The Importance of Winter Tires and How to Choose the Right Tire

Winter tires are specially designed to provide maximum safety and grip on cold, snowy, icy and wet surfaces. When the temperature drops below +7 °C, the performance of summer tires decreases significantly. For this reason, using winter tires matters not only for snowfall, but also for cold weather conditions in general.

The Importance of Winter Tires

1: Grip and Braking Distance

Thanks to their special silica-based rubber compound, winter tires don’t harden at low temperatures. This provides better grip and can shorten braking distance by up to 30%.

Example (50 km/h speed – wet surface):

• Braking distance with summer tires: approximately 43 meters
• Braking distance with winter tires: approximately 32 meters

2: Resistance to Aquaplaning

Thanks to their deep, directional tread pattern, winter tires evacuate water quickly. This reduces the risk of aquaplaning, especially on roads with rain and melting snow.

3: Legal Requirement (Turkey)

In Turkey, winter tires are mandatory for commercial vehicles between December 1 and April 1. While there is no legal requirement for passenger cars, it is strongly recommended for safety.

4: Tire Life and Economy

Using winter tires at the right time extends the life of summer tires. Using two separate tire sets in rotation offers a more economical solution in the long run.

How to Choose the Right Tire

1: The Correct Tire Size

Tire size (e.g. 205/55 R16 91H) should match the measurements specified by the vehicle manufacturer. You can find this information on the door jamb label, fuel filler flap, or in the owner’s manual. Changing the tire size can negatively affect fuel consumption, ride comfort, and grip.

2: The EU Tire Label

The EU label found on every tire contains three key pieces of information:

• Fuel Efficiency (A–E): Fuel consumption related to rolling resistance
• Wet Grip (A–E): Braking performance on wet roads
• Noise Level (dB): The tire’s external noise level

The most important criterion when choosing a winter tire is that the wet-grip rating is class A or B.

3: Tread Pattern

• Directional pattern: Strong water evacuation, preferred for sporty cars.
• Asymmetric pattern: Offers balanced performance on dry and wet surfaces.
• Block pattern: Higher performance in deep snow.

4: Manufacturing Date (DOT Code)

The last four digits of the DOT code indicate the tire’s production week and year. For example, the code “3723” means the tire was manufactured in week 37 of 2023. Tires older than four years harden over time and lose performance.

Brand Selection

Widely used winter tire brands in Turkey:

• Premium: Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli
• Mid-range: Nokian, Falken, Kumho, Hankook
• Budget: Lassa, Petlas, Starmaxx, Sava

Domestically produced brands perform quite well in winter conditions in terms of price/performance.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure can drop in cold weather. For this reason, pressure should be checked weekly and kept in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Winter Tire Usage Tips

• Don’t use summer and winter tires at the same time.
• Rotate your tires during seasonal changes.
• Avoid using winter tires during the summer months.
• Store unused tires in a cool, dry and dark place.

Conclusion

Winter tires are not just an accessory used only when it snows; they are essential safety equipment that improves personal safety in cold weather conditions. When choosing the right winter tire, be sure to pay attention to the proper size, high wet-grip rating, a reliable brand, a recent manufacturing date, and professional installation.