How to choose the right winter tires?

Good and cheap - this is the main slogan that Polish drivers use when choosing winter tires. Cheap is a relative concept, but what does good winter tires mean?

What are winter tires?

A so-called winter tire is a tire designed for use in climates where the average temperature drops below 5-7 degrees Celsius, and the roads may be covered with snow, ice (so-called sleet) or slush. The best behavior in such situations is provided by a special tread pattern. A large number of sipes, narrow slots across the tire help to “bite” into packed snow and ice, and a rubber compound with a high silica content prevents the rubber from hardening at low temperatures, which increases the effectiveness of the sipes.

What is the difference between 3PMSF bus and M+S bus?

The basic designation of a winter tire is the graphic symbol 3PMSF (three peaks of a mountain snowflake), that is, an icon representing a snowflake with three peaks inscribed upwards. This symbol has been approved by the Tire and Rubber Association and has been officially valid in the European Union since November 2012. It is also recognized in other regions of the world, including North America.

3PMSF on a tire means that it meets certain requirements for a winter tire, which is confirmed by the relevant tests, which culminated in the issuance of a certificate. Having tires with this marking, we can be sure that they are real winter tires.

The designation M + S (mud and snow) means the so-called. mud-winter tires. It has been used as a winter tire label for many years, and to this day it can be found on all winter tires bearing the 3PMSF designation. However, M+S is only a manufacturer's declaration and a tire with this marking does not have to undergo any tests to confirm its winter properties. Moreover, this marking can be found not only on winter tires, but also on tires for SUVs, sometimes even on Far Eastern tires that do not have winter characteristics.

Typical winter tyre, i.e. mountain tyre.

Winter tires themselves are also divided into different types, if only because of the climatic zone in which they are to be operated. In the temperate zone, in which Poland is located, the so-called. alpine tires. They are designed with roads cleared of snow, most of which are sprinkled with salt or other chemicals. When designing mountain tires, manufacturers focus more on wet and dry performance at low temperatures or the ability to remove slush than on the most slippery surfaces. This does not mean that alpine tires cannot handle the toughest conditions, such as slippery packed snow and ice. However, there are tires that can do it better.

scandinavian tire

The so-called Northern Tires. They are offered in countries with severe winters (Scandinavia, Russia, Ukraine, Canada, and the northern United States), where roads are cleared of snow, but not necessarily sprinkled with salt or other chemicals. They are designed to best handle packed snow and ice without the use of studs. Compared to alpine tires, they show weaker properties on wet and dry surfaces, the most common on our roads. Their offer on the Polish market is very limited and prices are high.

Sports tyre, SUV…

Sports winter tires? No problem, almost all tire companies offer winter tires designed for vehicles with high power engines. This type of tire can be recommended for drivers who often travel on motorways, i.e. traveling long distances at high speed.

Owners of large SUVs have a smaller choice of winter tires, but almost every major manufacturer offers products designed specifically for this type of vehicle. In connection with the expansion of the range of high-performance SUVs, winter sports tires for them have also appeared.

Silica gel, silicone, shape protector

The first winter tires resembled today's A/T and M/T off-road tires. They had an aggressive tread with large blocks (blocks) to bite into incompletely packed snow. Over time, lamellas appeared, i.e. narrow sipes to improve traction on slippery surfaces, and the blocks are less aggressive as a result of better road maintenance. The modern winter tire also owes its advantage over the old M+S tires to special rubber compounds with silica, silicone and secret additives to increase friction on slippery surfaces. One form of tread is not enough, a modern winter tire is a combination of various technologies aimed at increasing the parameters that are useful for driving in low temperatures.

Two examples show that the shape of the tread is the final criterion for choosing winter tires. Tires made in China often have treads that look as good as those of established manufacturers, but do not match the characteristics of well-known brands in their properties. On the other hand, there are more and more all-weather tires with "summer" tread (eg Michelin Crossclimate) on the market that perform surprisingly well in winter. In both cases, the tread compound is more important than the tread pattern.

How to read tire markings - 205/55 R16 91H

205 - tire width, expressed in mm

55 - tire profile, i.e. height expressed in % (here: 55% of the width)

R - radial tire

16 - rim diameter, expressed in inches

91 - load index (here: 615 kg)

H - speed index (here: up to 210 km / h)

Size matters?

The size of winter tires should be the same as the summer tires installed by the manufacturer on our car model. If the car is equipped with additional wheels with lower profile summer tires (on a larger rim), then with winter tires you can return to the standard size. This is all the more reasonable if the profile of the auxiliary tires is very low. A higher profile will be better for winter, protecting the rims from damage caused by holes hidden under snow or water, for example. However, before using a smaller diameter rim, we must ensure that it is the minimum size we can use. The limitation is the size of the brake discs with caliper.

The use of winter tires narrower than provided by the car manufacturer is not recommended today by experts. This is, among other things, a connection with the road conditions in which we drive today. Narrower tires will increase the ground pressure of the unit, which will improve traction in loose snow. A narrower tire helps evacuate slush and water, so the risk of aquaplaning is also reduced. However, it also means longer braking distances on wet, packed snow and ice, which reduces our safety in typical winter conditions.

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Speed ​​index

All tires are offered with different speed ratings, including winter tires. Theoretically, it should be equal to or higher than the maximum speed of our model, set by the car manufacturer. Detailed information on recommended tires can be found in the vehicle owner's manual.

Purchasing tires with a higher speed rating can make handling a little harder and reduce driving comfort. Tires with a lower speed index will do the opposite. We should avoid buying them, although there are some exceptions and they include winter tires. According to experts, it is acceptable to use Alpine tires with an index one degree lower than the correct one, but for the safety of the car, there must be an appropriate annotation about this fact (information sticker). Nordic tires have fairly low speed performance (160-190 km/h), regardless of size and load capacity, due to their design and specific operating conditions.

Load index

Equally important is the choice of an appropriate load index. This is also strictly specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Tires with a lower index should not be used, even if the load capacity seems to be sufficient. This may damage them. It is acceptable to choose tires with a higher load index. It can be selected when the given tire does not have a lower index that meets the requirements of the vehicle manufacturer.

Labels

Manufacturers are required to place special labels on tires. For each type of tire (each size and index), three properties are tested: rolling resistance, wet braking distance and noise. The problem is that they were designed for summer tires, and braking distances are tested in summer temperatures, so this figure is of little use for a winter tire. The labels make it easy to check if a tire is quiet and economical.

Tire testing

Comparison tests are very helpful when choosing tires as they give you an idea of ​​how a given tire model performs in certain conditions. Tests are carried out on dry, wet, snowy and icy surfaces, noise level and tread wear are measured. Individual results have a different priority depending on the test, and the tires themselves may show slight differences in parameters depending on size, speed index or load capacity. Therefore, the order of the same tire models in subsequent tests will not always be the same. Therefore, we should look for tire tests in the size we are interested in or as close as possible to it, and then analyze the results in terms of our expectations. There are drivers for whom driving comfort will be most important, others pay attention to rolling resistance, and mountaineers may pay more attention to behavior on snow. 

Premium Breeds

Premium brands (Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Michelin, Nokian, Pirelli, Yokohama) dominate the winter tire tests, taking turns on the podium. This is not the result of a conspiracy, but a well-thought-out policy of tire companies. Their mid-range and low-end brands have to use cheaper technology, which is reflected in the parameters of their tires. Even if the tread shape is identical to an older, discontinued premium brand, the tread compound will mean that the cheaper tire will not perform as well as its prototype. 

There are some exceptions to this rule. When looking for a cheap tire with good matched parameters, we are not doomed to failure. Sometimes cheaper models "rub" on the test podium. However, they have no chance of winning because they will never be good in any of the categories. This is the prerogative of premium brands. However, if we know what to expect from a winter tyre, we can easily find an inexpensive mid-range or budget tire and be happy with our choice.

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Cheap, cheaper, from China, retreaded

For economic reasons, many drivers choose the cheapest products. Before you decide to buy them, there are a few basic things you need to be aware of.

The so-called tinctures, that is, retreaded tires. They are heavier than new tires of the same size, they use different bases, i.e. tires from different manufacturers, they can also have a worn carcass, so they are not suitable for intensive use. Damage to these tires is much more likely than new ones. You can ride, but it's hard to recommend. Their only advantage is their low price. The driver makes a purchase at his own risk. 

And new tires from Asian countries (except South Korea and Japan), should they be considered? Although some progress is visible in their design, in the case of winter tires they still cannot be compared with the somewhat more expensive economy (so-called budget) tires from European manufacturers, including Polish brands. The differences become apparent as the speed increases. Poor traction, a tendency to aquaplaning, and most importantly, a much longer stopping distance allow cheap Asian winter tires to work well in the city, at low speeds. On slippery roads, such winter tires are better than even the best summer tires. Before buying them, make sure that they have the “e4” marking, the European approval symbol and the 3PMSF marking on the side.

Summation

When looking for winter tires, make sure they carry the 3PMSF marking. This will ensure that we are dealing with a winter tested tire. Second, consider using the smallest rim diameter possible that the car's design allows. A high tire profile will reduce the visual appeal of the car, but increase driving comfort and significantly reduce the risk of damage to the rims as well as the tires themselves. It should also be remembered that the use of narrower tires than recommended has negative consequences. Thirdly, let's look for a model that meets our expectations of a winter tire, and they are as different as the drivers themselves.