Winter Is Coming: How to Choose the Right Winter Tire? ❄️

Winter Is Coming: How to Choose the Right Winter Tire? ❄️

When temperatures start to drop, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: "When should I change my tires?" Experts agree on a single number: 7°C. When the air temperature drops below 7 degrees, summer tires harden and lose grip.

So, how do you choose the right winter tire for your car among hundreds of options? Here's a short and clear guide:

Before I start, let me give you my warnings;

Winter tires have a softer rubber compound so they don't harden in the cold. This can increase fuel consumption a bit. Also, because of this soft compound, don't use these tires in summer — in fact I don't recommend using them much above 7°C either, because the compound degrades and can become unusable; in short, it wears out the tire's life early.

Don't forget that a good summer tire has better wet-grip than a winter tire.

Pay close attention to the speed rating set by the manufacturer on the tire, and don't have an accident because of your tires. In any case, absolutely don't go at high speed in winter. Don't exceed 130 km/h on winter tires unless you have to. Your life isn't worth less than 5 minutes.

L: 120 km/h
M: 130 km/h
N: 140 km/h
P: 150 km/h
Q: 160 km/h
R: 170 km/h
S: 180 km/h
T: 190 km/h
U: 200 km/h
H: 210 km/h
V: 240 km/h
W: 270 km/h
Y: 300 km/h
(Y): 300 km/h and above

Important Notes:

What Is the Speed Rating? It indicates the maximum load the tire can carry and the highest safe speed it can handle.

The Letter H: It sits outside the alphabetical order (between U and V) and stands for "High Performance."

When Choosing: It's critical for your safety not to choose a tire below the speed symbol specified in your car's catalog. For winter tires, choosing one letter lower (for example H instead of V) is generally allowed.

1. Always Look for the "Snowflake" Symbol

Many drivers think that tires marked only with "M+S" (Mud & Snow) are enough. But for real winter performance, you should look for the 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) symbol on the tire's sidewall. This mark proves the tire has been tested and certified for tough winter conditions.

Also, if there's an ice-crystal symbol on it, it shows the tire has been tested and certified on ice in Nordic countries.

It's worth paying attention to these marks.

2. Stick to the Original Sizes

Be cautious of hearsay like "a narrower tire is better in winter." The safest approach is to use the sizes specified by your car's manufacturer. You can find this information on the label inside the driver's door or in the owner's manual.

However, if you're using an aftermarket wheel, it's important to choose a tire size that suits the wheel dimensions. But my preference would be to have a separate set of wheels for winter tires. It's also easier to mount and remove, and your wheels will get scratched less.

3. Pay Attention to the Production Date (DOT)

A tire is a product with a shelf life, even if it's never used. Look at the last 4 digits of the DOT code on the tire's sidewall. For example, if it says 3524, the tire was manufactured in week 35 of 2024. Be careful when buying "brand new" tires older than 5 years, as rubber can lose its properties over time.

4. Read the EU Label Values

The label on the tire gives you three critical pieces of information:

Fuel Efficiency: Looks out for your wallet. (A class-A tire provides 7.5% fuel savings compared to a class-E tire.)

Noise Level: Looks out for your comfort. (You can think of every 3 dB as roughly double the sound.)

Wet Grip Braking: This is the most important one. Winter roads aren't always snowy; they're often wet and cold. Choose tires with a short braking distance (class A or B). (A class-A tire can stop 18 meters before a class-E tire when driving at 80 km/h.)

5. Online Reviews and Comparisons of the Tire

"tyrereviews.com" is a site where you can compare the tires you've chosen. They test in a way that makes the results reliable. It's a site I use often when buying tires myself.

You can also use different forums, sites, and user reviews.

6. Some Recommendations

Top 5 Premium Winter Tire Picks for Daily Use:

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: Currently number one in many tests. It's considered unrivaled especially for steering precision and braking on snow. The first choice for premium cars.

Continental WinterContact TS 870: A marvel of German engineering. Excellent on wet roads, very high fuel efficiency, and quite resistant to wear (long-lasting).

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: An expert in snow traction and water evacuation. Offers a quiet and very balanced ride.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6: A next-generation tire. Very ambitious in wet-road performance and promises a much longer mileage life compared to its older series.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5: The flagship of the Finnish brand that invented the winter tire. It's practically a lifesaver in very harsh winter conditions.

Price / Performance Winter Tire Picks:

Lassa Snoways 4: A staple on Turkey's roads. With the snow performance and durability it offers for its price, it's a true price/performance monster.

Hankook Winter i*cept RS3: A balanced model that challenges its premium rivals in tests.

Kleber Krisalp HP3: Belonging to the Michelin group, it's a hidden hero that stands out for its braking performance on snow.

Petlas SnowMaster 2: With the advantage of domestic production, ideal for city driving and mild winter conditions.

Sava Eskimo HP2: Part of the Goodyear group, a budget-friendly option with high snow traction.

7. How Should They Be Stored?

Be sure to clean the tires and dry them completely before storing them.

Store them in a cool, dry place that doesn't get direct sunlight.

Don't let them come into contact with chemicals.

Stack tires mounted on wheels flat on top of each other, or hang them. Store tires without wheels upright and rotate them once a month.

Mark the tires so they don't get mixed up next season.

Conclusion: Don't Postpone Safety

Winter tires are the most important part connecting you to life not just when it snows, but when it gets cold. Don't wait for snow — make the switch as soon as temperatures drop.

Safe travels! 🚗💨