Periodically, each motorist raises the question of replacing summer tires with winter ones, and vice versa. It’s impossible not to change them, since this threatens not only with a serious fine, but also with an accident. This task, such as choosing winter tires, should be approached especially seriously and remember some of the subtleties that must be considered at the time of purchase. First of all, you need to be interested in the expiration date of tires. Basically, it does not exceed five years. Therefore, always look at the date when the tire was manufactured. This is especially true when you purchase rubber.
in the market, not in the company store. Release date is easy to find. Usually it, like other parameters, is placed directly on the bus itself. The date looks like four digits. For example, 3610, which means that this tire was produced on the 36th week of 2010.
Consider how to choose the right rubber, taking into account its wear resistance. Look for Treadwear and the number next to it on the tire. This will be a coefficient of wear resistance, and the higher it is, the longer the rubber will last you. The basic coefficient is 100 units, which are equal to 48 thousand kilometers. Therefore, if the number 400 is next to Treadwear (this indicator is the most common), this means that the tire can run 192 thousand kilometers. Of course, all this takes into account exclusively ideal operating conditions. But, in any case, if you stop the choice of winter tires on the one that has a coefficient of 100, then this tire will serve you no more than one season. The higher the indicator, the correspondingly more tires will last for more seasons.
Another quite important indicator is the speed index. If you have saved the instruction manual for the car, then in it you can find information about the required tire index. Usually it is denoted by Latin letters from H to Z. Each letter means a certain speed, which is not worth going above, in order to avoid loss of adhesion to the road surface and, as a result, an accident. Therefore, making a choice of winter tires, take note of this table:
| Index | N | P | Q | R | S | T | U | H | V | W | Y | Zr |
| km / h | 140 | 150 | 160 | 170 | 180 | 190 | 200 | 210 | 240 | 270 | 300 | More than 240 |
It is equally important to take into account the load index, that is, the largest specific weight of the machine, which can withstand one wheel. On tires, it is indicated by numbers from 60 to 130. The higher the index, the less elastic the rubber, and its frame is thicker. Because of this, driving a car may not be very comfortable, and the suspension can quickly wear out.
Studying reviews of winter tires, a sort of rating of the best, from the point of view of domestic motorists, tires was compiled. So, in the winter of 2012-13, the
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV and
Nokian Nordman 4 tires received the most votes
. The Europeans liked the Michelin brand the most, but this is probably due to the fact that their roads are few (or rather, much) differ from ours, and this allows you to keep the rubber in perfect condition. This condition is so perfect that the tires used in the "European" use are sold on the markets of our country and have time to drive also Russian motorists. In any case, the choice of winter tires is a purely personal matter, but we hope that the above information will help you get what you need.