Car tires, regardless of brand, are one of the most important components of driver and passenger safety. Worn or out-of-season selected ramps can cause not only control problems, but also cause accidents.
To avoid this, it is important not only to know when to put winter tires, but when to put summer tires, but also to understand how different types of tires behave in different temperature and weather conditions. This knowledge will also help to choose the right rays when buying.
Types of tires and their differences
All automotive tires for seasonal use are divided into the following types:
- summer - for driving on any type of road surface in the spring-autumn period;
- winter - for use in the winter;
- all-season - universal for year-round use;
- highway - for driving on dry or wet hard road surface;
- high-speed - are used on sports cars and have high coupling properties;
- all-season high-speed - an improved version of universal tires, which makes it possible to ride on snow and ice
The last three types of skates are most often used in motorsport, and motorists are very rarely used. Therefore, we will dwell on the most familiar tires for us, which you can purchase at any specialized car shop.
Summer tires
Summer and winter tires significantly differ from each other in composition, density and porosity. In addition, they have a different pattern and tread area. Summer tires have a more rigid structure, providing maximum traction. When driving between the ramp and the road surface, a certain friction occurs, as a result of which the tire temperature increases. Because of this, the rubber becomes softer and more pliable.
Usually the tread of summer slopes has a simple pattern. Its main task is to drain water when driving on wet roads. Due to such properties, summer tires are absolutely unsuitable for use at low temperature conditions.
All season tires
This type of ramp is designed for those who do not want to wonder about when to put winter tires, and when - summer. All-season tires make it possible to use them in various temperature conditions. However, such a solution involves more disadvantages than advantages.
There is only one plus in applying the all-weather season - replacing summer tires with winter tires is not required. In return, the driver will receive year-round tire wear, additional noise when driving on dry and hard roads, unstable behavior of ramps in high and low temperatures. In addition, motorists who prefer an aggressive way of driving will have to abandon a sharp start and braking.
All-season tires are suitable for motorists who do not use personal vehicles in the winter or tidy drivers who do not operate their "iron horse" for long trips in extreme conditions. In this case, the change of summer tires to winter tires, and vice versa, will simply be unjustified.
Winter tire features
Winter tires have a lower density due to their porosity. It is much softer than the summer, which can significantly increase the grip with the coating, even on icy roads.
The tread of winter tires has a more complex pattern, which makes it possible to remove not only water, but also snow pulp from under the wheels. Its increased area is also designed to provide maximum grip.
What to put winter tires?
Winter tires can be divided into two types: studded and Velcro. The first are a ramp, in the working surface of which metal spikes are specially placed. These tires are ideal for driving on snowy tracks and on impassable roads, but on wet or icy surfaces it is better not to use them. A test of winter tires equipped with spikes under such conditions showed a significant increase in braking distance due to a decrease in the quality of grip.
The best solution for a little snowy winter and for a ride in the city are Velcro. This type of tire is also called friction. Their feature is a specially selected composition of rubber, which allows you to adapt to various temperature conditions. A shallow tread applied to the entire working surface absorbs and removes water, as if sucking onto the surface of the road. A brake test of winter Velcro rubber and studded tires, conducted on ice at a temperature of -15 0 C, showed that friction ramps definitely have an advantage. However, when the temperature index increases to 0 0 C, the spikes win.
When to put winter tires?
There is no single answer to this rhetorical question. Some car owners do this, focusing on the beginning of the heating season, others - on the transition to winter time, others are waiting for the first snow.
The best option for changing tires is to stabilize the average daily temperature at + 5 + 7 0 C. With further cooling, it is unsafe to ride summer slopes - they become stiff and their grip on the road surface deteriorates. Tire manufacturers also agree. It is this temperature, according to their recommendations, that is a signal for a change in rubber.
And in no case should you wait until the snow falls. Firstly, this is an additional hazard factor, and secondly, queues for tire fitting during this period will not allow doing this in one day.
Features of the operation of winter tires
For novice drivers, it will be important to learn not only about when to put winter tires, but about some of the features of its operation in cold and weather conditions. In addition to the fact that the tires become stiffer with decreasing temperature, the pressure in them drops. This is due to the physical ability of any substance to narrow and expand. The air in the tires is no exception. With decreasing temperature, it is necessary to check and, if necessary, pump up the slopes. Low tire pressure not only degrades the car 's running ability in winter, but also leads to excessive fuel consumption.
When installing winter tires, you need to pay attention to the degree of wear. Typically, in front-wheel drive vehicles, front tires wear out in the middle and rear tires on the sides. To ensure uniform production, it is recommended that every 8-10 thousand km change their places.
Summer tires
With the end of winter, some motorists are in a hurry to change tires to summer, fearing their rapid wear. Indeed, soft winter tires wear out very quickly when driving on asphalt under the influence of elevated temperature caused by friction. But it should be borne in mind that weather conditions at the beginning of spring in our latitudes often change, and even in April there are frosts, not to mention the March snowfalls.
Therefore, there is no need to rush here. It is better to wait for a stable average daily temperature of +10
0 C, as well as familiarize yourself with the synoptic forecast for the coming month. If the weather allows, then you can safely “change shoes”. And in the event of a sharp drop in temperature or snowfall, you should refrain from planned trips.
What is the best way to store rubber?
Some motorists prefer to use two sets of wheels: some with winter tires, others with summer tires. This is convenient in its own way, and you can change the wheels yourself. Firstly, in the period when you need to change tires, there will not be a question about recording on tire service and paying for service stations. It is enough to have a jack and a wheel wrench on hand. Secondly, tires worn on wheels will not deform during seasonal storage.
But here there are some nuances. Such a decision will be correct if certain conditions are met. First, when installing the wheels in the kit, they must be carefully examined for deformation. A bent or cracked disc may cause an accident. Second - the wheels need to be balanced. Otherwise, problems with the chassis of the car cannot be avoided. Imbalance of the wheel during rotation creates a vibration that will gradually destroy the hub bearing. Well, of course, do not forget about tire pressure. If its indicator is insufficient, you need to use a pump or compressor.
Without disks, the tires are also well preserved. It is enough to put them vertically on the floor, having previously laid it, and your rubber will rest calmly until its next season. Under no circumstances should tires be folded without wheels horizontally on top of one another or suspended.
Also, do not store stingrays on the street under the open sky. The sun and freezing temperatures are detrimental to rubber. If you do not have your own garage or other similar premises, it is better to use the rubber storage services at special services. There, in addition, the condition of the tires will be checked, and they will help to change the shoes.
Whatever tires are installed on your car, do not forget about the high-speed mode. On the winter road, it is not the quality and condition of the rubber that matters, but the driver’s attentiveness and caution.