What winter tires for passenger cars to choose and where to buy them?

Nokian Kelirengas, launched over 85 years ago, is considered the world's first mass-produced winter tire. Since then, such tires have gained great popularity and are indispensable.

It is encouraging that the vast majority of drivers are aware of the need to adapt tires to road conditions. More than 90% of consumers surveyed by a tire company say they need to switch to winter tires and summer. However, one insurance company representative points out that tires that are not adapted to the conditions make up a large percentage of the causes of all accidents. What should be winter tires to avoid dangerous situations on the road? Check!

Winter tires and their replacement for summer - when to change tires?

The age-old problem of drivers is to determine the right moment to change tires. Some wait until frost, others do it in the fall. Still others drive on summer tires until the first snowfall. Who is right? Temperature plays a key role. Summer tires record a decrease in their properties and an increase in braking distance when driving below 7^oC and then you should think about switching to winter tires. It is best to change tires when the temperature is close to or below this.

Are winter tires required?

In short - no. So why do the vast majority of drivers wear them? Conscious drivers want to adjust the level of safety to the current weather conditions. However, this is not only a manifestation of the mind, but also the duty of the driver. Each driver of the vehicle is obliged to keep it in a technical condition that allows you to move safely, regardless of the conditions. This also includes tires. Winter tires are optional, but definitely worth having.

This, of course, is the same in our country. Going somewhere abroad, you need to familiarize yourself with the legislation of the country to which you are going. Moreover, all our neighbors (except Ukraine) have a debt tire change brought in for the winter.

At low temperatures, replace summer tires with winter tires at:

• Germany,
• Czech,
• Slovakia.

However, in Lithuania and Belarus, tires must be changed after a certain date.

What are the best winter tires?

The choice is large and can be divided into several categories. One of them is the state of the given model. Tires can be:

• new;
• used;
• restored.

However, for road safety reasons, we do not recommend choosing used tires. Even if their tread is still deep, the rubber can become stiff with age. And this is due to less grip on slippery surfaces. When choosing tires, you should also consider the load index and the speed index.

New winter tires - which one to choose for a car?

Winter tires also differ from each other in adapting to conditions. This class has two main types:

• alpine tire;
• nordic tire.

How do they differ from each other and where will they be optimal?

Alpine type tire - a traditional solution for winter

These winter tires are designed for mild winters. In addition, they are very good at:

• bite into the snow;
• slag outlet;
• driving on slippery surfaces. 

One of the countries where alpine tires are sold is Poland. Manufacturers adapt winter tires to snow-cleared tracks, which, however, also contain slush. Such products will also cope well with wet and cool surfaces.

Scandinavian type tire - something for real winter

Thanks to these tires, you do not have to look for spikes for driving on snow and ice. Nordic winter tires are designed for safe driving on snowy and icy roads. Therefore, it is not surprising that their name suggests that they will be suitable for drivers from the Nordic countries. They also work well in Canada, Russia and wherever black asphalt is unreliable in winter.

Cheap winter tires or good winter tires?

In the tire industry, you pay for the product, i.e. for winter tires, and not for the badge itself. Therefore, in many cases, price is related to quality. You will recognize it, for example, by the markings on the tires. which the? The key to deciphering the tires are the signs "3PMSF" and "M+S". The first one shows a snowflake enclosed in the outline of a mountain with three peaks. The second is an abbreviation for the English "mud + snow". Which of the markings says that these are winter boots?

Snowflake or mud and snow?

Definitely only the first mark, i.e. "3PMSF", means that you can treat the tire as a full winter tire. The second character translates as "mud and snow". A tire with this badge, in principle, does not guarantee quality in winter. You only learn that the manufacturer has tested in winter conditions. If you decide on the cheapest winter tires, look in the mountains for those with a snowflake sign. Although they will not be of the highest quality, remember that they are better adapted to the style of driving in slush and snow than those with the “M + S” badge.

Winter tires - prices and grip

You already know several types of winter tires that you can buy for your car. Now we will introduce several price levels and interesting tire models. Where to buy winter tires? The easiest way to do this is online. As an example, let's take one of the most popular sizes, that is, 195/65 R15.

The cheapest new winter tires - prices

One of the cheapest yet newer winter tires is the Lanvigator Snowpower. They cost about 46 euros per set. This is a very low price, considering that these are full-fledged winter tires. However, once you take a closer look at them, you will notice why they are not prohibitively expensive. One reason is that these winter tires are quite noisy. They emit noise at a level of 72 dB. In addition, in the economy category, they received a low category E, and a similar mark was issued for the ability to drive on wet surfaces.

Good quality new winter tires - prices

During the search, you can find the Dębica Frigo 2 tire, which is very warmly received by the drivers. The kit costs just over 73 euros, and the noise level is lower than that of the previously described Lanvigator at 69 dB. The rolling resistance class (C) is also better. Wet grip remains the same (E). According to users, this is one of the best mid-range products.

The cheapest winter retread tires - prices

Of course, you will pay the least for car tires from anonymous manufacturers. The price for the whole set should not exceed 350-40 euros. Obviously, they look very decent in the photo, but the quality of their workmanship remains unknown. It's also hard to expect manufacturer's claims on rolling resistance, wet grip and noise levels.

Quality retreaded winter tires - prices

The retread tires recommended by users are not the most expensive. This is why many drivers opt for retreaded tires. Interesting things can be found at prices ranging from 550 to 60 euros per set. At this price, you will usually see the brand name, tread type, and basic product information. Retreaded winter tires are a good choice if they come from a reputable manufacturer.

What pressure should be used in winter tires?

Here opinions are strongly divided, but the laws of physics come to the rescue. The pressure of a gas depends on its volume and temperature. And it is the last parameter in winter that has a decisive influence on the level of tire loading. In winter, sudden changes in temperature are more common, so it is better to inflate the tires 0,2 bar more than the manufacturer recommends. Remember that as the temperature decreases, the gas pressure also decreases.

There are people who are wondering what will be better - winter tires or all-season tires. How to quickly solve this problem? Winter tires are designed for those who drive long distances in winter and live in places where there is a lot of snow. On the other hand, year-round specimens can be safely used by those who often travel around cities and on highways where the snow is not so intense. However, it is worth having winter tires, because Poland is still a country where winter can surprise drivers...