About winter driving

The most important tool for safe winter driving is a cautious driver, but next comes the right winter tyres (in Norwegian: vinterdekk). The tyre must hold a firm grip to the surface, whatever the surface at that moment is - ice, snow, slush or wet.

The climate change is making winters more and more unpredictable. It is more common than ever have sudden changes in weather and temperature during the winter time. It is not only about the weather condition but the change of the weather might be as dangerous as well: temperatures bouncing up and down around zero degrees Celsius make roads very slippery. Therefore modern winter tyre must keep its grip in many different and changing conditions.

There are several ways to make the winter tyre to have more grip. Important one is the patterning of the tyre and the depth of the pattern. For example the tread blocks of the tyre shoulder may have pocket-like sipes that remove water from the road surface and ensure firm contact. The directional tread pattern can be covered by a dense net of sipes, which further enhances the grip abilities. For efficient braking grip, “brake boosters” patterns can be used.

Another important factor is the rubber compound of the tyre. Right rubber material enhances wet and ice grip and improves tear resistance. Many manufacturers are developing environmental friendly materials that could replace the old high-aromatic oils that are harmful to nature with more ecological ones. This, however, cannot compromise with the safety of the tyre (in Norwegian: deck).

Consumers expect good winter tyres to hold the grip in every condition. That has been the goal for winter tyre manufacturers all over the world, but it is also demanding task: to keep the grip in extreme conditions and reliable behavior in any weather and on any surface. Good driving response from the surface is one of the properties of a reliable and safe winter tyre. The steering should have a precise steering response, which can help the driver to detect changes in the surface and tyres.

Consumers like to have lower consumption tyres as well, and this puts even more challenge for the manufacturers. The key for lower consumption is low rolling resistance of the tyre. it is not only the drivers wallet that is save - traffic-related harmful emissions are reduced with lower consumption.