How to choose winter tires for a car

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Many car enthusiasts are wondering: “which winter tires to choose.” After all, the market is full of various offers, including studded tires, Velcro and even all-season tires.

The question is relevant due to the fact that winters in Russia are harsh and snowy, and by the end of autumn and early spring, cases of road covering with an ice crust have become more frequent. It is because of such weather conditions that many motorists need help in choosing the right type of tires.

In this article we will take a detailed look at the types of tires for the winter season, tell you how to choose winter tires and look at specific examples.

Types of Vehicle Tires

In total, there are three types of car tires.

Let's take a look at them:

Summer tires.
Winter tires.
Universal (all-season) tires.

The most difficult to produce are winter tires, which are discussed in our article. Summer and all-season tires at sub-zero temperatures turn to stone, freeze and lose all their useful characteristics. To protect the driver from such consequences, special substances are added to winter tires that allow the tires to maintain the necessary grip on the road.

When choosing winter tires, you should not chase the hardest ones, because the wheels in the cold season must remain elastic for correct movement on difficult sections of the road. This is why tires have a softness indicator.

The next distinctive feature of winter wheels is the tread pattern. For winter tires, increased requirements are placed on the presence of grooves, notches, active angle and serrations. It is these seemingly little things that allow the wheels to withstand ice and snow to maintain the vehicle’s trajectory.

Photo from the site KOLESA.ru

The next nuance regarding the choice of winter tires is the noise made by the wheels. Low profile tires, although they look beautiful and impressive, create unnecessary noise, whistling, and sometimes even an unpleasant hum in the driver's cabin. Such tires also force the driver to be more careful on the road, because the slightest hole, pothole or unevenness can bend the disc and, as a result, your wheel will go flat.

Note

We advise you not to chase beauty, at least in winter, and pay attention to high-profile tires. Such tires will not only become a more comfortable and quiet solution, but will also relieve you of constant worry about the condition of the wheels.

Choosing winter tires: types and materials

All options presented on the shelves can be divided into two parts:

European tires.
Scandinavian tires.

As we know, winters in Europe are very different from those to which most Russians are accustomed. Therefore, tires of the first type are designed for wet asphalt, a small amount of wet snow and “light” minus.

If we talk about the technical side of the issue, then the undoubted advantage of such tires is the diagonal tread pattern and the presence of special grooves for drainage. But let's remember last winters, was there a lot of water on the roads? No.

That is why purchasing this kind of tires is advisable only in the southern regions of the country.

If you belong to this category of citizens, then we will give you a couple of tips on choosing such tires. First of all, pay attention to the workmanship of the thin slots and lugs that are located on the sides of the tires. The stronger these elements are, the better your car's grip on the road will be.

If we consider the second option, Scandinavian tires, they differ in that they are designed for driving on snow, ice and other problematic road surfaces. Instead of longitudinal patterns, Scandinavian tires have peculiar patterns on the tread, which are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. This allows the car to ride confidently on snowy surfaces.

Which winter tires are better to choose: studded or non-studded?

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It’s easy to assume that studded tires are predominantly Scandinavian, and non-studded tires (most often these are the so-called “Velcro”) are European.

Important

If you live in the middle zone or in the north of the Russian Federation, then it would be more advisable to pay attention to studded tires. This choice is determined by weather conditions and safety.

As for studless tires, they are useless in the harsh Russian winter. If you are from the south of Russia, then this type of tire may suit you.

After all, tires with studs are designed for driving on snow and ice, but when driving on dry or wet asphalt, they become less useful.

This is due to the fact that due to the presence of studs, the tires’ contact area with the road is minimized, which means that the braking distance increases. In this case, Velcro is a more expedient and safer option.

How to choose winter tires for a car: what to look for

Just above we described the advantages and disadvantages of types of winter tires. Once you have chosen one of the two options, let's take a closer look at the parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing winter wheels. The main characteristics of tires are load rating, wear resistance and speed index. Let's look at them in more detail.

If you look at the wheel markings, you will see the words “Treadwear” there. This is the wear resistance we need. The unit of measurement is quite easy to understand, so for example, 100 units of treadwear equal approximately fifty thousand kilometers.

The load indicator should be calculated more specifically. After all, it all depends on the weight of your car. The main thing you need to know is that the parameter must be at least a third of the weight of your car in running order.

And the last characteristic, the speed index. This property of winter tires is measured in Latin letters. The most optimal solution is considered to be the S marking. Such tires do not affect the speed characteristics of the vehicle and at the same time have low wear.

Next, let's look at the different brands of tires.

Which winter tires are better to choose: Bridgestone

This manufacturer is quite widespread all over the world, including in Russia, and their tires are constantly included in the best-selling lists. This is due to the fact that Bridgestone tires offer a good price-quality ratio, optimal rubber compound composition and increased service life.

Photo from jeepclubspb.ru

Let's take a closer look at the models that the foreign brand offers us. Having familiarized ourselves with automobile forums and online communities, we can safely say that one of the most successful tires from this manufacturer is the Blizzak Spike model.

The characteristics that distinguish this model from others include a V-shaped tread pattern and an increased number of special grooves and stampings with a slightly modified shape.

Such parameters help to quickly get rid of the snow mass that constantly gets into the wheel cutouts.

Which studded winter tires are best to choose: Dunlop

Despite the fact that this manufacturer is not as widely known as the previous brand, it is worth talking about separately. Dunlop specializes primarily in the station wagon, minivan, crossover and SUV markets.

And in this segment they have been and remain one of the best-selling brands.

As the company's slogans say, their tires are designed for high loads, but at the same time do not lose the basic properties of winter tires: road grip and high-quality production.

The main advantages of the Dunlop brand are the quality and composition of the rubber compound, good grip, the ability to carry high loads and relatively low price tags. The entire model range of the company differs in the quality of braking, so there are options for every budget and requirement.

Which winter tires to choose: Kumho

A company from South Korea has become famous thanks to its Winter Craft Velcro. After the success of the model, the manufacturer released an updated version called WS31. A special feature of these tires has become a reference point for the market of all-wheel drive crossovers and SUVs.

One of the distinctive features of this company’s tires is increased rigidity in the tread pattern blocks. Winter Craft is perfect for residents of the southern regions, and we advise others to pay attention to studded models.

Due to the increased rigidity of the blocks, the tires allow you to feel confident on icy conditions. Drivers also note good handling and short braking distances when driving on snow and ice. Another advantage of Kumho tires is the increased number of cuts on the tread.

This characteristic allows you to successfully move not only on a snowy road, but also on asphalt.

Which winter tires to choose: Nokian

The Finnish company has long become one of the most popular brands of winter tires. According to experts, the WR A3-A4 model is one of the best studless winter tires on the market. But for the most part, the company is focused on the production of tires with studs.

The indispensable advantages of such tires include excellent road grip, regardless of the surface, and increased wear resistance. This is due to the addition of rubber and canola oil to the rubber compound.

This decision has a positive effect on how the car handles and maneuvers on the road.

Which tire is better to choose: Michelin

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This company is one of the largest tire manufacturing companies. They also have subsidiaries that are responsible for their segment. So, for example, the Kleber company is focused on the mid-range market. Car enthusiasts note the excellent grip and short braking distance of the tires from this manufacturer. A wide range will help you find tires in any price range.

How to choose the right winter tires for your car: quality check

After you have read all the suggested instructions, you should go to the store. However, knowing the types and brands of winter tires will not save you from purchasing low-quality or defective goods. What to do and how to check the quality of purchased tires?

If you have a special rubber inspection glove, you can check the smoothness of the coating. The quality of the car’s grip on the road depends on this. Without gloves, you can check the hardness of winter tires.

To prevent the tires from freezing in cold weather, press the tire with your finger when checking. It should bend gently and smoothly.

You should also pay attention to the fact that it is recommended to buy tires that were produced no more than two years ago.

General advice: instead of a conclusion

The choice of tires is far from the only decisive factor in the correct operation of your car in winter. In addition to quality tires, you should check your brake pads and rotors. If your car has a diesel engine, you need to either leave it in an underground parking lot or equip your car with a pre-heater to save yourself from the possibility that the car will not start.

So, in the article we looked in detail at how to choose winter tires for a car, gave advice and guidance, and talked about the most popular and best-selling brands. We hope that after reading the information provided, you will not have any problems with your choice.

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Source: http://pro100security.ru/articles/transport-security/kak-vybrat-zimnyuyu-rezinu-dlya-avtomobilya.html

How to choose the right winter tires

With the onset of cold weather, many car enthusiasts are thinking about whether it’s time to change the rubber “horseshoes” of their “iron horse” - in other words, buy new winter tires.

And since experienced drivers rarely buy new tires, the rules for choosing high-quality tires are gradually forgotten. And novice motorists are often not at all aware of how to choose the right winter tires for their car.

Today we will remind the first and tell the second what nuances need to be taken into account so that the purchased winter tires ensure safety and allow you to enjoy driving during snowfalls and ice.

Firstly, forget about the “miraculous” qualities of the so-called all-season tires - they are good in many climate zones, but not in ours.

No, of course, in the Krasnodar Territory they would still be suitable, but, as practice shows, it is still better to buy “real” winter tires designed for driving on snow and ice. With studs, you can still think about the choice - buy tires for them or rely on the tenacity of the rubber tread.

And it’s better to ignore the “all-season” ones. But when choosing winter tires, you need to pay attention to several factors, attention to which should be increased.

1. Country of origin and brand

A fairly common misconception among beginners is that the best tires are made in Scandinavian countries. No, of course, we are not begging for the achievements of the same Finns from Nokian, but there are many companies in the world that make winter tires of no worse quality.

Therefore, the geographical location of the manufacturing country plays only an indirect role when choosing winter tires.

Moreover, most of the products of the same Finnish company have been successfully produced in Vsevolozhsk for several years, and, as company representatives assure, tires from the Leningrad region are of decent quality.

Tires at the Nokian Tires plant in Vsevolozhsk

The author of these lines visited that plant and had the opportunity to verify this personally, not only in the factory workshops, but also at the testing site.

We note: the country of origin does not play as much importance as in previous years; most famous tire brands have decided to transfer production facilities to countries with developing economies - it is cheaper to produce tires there, which does not mean a decrease in their quality.

Much more important than the country of origin is the brand under which the tires are produced. As you know, a large amount of money is invested in a brand, which is why they value the brand name much more than the geographical location of tire factories. The choice of brands in Russia is incredibly wide, as is the price range.

Naturally, in addition to the cost of the tire itself, its price also includes the cost of the brand. And this also needs to be taken into account when choosing winter tires. We will not recommend certain brands and models so as not to advertise to companies.

Let's just say that before you start looking for tires, you need to be aware of how much money you can spend on them. We advise you to determine this amount, fix it, and not deviate from it (at least by much) during the search process.

That is, do not resort to the cheapest offers - after all, a high-quality, albeit relatively expensive tire is not only about image, but also about safety. Yours and your passengers.

2. Presence or absence of thorns

Having decided on the amount that you can spend on winter tires without remorse, and several brands offering tires in this price range, we proceed to perhaps the most important factor - the choice between studded or non-studded tires.

The differences between these types of tires are minimal: a studded tire has a surface replete with holes (their number varies - from 96 to 190) into which the studs are screwed. They help the tire grip the surface better - especially ice.

That is why manufacturers recommend using studded tires in those regions where there is relatively little snow in winter and there is frequent icy conditions on the roads. Non-studded tires are better suited for regions where snowy winters prevail and there is often snow “porridge” on the roads.

In such conditions they behave almost perfectly, providing optimal grip on the road surface. Therefore, the region with which winter climate you live in depends on what type of tires is best to choose.

Speaking of studded tires, we recommend choosing the “golden mean” - wheels that contain 130 steel hooks.

A tire with 96 studs, which are now recommended in the European Union (they strictly monitor the condition of the roads, and therefore reduce the number of studs that crush the road surface to a reasonable number that ensures safety and traction), does not have any particular advantage over 130-studded wheels. as well as 190-spike.

Tire with 96 studs

Yes, 96-studded tires are quieter than 130-studded tires, but, as tire tests show, not by much. But the 190-spike one is very noisy and causes significant discomfort to the car’s passengers. The whole secret is in the size, weight and shape of the hooks. The 96-studded tire has the thickest tires, while the 190-studded tire has the thinnest.

A tire with 130 studs has the most balanced weight and toe size. As for the shape, modern studs have basically the same geometry - a polygon with irregular angles and a flat part that is placed in the direction of the wheel's movement.

Our advice is to choose the “golden mean”; besides, tires with 130 studs, as a rule, cost less than the fashionable 96 and 190 studs.

In non-studded tires (they are also called friction tires, and popularly called “Velcro”), the task of adhesion to the road surface is performed by treads that are replete with lamella cavities.

The more of these lamellas, the better the tire will cling to the snowy road surface. Another important element of such tires is the lugs located on the outer edges of the tread.

They act as additional “hooks”, providing the tire with the maximum possible contact patch with the road.

Non-studded tires, in turn, are usually divided into two types: “European” and “Scandinavian”. In the former, the tread surface is literally dotted with a network of drainage channels and lamellas, while in the latter, geometric shapes (diamonds or rectangles) are “squeezed out” on the tread, which are located less densely than the lamellas of the “European” type of tires.

The peculiarity of “European” tires is that such a dense network of drainage channels and slats helps to better “filter” the snow porridge - and therefore this is the best option for a winter city tire.

And the peculiarity of the structure of the tread surface of the “Scandinavians” is that such relatively sparsely located “diamonds” can break the crust and quickly clear it of it, providing the tire with good cross-country ability and grip.

Therefore, the “Scandinavian” version is good for driving on snowy roads.

3. Date of manufacture.

Any product has its own expiration date, and winter tires are no exception in this regard. The maximum service life of such a tire is five years, so the buyer should pay attention to the numbers printed on the side of the tire - there are four of them, the first two indicate the serial number of the week, and the last two indicate the year when the tire was made.

Tire manufacturing date

For example, the number “2113” means 31 weeks of 2013 - such a tire is “fresh” and can be purchased. If you can’t find these numbers yourself, ask the seller, but be sure to check the date before purchasing.

4. Optimal wear resistance.

Tires are one of the most worn elements of a car, and therefore the concept of their wear resistance is of great importance. Manufacturers of winter tires indicate the wear resistance index (Treadwear) on the sidewall of the tire.

The starting point is 100, which means that on average such a tire can withstand about 50 thousand kilometers. Of course, this figure is approximate and directly depends on the conditions in which the wheel is used.

Therefore, it is better for the buyer to purchase winter tires with as many Treadwear as possible (for example, 400 or 500).

5. Speed index.

Each tire is designed for use at a certain speed limit.

In the “manual” for your car, the manufacturer indicated a speed index that must be taken into account when buying a tire - it indicates what maximum speed the car can travel at so that the wheel has optimal grip on the road surface.

The tire manufacturer also puts it on the sidewall of the tire: this is a two-digit number with a letter of the Latin alphabet - from H to Z. The slowest ones are “H”, the fastest (and most expensive) are “Z”.

6. Load index.

It's no secret that the wheels bear the heaviest load when driving. Therefore, tire manufacturers determine the degree of load on each wheel and also indicate it on the tire. It must be taken into account when choosing winter tires, taking into account the total weight of the vehicle. Experts advise choosing tires with a load index of 30-35 percent of the total vehicle weight.

7. Tire markings.

This factor does not play a special role during operation; it only indicates which certification standards the winter tire meets.

If the letter “E” appears on the tire, it means that the wheel is certified in accordance with the requirements of the European Union. If “DOT”, then this means a wheel that has American certification.

It happens that both of these markers are indicated on tires, which means that such a winter tire corresponds to the parameters accepted on both continents.

Based on the factors listed above, you can determine what type of winter tires you will need to drive your car safely and comfortably in winter. Happy shopping!

Source: https://avtoexperts.ru/article/kak-pravil-no-vy-brat-zimnyuyu-rezinu/

Which winter tires are best to choose - Tips for beginners and experienced car enthusiasts!

Safety on the road in the winter depends on many factors, the most important of which are high-quality and reliable winter tires. In this article we will look at the features and nuances of choosing one or another winter tires for a car.

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It is better to choose tires long before the onset of cold weather and changes in road conditions. Firstly, during this period you can purchase tires at a better price. Secondly, you will have time to evaluate and compare different tire models and choose the right manufacturer and configuration that will work best for your vehicle.

They will protect the chassis and save you money, increasing ground clearance by 3 cm.

Car with winter tires

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Today, there are several types of tires for driving in the winter season. Each option has both pros and cons, which we will further analyze.

Almost all options for winter tires come down to two types - without studs and with studs.

The first type of tire performs better on asphalt surfaces with a minimum amount of snow or ice; the second type (friction) is recommended when driving on snowy roads and in off-road conditions.

Conventionally, there is a third type of winter tires - all-season tires, which can be used in both summer and winter at universal temperatures.

Good all-season tires are not produced by many manufacturers and are designed mainly for high-quality roads that are constantly cleared of snow and ice.

Such tires are strictly not recommended for use during severe frosts; in addition, their properties noticeably deteriorate if there is snow or mud on the road.

Winter tires use complex technology to make them, but the main element of any studless tire is the tread. The type of tread can be divided into two types:

Scandinavian type. Large distances between tread elements and deeper sipes. Suitable for driving on snow or winter mud.
European type. Diagonal pattern with a good drainage network of channels. More suitable for driving on wet and icy asphalt.

Studless tires for cars

The first type of tire has a low speed index; it varies between 160-170 kilometers per hour among different rubber manufacturers.

This type of tire is suitable for moderate and calm, even slow driving without sharp turns and acceleration.

Among the popular models of winter tires with a Scandinavian tread type are Nokian Nordman RS, Bridgestone Blizzak VRX, Michelin X-Ice 3, Toyo Tires Gart G4, G5, Continental Conticross Viking.

The European version of the tires has a higher speed index, which for some manufacturers reaches 240 kilometers per hour, as well as better braking performance on wet and dry asphalt; they are suitable, among other things, for those who drive aggressively even in winter. But they are also suitable for motorists with a calm style, who often drive on snow-free asphalt surfaces. Among the popular models of this type, the following models stand out: Dunlop Winter Sport, Pirelli Scorpion Ice, Nokian WR Series, Yokohama Drive V.

Among the advantages of friction winter tires, the following should be noted:

reliable grip parameters on wet and dry asphalt;
no noise when driving on asphalt roads without ice and snow;
stable characteristics in different temperature ranges.

Regardless of the type of tread and chemical composition, studless winter tires are more suitable for motorists living in Europe and the European part of Russia, where winter is not constant and there is a large amount of snow cover on the roads. In addition, it is recommended to install such tires if the car is equipped with additional safety systems such as ESP and ABS; they can compensate for some of the disadvantages of friction tires in certain road situations.

Winter tires with studded tread are designed for driving on constantly icy or snowy roads. Spikes in rubber are necessary to increase traction on such roads, as they can destroy the ice crust.

This type of rubber is characterized by balance and a medium degree of hardness, and tires of this type can also be used on other types of road surfaces.

Among the disadvantages of studded tires are the high noise level and longer braking distance compared to Velcro.

Winter tires with studs

Among the popular and well-proven models of studded tires are the following:

Nokian Hakkapeliitta Suv 7,8,9;
Continental IceContact;
Michelin X-Ice Nord;
Bridgestone Ice Cruiser;
GoodYear UltraGrip.

Whether or not to choose a studded wheel option for your car is entirely up to you. It is worth understanding that studs are not a guarantee of road safety in winter.

On dry and wet asphalt, such tires have reduced grip, longer braking distances and an increased tendency to skid; they create noise and fall out.

Some modern models of friction tires, especially with the Scandinavian type of tread, are not inferior to their studded counterparts even on an icy road.

There is an opinion among car enthusiasts that for the winter season it will be enough to install winter tires only on the drive axle. This is fundamentally wrong. The main danger of installing winter tires only on the drive wheels is uncontrolled skidding.

Even with four winter wheels on a slippery road, when entering a turn it can be very difficult to get the car out of a skid, and if a pair of summer tires is installed behind or in front, it will be almost impossible to do this, and the consequences can be very different.

Installing winter tires

As for installing tires with identical parameters and characteristics, but with different tread patterns, this is allowed if the car has a single-wheel drive.

However, this state of affairs will make adjustments in the event of emergency braking on a snowy road - the car may skid or its braking distance will increase.

On a four-wheel drive vehicle, all tires must be identical and have identical tread patterns.

Please understand that tires may perform different functions on certain road surfaces and in certain driving situations.

If the car is moving on compacted snow (not ice), then the tires should scoop the snow as efficiently as possible, literally biting into it, preventing slipping and improving traction.

On roads with slush and mud, the ability of tires to divert flows comes to the fore, providing maximum stability and resistance to skidding.

Car protector

Thus, a tire with one tread pattern cannot meet all the requirements of the road situation in both the winter and summer seasons. Of course, many manufacturers try to make their tires as universal as possible, but each model ends up with advantages in one or two road components.

To choose the necessary tires, it is enough to know how the protectors differ from each other. As described above, there are four types of tires for winter, which also differ in tread pattern. Accordingly, by looking at the tread, you can conclude what type of tire you have and whether it is worth purchasing for your car.

Source: http://tuningkod.ru/tyuning-avtomobilej/avtomobilnye-shiny/kakuyu-zimnyuyu-rezinu-luchshe-vybrat.html

How to choose winter tires that won't let you down

Winter tires are different from summer tires, and it's not just about the tread pattern.

Manufacturers select the chemical composition for a certain temperature range, so when they go beyond this range, tires lose their properties.

At low temperatures, summer tires become less elastic and can no longer provide adequate grip on the road surface, minimum braking distance and other intended characteristics.

They are designed for moderate weather conditions and high-quality road surfaces that are usually dry and only occasionally become wet. In a good way, they can only be used in the off-season as an addition to winter and summer tires.

This is why it is imperative to change your tires depending on the season. As a rule, it is recommended to change your car to winter tires if the air temperature does not rise above 5–7 °C during the week. Usually this is the end of October or the beginning of November.

As with summer tires, you need to choose winter tires taking into account several important criteria and nuances. Let's try to figure them out together.

What type of tires to choose

There are two main types of tires: studded and friction. The latter, in turn, are divided into Scandinavian and European type tires. The result is only three types of winter tires, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain climatic conditions.

1. Studded tires

Thanks to metal anti-skid studs, these tires provide better traction and effective braking.

They are designed for driving on hard dry ice and are used in countries with harsh winters. Due to their specific nature, tires of this type are quite noisy.

When driving on dry asphalt, they lose their advantages and quickly wear out. In some European countries, studded tires are prohibited.

These tires are suitable for anyone who spends a lot of time outside the city and lives in regions where there is ice. Residents of megacities with roads that are regularly sprinkled with reagents have no need for studded tires.

2. Scandinavian type friction tires

They are similar in their properties to studded tires and for the most part differ from them only in the absence of studs.

Tires of this type are designed for operation at low temperatures and large amounts of snow and provide the necessary traction due to the many sipes on the tread that push through the snow and crust.

Because of their softness, Scandinavian tires do not behave well on ice and also quickly wear out on dry asphalt, literally starting to float.

Scandinavian-type tires are suitable for snowy areas with long and cold winters. With such tires you don’t have to be afraid of snowdrifts and snowdrifts, but you will have to adhere to the speed limit, be careful when cornering, as well as sudden acceleration and braking.

3. European type friction tires

This is the complete opposite of the Scandinavian ones. These tires are ideal for regions with mild and wet winters where sleet and rain are more common. They cope well with slush and are able to provide safety when driving at higher speeds. But in icy conditions and on packed snow you should be careful with such tires.

Suitable for driving within the city, where you can often find slush rather than ice, as well as when driving on clean asphalt at low temperatures.

How to read labels

Having decided on the type of tires, you can move on to considering specific models from different manufacturers. To compare tires and choose the most suitable ones, you need to be able to read the markings, which encode the features of a particular tire. Let's understand the conventions using a specific example.

P - tire size. In this case, it is an abbreviation for Passenger, which indicates a tire for a passenger car.
215 — profile width in millimeters.
65 — profile height in percentage.
R - radial design.
15 — bore diameter in inches.
95 — load index.
T - speed index.
M+S - Mud + Snow, winter or all-season tires.
Treadwear 220 - wear index (the higher the better).
Traction A is an indicator of braking efficiency. It is marked from A to C, where A is the best.
Temperature A is an indicator of resistance to heat. It is marked from A to C, where A is the best.

How to choose a size

When choosing a tire size, you should put aside all the myths and advice from your garage neighbors who describe the advantages of a low profile or larger diameter. You should not deviate from the recommendations of the car manufacturer: he has already calculated everything, found the best option and indicated it in the operating manual.

How to check the production date

Before purchasing, be sure to check when the tires were manufactured. The fact is that manufacturers guarantee the unchanged properties of the tire for two years of storage. If tires remain in storage longer, the rubber loses its quality and the tires will no longer be able to fully provide grip on the road surface and effective braking.

hometyre.co.uk

It’s quite easy to find out the manufacturing date and understand whether you should buy the set of tires you like. Manufacturers indicate it on the side surface of the tire using a four-digit code. The first two indicate the week, and the second two indicate the year of release. For example, 5016 is the 50th week or mid-December 2016.

What else needs to be considered

And finally, some useful tips:

Avoid buying used tires. Over time, rubber loses its properties, which, coupled with existing wear and tear, can reduce all savings to nothing.
Under no circumstances buy tires only for the drive axle of the car. Due to uneven traction of wheels on different axles, the risk of skidding increases.
To extend the life of the tires, it is recommended to move them from the front to the rear axle and vice versa every 8,000 km.
If you have been using a set of tires for more than a year, install the best pair on the rear axle of the car to eliminate the possibility of skidding.
Buy a second set of wheels specifically for winter tires so that you can change your shoes yourself and avoid wasting time in line for tire fitting.

Source: https://lifehacker.ru/kak-vybrat-zimnie-shiny/

How to choose winter tires for a car

To choose the right tire, you should pay attention to only 5 factors.

Types of winter tires

First, you need to decide on the type of winter tires and decide which winter tires to choose: Velcro or studded. To do this, it is important to understand what climate prevails in the operating region, how often it snows and ice forms in winter. Tires are classified into several types.

European tires

These are studless tires for countries with temperate climates , where winter temperatures remain around 0°C. It is recommended to drive on such tires on roads cleared of snow, dry and wet asphalt. Suitable for Moscow and St. Petersburg, where ice on the roads is extremely rare.

The tread has snow removal channels that will help self-cleaning of the wheels and sipes. The tread height is 6 mm. In the manufacture of such tires, hard rubber is used.

Advantages	Flaws
Good grip on wet and dry asphalt. Confidently holds the road even at high speeds.	Not intended for driving on snowy and icy roads.
They do not create much noise when moving.	Adapted to the conditions of Russian roads and climate.

Scandinavian tires

These tires will be an excellent choice for snowy roads and regions with harsh climates. These tires will perform well on dry or wet asphalt.

The protectors have small snow channels, a large number of sipes and a tread element height of 8 mm. The rubber on the tires is soft.

Advantages	Flaws
Good handling when driving on icy and snowy roads.	Long braking distance on ice.
They behave well when driving on wet and dry asphalt.	If they get caught in the snow, they may not be able to get out of the hole.
Close to the version of universal rubber, which can be driven in all weather conditions. An excellent option for countries where the climate changes quickly and frosts often turn into thaws.	At high speeds, they are difficult to turn into, and loss of control is possible.
They wear out quickly due to soft rubber.

Studded tires

These tires are suitable for driving on snowy streets and operating in cold weather.

The tread has spikes, snow channels, lamellas, the height of the tread elements reaches up to 10 mm. Material: medium hard rubber.

Advantages	Flaws
Good handling on snowy and icy roads.	The braking distance on wet and dry asphalt increases.
Short braking distance on ice.	High noise level.
They give a good start and acceleration in icy conditions.	The spikes fall out during maneuvers and sudden braking.
Poor wear resistance.

Marking

To understand how to choose the size of winter tires for your car, you should pay attention to the markings on the side of the tires.

The average driver will understand the required standard size of the product, but not everyone will be able to decipher the inscriptions on the tires.

Let's study the factory markings of tires, then it will be easier to understand which winter tires are best to choose for a car, even without the help of a consultant.

The date of manufacture is indicated on the side of the tire. These are four digits - the week of the year and the year of production itself.

Wear resistance . This indicator is calculated in units. On the side of the wheel you will see the inscription Treadwear, next to which a number will be indicated. Standard wear resistance – 100 units.

Speed index . Shows the maximum calculated tire speed. This parameter is designated in English letters from J (100 km/h) to ZR (more than 240 km/h). The most popular tires are S, which can withstand speeds of up to 180 km/h.

The load rating indicates the maximum load-carrying weight at which the tire's performance is maintained and the contact patch geometry remains stable. This figure should be within 30-35% of the curb weight of the car.

Tire type . Winter tires must have the inscription M+S (Mud + Snow) or Winter. All season tires are considered demi-season, so you shouldn’t buy one for the winter, because it is not designed for frost and is used only in regions with a mild climate.

Certification . Tire certification is carried out according to the requirements of the European Union (indicated by the letter E) and the USA (DOT). It happens that tires have passed both certifications, then both markings are applied to them.

These are fundamental indicators that you should pay attention to when choosing tires. In addition to them, the driver will find markings on the tires:

grip on wet asphalt,
fuel economy,
noise level.

Tread pattern

An important question when choosing tires is which pattern to choose for winter tires, because each type of tread is designed for certain weather conditions. Let's take a quick look at the types of treads.

Tread types for winter tires

Read a detailed article on how to choose the right winter tire tread. The main types of tread patterns according to the direction of the treadmill are divided into:

directional symmetrical is considered a universal pattern. These tires are the most common due to their low cost compared to other tires. They cope well with wet asphalt and effectively drain water when driving.

non-directional symmetrical performs the function of drainage and self-cleaning of the wheel. Characterized by low noise level and ease of operation.

non-directional asymmetrical typical for the more expensive tire segment. It provides good contact with the road surface and high lateral stability. The noise level on the roads from such wheels is low.

Winter tire company

The choice of winter tire manufacturer also plays an important role. To find out which manufacturer's winter tires are best to choose, let's look at the most popular ones.

Nokian . The tires from this manufacturer are popular among car enthusiasts. Greater preference is given to Finnish production, but it is difficult to find such a product. On the market, we are often offered to buy Russian tires, which are inferior in quality to Finnish ones.
Bridgestone. A Japanese company that has 150 factories around the world. The brand offers an abundance of high quality winter tires.
Hankook. The Chinese company is one of the TOP 10 best rubber brands in the world. Drivers are offered a wide range of products of decent quality.
Michelin. A French company that is distinguished by high quality tires and is constantly engaged in new developments in this area.
Goodyear. The American company offers tires of all sizes and modifications for passenger cars and SUVs.

These brands are among the TOP 5 best manufacturers of tires for SUVs and crossovers.

Shelf life of winter tires

If you think that only food products have an expiration date, then you are mistaken. Before purchasing, pay attention to the manufacturing date of tires, which are legally stored for a maximum of 2 years. Over time, the rubber loses its elasticity. Tires are allowed to be used for no more than 5 years, but some global brands provide a 10-year warranty on their products.

Remember that the tires on a car tend to wear out and for your own safety you need to change it on time.

What to watch out for when buying winter tires

It’s not enough to know how to choose good winter tires for a car, because it’s also important not to be deceived. At the market, sellers immediately see who understands the product and who does not. Inexperienced drivers may be sold expired or defective tires, so check the expiration date and carefully examine the tires before purchasing.

After reading this article, even a novice driver will be able to independently choose winter tires for his car. If you still haven’t decided which winter tires are best to choose, reviews from experienced drivers will help you decide.

Source: https://elektro-mobili.ru/kak-vybrat-zimniuiu-rezinu-na-avto/