Passenger car winter tires

The tread of the winter tire is symmetrical and deep, allowing to drive even on snowy surfaces. Furthermore, winter tires are also made from a different rubber compound with a higher proportion of natural rubber. This way winter tires do not become porous in the cold and can break moreeffectively thanks to increased grip.

Summer tires, on the other hand, have a flat and asymmetrical profile to ensure that the tire performs well on wet roads during the summer months. The harder rubber compound of summer tires is designed for temperatures above 7°C and provides a better driving feel in warm and hot conditions.

How do you choose the right winter tires?

To find just the right winter tires for your car, consider a few things beforemaking the choice. We will take a detailed look at these various aspects below.

Vehicle type

What type of vehicle do you drive? Both the size of your vehicle and its purpose significantly influence the choice of the right winter tire. If you drive an SUV, for example, you need to choose tires that can handle the higher weight of the vehicle compared to a passenger car. Nokian Tyres has great options for the Central European winter and different-sized passenger cars, but also heavier vehicles.

Tire markings

The sidewall of a tire has various markings that provide information about its size, load capacity class, speed class and more. Tire markings give you a quick overview of what category of tire you need. In addition, the EU tire markings provide more insight into the safety and fuel consumption of the tires so you can get to your desired destination safely and efficiently.

Tread depth

The safety of a winter tire is largely dependent on its tread depth. Check your local requirements for winter driving and how much tread depth is required from your tire. Generally, the tread depth of winter tires should be at least 1.6 mm, but many experts advise ensuring that the tread depth is at least 4 mm or more to guarantee optimal driving feel and special safety. Changing worn tires to new premium winter tires ensures that you can get comfortably from A to B even in the winter.

Age of the tires

Tires of all designs and types lose their properties sooner or later - even if you don't drive your car much. Depending on how much you drive, winter tires can be used for up to six years. Remember that a tire should be used for a maximum of 10 years to ensure the necessary driving safety. However, this rule only applies if you take care of the tires properly.

Tire price

The price of new tires also plays a special role when buying, so you should also pay attention to this. However, keep in mind that cheap winter tires often do not provide the driving characteristics and necessary safety required for comfortable and safe driving. In addition, it should be mentioned that these usually have a reduced lifespan and higher fuel consumption than premium winter tires.