What are the winter tire maintenance tips that are “essential this time of year”?
As Ipdong passes, the weather is rapidly getting colder. With the weather getting colder, it is time to think about winter tire maintenance and replacement for safety. In winter, you are likely to encounter various road surface conditions such as low temperatures, snow, and icy roads, so tire replacement and thorough tire inspection optimized for winter are necessary.
Accordingly, Michelin Korea introduced essential tire inspection elements necessary for driver safety on the road and a Michelin tire lineup suitable for winter.
When is the right time to replace winter tires?
When the temperature of summer tires drops below 7 degrees, the tread hardens and performance begins to deteriorate. Therefore, it is a good idea to consider installing all-season or winter tires starting in November, when the temperature approaches 7 degrees Celsius. All-season and winter tires are made from materials specialized for low-temperature environments, so they can maintain traction without hardening.
You can check the tire type of your vehicle by looking at the side of the tire. If there is 'M+S', it is an all-season tire. If there is no 'M+S', it is a 'summer tire'. Winter tires include 'M+S' and '3PMSF (3–Peak'), which guarantees stability even when driving on snow. There is a 'Mountain Snow Flake' sign.
Sometimes, when replacing winter tires, only the front or two rear wheels are replaced for reasons such as cost savings. However, if only some tires are replaced, the grip may be biased to one side, causing understeer or oversteer, which can lead to dangerous situations such as lane departure.
Winter tires must be replaced on all four wheels. To maintain the life of your tires for a long time, it is also a good idea to properly replace the positions of the front and rear wheels depending on the degree of wear.
In winter, low temperatures cause air contraction, which also causes tire air pressure to drop. When tire air pressure is low, the tire contact surface becomes excessively wide, causing unnecessary wear on the outside of the tread, sagging the sidewall, and reducing stability when steering, which can lead to skidding or accidents. Additionally, the rubber and cord may separate due to overheating, and there is a risk of rupture or cord breakage.
Therefore, you must carefully check your tire air pressure during winter, and it is recommended to check it periodically at least once a month. To determine the appropriate air pressure for your vehicle, refer to the manufacturer's recommended air pressure listed on the sticker on the inside of the vehicle door or in the vehicle's owner's manual.
There are three winter tire lineups recommended by Michelin. First, ▲Michelin X-Ice Snow is a winter tire that provides optimal performance on snowy, icy and wet roads. ▲Michelin Pilot Alpine 5 is a high-performance winter tire lineup, and ▲Michelin Cross Climate 2 is an all-weather tire that provides safe performance even in the cold winter.
Meanwhile, Michelin Tires is expanding consumers' choices through a diverse tire lineup, and detailed information can be found on the Michelin official site.