If you are driving mainly in the winter in the city and still prefer studded tires, it is time to take up the mind. Believe, you spend money and you torment city asphalt for nothing. On a snowy road velcro beats spikes in all respects.
“Yes, your velcro in the cold dubeyut and do not slow down!” - say skeptics. They don't understand anything. There are two types of friction tires that differ from each other:
- European - created for a mild climate, ideal for trips within the city on good asphalt. Outwardly, they are very reminiscent of summer and on the road behave like. To drive on such tires in February in Magadan means almost guaranteed to kiss the first pillar, and in Krasnodar with minus five on an unclean road on European tires it will be uncomfortable. Therefore, we are not talking about them.
- Scandinavian - Outwardly, this winter tires without thorns. She does not dubeet in the cold and does not lose traction even in extreme cold. It is these tires that have the advantage over the spike in the winter city.
Than Scandinavian velcro steeper than thorns
1. Excellent snow grip
Friction rubber - soft and elastic. The machine presses to the ground. If riding on spikes on a hard surface can be compared with walking on heels, then velcro is soft slippers.
2. Faster acceleration in the snow
Up to 100 km / h on thick snow, Velcro accelerates the car about 3 seconds faster than the spikes. Why? Yes, because the friction rubber immediately finds a clutch with the crust, and the spikes require a fraction of a second to get to the densest layer of the road.
3. Better cornering stability
Various tests (in particular, in the magazine "Auto Review") showed the advantage of Velcro over spikes up to 25 percent when entering the turn and exit. It is clear that everything depends on the skill of the driver, but even for a beginner it is easier to hold onto a snow track with velcro.
4. Better handling on a snowy road
In the conditions of "porridge" on the spikes, it is better to go slowly and carefully. Velcro is another matter. Lichachit on them, too, is not necessary, but even the cheapest friction tires lose grip in the snow with a depth of 3 centimeters at a speed of 24 km / h. To these indicators, even the best spikes fall short rarely.
5. Better braking at low temperatures
Sounds weird? Well, here's a test of the magazine “At the wheel”, where Russian is written in white: at temperatures below minus 15 degrees, Velcro slows down more efficiently. Why is this so? The tougher and stronger the crust, the harder it is for the spikes to find a “fulcrum”. And friction tires, as we remember, operate on a different principle - they are “pressed” to the road.
6. Significantly less noise when driving
Spikes are metal that, when touched, makes noise, buzzes and howls. Another thing - soft sticky, gently kissing the surface of the asphalt.
7. Less wear
A very important point: the spikes tend to fly, and the hard winter studded tires - wear out and break off. Especially not so lucky wheels in the bitter cold. Velcro case is better. Thanks to its softness and elasticity, you can not just take and erase the protector. And since there are no spikes initially, it’s not scary to lose them. On average, Velcro “lives” longer spikes for one to three seasons. If you do not drive as Schumacher.
8. Fuel consumption is not growing.
Velcro are not spikes, it does not need to bite into the surface of the road with effort, thereby increasing the counter resistance. Therefore, the engine works as usual, and the money remains in the wallet, and not the oil companies.
Photo: amastercar.ru
You can throw out your studded rubber if:
- you live in a city where roads are watered with various caustic solutions against ice;
- you don't have to drive around the track often;
- you already have at least a little driving experience;
- Winter in your area is - with snow and frost.
