When to change tires?
The auto expert recommends that you take care of replacing your tires now, first of all, to avoid the rush and huge queues.
“You can change tires from mid-October, but now it is already a necessity. Very soon the temperature at night will be below zero, so there is no need to put this off. I have also been working in the tire industry for 30 years and often come across novice motorists.
Many of them are sure that if there is no snow and ice on the road surface, then they can get by with summer tires. But we must understand that the first signal is the temperature, not snow or precipitation,” the expert shares.
Next, the auto expert briefly explained the difference between winter and summer tires. Oleg Sheiko notes that winter tires are softer, and in severe frosts they become even more elastic, which is important for traction on the road surface.
“But summer tires are hard, this allows them not to melt at high temperatures in the warm season, accelerate and maintain maneuverability. But even at zero temperatures, not to mention sub-zero, summer tires become fragile. Therefore, they are not suitable for the cold season “, he notes.
When the daytime temperature does not exceed +3 and remains at this level for 5-7 days, this is the main signal for switching from summer tires to winter ones, the expert notes.
What happens if you don’t “change the shoes” of the car?
The legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan states that in the period from December 1 to the end of February, vehicles must be equipped with winter tires. In case of using tires out of season, according to Article 590, Part 5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan, drivers will face a fine of 5 MCI (17,250 tenge). However, damage of 17,250 tenge is not the worst consequence that results from untimely replacement of tires.
“At low temperatures, summer tires do not cling to the asphalt, but slide along it, and then on the roads we see serious collisions and accidents. We need to think about this,” explains the expert.
What tires should I use in winter?
Oleg Sheiko notes that there is no need to buy new tires every season. The first thing to do is measure the tread wear. If a winter tire is worn by 50 percent, it is unsuitable for safe use in winter conditions.
“It all depends on the driver, there are those who drive the car too aggressively, their tread wears out prematurely. There are those who drive carefully, their tires are like new, and they can still be used. In general, the tread depth on winter tires is not should be less than 4-5 mm. If it is lower, then it is considered that the tire is worn out,” shares the auto expert.
As for city drivers, Oleg recommends using friction tires – “Velcro”, and drivers who go to the highways and live outside the city should use studded tires.
“Velcro” are also divided into Nordic and “European”. The first ones should be installed in case of cold winters with frequent snowfalls, but the “European” ones do not tolerate frost and are suitable for cities with clean roads, this is an option for drivers who do not travel outside the city. On the slopes, of course, you need spikes; there is always ice there. There is no need to pay attention to the noise that comes from the “spikes”, because safety is more important,” shares Oleg Sheiko.
As for all-season tires, which have been especially popular in recent years due to advertising, the expert advises relying on personal experience.
“If the driver has experience, he already drives well, feels confident on the road and knows the rules, then you can afford to take all-season tires for 1-2 years. I do not recommend it for beginners, since they are more intended for experienced drivers,” – says Oleg.
Is wheel balancing necessary?
The traction properties and maneuverability of a car depend on the correct fit and balance of the wheels, because the weight of the tire and rim is never distributed evenly over their entire circumference. Moreover, balancing directly affects driving comfort. According to the auto expert, the procedure must be performed every 5,000 – 10,000 kilometers.
“If the tire has been used for more than 5,000 – 10,000 kilometers, then there is a high chance of uneven tread wear, which greatly affects the car’s handling. You should not neglect the rule, but come to a tire shop and have it balanced,” said Oleg.