The choice of winter tires: studded or friction

Winter, as always, came unexpectedly. And started to dance with the selection and purchase of tires. Someone has already passed, but many more in the process. The main question traditional — choose a studded or a so-called "Velcro"?
Many are also interested in topic — "Should I take the new Russian or better b/y shnye imported. The answers to these and many other questions I was trying to find have no time. Here for example is a story about a personal acquaintance with racing non-studded tires, with a real Japanese "sticky", with good studded tires, I highly recommend a look.
And below are some of my thoughts about the choice of tires, formed from communicating with sellers of tires, drivers, different drivers with extensive experience operating, plus your feelings. How correctly it turned out — to judge you. Material prepared for non-automotive journal, so the style is relevant))

Studded tires in motorsports, typically very narrow. Although there are exceptions, for separate winter high-speed special stages in the rally sometimes use wide studded tires, as a rule, where the combined coating asphalt/ice/snow and temperatures near zero

What kind of tires to ride in winter? This is one of the most complicated issues facing motorists before the onset of the coldest season of the year. Lately the roads of the cities actively cleaned in the winter, and mostly under the wheels it turns out the asphalt surface. Therefore become quite popular studless winter tires, and there are those who all winter driving on all-season or even summer tires. What is the difference between these types of tires and how it manifests itself in the winter? Try to understand.
First a few words about the terminology. Now in car shops primarily presents the five main types of tires for cars. It can be useful to learn to distinguish them by name, purpose and appearance, to individual negligent sellers are unable to take advantage of your gullibility. The easiest way to identify summer tires — it's actually the only type of tire in which the tread blocks missing slats. The so-called special narrow slot groove on the tire treads, usually zigzag shape (photos below).

Non-studded winter tyres on the contrary are distinguished by the fact that their tread blocks are literally indented lamellae. They soften when in contact with the road and improve grip on surfaces such as snow and especially ice. In some cases, because of the increased coefficient of friction, non-studded winter tires seemed to just stick to the road, so they are called — frictional, and the people — "Velcro".
In turn, non-studded winter tyres are divided into two subtypes. Some are designed for harsh winters, have increased the number of sipes and softer rubber compound, these are called Scandinavian. Such for the most part presented in Russian shops.

The photo is a typical Scandinavian type of tire, between the tread and the bead is made, generally in the form of angle

But there is another subspecies of the friction of the tyre for mild winters, or Central European, they have slats also happen a lot, but the rubber compound is more tough.
To distinguish between Scandinavian and Central European Riccione is quite simple: at the first intersection of the reference part (the tread) and sidewall (bead) is made, usually in the form of an angle. And second this place is made rounded, as in summer and all-season tires. In General, the Central European non-studded winter tires with characteristics that are rather close to all-season tires. The latter are characterized by more rigid rubber composition and minimum number of lamellae.
For comparison, a typical Central European type of tire, between the tread and sides are rounded
Lately you can often hear the opinion that modern winters are relatively snow-free, so it is possible to do all season or even summer tires, especially in the case of SUVs and crossovers. The main danger here lies in the fact that the rubber compound summer rubber and "vsesezonka" not designed for low temperatures, so they simply "harden" during cold weather. Even the slightest ice these tires often become helpless and are unable to provide the hook. Well, if the driver sees a slippery place in advance and will take measures to reduce the speed to minimum. But it happens in the winter this effect as "black ice", when in some places formed a slippery ice crust, indistinguishable in color from asphalt. Machine with bad rubber gets on this site and, for example, when this happens in turn, easily passes into an uncontrolled slide.
Early last fall I saw a picture of how such a plot was going in a bunch of five different vehicles, including the SUV. They relied on their skills and the capabilities of the machines, no one was on winter tires in "day of the tinman", but in the end everyone was forced to calculate the damage from unreasonable savings.

In order to avoid such conflicts, in many European countries long ago adopted legislation requiring all motorists to use winter tires in season. In Russia, a similar bill still in the plans. Fortunately, most motorists are adequate, so the winter has been long used tires, specially developed for this time of year. So can you expound on the differences in behavior on the winter road different types of tires.
In our time there is no lack of information on the subject of choosing any type of product. This also applies to the choice of tires. The most correct way is to look at the results of the comparative tests which are routinely carried out in specialized landfills. For example, in the Finnish Ivalo almost every winter hosts major test, which involved simultaneously more than a dozen sets of tires in various brands and types. The results are then published on the pages of leading publications, including Russian. We will not go into the deep wilds of test methods, it is carefully worked out over many years, constantly modernizarea to small details described on various sites on the Internet Consider overall findings and trends.
Lately you can hear such opinion that non-studded winter tyres in Scandinavian style almost equal to studded for ice and snow and by far the better behaved on the pavement. However, long-term results of testing show that not everything is so simple. At temperatures below 15 degrees really frictiony Scandinavian type can run on ice and snow even better studded. Soft rubber compound to the last retain their properties. While more rigid studded tires already beginning to harden at this temperature, and work as well, the spikes help, but not as effective as at higher temperatures.

The situation is quite different at temperatures above 15 degrees below zero. The vast majority of cases, studded tires look a lot more convincing than stickers in all kinds of exercises. They allow you to accelerate faster on ice, better keep the car in the turns and the braking distance is sometimes less than a few car lengths while braking from 60 km/h becomes more noticeable the difference-zero temperatures is most dangerous when ice and Packed snow most slippery. Let's not forget that it was under such weather conditions is a large part of the winter accidents. For example, according to surveys of insurance companies, the most critical month of the year is March, when there are constant fluctuations in temperature in the near-zero zone, and drivers become too confident in himself and his car after last winter and the tires by this time a little podsalivaya.

Carefully study the picture magazine tests at the wheel. Very informative the results of the tests on the ice at different temperatures

But the most surprising that and asphalt of modern studded tyres are often better friction. Watching any of the relatively recent independent tests right now, you will see for yourself. Often the best studded tires show a more predictable behavior on the pavement (both dry and wet), have a smaller braking distance, accelerate faster than the best of the friction tires for the harsh winters. Nothing surprising in this. Because the soft compound studless tire type Scandinavian plays on hard coatings for a negative role. Machine like little floating down the road, especially noticeable at sharp maneuvers. In turn, the composition of the rubber from studded tires are made stiffer in order to not flying spikes, therefore, for asphalt these tires even better.
And what about the entrenched belief that the spikes sliding on the pavement? This effect was indeed observed, but only in the case of tires obsolete. Progress does not stand still. And today, leading manufacturers use under the body of the stud substrate of soft rubber, which allows them to utaplivajutsja when riding on the hard asphalt. However, for the same reason, these spikes may slightly like to get involved in especially low temperatures (minus 15 degrees) and lose frictional even on slippery surfaces. However this loss is still minimal. You just have to take it a rule to go careful on studded tires in extreme cold.

The second important point. Now in Europe have adopted new rules on the effects of spikes on asphalt. In this regard, the spikes themselves have the newest models have changed in design, as a rule, they have become smaller protruding part of the stud, and their shape is less aggressive. The results of the tests in Europe confirmed that the spikes of the latest constructions do not cause damage to the asphalt surface, and in General, modern studded tires behave on the pavement much more confident than the models of previous years.
As for non-studded tyres of Central European type, in comparison with the Scandinavian factionname they still behave better on asphalt surfaces. But on ice or snow often behave only slightly better than vsesezonka. The main purpose of such tyres — operation in regions with a predominantly snow-free winters. Central European non-studded tires, unlike summer or all-season tires will allow you to overcome areas with ice or snow, which can be impenetrable for the latter. In Russia they are recommended for use only by residents of the southern regions. While Central European "of ficiency" is valid at high speeds, sometimes up to 240 km/h while the Scandinavian usually have a margin for the maximum speed around 160 — 190 km/h.

Need to remind you about two important things when choosing. First, the main working layer at any rubber is always the top (this applies particularly tread depth). So buying tyres second hand clothes is considered to be unreasonable. After all, together with the upper working layer of rubber evaporate and its most important properties. A competent driver usually changes winter tires after every two to three seasons.
If tyres are in stock, then over time it can "sabbeth" and, again, dramatically lose its properties, even if no one went. Therefore, when buying tires look at the sidewall — there is always specified week and year. In some countries of Europe legally prohibited from selling in the automobile tires, which for several years, so don't listen to sellers about its harmlessness age of the rubber, and just see yourself at the date.
Don't forget that in winter do not put very wide tires because the narrower the tire, the more pressure it exerts in the contact patch. It is easier to drive on the tracks, the spikes easier to bite into the ice more effectively porubitsya snow to asphalt. And only on relatively deep snow when the bus is unable to reach solid cover, too wide tires can be more useful in the winter. In General, the optimum is to put on the winter tires of this size — which is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

In regard to the need of spikes, much depends on the quality of running. So you should treat this issue with special attention Do not make sudden acceleration and braking in the first 500 — 1000 km mileage, try as carefully as possible to pass the tram tracks and pits with sharp edges. Then spikes well prisideda in their nests, and then last as long as possible. Although there are manufacturers that produce not just the factory studding, but also thrown spikes on the glue. This is the most effective method of fixing to date, several times more reliable than any other. But it does not mean that the spikes just to fly will not. It all depends on the driving style of the owner of the car.
And the last one. Test results prove that the best characteristics show now bus the so-called first line, which include leading brands. To distinguish these quite simply — the highest price tags. Another thing is that among the tires of the first line is not too good. More available bus the second line of the lose leaders, but individual models easily give the fight much more expensive "losers" of the first line. Relatively inexpensive but decent tires for the second line can be a good choice in terms of price/quality. How to know specific names of the best models in the absolute and the most successful in terms of price/quality? Recommend before buying is to read the comparative test drives and then go to the store. Retrieved on personal experience, this method of selection is quite effective. Unfortunately, some sellers of tire can easily sell you tires are not the best models, with the mind-they are all good. I hope these tips will help you in choosing. Although I do not consider them the ultimate truth. Add observations in the comments. Be careful on winter roads, and don't skimp on the tires!
Photo — Central European friction tyre
A couple of comments from the experts.
Nikolay Zhavoronkov, Director of the team KAMA-EURO Racing Team, master of sport international class, multiple winner of races in Europe and Russia:
— I had to travel on friction winter tires. To be honest, not very much. Studded tires feel much more confident and calmer. If we have cleaned the roads as good as in Europe probably would have went primarily by "Velcro". But given our realities, spiked rubber looks a priority, so I choose this, and all your friends suggest. Although in Sweden and Finland too, all travel predominantly on the spikes, although the roads clean in the winter well. However, each case is individual, and, of course, there are drivers which friction rubber suit anymore. I would like to mention that winter tires of the Russian production in the last 20 years has gone far in terms of technology and quality, and today they look quite decent in its price range. It is also proved by the results of independent comparative tests, which are held periodically on special grounds.
Ruslan Sarakaev — Director of the shop from Kazan:
— When choosing tires, consider what conditions will occur in operation, preferences of the owner of the car. But it should be borne in mind that often in the winter not to have to choose where to go. Conditions are often dictated by the weather. For those who are important comfort, generally work better on non-studded tires. But inexperienced owners, we recommend to always choose tyre with spikes. They better behave in an aggressive environment, which meet periodically in the winter to ice on most types of snow cover.
The majority of the drivers try to take care of security, so in the structure of sales of winter tyres higher the percentage of expensive models, in comparison with the summer period. And rightly so. After all, top models are made of the finest materials, technologies, quality control is higher. In winter, the risk of getting in an accident is much higher, so the correct choice of tyres is more important. As for the tires the second line, and here progress is not in place. But, of course, such tires are usually inferior to the leaders, because they have the materials, technologies and quality are lower on the order. As for the Russian tires, the best ones show themselves well against their competitors in cost, and the demand for them is stable. I can say that compared to products from China they are still definitely better, and overall the ratio quality/price there are a number of quite successful models.

Do not forget to look here, not usually advertise my own article, but there's really good stuff happened, one of the few that I myself liked. Remember, there's a post about a personal acquaintance with racing non-studded tires, with a real Japanese "sticky", with good studded tires (which is why I chose to your own car).
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Thank you for your attention and see you soon!

P. S. There is still this visual infographic (picture) from the Belarusian portal BelTA: