20:20, November 24 0
The selection of winter tires for a crossover is somewhat different from that of a regular passenger car.. It's not just about tire sizes.
Most car tire manufacturers produce special series of winter wheels for crossovers. A striking example is the Continental WinterContact TS870P. This tire is designed specifically for crossovers and allows you to provide all the advantages of this type of vehicle during winter operation.
When choosing winter tires for a crossover, you should consider a number of parameters. Some of them must be taken into account, others provide a certain “room for maneuver”. Therefore, we will analyze each of them.
Size
The winter tire size should be the one recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.. Typically these dimensions are indicated in the service book, on the side pillar of the body (between the doors) or on the fuel tank hatch cover. If there are several sizes listed, it is recommended to choose narrower tires with a higher profile for winter conditions.
The parameters of the tire are indicated on the sidewall. The most important factors in selection are size and indices.
You shouldn’t deviate from the manufacturer’s recommendations, because the engineers who calculated the tire parameters did it for a reason. For the correct operation of the suspension, transmission and electronic safety systems, tire size is very important.
Indexes
It is also necessary to take into account the speed index. This parameter is especially important for powerful and fast crossovers. If the vehicle's maximum speed is greater than the tire's design speed, it can lead to tragic consequences at high speed.
The load index is no less important, especially for crossovers and electric vehicles that are heavy.. Here, as in the case of the speed index, you should not deviate from the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is better to take a tire with a load reserve.
«WinterContact TS 870 P is particularly suitable for owners of heavier vehicles who also want to ensure safety and efficiency on the road in winter. This applies equally to electric vehicles, sedans and SUVs with internal combustion engines,” says Andreas Schlenke, tire developer at Continental.
Tread type
In recent years, snow and ice on Ukrainian roads have not fallen as often as before. Climate change is making its own adjustments, so the advisability of using studded wheels is lost. In addition, modern high-tech friction tires are, in the vast majority of parameters, much better than studded tires.
Tread pattern is of great importance for performance. This combination of V-shaped blocks and four large longitudinal grooves indicates good handling and the tire's ability to effectively drain water from the contact patch.
The tread pattern of most winter tires is directional V-shaped.. However, technology does not stand still, so the developers of WinterContact TS870P moved away from the generally accepted V-profile and created four large grooves between the rows of profile blocks. This innovative tread structure offers clear advantages, especially on wet surfaces, as it drains water away from the contact area particularly quickly. This improves handling, shortens braking distances and prevents hydroplaning.
Tires with this tread pattern are especially relevant during relatively warm Ukrainian winters, when the roads are more often wet or covered with “snow slush” than snowy and icy.
Ratings
Having decided on the size, indexes and tread type, you should carefully study independent tire tests. When choosing tires based on the results of testing by independent experts, you should first of all pay attention to safety indicators — after all, that’s what winter tires are installed for. Short braking distances and controllability on different types of surfaces can be considered the most important parameters.
Auto Bild recognized the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P tire as an exemplary tire in terms of safety
Thus, Auto Bild Allrad and Auto Bild Sportscars magazines awarded the WinterContact TS 870 P an “Exemplary” rating in their 2022 winter tire tests. These tires impressed experts with their short braking distances on snow and wet roads, as well as their sporty dynamic handling.. In addition, the WinterContact TS 870 P scored points for its particularly energy-saving rolling resistance.
Price
High-quality winter tires are, above all, safety. Therefore, the best choice will be modern high-tech tires from a well-known brand.. For example, Continental has been producing tires since 1871 and is a leader in this field. Remember that high-quality tires are much more likely to reduce the risk of an accident, and as a result, save property or even life.
Saving on tires has dubious advantages, because the price difference between a premium and budget product is not that big. Even during normal operation (without an accident), premium tires can easily pay for themselves, since modern technologies make it possible to minimize rolling resistance (that is, improve fuel efficiency). In addition, premium tires, in most cases, are more resistant to abrasion and have a longer service life.