by iStorage
Are you wondering “how long do snow tires last” in the midwest? You’ve come to the right place. Slick roads in the winter can be a nightmare. Unfortunately, winter drives are something most of us midwesterners know all too well. When it comes to vehicles in the snow, tires are obviously essential. So why aren’t more of us stocking up on snow tires? Unlike other countries, snow tires aren’t mandatory in the US. However, they’re proven to help drivers stay safe and save some money in the long run. So save yourself some dough, and ask the question, how long do snow tires last?
Many people are under the impression that snow tires don’t last as long as regular tires. While they require more care, you can get some life out of snow tires. Be sure to put on your snow tires as soon as the first snowfalls and take them off when spring hits. The average winter tires will last 3-4 seasons. We recommend storing your tires as the softer rubber will wear out fast during warm weather.
Michigan snows a LOT. Ann Arbor gets, on average, about 57 inches. The first snowfall in Michigan is generally in November, and the last is in April. Therefore, we recommend putting on snow tires in November and taking them off in April if you’re in Michigan.
If you’re from Minnesota, you’re well aware that it snows more than the rest of the midwestern states. Minnesota varies from 36 inches of snow in the southwest to 70 inches along Lake Superior. The first snow can happen in October, and the last snowfall is typically in April. Therefore, we recommend having your tires on October through April.
Illinois is quite a snowy place as well.
The average annual snowfall exceeds 38 inches in Chicago alone. It tends to start snowing in Illinois from the end of October to mid-April. Make sure to put those bad boys on October through April.
Believe it or not, Kansas can be pretty rough in the winter too. The state-wide average snowfall comes out to about 19 inches per season. However, Kansas has a later winter. The first snowfall is typically in December and can last until March. We suggest that you use snow tires during these months in Kansas.
Columbus, OH, sees about 22 inches of snow a year. Its first snowfall is usually in November. October can get a light snow flurry, but that’s uncommon. The season’s last snowfall in most years happens in April. So use those tires from late October to April.
A misconception many people have is that 4-wheel drive vehicles don’t need snow tires. The truth is, 4-wheel drive helps control your tires but doesn’t help them to stop or turn in winter weather.
Stopping is the most vital aspect to keep in mind. No amount of 4-wheel drive will help your vehicle stop faster on snow or ice. Regular tires don’t have the tread design to push snow or ice out of the way. They also aren’t flexible enough in low temperatures, and so don’t grip the road nearly as well.
One of the most significant stumbling blocks people have with snow tires is where to store them. The truth is, tires are rather large and take up a lot of space. When you consider that the average American home has three cars, that’s 12 extra tires to store. That’s why so many people use iStorage to store their snow tires every year.
iStorage has locations all over, including Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and Kansas. Our facilities are clean and secure. Even better, we only use month-to-month leases on our storage units. That means you’ll never be in a long-term contract.
If the question is, “how long do snow tires last,” you can bet that they’ll last longer if they’re stored correctly.
Of course, you can store anything you like in a storage unit from iStorage. We can even store your RV, boat, or truck. If you have any questions, you can chat with one of our friendly managers online. Until then, be safe out there on the roads this winter.
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Photo: iStockIf you live in a wintry locale of America or Canada, you should sport winter tires on your vehicle to improve its on-road traction and safety credentials. While it is mandatory by law to install these tires in a majority of cold-weather countries worldwide, they are not generally mandated here in most parts of North America. Some even argue why making winter tires mandatory isn’t the best solution.
It is why most people do not equip their vehicles with winter/snow tires during the snowy season — despite the clear and influencing science of their safety benefits; and which are now more affordable, convenient, and practical than before.
According to a 2018 study by the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, Americans cover around 13,476 miles per year. On the other hand, Canadians travel an average of 20,000 to 25,000 kilometers per year, which is almost the same as Americans.
While it relies heavily on the harshness of particular winter weather and region, most car owners install winter tires in mid-November and change them with summer or all-season tires around mid-March when many take their ride out of winter storage.
We can safely say drivers use these tires for four to five months every year. If we consider the average mileage of motorists in the U.S., they will travel around 4,500 miles in four months.
We spoke with Sailun Tire — a tire brand quickly gaining recognition as a high-quality, budget-friendly option for tire shoppers — who tell us winter tire longevity/mileage ratings are normally measured by how many seasons they last; that this isn’t an exact number but, generally speaking, also agree the answer at 4-5 seasons, including their Ice Blazer WST1 product — a studdable winter tire designed for maximum traction in severe weather conditions.
But Sailun adds, “However, that depends on each driver, driving habits, and whether they are diligent with 7 degrees Celsius on/off. It is also fair to mention a winter tire replacement is when a the tire reaches 4/32 remaining tread.”
Therefore, a winter tire with a warranty of up to 6 years and 40,000 miles tread life projection could theoretically survive for about nine winter seasons.
Naturally, some people will drive more than an average driver (or much less). Whatever is the case, you should expect a winter tire to survive for at least 4 to 6 years. If you consider the expense of buying four is around $500, it takes your total cost per season to less than $75.
If they last for good eight years, the cost would be even less, of course. We believe most owners would concede that $75 is an excellent investment for additional security while motoring in winter.
Manufacturers mostly create winter tires with a much softer rubber compound than all-seasons.
Therefore, they usually have lower wear ratings than their all-season counterparts. Some tire makers mention the expected distance use to prevent consumer dispute.
The actual mileage will depend on several factors such as vehicle type and weight, driving behaviour, and road conditions. Furthermore, it will rely on your punctuality to change the winter tires in the spring and the way you store them.
Ensure you do not drive with winter tires in warm/hot weather, and always replace them with summer tires before the spring starts. Keep in mind the 7 degrees Celsius rule; when the temperature rises above this, know it is time to change your winters.
Winter in some parts of Canada and America can be really tough for drivers. However, fixing winter tires is one great way to keep your commutes safe. With tire technology advancing and winter tires becoming more affordable, the reasons to swap out for snow-rated tires are more realistic.
If you’re in the market for new snow-rated tires, here are top picks for the best winter tires.
Vladimir Gavrilov
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
130489
Category: Service Auto
The main component of winter tires that affects their performance is the rubber compound, not the tread pattern and not the number of studs, as you might think. The performance of rubber is affected not only by the natural wear of the tread during trips, but also by chemicals, fuels and lubricants, and simply by the sun's rays that violate the structure of the tire material.
Rubber has many additives, especially in the protective layer, designed to hold the load and resist wear during operation.
The characteristics of the material depend on chemical inclusions.
Naturally, over time, the tire ages and loses its properties, regardless of the mileage. It is exposed to chemicals poured on the roads by the ton. In addition, washer fluid and oil from passing trucks are on the pavement. These substances are absorbed into the tires of the wheels and violate the composition of the mixture. Rubber loses its former consistency, and its performance is distorted. The elasticity of the composition decreases. Over time, cracks form between the lugs, which become pockets of increased wear. Chemicals penetrate into them and contribute to even greater damage to the already inner layers of the tire. Cord threads begin to tear and burst. Through cuts, the chemical suspension adheres to the metal threads of the frame, which also fail over time.
The role of solar radiation in the destruction of rubber is also great. In general, the old tire has a different strength and coefficient of adhesion to the surface, which is why its effectiveness on the road decreases.
Typically, tire manufacturers define the service life of their products as 5-6 years. Michelin claims a 10-year term, Nokian too. An important point: the beginning of the service life is not the date of sale, but the date of manufacture. If the tire has lain for a whole year in storage, then it is still considered that its characteristics are no longer the same as those of a new one. And the more time has passed since manufacture, the worse the rubber becomes. If the tire was damaged, received cuts or punctures, then the service life is sharply reduced. After a puncture, it is not recommended to drive for more than two years.
In addition to the aging of the rubber compound, the tread itself also wears out. The average tread depth of a new summer tire is 8 mm. In winter, it is slightly larger and exceeds 10-12 mm. In addition, the so-called lamellae are applied there, that is, “suckers” that spread over the surface of the ice and create a sticking effect.
They are much softer than the rough lugs of a winter tread and, with active mechanical action, quickly lose part of the material. In addition, the tread grooves are designed to divert not only water, but also snow masses. That is why winter tires should have a higher tread.
The requirements for the operation of winter tires are contained in the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, as well as in the annex to the SDA entitled "On the admission of vehicles for operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety." Section 5.1 provides more detailed tire requirements.
If the wheel does not have a wear indicator, the tread depth is measured with a caliper. The minimum tread depth of summer tires for different categories of vehicles must be:
for categories L - 0.8 mm;
for categories N2, N3, O3, O4 - 1 mm;
for categories M1, N1, O1, O2 - 1.6 mm;
for categories M2, M3 - 2 mm.
The remaining tread depth of winter tires designed for use on icy or snowy road surfaces, marked with the letters “M+S”, “M&S”, “M S”, must be at least 4 mm.
This marking indicates the passenger type of wheels. In addition, they are marked with an icon depicting a mountain peak and a snowflake.
If the tread of a summer or winter tire is worn out, it must be replaced without waiting for the expiration of the 6-year service life declared by the manufacturer.
In general, a winter tire with normal driving without extreme loads can work for about 6 seasons.
European winter tires from well-known manufacturers typically cover 50,000-60,000 km. Russian tires of domestic brands - 20,000-40,000 km, and Japanese - 50,000-80,000 km.
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Winter tires are softer than summer tires, therefore, they wear out much faster. So what is the lifespan of winter tires? How to buy good studded tires in the secondary market and not regret it? Let's take a closer look at this important topic for motorists.
Content
All car tires are made from a rubber compound and therefore subject to gradual wear.
The degree of wear is influenced by many factors. But there are standards that make it possible to determine the
According to Russian GOST 4754-97, pneumatic tires for passenger cars have a warranty period of 5 years from the date of manufacture. For off-road tires, this expiration date according to GOST has been increased to 10 years.
If your tires are over 5 years old, have them thoroughly inspected before use.
The use of rubber older than 8 years from the date of manufacture is very dangerous. During such a period, the rubber product becomes inelastic, and the grip of your passenger car with the road on these tires will be extremely low.
Finding out the age of a tire is easy, just look at the markings on the side of the tire. The year of manufacture is the 3rd and 4th digits of the code, while the 1st and 2nd indicate the week of production.
From this date, count the expiration date of rubber according to GOST.
There are 2 types of winter tires:
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
studded tires are safer on snow. They are not afraid of severe frosts . They show good grip on roads covered with ice and sleet, which shortens the braking distance. When driving on wet asphalt, the result is worse than Velcro. By The disadvantages of studded tires include heavy weight, high noise levels, quick wear and increased fuel consumption.
Velcro tires are made from soft rubber that withstands low temperatures. This ensures perfect traction with the road surface, or “sticking”. Velcro is ideal for mild climates (not below 0°C) and city driving. For driving on ice and snow are unsuitable for , the braking distance is longer than for tires with spikes.
The service life of Velcro winter tires is longer than studded.
The service life of winter tires depends on the country of manufacture:
Velcro winter tires always last longer than studded tires. But such tires are not suitable for the Russian winter.
When asked about tire life, Nokian replied: “The recommended tire life is six years and the recommended maximum is 10 years.” They also advised to pay more attention to checking their technical condition, rather than the date of production.
The wear and tear of car tires is affected by many factors : country of manufacture, mileage, operating and storage conditions. We list the main ones.
Store rubber in a cool, dark and dry place. Excessive temperature, humidity and sun are detrimental to rubber products. Tires on rims should be stacked for storage and empty tires stacked vertically side by side.
Regularly check the pressure in the tires - low values adversely affect the life. Also do not pump tires, when using the pump, be sure to check the result with a pressure gauge. For the winter period, the pressure is 0.2 bar higher.
Reduced tire pressure by 2 bar increases the braking distance by 1.5 times.
Refer to the following table for the correct values.
For the long life of car tires and their minimum wear, you should follow the rules:
So you will extend the life of studded tires by 40%, compared to driving at speeds over 120 km per hour. Another danger for tires is the imbalance of the car wheels. This also increases the wear rate of the rubber. When changing tires from winter to summer and vice versa, be sure to balance the wheels.
Also, due to the imbalance of the toe, the car loses control, it pulls to the side, which can lead to an accident.
