The most convenient way to avoid unpleasant surprises is to use four winter tires, better known as thermals, but now the official definition is winter tires. The latter is different from regular tires for the composition of the compound, in this case, is rich in silica and remains soft and grip even at low temperatures, roughly around 6-7 ° C, the mixture becomes the ideal softness to take to the road better.
Not all tires are, however, the same temperature, the best are marked with the initials MS, Snow or Mud, mud, and snow and are more suited to land and beaten regularly. Along with this symbol is also a mountain with a snowflake, just to indicate their adaptability to the mountain roads. On all types of tires are also an acronym for the width of the tire in mm (eg 205), the height of the side in relation to the width (eg 55), the rim diameter in inches (eg 16).
These numbers are important when we want to change the tires, it must be maintained as these parameters are also listed on the registration document. Winter tires for the law are treated as chains, and in areas where the latter are required, we can safely use the tire temperature and avoid a hefty fine.
In addition, the temperature should be fine too dry. Depending on the season there are also two other types of tires, Run-flat summer or winter. The latter is equipped with a reinforced rubber sidewall and allows you to walk even after washing, even up to 100 km, and maintaining a speed of 80 km / h, which allows you to get safely to the nearest tire shop.
As we have seen, the snow tires are set at the international level with the initials MS (Mud and snow, and snow or mud). The silica that comprises means that the rubber remains soft even with very low temperatures, and then the strip (small grooves that cross the tread blocks) can take the snow and compress between the road and the tire.
This type of tire works both ways in case of snow, if it is fresh, then the strong pressure of the car combines the ice crystals that make up the educated white and rubber can be taken on the road, as it is in contact with snow on snow. If the problem is a layer of ice on the road, then the tires involved with the strip, which by heating the tread, creating a temperature difference between the tire and the ice, creating a sticker.
To understand how it works by touching a cube “fresh” in the freezer with a finger, it will create the same effect. But what differs in the structure of a tire from a normal winter? Certainly the design and tread pattern.
We have already seen what the blades are and what they are. Then there are the grooves, which cross the tread, and are the ones who create the design itself: an arrow or a wave. Those of summer tires are narrower and shallower.
The winter tires have silica in their compound, which we saw is used to maintain the softness of the rubber at low temperatures, mixing with the rubber. About the drawing, you must be careful during assembly, check to see if there is a definite sense of rotation, in addition to being set all 4 of the same verse, must also match the direction of travel.
However, these tires are equipped with instruction manuals should be read carefully before assembling. After being put, it is good to control blood pressure, which must be greater than 0.2 bar above the normal range. When the store, for example in the spring, is good they are not overly exposed to the sun but kept in cool places such as cellars. If you wash them before storing them even better.
How to choose
If winter tires are important it is equally important to choose the right ones and adapted to our car. In theory, all the necessary information to the right choice is written in the booklet, but are a bit ‘disguised as a series of codes, so maybe if we’re not very experienced, we can get help from our tire.
The book has two basic information: the measures approved and speed codes. You can often choose among several measures, if we use them on many layers of snow, then we set very tight, as they have more grip, but if the soil is dry, then larger ones are also fine. Great care must be codes of speed, the law provides you can use codes greater than indicated, but not lower penalty fines. Here is a list of abbreviations and codes such as speed are:
Along with the speed, code is also a numerino, it indicates the load, which is the maximum weight carried by the wheel. Just as the speed rating, the load can be greater but less than that indicated in the booklet.
Once you have chosen the right tires for us, however, remember that driving on ice and snow is always dangerous, so keep a speed exceeding 50 km / h. Also, before you start trying to inform us about the cm of snow from the road that runs as effective, in fact, the snow tires can not do anything if the snow exceeds 20 cm, and the risk that our car “bulging” that remains locked out from under the snow. In this case, you must attach the chains since they are the most traction and can try to shovel more snow around and under the car.
Generally, snow tires are much more comfortable than the chains, because once you mount and away, the rest do not bother and do not necessarily have to be removed as soon as it is out of danger from snow or ice.
Instead, the chains are more awkward to fit, especially if we have to stop suddenly on the street, in that case, it becomes too dangerous, but they are the only safe alternative and in the absence of winter tires. By law there is no difference, in fact, even when we find the road sign indicating the requirement of chains on board, we are okay even if we mount the snow tires and if there are equally fine we can use.
However, if you do not have either, then we must pay 68.25 euros, in addition to the detention of the car, and if you have repeat offenders, are a further 68, 25 euro more than three points from the license.
Be careful though, because all the chains are not going well, but those specifications approved for Italy, or the CUNA NC 178-01 or O-Norm, in the case of different chains, is fine and we can not appeal. So it is good to keep the chains in their box to prove that they approved of the brand. If you want to move out of Italy, then you should inform us on the approval of the destination country.
We check on our registration certificate if the tires can be mounted chains, sometimes it is not possible because of the small space between the tread and the suspension arm, then we risk damaging the rubber.
We can mount them on the road only if there are already 4 / 5 cm of snow or ice, otherwise, it is not necessary. Just dock in a safe place, parking perhaps, place the triangle and wear a reflective vest. There are different types of chains: a diamond (the most effective and safest) to the lineup (cheaper but less effective), and with round or square. The price of chains ranging from 36 to 160 euros.
We saw in detail what the law provides for the Italian highway code, but what happens if we go outside the border with our car? Better inform us well before we venture and risk ruining your holiday.
In Germany, there is no obligation, but in case of an accident and we provide fully comprehensive insurance, then we have problems enforcing our arguments.
For Austria, the situation is very similar, but some mountain roads may require the mandatory use of snow tires in charge of the road sign prohibits “the use of winter equipment testing cars.”
Switzerland, however, is very strict in case of accidents caused by tire “unfit” and therefore are required by law. Attention because the penalties are salty!
For France, however, the requirement is only in some mountainous areas indicated by appropriate traffic signs.
For Finland and Latvia, the obligation runs from December 1 last day of February and applies to all anyway. Indeed there is a clear obligation for heavy vehicles, over 3.5 tonnes. Finland applies very expensive fines based on net income of the offender.
Norway and Sweden, however, does not extend the obligation to tourists or non-citizens. Slovenia has an obligation much longer which extends from November 15 to March 15. Belgium,
Netherlands and Luxembourg have no obligation for winter tires (even though they are highly recommended), but prohibit studded tires. No obligation even in Denmark, which, however, allows the use of the nailed.
Estonia, by contrast, has a period of flexible requirement, which runs from December 1 last February, but if weather conditions require it, this obligation can be extended further. While Greece has no obligation, Lithuania forces from December 1 until even the first of April.
Although Poland is a country very cold, there is no requirement, but it is always prudent to have them, same goes for the Czech Republic should be noted that the snow tires are much more used in countries that do not require compliance with the requirement those who do.
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