subject: When Do You Need Winter Tires? [print this page] When Do You Need Winter Tires? When Do You Need Winter Tires?
For safe driving in the winter, we need an optimal traction. Thanks to its special design with multiple blades, the winter tire has a much larger contact area with the road, ensuring better stability and shorter stopping distances.
When driving on snow at a speed of 50 km/h and the car is equipped with four winter tires, it has a stopping distance of 35 meters, if you use summer tires the car stops for 43 meters. When the road is icy and the speed is only 30 km, the difference is even greater. Winter tires stop for 57 meters and the summer - for 68 meters. Often, the shorter stopping distance of winter tires, prevent serious accidents and save lives.
A number of so-called "all-season" tires can be found on the market. According to their manufacturers, they are suitable for use throughout the year - in the spring rain, in the summer heat, in the winter ice. However, it is better for your security to buy the proper tires for every season.
In 1999, the USA and Canada accepted a new standard for winter tires, which is already internationally recognized. Winter tires, approved under the strict requirements of this standard, ensure the highest possible levels of stability and traction in severe winter conditions and they are marked with special character: a snowflake on the background of a mountain.
Usually most drivers think of the need for winter tires when the first snow falls. This often leads to large queues in front of tire markets and you waste your time. Reasonable drivers equip their car with winter tires by the end of October. At that time, the temperature at night often drops to zero and the use of summer tires is already dangerous.
Although it seems logical from an economic point of view, the mounting of two winter tires only, carries serious risks. When you stop the car, the weight of it moves to the front axle, and rear-wheel drive cars have to rely on a miracle that the summer tires will stop when there is snow. That's why you should put four winter tires.
The latest technology in the production of winter tires is the use of silica SiO2 in the rubber mixture. The ordinary rubber mixture of the summer and all-season tires loses its elasticity and cannot make a good traction even in dry conditions. By the addition of silica, the elasticity of the rubber mixture remains, and when there are subzero temperatures, the traction is perfect.
The most important thing that you should not forget is to put your winter tires earlier. You will not be able to drive your car in snow and ice without them. Do not risk your life - do not drive with summer tires. There are many different types of winter tires (interesting to know is that the Danish term is Billigevinterdk) on the market, you just need to go and choose the best for your car. If you want to find out more about winter tires, simply click here and read this article.
