Autumn is the period when it's time to think about replacing summer tires with winter ones. The optimal moment comes when the average daily air temperature drops below +7°C.

The times when changing tires was a simple procedure due to a modest selection of tires and simple car construction are long gone. Today it's a rather troublesome task requiring certain skills. The choice of winter tires directly affects grip with the road, steering precision, as well as the level of comfort and safety during trips. Simply put, almost everything depends on which tires you choose for the cold season. You can find a suitable winter tire option in the online store «Rezina.CC».

Determining the time to change tires

So when is the best time to change tires and what should you pay attention to? Waiting for the first snow or a steady minus is not the best strategy, because the weather in our latitudes is changeable. The most reliable indicator is the thermometer: if it shows +7°C±5°C, it's a sure sign that it's time to change tires. Further use of summer tires in such conditions becomes risky — they lose grip and harden. You can, of course, wait until stable low temperatures, but there's a high chance that the car will skid on a turn and you'll lose control. Night frosts often cover the road with a thin ice crust. Don't tempt fate when it comes to the safety of you and your loved ones.

Relying on thermometer readings

  • From +7°C to 0°C — it's time to install a winter set;
  • From 0°C to -5°C — don't delay the replacement;
  • From -5°C and below — driving on summer tires is extremely dangerous.

Tire behavior in frost

  • Summer tires
  • The compound designed for the warm season becomes hard in frost and regains its elasticity only when the air warms up to +7°C and above.
  • Winter tires
  • Their compound remains soft in the cold, but when driving in warmth (+15°C and above), the tread begins to wear intensively.

Practical tips

  • If you take your child to kindergarten or school every morning, it's better to be safe and install a winter set in advance — already at +10°C. Also, you should consider minimum night temperatures: if you often drive out in the dark or early in the morning, and the thermometer shows +5°C at night for five to seven days in a row, it's time to change tires.
  • When planning a long trip in the off-season, take care of tire replacement in advance. But remember: winter tires become less stable at temperatures from +9°C, so be especially careful on turns and during sharp maneuvers.
  • For those who use the car only occasionally and mostly travel by public transport, it's wiser to wait until the temperature drops to 0°C. However, in icy conditions, getting to a tire service will be difficult.

Based on the above, considering the design and characteristics of winter tires, it's optimal to install them within the first five to seven days after the thermometer drops to +7°C±5°C. Unfortunately, not everyone follows this rule. But following manufacturers' recommendations for timely tire replacement allows you to extend the service life of both tires and the car as a whole, as well as significantly increase road safety.

Which winter tires to choose?

There are no particular difficulties in choosing. If in winter the temperature stays within the range from +5°C to -30°C, it's reasonable to opt for non-studded tires. However, during a sharp cold snap, it's better to switch to studded ones. True, due to time and financial costs, this strategy is not suitable for everyone. It's simpler to choose one thing: either studs or «Velcro». At the same time, don't forget that non-studded tires behave more confidently on dry and wet asphalt, but on snow, ice, or slush, the advantage remains with studded ones.

How do «Scandinavian» tires differ from «European» ones

By their tread pattern, winter tires are divided into two main types. The Scandinavian variant features a sparse pattern with large diamond-shaped blocks arranged in a checkerboard pattern at a noticeable distance from each other. Thanks to this design, the tread easily breaks through the crust and self-cleans from snow and slush. The main task of such tires is maximum grip on snowy roads. They are also great for dirt roads and snowdrifts. Most often, Scandinavian tires are used in the northern regions of Europe.

The European type is characterized by a diagonal tread pattern with a large number of small sipes and channels for water drainage. These tires are designed to provide the best grip on dry and wet asphalt. Such tires will be suitable for the countries of Central and Southern Europe.