Every day it’s getting colder outside, which means that soon it will be time to change the car tires for winter. Remember, you need to switch to winter tires if the average daily air temperature drops below +7 degrees.
Many motorists should start thinking about buying new winter tires, and at the same time, you might consider getting separate rims for them. Of course, the choice of winter tires should be approached with full seriousness, as it directly affects the safety of the driver and passengers.
Choosing Tires
Naturally, when choosing winter tires, it is necessary to consider the characteristics and class of the car. For example, many modern crossovers might fit passenger car tires, but owners should still not skimp and pay attention to specialized SUV tires.
Overall, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the type and size of tires for a specific model. Typically, several options for tire width and profile height are offered.
It should be remembered that although wider tires provide better grip on the road, they are more prone to hydroplaning on wet surfaces.
A lower profile improves handling but reduces ride comfort. By the way, the numerical profile designation in tire markings indicates not its size in centimeters, but the percentage relative to the width. For example, if the size is 205/55 R16, the profile height is 112.7 mm or 55% of the width of 205 mm.
Important parameters include the speed index and load index. As you might guess, the first indicates the maximum allowable speed, the second – the weight for which one tire or ¼ of the car’s total mass is designed.
Also, remember that winter tires vary. There are tires for milder European winters, but for Ukraine (except perhaps for the southern regions), models for the northern Scandinavian climate with abundant snow are more suitable. They have a different tread pattern, better suited for snowy roads.
The choice of winter tires also depends on the car owner’s place of residence. If they live outside the city, it’s better to consider studded tires, as in case of heavy snowfall, roads may not be cleared quickly. In the city, of course, no one is immune to snow either, but driving on dry asphalt is not beneficial for studs.
How to Choose Rims
When choosing wheel rims for the autumn-winter period, motorists also face a dilemma. On the one hand, steel wheels are cheaper and stronger – it’s less frightening to hit a pothole with them.
But alloy rims undoubtedly have advantages. To begin with, they don’t rust. Moreover, they are significantly lighter, thus reducing unsprung mass and positively affecting handling. They also cool brakes much better, and their efficiency is crucial in the autumn-winter period. Finally, alloy rims simply look beautiful.
When choosing rims, pay attention not only to their diameter and width. Important parameters also include the number and diameter of circle mounting holes (PCD), hub hole diameter (Dia), and the offset of the rim. A deviation of even a millimeter can lead to the rim not fitting properly or not fitting the car at all.
But regardless of the type of wheel rims, the primary consideration should be your needs and possibilities. The best helper in the selection will be Rozetka.ua’s online store catalog, where you can find various options.