-covered road. That is why the chaufferes are limited to the change of rubber with the summer on the winter only on the drive wheels, but the functions of winter rubber is much wider than it seems at first glance.

When buying winter tires, take care that there is another extra wheel. Imagine how you will get out of the situation when one wheel bursts on the road, and you will swap it on a tire with summer tires. Serious drift is not precisely avoided.

On the labeling of automotive rubber

The usual plane surface inspection of the tire will not say anything to a smooth account. But in this case you will help you inscriptions on its side surface. They will tell about the characteristics of the auto strokes, its qualities and the manufacturer. Consider the basic concepts that relate to the tire marking, on the example in the infographics of AIF.UA.

P 215/65 R15 89N

P - Tire Size. P - abbreviated from Passenger, which translated from Latin means "passenger". Such a symbol is placed on auto strokes intended for passenger cars. Basically, American manufacturers are resorted to this.

215 - Tire Profile Widthwhich is indicated in millimeters. Consider the outside of the sidewalls of the tire and do not take into account the elevation of the marking. Linear distance between sides of the sidewall and there will be a width of the profile of the auto stroke.

65 - Tire Series. Very important characteristicbecause it determines the degree of its stroke. Note that the lower the series, the more the wheel is to "racing". In our case, the tire with an indicator 65 will be considered a medium-line.

Speed \u200b\u200bindex for automotive tires Photo: AIF in Ukraine

R - Tire Design. In our example, the auto stroke has a radial tread pattern. As is known, the radial tire is higher than the resistance to wear, it is more durable than diagonal.

15 - mounted tire rim diameter. Unit of measurement - inches.

89 - Tire Load Indicator (What weight falls on each wheel). A specific number that is indicated on the tire is not associated with kilograms - this is just a conditional designation. What it is more, the stronger the car's wheel.