When to change from summer to winter tires ?
When to change from summer to winter tires? Looking at weather reports, it is wrong to suggest average temperatures, because the daytime temperature can reach mostly above, for example, ten degrees Celsius and in the morning, when we leave for work or school, the thermometer may show a temperature close to zero and the phenomenon commonly called “glass” may appear on the roadway.
The change of tires to winter tires to avoid traffic jams should take place in mid-October, then we will avoid long waits at vulcanization shops. Why is the temperature outside so important for tires? Why change summer tires to winter tires at all?
Summer tires are created from a different compound than winter tires. The compound used in summer tires makes them much harder during cold weather, which again makes such a tire have less grip. The compound used in winter tires makes the tire rubber retain its softness even during very low temperatures, making the tire have great grip with the road surface. Another issue is the tread. In summer tires it is designed so that the tire grips the road well when the road is dry or wet after rainfall. With winter tires, the case is quite different. The tread of winter tires is designed in a completely different way. The grooves are positioned differently than in summer tires. Here they are designed to channel slush or snow itself outwards. Winter tires grip the road better because of this as well. In summer tires, on the other hand, the tread gets “clogged” when they get a bit of snow or slush, and it is easy to get into a skid at the first better turn, which we can end up on a tree, in a ditch or on another road user.
Which winter tires to choose?
When choosing winter tires, the key issue is to choose the right size. A common belief holds that tires that are narrower grip the road better during winter and are easier to tear through a snowy shoulder or an un-snowed road home. This belief is as correct and true as possible, as the simplest and familiar laws of physics will confirm. However, by choosing a tire that is too narrow, we can only jeopardize our safety. Therefore, when choosing winter tires, we should choose those with the size dedicated by the manufacturer to our car. Tires that are too wide are a no-go when it comes to winter. The appearance of the car improved by wide nice tires can afford in the summer season.
Since winter tires are safer isn’t it better to drive on them all year round?
Well, no, winter tires are not as good for summer driving as they are for winter driving because they hold up worse on wet and dry surfaces. The braking distance on the aforementioned surfaces is much longer.
Many people wonder whether it’s worth putting such tires as retreaded tires on their car, after all, they are already produced on a large scale by leading tire manufacturers. You can get retreaded tires known by another name, pour-on tires, for a much lower price. But are retreaded tires safe? We can afford such a purchase if our driving is done in a rather quiet, prescribed manner. If in winter or summer we do not intend to rush, we can be tempted to buy such tires.
