With winter in full swing, you may have noticed your car’s tires failing to perform on icy or snow-covered roads. For better traction in the colder months, many consumers opt for winter tires. Let’s take a moment to learn about what makes these seasonal tires perform better in cold conditions compared to their conventional counterparts.
Tires depend on contacting the road to achieve friction, keeping you moving in the right direction while steering and maintaining smooth motion. The warmth of the summer months is enough to give the rubber in standard tires all the stickiness they need to achieve optimum grip. Like any other rubber, tires become harder when exposed to cold conditions. This means that the rubber found in the typical tire will harden during the colder seasons, decreasing the grip they can provide and creating a slicker driving experience. In a season that features icy road conditions, this is the last thing drivers need.
The rubber used to manufacture winter tires is specially formulated to maintain its pliability even in cold conditions, offering superior contact with the road in frigid climates. The secret of this special formulation is an increased ratio of soft, natural rubber added to the mix during the manufacturing process. This material would be too soft for practical use in the warmer months, leading to decreased fuel efficiency. In the winter, this softer compound is just the thing to combat slick road conditions.
In addition to their material makeup, winter tires offer additional features to help combat seasonal conditions. It is typically suggested that drivers select winter tires that are 1-2 sizes smaller than usual. This reduced width helps increase the pressure that the wheel exerts on the road surface, allowing the tire to maneuver swiftly through wet and icy conditions.
The tread on winter tires is also specially designed to help displace water on the road. Grooves in these tires help move water to either side, decreasing the risk of hydroplaning.
If you live in an area with punishing wintery conditions, winter tires are a smart solution to help your vehicle travel safely through the season. For the manufacture of tires of any variety, a custom solution from UMD offers state-of-the-art technology you’ll need to handle every step of the process. Contact us today to get started.