You and I both know that there are plenty of winter tires to choose from. You can buy your favorite design, or pick up one of the more popular and cheaper options available. But how do you know if you're making the right choice? This blog post will give you a few pointers on what to consider before buying your next set of winter tires for your car, especially if this will be the last time you upgrade them for a while.
If you're just looking for a good tire under your vehicle, then you should consider other features such as traction, handling and price.
Winter tires are a big investment. Don't go cheap on your tires if you want to get the most out of them. I've heard people complain about the price of some winters many times, but when I look at their vehicle, I see that they have not invested in a quality tire, and end up blowing through them every season. If a tire is cheap, it probably has little or no ability to deal with the cold.
The number one thing you should look at when buying winter tires is if they have the latest in tire technology. As of 2013, any tire you buy (including summer ones) will now have to meet a minimum ice capability standard. This means that all new tires must be able to start on ice, and stay upright at 20km/h. The tire quality rating may not be as easy to spot though, so that's another thing to watch out for - even if it's not exactly a mandatory feature.
What Are Snow Tires & How Do They Work?
Snow tires are a type of tire that are made using different materials than the average pneumatic (air-filled) tire. Some snow tires are made out of a solid material that resembles sponge, while others have a hollowed tread. These different designs provide different amounts of traction in the snow.
When you're driving in the snow, the tires are designed to be driven on snow and ice. There's also a third factor to consider though - cold weather. When you drive in the cold, you produce a lot of heat that is normally carried away by the air in your tires. However, when it's below freezing outside, there is no air to carry away this heat so they have no choice but to keep it inside.
Here are some quick and useful facts to help you make an informed purchase;
1.Tread Compound & Design
Most of the time, a single compound is used for all winter tires. This means that they all have the same tread design and look almost identical. However, double compounds are available too; this means that there are two different compounds used to create the tread pattern. The first one is used for snow, and can be made of solid rubber or a hard plastic material.
The second compound is made of rubber and is specifically designed to grip ice and snow well. This compound is softer and more pliable than the others. The two compounds are designed to complement one another, which is why good snow tires almost never have any tread pattern on the side bit.
- Size Matters
Size is important for several reasons: first and foremost, it affects how safe you are on the road. If the tire is too large, the corners will wear faster than those with a smaller diameter. This means that the edges will be smoother and rounder, which could reduce the amount of control you have over your vehicle.Size also affects how well the tires will fit; if they are too big, they may not correctly sit inside the fenders or suspension when installed. In addition, if you're looking for a performance tire that can be used year-round, then go with a larger size in order to improve fuel efficiency.
- Tire Pressure
The correct tire pressure is especially important for snow tires because they tend to be specifically designed for the cold. In addition to the weight of the vehicle, overinflated tires also add a lot to the overall performance of your car. This can be a serious safety hazard when driving in winter conditions, so it's very important that you check and maintain proper tire pressure.This is more complicated than you might think though, because unlike summer tires that are suggested by manufacturers, winter tires are only recommended by car manufacturer manuals.