What characteristics of winter tires?
First of all, it's rubber compound and tread pattern. In the manufacture of winter tires used softer grade of rubber, which, unlike the summer, do not harden in the cold while retaining flexibility and grip.
Tread of tires designed for winter, a thin and deep, with large blocks and the additional transverse grooves, which is necessary for "cutting" of loose snow or mud "porridge."
And finally, in many models of winter tires (and only in winter) on the running of the protector installed metal spikes designed for the stability of the wheel on ice or compacted snow.
In the annotations to the buses can meet the terms "European" or "Scandinavian tread" - what they mean, what's the difference?
The main differences - in the distance between the tread and their swords high. We tread the "European" type checkers are closer to each other, sometimes in the longitudinal region joined in the "edge". "Nordic" type of protector has a thin figure, where checkers here are farther apart and their height more.
However, it is worth noting that the current variety of tire products, a lot of tire tread has a rather "mixed", where producers are trying to combine both kinds of pictures.
What type of picture is better?
The principle of the tread is as follows: less than or more pieces, wider and deeper grooves, the better tire adhesion to friable substrate - snow or mud, but worse is on level pavement, especially when wet. On the contrary - the more pieces and a large number of grooves, the better the tire behaves on wet pavement, removing water from the zone of contact with the road, but worse clings to the mud and snow.
Thus, the European style manifests itself best on clean or wet pavement, and Scandinavian, in turn - on a mud slush and loosely compacted fresh snow.
But, as noted above, under normal road tires manufacturers tend to choose the optimum value of the number of pieces and the width, depth of grooves, bringing in one type of tread elements of another, so for non-studded tires, which operate in urban environments, fundamental difference in the Properties of the "European" and "Nordic" figure is not available.
What are the best tires - studded or non-studded?
Theory question is: Spikes create the best, outstanding traction on ice and covered tightly groomed snow road, ensuring maximum stability and minimum stopping distance. But the spikes do not work in the loose snow, slush and mud, cutting through the soft substrate without engagement. And on a pure asphalt and they do degrade the coupling properties of tires, braking distance grows, moreover, appears a noticeable noise. Another point: the non-studded tires more expensive counterparts.
In our climate, where winter frost and thaw alternate, wet and icy tarmac, and recurring conditions, "a spike" that "under the non-studded" tires, the final choice is, perhaps, for car owners themselves. However, many insurance companies, making out policy Hull demand that winter on the car on a mandatory basis were studded tires. If you have it spelled out in the contract - then have to buy a "spike".
Is it possible to put non-studded tire spikes?
All non-studded tires are divided into two categories: shipuemye and neshipuemye. Accordingly, the first may be studded, and the latter can not. In appearance shipuemuyu bus can be distinguished by a characteristic solid drafts without cutting lamellas, in which established and spikes. In this case, studding can be complete when the spikes are placed in all the seats or in part - in this case, the spikes put sparsely, making passes at regular intervals.
The important point - the quality studdable. Now such an operation is offered in many shops. But often it turns out that made a bad aftermarket metal spikes are erased and established something as quickly disappear. Therefore, if we are talking about buying a new tire, then it is better to determine in advance what to take - studded or non-studded.
If in doubt, POS tires is also better not to take, since these sellers are often rubber, in which the studding is not done at the manufacturing plant, and by its semi-handicraft workshop, and poor-quality studs. Large retailers may also offer rubber with nezavodstkoy studding, but here things are usually better - use the original studs and professional equipment.
Can one set of studded tires in different spikes?
For example, if the tires was first made partial studding among thorns, and then it was decided to add a "spineless", then it is quite possible to put the other studs from other manufacturers. The same way without any problems can be studded, for example, the front wheels - one set of studs, and rear - to others.
But oshipovyvat left and right wheel of different spikes is not recommended, because the different spikes and have slightly different grip. What more could emerge over time as it turns out that some will wear faster than others.
Although the SDA specifically about that says nothing and is formally a "raznoshipovka" allowed. How, for example, does not stipulate the difference between the tread wear of wheels on one axis - would be the same figure and it permissible residual value.
Will post studdable make balancing the wheels?
Most likely, it will take, especially if done by a partial studding. True, the spikes usually do not cause a large imbalance.
Are the new tires to run in?
Yes it is. The first 150-200 miles to "studding" to ride on the possibility of more measured, and smoothly, avoiding sudden acceleration, braking and abrupt maneuvers. This is done in order to spike the Install button and hold in the rubber.
In the future it is not recommended to change the direction of rotation of spiked wheels (ie, that it was run-in to the right - should stand to the right, what is left - the left). The reason is that the spikes rise in rubber at a slight angle and with a change of direction of rotation can become loose and fall out.
Can I put the car together studded and non-studded tires?
You can, but on one axis must be identical tires. True option is not the best, as the car gets is not quite adequate and strange behavior in such maneuvers as the deceleration (braking) or dispersal at the arc.
Should I use all-season tires?
Vsesezonka "is appropriate for infrequent trips in winter and a very moderate and careful driving style. Naturally, such a rubber - a sort of compromise, in which the creators have tried to combine the winter and summer properties.
It is important to remember that many all-season models from European manufacturers are designed for mild central and southern European winter. And having a formal labeling as all season in Russia is not.
Should I buy low-profile winter tires?
Such models are now on sale, more and more, but all the advantages of low-profile rubber in a Russian winter roads can be reduced except to the beauty and image. " We have virtually no lines, where we could develop a speed in the winter to feel the difference between low profile and conventional tires.
But full of roads, where the masked fresh snow ruts, sticking out of tram rails and the like "mine" the difference will be very good. In addition, it is easy to split alloy wheels, which the frost becomes more fragile. Therefore, we can safely say definitely: winter tires with height profile of less than 50 for the Russian roads is of little use.
