What winter tires to choose?
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What winter tires to choose?

Good tires for the winter season are not only a guarantee of good car performance. It also has a huge impact on our security. If you are wondering which winter tires to choose or how to choose the model that best meets your expectations? We will dispel all doubts. In this article you will find answers to all your questions.

snow covered cars in winter

A well-equipped car is not afraid of even the strongest blizzards.

What winter tires? Criterias of choice

What winter tires should you buy? This is one of the most frequently asked questions in auto shops and auto repair shops. Knowing that you have good winter tires is a guarantee of good sleep for every driver. However, before you start figuring out which products to bet on and what data is on the tire label, make sure you know exactly what you're looking for. The safety of you and your loved ones will depend on which winter tires you choose.

Tire size

It is best to start from the very beginning, i.e. from determining the most important information - tire size. This is a basic question that allows you to select only those models that will be appropriate for your car. 

How to choose winter tires? Follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly. Any ideas like assembling a narrower model (in excess of the manufacturer's recommendations) are myths and act to their own detriment. Be sure to also select the appropriate speed and load indexes, always in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

The tire size, written in a series of numbers and letters, is indicated on its sidewall. In most cases, these are type designations - 205/55 R16. The first number is the width in millimeters, the second is the percentage of that width (in this case 55% of 205mm), and the third is the diameter of the wheel rim in inches that the tire of that size fits on. The letter "R" indicates that the tire has a radial structure. The speed and load index is indicated next to the tire size, for example, 205/55 R16 91 V.

Tire load index

The load index in this case is the number 91. This is the maximum allowable load on one tire at the maximum speed allowed for this model. If the load index is 91, this means that the load on the tire should not exceed 615 kg. Multiplying this value by the number of tires in the car, we should get a number slightly higher than the maximum permissible weight of our car with a full load (this information can be found in the data sheet, field F1). Remember, never use tires with a load index lower than recommended for your vehicle.

Tire speed index

The speed index for the tire of our example (205/55 R16 91 V) is indicated by the letter V. It indicates the maximum allowable speed for this model, here it is 240 km / h.  With regard to winter tires, it is permissible to use a lower speed index, but it cannot be lower than Q (up to 160 km / h). At the same time, the sticker on the maximum speed of these tires must be pasted into the vehicle interior in such a way that it is visible and legible to the driver.

Which winter tire company to choose?

The tire market is currently so vast that it is difficult to unambiguously single out one manufacturer in online tire store. Which brand is better? Perhaps more than one driver asked himself this question. When choosing seasonal tires, there are several important parameters to consider:

Winter tire brands and tire class

Tire classification is divided into three main classes. The difference is due to the compounds used, the tread pattern or technological progress. The product category, in turn, translates into all parameters, such as: price, service life, rolling resistance, fuel consumption, road grip, etc. So if you are wondering which winter tires to choose, you must consider when buying both. the funds you can spend on tires, as well as individual expectations based on driving style.

Какие шины выбрать на зиму? Среди премиальных брендов большой популярностью пользуются модели Continental , Bridgestone , Nokian Tyres и Michelin . К производителям среднего уровня относятся Uniroyal , Fulda и Hankook . В свою очередь, к экономичным продуктам относятся такие бренды, как: Zeetex , Imperial и Barum. Смотрите больше вариантов зимних шин здесь https://vezemkolesa.ru/tyres/zima

Winter tire classes - division

 Economy ClassMiddle classPremium class
For whom?небольшой
 annual mileage, driving mainly in the city, city-class car, calm driving style.
expected good
 performance level, both city and highway driving, medium or compact class car, moderate driving style.
large
 annual mileage, frequent off-road driving, aggressive and dynamic
 driving style, high performance car.
RecommendedCormorant SnowyFalken Eurowinter HS01 Kleber Chrysalp HP3Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

Average mileage

If you're wondering which winter tires to choose, pay close attention to your vehicle's average mileage. If you commute to and from work, sometimes take a short route, but your mileage is less than 5000 kilometers, choose mid-range tires. Tires must have a directional or asymmetric tread pattern. If, on the other hand, you are a professional driver, driving hundreds of miles a day, choose medium or premium tires. These models are highly durable.

 Winter run more than 5000 km.Winter mileage is less than 5000 km.
What tires?
Tires of medium class or premium class tires are characterized by high wear resistance.
 
Tires of medium or economy class with directional or asymmetric tread pattern.
Recommended:Nokian Tires WR SnowproofHankook i *sept RS2 W452

Scope of use

NexenWingard Sport 2

Nexen Winguard Sport 2

Driving primarily in the city on slushy, snowless or dry roads

In this situation, the best solution is tires that guarantee safe and efficient braking in emergency situations and ensure safe driving. The best choice would be directional tires of medium or economy class.

Pirelli Chinturato Winter

Pirelli Chinturato Winter

Driving at high speeds, mainly off-road, both on non-snowy and non-snowy roadways.

In this case, it is best to choose silent winter tires that provide high driving comfort. So it is worth considering buying tires with an asymmetric or directional tread. 

Pirelli SubZero Серия 3

Pirelli SottoZero Series 3

Driving in difficult mountain conditions

Harsh mountain conditions require suitable winter tires. Which ones should I choose to get to my destination safely? The best model with an aggressive tread pattern, equipped with a large number of sipes and V-shaped grooves that will allow you to overcome any hill. 


Preferred driving style

Cormorant Snow

Cormorant Snowy

Slow ride

For a quiet ride, mainly in the city, without sharp accelerations and difficult maneuvers, tires from the economy segment, such as Kormoran Snow, are a good choice.

Kleber Chrysalp HP3

Kleber Chrysalp HP3

moderate driving

What winter tires to buy for moderate driving? We recommend Kleber Krisalp HP3. If you drive a medium class car moderately, mainly in urban areas, but not only in urban areas, then economy or medium directional tires will be the right choice that will meet all your expectations.

Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906

Yokohama BluEarth-Zima V906

Dynamic driving

For dynamic and aggressive driving, it is necessary to choose an adequate model created for this purpose. It must be a higher grade directional or asymmetric tread tire. We recommend to all lovers of dynamic driving: Yokohama BluEarth-Winter V906.


Vehicle type and tires

For small cars, mid or economy class directional tread models (depending on other preferences) are the best choice. If you have a small car, choose - Imperial Snowdragon HP. On the other hand, for vehicles in the mid-price segment, mid-range tires or premium, asymmetric and directional tires such as the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905 are most commonly used. Premium tires will be a good choice for owners of sports cars, limousines and SUVs with high engine power, providing maximum performance when driving fast. Here we especially recommend Nokian Tires WR A4 and Nokian Tires WR SUV 4.

Directional or asymmetric winter tires?

Tread typeRecommended
Symmetrical -  characterized by the same arrangement of blocks on both sides of the tread. Tires with a symmetrical tread can be mounted in any way - there are no special requirements for the direction of rolling. Symmetric grooves are the cheapest to design and do not require high-tech solutions. Tires of this type have proven themselves well in small and medium-sized passenger cars, as well as in cargo vans.Imperial
Snow Dragon UHP
Asymmetrical -  characterized by a different pattern on the left and right side of the tire. This protector has information about the assembly method on the side. The exemplary designation "inside" means that this is the inner side, which must be installed in the direction "towards the car." The outer part has more massive tread blocks, the task of which is to provide cornering stability, increase the so-called lateral grip and prevent premature wear. The inner side of the tread is responsible for water drainage and longitudinal grip. The specific structure of the asymmetric tread allows you to refine the parameters of both halves of the tread for the purpose of this tire.Dunlop SP Winter Response 2
Directed -  the most common type of winter tire tread. It is characterized by an arrow printed on the side, which indicates the direction of rolling. The tread blocks form a V-shaped pattern. From the point of view of winter conditions, the most important advantage of a directional tread is a high coefficient of water and slush removal, as well as good traction.Michelin Alpin 6

Two or four winter tires?

Remember, always use four identical winter tires with the same tread depth. This is the best solution. Although the use of two different treads front and rear is not prohibited, the installation of such tires on both axles should be avoided. Two different models will react differently under certain circumstances, which can lead to unpredictable vehicle behavior and dangerous situations. The same applies to the use of summer / all season and winter tires at the same time. This is an even more dangerous situation. Given the different characteristics of the models for this season, this is unacceptable.

“Which winter tires do you recommend” - user reviews and tire tests

Follow test results from independent institutes to find the model that best suits your needs. One of the most famous and highly regarded is the study conducted by the German automobile club ADAC.

Looking for winter tires? Which one to choose so as not to regret your decision? Check out the current ADAC tire test results and find out which models are worthy of your attention.

The opinions of other users will also help you choose winter tires. Thanks to them, it is easiest to find out how a particular tire behaves during its entire service life. Browse the largest database of winter tire reviews on the internet at https://vezemkolesa.ru/tyres

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