What winter tires to buy?
Content
At the turn of November and December, the attendance of auto repair shops increases. The changing weather forces us to change the tires on our cars. And although, like every year, winter will surprise road builders, this does not mean that it should surprise you too. In our guide, you will learn how to choose the right tires so that driving, even in difficult conditions, is comfortable and safe.
Matej Lewandowski
What is the difference between summer tires and winter tires?
Let's start with what's the difference between winter and summer tires and why changing them is so important. So-called winter tires are designed for driving in conditions below 5 degrees Celsius, when there is snow, ice, sleet or slippery mud on the surface. They are characterized by a large number of narrow slots, thanks to which the tire can penetrate the slippery layer of soil without serious obstacles, giving it better grip.
The right number of blades and a special mixture prevent the rubber from hardening at low temperatures. All these factors make it easier and more reliable to move off, but above all, we have the shortest braking distance. That's why we should never ride summer tires in winter!
How to read tire markings?
Each tire has a special marking. Each number and letter tells us what the tire is made of and what it is for. So let's follow the whole process based on the most popular type − 195/65 R 15 91 N.
195 - tread width in millimeters;
65 - the ratio of the height of the sidewall of the tire to the width of the tire, expressed as a percentage;
R - this symbol means that the tire has a radial construction, i.e. one in which the carcass plies are located radially to the forehead axis. For a diagonal (transverse) tire, this will be the symbol D;
15 - rim diameter in inches;
91 – load index (see below);
H – speed rating (see below).
Load index:
it determines the maximum load that one tire can support when driving at the maximum allowable speed. This value is set by the vehicle manufacturer and must not be exceeded under any circumstances. In this case, 91 means 615 kg per tire (multiply by the number of wheels in the car). The consequences of the wrong selection of tires for this parameter can be very different. From faster wear and tear, driving hazards to canceling insurance in the event of a traffic accident.
Speed Index:
determines the maximum speed at which the car can travel with this type of tires. This is a parameter closely related to the load index. In this example, the symbol H means that the speed should not exceed 210 km/h. In this case, it is worth using tires with a higher index, because they will provide us with a greater level of stability, more precise driving, more reliable handling and better cornering. However, it should be remembered that this will also be associated with increased fuel consumption and a higher price.
In addition, each manufacturer is required to place a special label on their products, which will present three parameters: rolling resistance, wet braking distance and noise level, measured in decibels. Unfortunately, the regulation does not require manufacturers to test their tires in winter conditions, so these parameters usually correspond to summer properties. Therefore, when buying winter tires, you need to take an amendment to this.
Energy Efficiency:
it's nothing but fuel consumption. Measured on a scale from Dogwhere A is the smallest flow. It is worth noting that class D is not found in tires designed for passenger cars. In this case, it is assumed that the difference between the upper and lower class can be 7%, and for large vans even 15%. Of course, a lot will depend on the weight of the car and our driving style.
Wet grip: This should be a key feature for every driver as it has a direct bearing on driving safety. Here, as in the case of energy efficiency, we will find a scale from A to G, where A is the shortest stopping distance. For testing, a speed of 80 km/h is used and the difference is measured over one or two vehicle lengths. The span of the scale is even 18 meters, which can sometimes decide the question of a person's life.
Noise generated:
on the label you will find the symbol for three sound waves and the level expressed in decibels. The lower the value, the better for our driving comfort and the environment. Three continuous waves indicate that this tire complies with all applicable regulations. Two of them mean compliance with the new rules that come into force in this area. However, one is 3 decibels below normal (which doesn't mean this tire isn't good for driving - it's just going to be loud).
What company tires to buy?
When buying most products, we wonder if we should buy more expensive well-known brands or be tempted by cheaper substitutes that, in theory, give us the same parameters. However, in the case of tires, it is necessary to state with certainty that the brand of this company is important. Some of them just specialize in making quality equipment, which doesn't mean you'll need it. Beware of Chinese fakes! Always buy tires from trusted places, such as an auto repair shop/car service.
Economy Tires: Produced with the best price in mind while maintaining the appropriate parameters. You can find budget materials and technologies in them. They are also less durable, louder and have higher rolling resistance. However, this does not mean that you should avoid these types of tires. If you prefer a quiet driving style, besides in urban conditions and drive less than 5 kilometers a year, you can safely choose models in this class. The tires of this line are still among the best-selling tires in Poland.
Recommended brands: Apollo, Barum, Dayton, Dembica, Goodride, Kormoran, Matador, Riken, Sava, Sunny.
Mid-Range Tires:
maintaining the best value for money. Compared to the previous class, they are much more durable. The best models also include more modern technology. Some of the more expensive tires in this segment may have similar parameters to those of the top shelf. Compared to economical ones, more attention is paid to driving safety. Choose this class if you are looking for quality products, but do not have a very expensive car and do not drive hundreds of thousands of kilometers during the season.
Recommended brands: BFGoodrich, Dmack, Firestone, Fulda, Hankook, Kumho, Nexen, Toyo, Uniroyal.
Premium Tires:
the highest quality at the highest price. In them we will find the most advanced technological solutions. Such protectors will be the safest even with dynamic and fast driving. It is also worth remembering that with the same driving style, premium tires will last us longer than tires from the previous categories. Sometimes it's worth paying a little more to end up enjoying reliable hardware for longer.
Recommended brands: Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin, Nokian, Pirelli, Vredestein.
Should you buy an all-season tire?
More and more drivers are asking this question. In the age of global warming, when winters in our climate are getting lighter, it is not always worth investing in two sets of tires. On the other hand, a set of all-season tires is not the best solution for more demanding consumers. These types of treads will not work perfectly on dry or wet surfaces, and it's worth keeping that in mind.
However, modern all-season tires are suitable for lighter urban driving with slightly less use. These types of tires usually last 50-60 thousand kilometers, so if you travel long distances, you will have to take into account a considerable expense up to two years. It is undeniable that such a tire in typical winter conditions will not be as safe as its winter version.
The big plus is that they reduce the costs associated with changing and storing tires, because we do not have to change them. In addition, this type of equipment is most often offered by premium manufacturers, so we can be sure that their technological development will be at the highest level. Summing up, you can opt for all-season tires if you don’t drive too much and, moreover, mostly around the city. Otherwise, choose two seasonal packages.
