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3 features that make winter tires safe on the road...

The days are getting shorter, the outside is getting colder, and tire service centers are already receiving their first calls... This is a clear sign that winter is approaching, along with the need to change tires.

So the question arises again: why should you switch summer tires to winter tires? The internet is full of articles about how important this is for traffic and people's safety, and we would also like to draw attention to it.

To take it a step further and to save your valuable time, we have described the most important features of winter tires, which ensure safe driving in all conditions.

Compound
The compound used to make winter tires ensures better grip and flexibility when the outside temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. Additionally, tire manufacturers work on the composition of the compound to make it more hydrophilic, ensuring better grip on wet road surfaces.
Tread
...or more specifically its depth... which, on one hand, allows the tire to "bite" into the surface, and on the other hand, by collecting and compressing snow, increases friction when driving on fresh snow. This is all related to physics and the dependency of ice's freezing and melting temperatures on temperature and pressure. Under the pressure created by the tire, snow particles compact like ice and ensure better traction.
Sipes
Sipes are used for effective drainage of excess water, loose snow, and slush. This solution protects you from losing traction on slippery road surfaces. A thin layer of water, created by the pressure of the tire on the surface, removes the chance of traction. Ice itself allows you to drive slowly and in a controlled manner, so effective water drainage is extremely important!
As you can see, the construction of winter tires significantly increases traction on wet, snowy, or icy road surfaces, which you may encounter on your daily commute... well, that's our climate!
When to switch summer tires to winter tires?
Best practices and our experience show that the temperature threshold at which it is advisable to switch to winter tires is +7°C. When the daily average temperature starts to fall below this limit and weather forecasts clearly show that it's not a temporary change, then it’s the right time to make the switch. Temperature drops and you have to wait for tire delivery and then for your turn to change them? It's enough to order your tires from our store with installation service, and we’ll take care of the rest. All you need to do is visit one of our trusted service centers!
Simple tire change at a trusted service center:
On-site installation
Convenient time and location
Free delivery
Types of Winter Tires
We are very happy that you decided to deepen your knowledge of winter tires. These are exactly the kind of responsible drivers we need! Let's start with how we can categorize winter tires by tread pattern:

Symmetrical Winter Tires
Most commonly found in city vehicles and compact cars—from economy class to premium. They are characterized by providing the exact same grip properties regardless of the direction of wheel rotation. Therefore, you don't need to worry about how to install them.
Asymmetrical Winter Tires
Most commonly found in compact and larger vehicles, such as SUVs or crossovers. The asymmetrical tread pattern is divided into two "sections", one responsible for grip on dry roads and the other for wet roads. It's important to note that asymmetrical tires must be installed in a specific way, according to the instructions on the tire ("Inside" and "Outside").
Directional Winter Tires
These can be recognized by their characteristic "V" shaped tread pattern. It's important to install the tire in the correct rotation direction. The tire should be installed so that the tip of the "V" cuts through any potential water on the road surface. Directional winter tires often compete with asymmetrical tires and together they offer better grip characteristics than traditional tires.
What should the tire pressure be for winter tires?

We've already discussed which winter tires you can install on your car, so now let's talk a bit about pressure. The correct tire pressure is important not only for driving safety but also for the comfort and durability of the tires themselves. Too high pressure in the tire causes premature wear in the center of the tread pattern.

Too low pressure is not "better" either—on the contrary, in addition to premature wear (in this case on the sides of the tread pattern), you risk the tire overheating, which at higher speeds can lead to it bursting. This is why tire pressure shouldn't be too high or too low.

There is no single, universal value that fits every car. But you don't need to go flipping through your car manual to find a secret number. The correct values for your specific car model can be found in the user manual and also on a label usually located on the driver's doorpost or inside the fuel tank flap.

More importantly, each car requires the correct tire pressure adjustment depending on how it’s being used. Generally, a heavier load and longer drives on highways may require higher tire pressure.

Winter Tires
Symbols and parameters on winter tires

You probably know what a tire looks like... but can you decipher the signs and symbols on the side of a winter tire? Among these signs and symbols, you’ll find information about the tire manufacturer, model, and size, the inside and outside markings (for asymmetrical tires), and the production date (DOT).

While we don't have much to say about the model and manufacturer markings at the moment, as each case should be handled individually, it's worth taking a look at probably the most important marking, namely the size.

On the side of the tire, you’ll see something like 205/55 R16. What do these numbers mean? 205 indicates the width of the tire in millimeters, 55 represents the tire’s height as a percentage of the width, and R16 means the diameter of the tire in inches. Thanks to this system, you can choose the right winter tires for your car, no matter what vehicle you have.

It’s important to note that in some cases, you might see additional numbers and letters, such as 91H. These indicate the load index and speed index, respectively. The load index shows how much weight the tire can carry, and the speed index indicates the maximum speed the tire is safe at.

Winter Tires
Labels with tire parameters

Every winter tire is marked with a label containing key information about its parameters. The appearance of the label is standardized by EU regulations, and from it, you can read the following:

  • manufacturer’s name
  • size
  • fuel consumption index
  • wet braking index
  • noise level index

Although, except for the noise level index, this data is usually presented in an agreed manner (defined by one of several categories), EU labels allow you to quickly and easily compare models from different manufacturers without diving into technical documentation.

Winter Tires
Important question
I've been driving for several seasons...
how do I know when it's time for new winter tires?

Here's the answer to another important question—how to recognize when your current winter tires no longer ensure sufficient safety on the road. Of course, your tire specialist will tell you this when you visit them for a tire change, but below are five ways to check for yourself.

Step 1
Step 1
- check the tread depth

New winter tires usually have a tread depth of 8 to 9 millimeters—depending on the model. Regulations allow tires to be used with a tread depth of at least 3 millimeters—but in winter conditions, that is certainly too little. Therefore, it's recommended to replace winter tires when the tread becomes thinner than 4.5 millimeters.

Step 2
Step 2
- mechanical damage

Winter tires are often victims of mechanical damage. You never know what lies beneath a fresh layer of snow... In most cases, a visit to the tire specialist will suffice. However, there are serious damages, especially affecting the tire's side—such as bulging, cracking, or tearing. These types of damage cannot be repaired in any way. So before visiting the tire specialist, carefully inspect your tires, especially looking for bulges or cracks.

Taking care of your tires
Have you already chosen new winter tires from our store?
Now find out how to take care of them!

The most important thing is to maintain the correct tire pressure. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid damaging the road surface or reduce speed near such damage—if you’re unsure how snow affects road conditions, it’s better to be cautious. The same applies to driving near curbs—do so at a low speed and turn the wheels sufficiently.

It is also a good habit to use specialized products for tire maintenance. These are often easy-to-apply sprays or foams and in addition to protecting the rubber from quick aging, they also provide a visual effect by "blackening" the tire, making it look almost new.

Be sure to avoid parking and storing winter tires in contaminated areas.

Winter tires