How to slow down winter tire wear – massive differences can be seen between tires on the same vehicle
You should pay attention to tire wear, since uneven wear will adversely affect safety and may cause unnecessary extra costs. Nokian Tyres determined the difference in the wear rate between the front and rear tires.
Field tests conducted by Nokian Tyres show that driving tires may wear down up to four times faster in the winter than free-rolling tires. Therefore, you should rotate your tires between the axles, even mid-season.
– There is a major difference in wear between the front and rear axles, which means you should rotate your tires. Major differences in grip between the front and rear will negatively affect driving safety. Rotating tires can also save money, as you can use the same set for longer, says Matti Morri, Technical Customer Service Manager for Nokian Tyres.
Tests conducted by Nokian Tyres showed that, when driving with winter tires, the front tires on a front-wheel drive vehicle can wear down up to four times faster than the rear tires. On summer tires, the wear rate of the front tires can be about double compared to the rear.
Drive calmly and proactively
Careful and proactive driving will reduce tire wear. You should avoid heavy braking, acceleration, and sharp steering inputs.
– This is not a marginal issue. Aggressive driving and high-powered vehicles subject tires to more stress than usual, which may cause uneven wear on winter tires, Matti Morri says.
Using the correct tire pressure for the load will reduce tire wear, lower rolling resistance, and improve driving stability. Pressure will drop in the cold, so you should inflate your winter tires 0.2 bar (20 kPa) higher than the manufacturer’s recommendation. The tire pressure recommendation is available in the vehicle’s manual, for example. You should adjust your tire pressure when the tires are cold, that is, before setting off on a long drive.
When fitting winter tires, you should check the amount of tread remaining on the main grooves. Nokian Tyres´ winter tires have a Driving Safety Indicator to assist the drivers: when the snowflake symbol on the tire tread has worn out, it is time to go shopping for winter tires.
You should also check the tire’s manufacturing date, marked on the side of the tire. The sequence of four numbers tells you the age of the tire: the first two digits give you the week of manufacture, while the last two indicate the year. You should only use a single set for a maximum of six winters.
Older vehicles need good tires
The effects of tire wear can be seen in acceleration, braking, and lateral grip.
– Modern cars have stability control systems to assist the driver, but not even they can overturn the laws of physics. The system can only help you when the tires can provide grip, says Martin Dražík, an expert and Product Manager for Central Europe in Nokian Tyres.
Many drivers think that almost any tire is good enough for an old car or the family’s second vehicle. The rationale might be that buying expensive tires for a cheap car does not make sense, or that the second vehicle is only rarely used. From a safety perspective, the opposite is true.
When a car lacks modern state-of-the-art technology, good tires may be even more important than on a new vehicle. The family’s second or third car may be used by the least experienced driver in the family. A good tire is an essential part of driving safety.
– All-season tires are often used for a second family car. They are an ideal choice when used in areas with a milder climate. This year, Nokian Tyres launched a new line of premium all-season tires – the Nokian Seasonproof and Nokian Seasonproof SUV. These new tires are developed to meet the needs of Central European drivers and designed to be flexible and adaptable to both winter and summer weather conditions, Dražík notes.
Premium tires are a sensible choice, as their product development focuses on keeping the tire as safe as possible, even as it wears down.
Tips for slowing down tire wear
- Rotate your tires from front to back and back to front every now and then. This should be done every 10,000 kilometers at the latest.
- Avoid heavy braking or acceleration and sharp steering.
- Ensure that your tires have the correct inflation pressure. Add 0.2 bar on top of the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation in the winter. Always measure the inflation pressure when the tires are cold.
- Do not store your tires outside in the sunshine; use a tire hotel or another location that is dark and temperature-controlled.
- Having your tires fitted by a specialist will allow them to give you insight into their condition.
Learn more:
Extend the service life of your tires
Winter tires for passenger cars
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Further information:
Zuzana Seidl, PR manager Nokian Tyres CE, 00420 603 578 866,
[email protected]