Every time winter approaches, motorists are faced with the question of preparing for this “slippery” season. Snow drifts on the roads pose a risk of emergency situations. To maintain the car's handling in difficult conditions,
winter tires The studded tire design is most popular among drivers.
Terms of Use
Winter tires with spikes are designed for use in the cold season, when snow drifts and ice form on the roads. They are most effective at temperatures from -15 to +7 º. This circumstance makes the use of such tires the most productive in climatic conditions of a severe winter with periodic thaws and in the absence of severe frosts. Such weather is characteristic of central Russia.
Varieties of spikes
Two main types can be distinguished: chiseled and stamped. The stud body is usually equipped with two or three flanges for fixing and an insert made of hard-melting material. The shape of the product may be different. There is an opinion that the best studded winter tires are equipped with tetrahedral spikes. This statement has its own rationale. The cross-section of the part in this case will be larger than that of a conventional round one. The total usable area for the entire wheel will increase one and a half times. However, traditional cylindrical spikes are still popular with drivers due to their lighter weight.
How does studded tires behave on the road?
Tires under a soft layer have a layer of hard material. It is used to secure the spikes. Thanks to him, the design gains strength and ability to withstand the load. When driving there is an additional friction force. A spiked wheel clings to the surface, providing predictability of vehicle movement. Stability on the road depends on the tread of the wheel. For example, studded tires r17 should have a line depth of at least 5 mm, which will give very reliable control over the machine and contributes to its large cross-country ability. If we talk about the behavior of such tires when driving on clean asphalt, then there is some inconvenience. It is the noise that this rubber produces. The studded surface when rubbing against the road surface makes a sound annoying many drivers. Also, it should be noted that such a ride leads to rapid tire wear. Therefore, in the warm season, they should be replaced with summer tires.
Alternative to spikes
The use of all-season tires in the winter is not universally welcomed, since they cope worse with snow cover and ice. You can opt for friction tires. The principle of their action is a special tread pattern containing longitudinal narrow slots - lamellas. Friction rubber, like studded rubber, provides good stability on slippery roads. In any case, giving preference to any option should be based on the climatic conditions of your region and taking into account the average temperature values in the winter.