When temperatures go past 7 degrees Celsius,
Winter tires forfeit their grip advantage over summer and all-season tires.
Using winter tires in summer leas to an increase in braking distance by about 10% on a dry road. Winter tires are much noisier.
Normally, We would have a tire that would offer the right amount of support and balance all year.
This implies something that’s made to endure summer heat but at the same time can keep a car controlled on a winter road.
There exist all-season tires;
however, most drivers ought to recognize that they aren’t exactly the ideal choice when temperatures fall below 7 degrees Celsius.
All-season tires are popular. They usually provide versatile performance and look like less work. A majority of cars come with all-season tires, which are appropriate for summer, spring, and fall.
All-season tires, however,
won’t be suitable for those who drive in regions that have extreme winter conditions. This is where tires for winter come in.
One surprising fact is that most drivers opt not to use #winter #tires. Share on XMost times, the cost is a factor, in addition to where you will store another set of tires for some time and the inconvenience of having to change your tires.
What is a Winter Tire?
There is various type of tires that one may use on the road. The first one is the summer tire. It is what the majority of drivers use.
Summer tires contain a relatively hard compound, which implies that they soften in milder temperatures to offer a lot of grips (temperatures above 7 degrees Celsius).
However,
they end up becoming less useful when the temperatures fall below the above figure. They become too hard and cannot offer enough grip.
Winter tires are mostly referred to as cold weather tires. They have a snowflake symbol on the side and consist of a softer compound.
This implies that they are soft enough to offer the grip required in temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius.
Moreover,
they have a different tread pattern that has fine grooves cut into every tread block.
Winter Tires Vs All Season
The other type is the all-season tire. The objective of this type of tire is to provide the best of both winter and summer tires.
It has a softer compound than winter tires so that it can be used in warm and cold temperatures,
but still has fine grooves to assist with grip in winter.
They can also be used in temperatures down to -5 degrees Celsius.
How Are Winter Tires Made?
Winter tires contain a higher natural rubber content that gives them a softer structure.
The interchange between the road and the rubber compound changes as temperatures increase.
This has an effect on the tires’ grip.
Summer tires toughen in temperatures below +7 degrees Celsius whereas the specially developed compound in winter tires ensures flexibility (even in winter tires temperature range below +7 degrees Celsius.
How Do Winter Tires Work?
So, how do winter tires work?
Their name implies that they are winter tires, whereas they are cold weather tires that have the ability to perform well on rain, snow, and dry but cold roads.
Winter tires in rain have the ability to grip roads due to their softer compound, unlike all-season and winter tires that contain a harder compound. The small grooves of winter tires bite into the snow and ice, scattering water at a faster rate and ensure more traction and improved braking. Deeper grooves collect and hold snow to assist with a grip on packed snow, and also assist the tires in dispersing water to decrease aquaplaning risk.
Are winter tires necessary? Winter tires offer various benefits to drivers, particularly in cold regions. Chances are that you are not a stranger to extreme winter conditions. The following are reasons as to why you require winter tires on ice.
Top 5 Reasons You Need Winter Tires
1. Black Ice Assistance
If you are used to driving in winter conditions, then you already know the danger posed by black ice. Nonetheless, with the right aggressive winter tires, when you start to slide on the black ice, you stand a chance of regaining traction.
The grooves of the tread plus the soft rubber enable the tire to grip any flaws in the ice to find traction in the end. If you encounter black ice, all you have to do is to take your foot off the gas pedal and refrain from slamming on the brakes. Then gently coast while maintaining a slight touch with the steering wheel until your winter tires gain traction.
2. They Do Not Cost As Much As It Looks in the End
Cost is one of the main reasons why most people end up using all-season tires rather than the best tires for winter since they view it as expensive. Those who reside in temperate regions may not comprehend the significance of this issue. However, it is really a matter of life and death for those who regularly drive on snow.
Remember, having two sets of tires results in both of them last longer. The additional costs are mitigated by the fact that you’re prolonging the life of your wheels. Rather than purchasing one set of all-season tires and another set when it needs to be replaced, you need to first purchase one set of all-season tires. Then you buy one set of winter tires so that you can alternate between them to prolong their life expectancies.
3. It is For Your Peace of Mind and Family’s Safety
Winter tires can be the difference between life and death. Even though it may seem expensive to purchase them then store them in between seasons, most shops offer storage services. Thus you can store them during the other seasons. You can’t put a price of safe winter driving. Having best winter tires on the road will give you one less thing to worry about. Winter tires are probably the most crucial safety feature of any vehicle when driving in winter conditions.
Even if you already possess winter tires, you can go ahead and make your driving experience safer by modifying various things. Remember that during winter, everything tends to be slow and take a longer time. You need to be vigilant whenever you’re turning and stopping. Be familiar with your surroundings. Look further down the road to assist you to avoid possible hazards.
4. For Greater Vehicle Control
It would be nice if there were a training program for those who have to drive during winter. Snow and ice have a tendency of making driving more difficult. Moreover, many things tend to feel different. You require the right hardware to assist you to stay in control of your vehicle. The grip and traction of all-season tires tend to reduce as temperatures fall. This means that it becomes difficult to maintain control of your vehicle. Furthermore, winter tires provide more grip and traction. You’ll feel like you’re in control when stopping and turning.
One thing to remember is that most people like to think that it is okay to use only two winter tires for their vehicles. Even though you only use two wheels for acceleration, you also need to have firm control of all four wheels when it comes to braking. In the event that you lose traction of your back wheels while on a wet road, you’ll feel like you’re on roller skates.
5. Free From Compromise
Winter tires contain a unique tread design and a flexible rubber compound that is made for use on ice and snow. Drivers stand to benefit from increased traction during acceleration, reduced stopping distances, and an increase in directional stability while at speed. While all-season tires are a bit good in the heat and a bit good in winter, winter tires are the best in cold weather. With the compromise-free aspect behind winter tires, drivers can feel relaxed and enjoy driving during the cold season.
Is It Okay to Purchase Used Winter Tires?
Before you go to purchase that set of used winter tires, you need to conduct three quick checks. Firstly, you need to check if they are the correct size. You can check your vehicle owner’s manual or on your tire’s sidewall near the rim for the series of numbers. If you are not sure of the correct tire size, you can contact a tire dealer to confirm.
Secondly, use a tire tread depth gauge to measure the tread depth. You can purchase it yourself or take it to a tire shop. You need to take measurements in various multiple places in the grooves of every tire. A new tire normally contains 11/32nds of an inch in tread depth. One thing to keep in mind is that if there are 6/32nd of an inch or less in tread remaining on a winter tire, its snow performance will greatly reduce.
Thirdly, ensure that there is no issue with uneven wear. Tires wear differently over a period of time. In case the difference between any two tires exceeds 3/32nds of an inch, do not purchase those tires. Driving on a winter road with mismatched tires or using the wrong tire size for your vehicle won’t save you money eventually. You’ll end up having big repair bills. In addition, it is not advisable to put winters on only the front or back. This will result in a big traction difference between the axles, and eventually less steering control.
Should I Purchase Winter Tires With Rims?
The following are ways to decide:
- Suppose you will have your winter tires for three years.
- Add up the cost you’ll be charged for changing tires twice a year if they aren’t on rims.
- The matchup that figures to the price of rims to find out if you can save some money.
- Take into account more waiting time since it will take some time to unmounts and remount the tires on the reams every time.
- See whether the tradeoff in any monies saved is worth the additional waiting room time.
- In addition, take into account the additional wear and tear on your winter tiers that arise from unmounting and remounting tires on a single set of wheels. When it comes to low-profile tires, it’s common for an inexperienced tire tech to dent the inside edge of a tire.
I Have a Four-Wheel Drive, Do I Require Winter Tires?
One true fact is that a four-wheel drive provides better traction in snow, implying that you can move off easily. Nonetheless, it only provides a limited amount of additional assistance when you are negotiating a corner and none when you are stopping. If you possess a four-wheel drive, and you fit it with winter tires, then you’ll be able to deal with whatever winter will throw at you.
Can I Use Winter Tires All Year?
This is an idea that comes to the minds of many drivers who experience winter. Unfortunately, using winter tires all year is not something that is recommended. Eventually, it will cost more money than changing them out. It might also compromise the performance of your vehicle on the road.
Why You Shouldn’t Drive on Winter Tires in the Summer
- You run the risk of overinflating, and blowouts are much higher when you use winter tires in the summer.
- The rubber compound in winter tires is more flexible, which might result in a loss of control.
- Winter tires are less effective in dispelling heat. They work best in cold temperatures.
- The softer rubber compound leads to the use of more gas.
Conclusion
Some all-season tires are usually marketed as functioning well in both winter and summer. This might be accurate, particularly in dry, mild climates where the seasons do not change much. Winter tires will provide you with confident traction, control on snow and braking. You will require tires marked with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake for proper handling in places with winter weather. Since not every tire with a mountain snowflake has a winter compound, contact your tire dealer to get what you require.
It does not matter the tires you use (you can use winter tires all year or even utilize winter tires during summer), their condition is very crucial. Tires ought to have the necessary amount of tread on them, and they should also be inflated to their required pressure. Tires are the most critical safety feature on your vehicle since they are the ones that connect you to the winter road. All the other safety devices are there to assist once your tires lose their grip and begin to slide.
Winter tires vs all season tires – have you now seen the importance of winter tires in extreme conditions? Are there any other reasons for using winter tires that have been left out?
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