Why do we put winter tires?
For safe winter driving it is necessary to have optimal grip. Due to their special design with many sipes, the winter tires have much bigger contact surface with the road, which guarantees higher stability and shorter braking distance. When driving a car with four winter tires on snowy roads with 50 km/h the braking distance is 35 meters, while a vehicle with summer tires stops after 43 meters. The difference is much bigger when driving on icy roads with only 30 km/h. winter tires stop after 57 meters, and summer tires – after 68 meters. In many cases, the shorter braking distance of the winter tires can prevent serious accidents and save your life.Which are the real winter tires?
The so called "all-season" tires are offered on the market. According to their manufacturers these tires are appropriate for whole year use – in the spring rain, in the summer heat, in the autumn frost and the winter ice. It is nothing else but a market trick that is often too expensive for customers. In the summer the performance of these tires is satisfactory but in the winter conditions the use of such tires compromises safety.
In 1999 a new standard for winter tires was approved in the USA and Canada that is already world known. Winter tires that satisfy the strong requirements of this standard guarantee the customers the highest possible levels of stability and grip in severe winter conditions. These tires have a special snowflake/mountain pictograph on the side-walls.
The latest technology for the production of winter tires is provided by the use of silica (SiO2 – silicon dioxide).
Lassa Snoways 2At temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius the normal rubber mixture used in summer and all-season tires loses its elasticity and is incapable of good grip on the road even in dry conditions. The addition of silica preserves the elasticity of the rubber mixture at subzero temperatures and provides maximum grip in snowy and icy conditions.
Likewise, the latest winter tires with silica Lassa Snoways 2, manufactured by Bridgestone Sabanci, have 15 % better grip on snow in comparison with the previous model of the company, which improves the braking distance in winter conditions.
Usually, most of the drivers think of the necessity of winter tires when the first snow falls. This is the cause for the long queues in front of the tire stores and plenty of wasted time and nerves. The reasonable drivers equip their vehicles with winter tires at the end of October at the latest. Then the night temperature often drops to 0 Degrees Celsius and it’s not safe to use summer tires. As the experienced drivers say ‘summer tires should be put on Saint George’s Day ( May 6 ) and winter tires – on Saint Dimitur’s Day (October 26).
Would two winter tires suffice?
Although it appears logical from economic point of view to put only two winter tires on the drive axle of a vehicle, it is very risky. When stopping the weight of the vehicle moves to the front axle and rear-wheel-drive vehicles depend on nothing else but a miracle – the front wheels with summer tires must stop on the snow. As far as the front-wheel-drive vehicles are concerned, the difference between the successful stopping of the front wheels with winter tires and the inertia of the rear wheels with summer tires will cause instability of the vehicle and serious risk.
Winter tires for SUVs?
Well-known among SUV drivers are the so called "all-season" tires but they are inappropriate for subzero temperatures and snowy roads. For several years the special winter tires have become popular in Europe and North America because they have the necessary quality for severe winter conditions.
Geolandar I/T+ We offer you tires for SUVs from the Japanese manufacturer Yokohama, made especially for winter conditions.
The model Yokohama Geolandar I/T+ is made in Japan. It has many sipes and applies Yokohama’s original new technology Zeruma compatible with the latest technology in this industry.