Today there is a huge assortment of winter tires. There are spikes and Velcro. However, even experienced car owners do not know that such tires must be run before the start of the season. What is this for? And how is the studded rubber tested?
Why do I need to run in?
We will try to answer this question in more detail. So, studded tires were installed on the car before the start of the season. Run-in in this case is carried out for several reasons:
- The behavior of the vehicle on winter tires is significantly different from maneuverability on all-weather or summer wheels. Running studded tires is necessary in the first place so that the driver can adapt and get used to them.
- It is worth noting that most of the new studded tires purchased in specialized stores are coated with special grease. To check this, just touch the product with your hand. It will be slightly slippery. Typically, the mold is coated with grease during tire manufacturing. This composition remains on the rubber and impairs the adhesion of the road surface with it. In order for the grease to wear off, you have to spend some time and break in the tires.
- What are the main differences between studded tires? Break-in is necessary so that the spikes on the product fall into place and sit in the nests. Only this will extend the life of the tires. After running in, there is a guarantee that the spikes will not fly out when slipping on slippery roads and with a sharp maneuver.
Before running
The rules for running studded tires are extremely simple. Typically, manufacturers provide all the necessary recommendations. And this applies not only to speed, but also to time. However, not all car owners know that before installing studded tires, you should contact a service center. Here, specialists must adjust the alignment , as well as check the wheel balancing. If you carry out such procedures regularly, then the tires will not wear out so quickly. In addition, it will increase security.
In order for the studded rubber to run successfully, it is necessary to set zero camber. As a result, the load on the wheels will be distributed more evenly. In addition, the rubber will become more dense and take on the optimal shape. After running in, taking into account all the rules, the vehicle will be more obedient on slippery road surfaces.
How to remove grease?
So, how is studded rubber cleaned of grease? Break-in is the only way out. According to the manufacturing technology of such products, all casting molds must be coated with a specific lubricant. It allows you to easily take out the finished tire. As a result of such manipulations, the lubricant remains not only on the surface of the finished product, but also in the recesses. This composition significantly affects the adhesion of the vehicle and the road.
To remove grease from the surface of winter tires, you need to drive about 100 kilometers at low speed. At the same time, sharp braking and sharp turns should be avoided. It is worth considering that the vehicle may be uncontrollable from lubrication. Similarly, it is necessary to run in winter tires, which has a high speed index.
Break-in process
First of all, it is necessary to install studded tires on all wheels of the vehicle. This is required for several reasons. Firstly, the behavior of the wheels on the road will be the same. Secondly, the load can be distributed evenly. You should not install such rubber even on one axis of the car. This is a very risky event. Tires should be mounted on wheels not only of the same size, but also of the same brand.
Studded rubber running speed also matters. Usually this figure is not more than 70 km / h. In addition, distance matters. Many manufacturers recommend traveling the first 500 kilometers at this speed. During the break-in period, strong acceleration, overtaking and other dangerous tricks should be abandoned.
Some nuances
Also in the process, you must carefully monitor the change in tire pressure. It is not recommended to move even on slightly flattened wheels. After all, the spikes can not only wear out, but also fall out. Check the pressure once a month. As for the pumping of studded rubber, it should be carried out only in specialized rooms. Tires should cool down first. Do not forget that the pressure in the wheels should be no more than 2.8 bar. During the running-in and further operation of studded rubber, it is necessary to ensure that small stones and other objects do not clog into the tread. This can make the tires worse.
Basic rule
Break-in of new studded rubber should occur at low speed. This is a basic rule. Unlike conventional tires, studded tires must be run in with greater accuracy and longer. Otherwise, the spikes will not fit into the sockets. This will significantly degrade the quality of the rubber. After all, the spikes can fly out quickly. Running tires at high speed increases the risk of an emergency. In addition, the driver may lose all spikes within a few hours. For this reason, the break-in of new winter tires should be carried out at a low speed. This will extend its service life. It is worth noting that compliance with all the rules allows you to save tires for 4 seasons. Break-in should take place without sharp braking, turns and acceleration.
Manufacturer's recommendations
According to experts, it does not matter where the new rubber will be tested. However, there are some recommendations from manufacturers. It is best if studded tires are run on asphalt. It is better to do this before the first frost and in dry weather. Do not forget that on wet pavement a car shod with new studded tires can behave unpredictably.
In addition, other manufacturers recommendations should be considered. As a rule, they indicate how fast tires should be run in. This indicator should be taken into account and not exceed its maximum value. Otherwise, the rubber will not last very long. After all, winter tires are usually made of a more elastic and soft material than summer tires. Use such products should be more careful.
In conclusion
Now you know what studded tires are. Running in such tires is a must. However, you should not think that all this is necessary only for the new winter studded tires. Actually run in, you need even those tires that have been in operation for more than one season. After all, a vehicle with studded wheels behaves somewhat differently on the road than with ordinary tires. The driver must get used to the car. Experts recommend running in on an asphalt dry road for at least 100 kilometers. In this case, the tires will take their optimal shape.
Compliance with all the listed rules will allow the driver to be sure that the studded tires on the wheels of his vehicle are run in. In this case, the driver will be able to feel unity with the car. Now he will not be afraid of cold, nor frost, nor slippery road surface.