How to choose car tires for any season
Tires are an important part of any car. By choosing the most suitable tires, you will ensure the comfort and safety of your driving, as well as you will feel more confident on the road. Correctly selected tires will help not only optimize the load on the main components of the car , but also reduce fuel consumption. In this article, we will tell you what parameters are best for choosing them. Reading time - 8 minutes. For further info, click here: vredestein quatrac 5 review
How to choose winter tires
Every year there comes a time when you have to change summer tires for winter ones. It should be operated when the air temperature outside the window drops below + 5 ° C. Winter tires have softer rubber than summer tires and do not harden as much when exposed to freezing temperatures. It is necessary to approach the choice of winter tires based on the weather conditions, since winters in different regions can be different. When choosing winter tires, a mandatory parameter is the presence of zigzag slots on the tread (sipes), since it is these slots that help to cling to the rolled snow and ice.
Winter tires are divided into two main types:
Studded rubber is a tire that is studded and designed for the best grip in snowy and icy conditions. The presence of studs provides the vehicle with the best braking performance on these roads. In harsh winters, studded tires are the most popular, but they make a lot of noise and wear out rather quickly on bare asphalt. In addition, when driving on dry asphalt, the spikes quickly fly out of the tires.
How to choose winter tires
Every year there comes a time when you have to change summer tires for winter ones. It should be operated when the air temperature outside the window drops below + 5 ° C. Winter tires have softer rubber than summer tires and do not harden as much when exposed to freezing temperatures. It is necessary to approach the choice of winter tires based on the weather conditions, since winters in different regions can be different. When choosing winter tires, a mandatory parameter is the presence of zigzag slots on the tread (sipes), since it is these slots that help to cling to the rolled snow and ice.
Winter tires are divided into two main types:
- Studded tires;
- Lamellar rubber (or, as it is also called by the people - "Velcro").
Studded rubber is a tire that is studded and designed for the best grip in snowy and icy conditions. The presence of studs provides the vehicle with the best braking performance on these roads. In harsh winters, studded tires are the most popular, but they make a lot of noise and wear out rather quickly on bare asphalt. In addition, when driving on dry asphalt, the spikes quickly fly out of the tires.
Some tips for using winter studded tires:
Lamellar rubber or velcro is a winter rubber similar to studded, the main difference of which is the complete absence of studs. Due to the greater number of zigzag slots (sipes) on such rubber, grip on the road surface is significantly improved. Unlike studded tires, such tires cause minimal damage to the road.
On wet asphalt, the velcro sticks to it, as it removes water better thanks to its soft rubber. Even at very low temperatures, such rubber practically does not tan, and continues to perform its functions, however, it still loses to studded tires on ice and snow. These tires should be used in regions with a minimum amount of winter rainfall.
Summer Tire Buying Secrets
Already based on the name of summer tires, one can understand that they are intended for operation in the warm season, when the ambient temperature does not drop below + 5 ° C. If it is colder outside, summer rubber hardens, its elasticity decreases, and, accordingly, the grip deteriorates. Manufacturers create summer tires from wear-resistant rubber, so that cars can reach high speeds on hot asphalt.
- New winter tires need to be run-in (about 500 kilometers). Break-in is necessary for the cleats to take the correct position, in the direction of travel. At this time, try not to start abruptly or slow down, and also do not abruptly change the direction of movement. How well you run your studded tires will determine how long the studs last in your wheels.
- Buy studded rubber that has been studded at the factory. Don't do it yourself
Lamellar rubber or velcro is a winter rubber similar to studded, the main difference of which is the complete absence of studs. Due to the greater number of zigzag slots (sipes) on such rubber, grip on the road surface is significantly improved. Unlike studded tires, such tires cause minimal damage to the road.
On wet asphalt, the velcro sticks to it, as it removes water better thanks to its soft rubber. Even at very low temperatures, such rubber practically does not tan, and continues to perform its functions, however, it still loses to studded tires on ice and snow. These tires should be used in regions with a minimum amount of winter rainfall.
Summer Tire Buying Secrets
Already based on the name of summer tires, one can understand that they are intended for operation in the warm season, when the ambient temperature does not drop below + 5 ° C. If it is colder outside, summer rubber hardens, its elasticity decreases, and, accordingly, the grip deteriorates. Manufacturers create summer tires from wear-resistant rubber, so that cars can reach high speeds on hot asphalt.