As the season turn from winter to spring, many motorists
will be making the switch from winter tires back to high performance summer
tires. But a great many more will be continuing to drive on the same tires they
use year round, unaware that the vastly different driving conditions that come
with the winter months require a different kind of tire equipped to handle the
season’s unique challenges. More still may be unaware that there even are such
things as “winter” and “summer” tires, and that attempting to drive through
winter conditions with the wrong ones could be extremely dangerous.
Summer tires are most commonly marketed as “high
performance” tires, and typically come standard on the sport model of a car.
The tread is larger and designed to expel water, giving it superior handling on
wet roads. Winter tires, conversely, feature a tread pattern cross-hatched with
a network of thin cuts known as “sipes” that are designed to bite into the
elements and provide unbeatable traction on snow and ice.
Another factor is the actual chemical makeup of the rubber
used in each tire. Summer tires are formulated to remain firm in warm weather;
however, this formula also causes the rubber to freeze in cold temperatures,
essentially turning your tires into giant hockey pucks. The
compound
used in winter tires is far softer and more resistant to freezing, but provides
little in the way of traction in warmer temperatures.
A natural response to all of this would be, “Well, why not
just buy a set of all-season tires and be done with it?” The answer is the
common adage: Jack of all trades, master of none. If you live in an area that
does not experience severe winters, then an all-season tire might work out for
you. However, as many people in the Northeast realized with this winter’s Polar
Vortex, extreme conditions will very quickly lay bare an all-season tire’s
weaknesses. Many
consumers
were inspired to buy Nokian tires after their supposedly all-season wheels
left them stranded. Acceleration and stopping speeds can be up to
double
a winter tire’s performance on an all-season tire, leading to potentially
dangerous situations (particularly if a person is driving with the assumption
that their tires are able to handle the conditions on the road).
There is also the added benefit of doubling the longevity of
each set of tires! Having tires specifically designed for the weather will
dramatically increase the life of the tread, and changing the tires twice a
year will eliminate the need for tire rotations. Healthier tires mean lower gas
mileage and much greater safety for you and your family.
Labels: Buy Nokian Tires