Tested winter safety: The Nokian Hakkapeliitta Truck and Nokian Hakka Truck tyres for heavy vehicles perform reliably in varying winter weather

The Snowflake symbol indicates that the tyre grips even under difficult conditions. Nokian Heavy Tyres recommends that winter tyres be used on all axles of heavy vehicles under demanding driving conditions. Good winter grip is also very important on the trailer. Trailer tyres are commonly neglected despite the fact that over 50 % of the weight of the tractor-trailer combination is on the trailer.

This year will mark the 80^th anniversary of the Kelirengas, the world's first winter tyre, which was developed by Nokian Tyres. The Kelirengas was intended for trucks, and it was designed to bring grip and reliable steering to the snowy and narrow roads.

The manufacturer of the world's first winter tyre and a specialist in demanding winter conditions continues as the pioneer in winter safety. All of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta Truck and Nokian Hakka Truck tyres that have been designed for trucks and buses have received the official snow grip approval, the Snowflake symbol (3PMSF). This marking was previously used only for passenger car tyres, and it signifies that the tyre is officially approved for winter use. In order to achieve this approval, the tyres are tested with the snow acceleration method. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta Truck and Nokian Hakka Truck tyres carrying the Snowflake symbol will be available at tyre retailers this winter.

The Snowflake symbol requires verified winter safety   

Tyres that receive the official snow grip marking, i.e. the Snowflake symbol, provide verified safety for demanding snow conditions. The traditional definition of a winter tyre is stated in the European ECE regulation 117.02. The definition states that the tyre's tread pattern, tread material, or structure must be primarily designed in order to provide it with better characteristics than ordinary tyres in terms of acceleration, traction, and stopping under demanding winter conditions.

A new feature is that the winter grip of a tyre intended for snowy conditions must be verified; receiving the label requires an officially approved snow acceleration test where the winter tyre is at least 25 % better than the reference tyre. The snow acceleration test is used because it has good discrimination and provides results that are easy to compare. The test brings out the snow grip properties of different tyres in the best possible way, but excludes the ice grip properties.

- In addition to grip on snow, we design and test all of our truck and bus tyres to work well even on icy surfaces. In addition to the snow acceleration test, we test our tyres extensively, using various methods in order to ensure safety and quality. We test our tyres both at our own test centres and under actual conditions on roads. Our products ensure effective and safe travel for professional drivers regardless of the weather; they work well on icy, snowy, or wet roads, says Product Manager Teppo Siltanen from Nokian Heavy Tyres.  

Winter tyres should be used on all axles under demanding conditions

The strictest winter tyre regulations for heavy vehicles in the Nordic countries will enter into force in Norway at the beginning of 2015. Norway has determined that all axles are important in the demanding Northern winter. The regulation states that all the axles of a tractor and trailer combination, the trailer included, shall be equipped with winter tyres. The Swedish winter tyre regulation is also stricter than Finland's as regards the requirements for the tractor vehicle.

Nokian Tyres recommends that even in Finland, under demanding winter conditions, winter tyres that are marked with the Snowflake symbol be used on the front axle and the driving axles; the other axles should have winter tyres carrying the M+S marking at a minimum. The M+S marking is the second official winter tyre marking alongside the Snowflake symbol. It is awarded for tyres that are specially designed for snowy conditions. Nokian Tyres further recommends that, during normal winter weather, a tractor and trailer combination should have winter tyres marked with the Snowflake symbol, at least on the driving axle.

Winter grip for the trailer, as well – over 50 % of the combination's weight is on the trailer

Nokian Tyres' truck tyre range includes winter tyres and all season tyres. All Hakkapeliitta Truck and Hakka Truck tyres have passed the tests that are required for the Snowflake symbol. Furthermore, all of the truck tyres sold with the Nokian brand and nearly all of the NokianNoktop retreading materials meet the M+S requirements. The Nokian Noktop products provide the same tread patterns as the Nokian Hakkapeliitta Truck and Nokian Hakka Truck product families.

Nokian Tyres recommends that you also pay attention to the grip of the trailer's tyres. Trailer tyres are commonly neglected despite the fact that over 50 % of the weight of the tractor-trailer combination resides on the trailer. To this end, Nokian Tyres has also introduced trailer tyres that are tailored for winter use and that have received the Snowflake symbol. The new Nokian Hakka Truck 844 is the first trailer tyre in the size 385/55R22.5 to carry the Snowflake symbol. The Nokian Hakka Truck 861 is also suited for use on trailers, and it carries the same symbol as a sign of its good grip on snow. In other words, our selection provides verified and tested grip for every axle.

Safe and economical driving in demanding professional tasks

Nokian truck and bus tyres are designed for demanding professional use in varying conditions with the aim of ensuring safe driving in all weather and road conditions. In our own test centres in Ivalo, Lapland, and in Nokia we test extreme driving situations in all seasons.

Development of the tyres involves millions of kilometres of driving in different environments and in all kinds of weather conditions. Close co-operation with transport operators and haulage companies provides us with valuable usage experience to support our product development. The aim of our versatile testing is to offer the safest and most economical tyres for professional drivers. Our solid expertise rely on extensive traditions built upon since developing the world's first winter tyre for heavyduty vehicles back in 1934.

Photos: www.nokiantyres.com/trucktyreswinter2014

Read more about the Nokian product range:
http://www2.nokiantyres.com/trucks-and-buses

Nokian Hakkapeliitta Test Experience in Ivalo 2013

View video: http://youtu.be/SSGI1MIr5F4

80 years since the world's first winter tyre

Watch video: http://youtu.be/3pb8Oe-Ki5c

Further information:

Nokian Heavy Tyres
Teppo Siltanen Product Manager, Truck Tyres tel. +358 10 401 7709 teppo.siltanen(at)nokiantyres.com