The videos of cars skidding and sliding on the snowy asphalt of Madrid have not been long in coming. The storm Filomena promised and, despite the warnings, many drivers have been overwhelmed by the situation. In this article we leave you keys to driving in winter and preparing your vehicle to overcome cold waves like the one we are experiencing. Chains are one of the elements that are repeated the most on these lists but, if your thing is to enjoy the mountains and snow every year, winter tires can be your best allies. We have talked a lot about car tires and their importance, since they are the only point of contact between the car and the road. It is a particularly sensitive issue when temperatures drop and adherence is conspicuous by its absence. For this reason, we want to tell you about the key aspects of winter tires .
Winter tires are tires specially designed for use in adverse weather conditions, low temperatures, or the presence of ice or snow. This type of tire is able to cope with the inconveniences that these temperatures bring with them, without the need for the use of chains, thanks to the compounds and technologies used in its development. In fact, these tires reach their maximum grip in temperatures below 7ºC , just when conventional tires begin to lose their responsiveness. However, it is also true that many people tend to think that this type of tire is designed only to drive on snow, when in reality they are also the ones that perform better on dry or wet surfaces. Not to mention that they are the ones with the least risk of hydroplaning as they evacuate the water better.
When to place them?
In Spain it is mandatory to use special equipment as soon as the snow sets on the road. We can choose between M + S tires, chains or winter tires, the most suitable in terms of traction and dynamism. What’s more, this type of tire is considered an alternative to chains and can be identified by a pattern on the side: a mountain with three peaks with a snowflake in the center . Experts recommend putting winter tires on during October , and changing back to summer tires in March. Although there is no need to worry in case the temperatures suddenly rise and it becomes warmer once we have fitted the winter tires, we should try not to use them when the good weather arrives, since then they do offer worse performance than the winter tires. summer, in addition to wearing more.
Another frequent question on the part of the user about their use is whether they are considered an alternative to chains . The answer is yes, something totally logical, since they are much more effective. In fact, chains are proven to wear down both the suspensions and the tires themselves. In addition, the braking capacity of the chains compared to that of the tires is much more precarious. For example, driving at 30 km / h on snow, it may take more than twice as many meters to stop the car as it would have winter tires. All this thanks to the special characteristics these tires have, such as a more shortened and deeper tread, a large number of sipes in the studs or the fact that they are able to keep their properties intact at low temperatures.
Security before everything
When it comes to tires, all precautions are little , as we must not forget that they are the only point of contact between the vehicle and the ground. With rain, snow or ice, standard wheels become even more vulnerable, losing grip and traction efficiency, so it is advisable to use tires that guarantee our own safety and that of other road users. Furthermore, it is important that we entrust the mounting, dismounting and balancing of these tires to specialists qualified for the task.
If we have already convinced you to switch to winter tires, now you just need to know what to take into account when buying these tires. The first thing to do is read the manual of the car , since it usually recommends the type of winter tire that can be used. You will also need to check the pattern, making sure it extends down the side, which will help provide even more grip.
What limitations do winter tires have?
On some occasions, there has been talk of a speed limitation when using winter tires. It is a confusion given that there is a prohibition to go more than 50 km / h but it is in the case of mounting snow chains , not with specific tires. As we mentioned before, their use is not limited to snowy surfaces, but their composition makes them ideal for that situation. Precisely for this reason we must choose well among the available offer. Let me explain: maybe our best option is simply an M + S (mud and snow in English) with more durability and, in the event of a heavy snowfall, we resort to chains. In this video we explain the type of tires and chains available, among which are not those of nails due to their prohibition in Spain .
There are also the all-season tires that, generation after generation, have notably improved their behavior in all kinds of situations. These types of models offer the necessary grip throughout the year, without being fantastic in any way and it may not be the most interesting decision at an economic level. This is another issue that depends on whoever deals with it. Investing in winter tires only makes sense if you are going to often go to areas that require this type of accessory during winter. In that case, changing tires once a year can have a double benefit. Firstly because you extend the life of the summer tire and secondly because of the increased safety.
