Studded winter tires - a guarantee of grip in any conditions?
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For more than 70 years, the inhabitants of the Scandinavian peninsula have been coping with winter difficulties on the road, using specially designed tires with space for metal studs. They are essentially slightly modified "winter tires" but the grip and driving confidence on icy surfaces is unmatched. However, in our country they cannot always be used legally, and their use on some surfaces may reduce road safety.
The studded tire is an invention from Northern Europe.
Even the best tires made from special rubber compounds only deal with problems like ice or packed snow to a limited extent. Although the tread is specially designed to provide the best “sticking” into the snow layer (through the so-called sipes), it is practically powerless in the face of an icy surface. So it is not surprising that in countries where snowfall and sleet are the norm, studded tires are very popular. Experiments have been made over the years with the number and length of the spikes, but today they are typically 60 to 120 and range in size from 10 to 15 mm.
Studded tires - how is it made?
Although similar to standard tire models, studded tires have fewer sipes. Most often they weigh about 2 grams and are up to 15 mm long, although in trucks they reach up to 30 mm. Studs are placed in the tire after vulcanization, which allows them to be studded many times, since during operation they can be lost or damaged. In addition, their structure has been modified in such a way as to prevent the tire from wearing out too quickly due to weather conditions. What else is different from "winter"?
Studded tire - additional modifications
Another difference that makes winter tires with studs last longer is, among other things, the thicker tread, which allows better separation of the steel strips from the body of the stud. If the rubber layer at this point were too thin, it would break down more quickly, as a result of the pressures being transferred, as well as the action of the salt used to keep the roads in good condition. As a result, metal belts will corrode rather quickly, which will significantly reduce the life of the tire. In addition, the powerful forces transmitted directly to the belts when driving on asphalt would lead to mechanical damage.
How is the spike arranged?
The most important elements of such tires, on which their best behavior on the road depends, are metal spikes from 60 to 120 pieces. It usually consists of an aluminum, steel, or plastic body that surrounds a real spike made of extremely hard tungsten carbide. While the body itself is almost completely built into the tire, it is the tungsten tip that protrudes from it by about 1,5mm. Finnish tire giant Nokian has unveiled a variant with movable studs that allow safe driving on dry pavement.
How studded tires work
Although the studs used to improve a car's grip on snow and ice can vary widely, the way they work is almost always the same. Wherever the asphalt is slippery, the metal studs provide much better traction for uncompromising handling. However, what is good for the driver is not necessarily good for the condition of the surface - especially when driving on dirt roads, which degrade much faster when studs are used. Therefore, their use is not allowed in all countries, and in many countries it is subject to restrictions.
Norway, Finland - where else can you ride on studded tires?
In most European countries, it is described in some detail under what circumstances studded tires are allowed. In some countries, these tires are subject to city congestion fees, may require special markings, and can almost always only be used during the winter season. Among the countries where spikes are allowed are Italy, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Spain. In most of these places, the white road standard is where snowy roads are allowed throughout the winter season. Poland is not among them.
Studded tires in our country - what does it look like?
Poland is one of the countries with so-called standard black roads, i.e. those where the road administration is obliged to keep them black for most of the winter season. Therefore, the roadways in our country are regularly cleared of snow and sprinkled with salt and sand, which - although not cheap - guarantees a high level of safety for road users. For this reason, there is no need to use specialized solutions on our roads, except for standard winter tires, and the use of studs is almost always prohibited.
What do the rules say about studded tires?
Riding on studded tires on public roads is prohibited in our country. The regulation mentions the use of "permanently placed anti-slip elements" and its violation is punishable by a fine of 10 euros and temporary retention of the registration certificate. The only legal possibility of using studs on public roads is participation in an organized rally or winter race with the prior consent of the road administrator obtained by the organizer.
Studded tires are a good solution, although not ideal
After the initial admiration for studded tires, today their use is much more regulated and restricted. The authorities of many countries have come to the conclusion that it is better to clear the roads of snow than to incur the cost of frequent repairs to the asphalt pavement. Therefore, such tires can be used in strictly limited conditions and within reasonable limits. They are not perfect, but they certainly provide safety on snowy roads.