Quantitative norms
As already mentioned, studs are not installed on all winter models - in some countries they are prohibited by law, and in certain climates the use of such rubber is simply not necessary. But more often the law clearly stipulates their number per linear meter of tire. In Scandinavian countries, there is a standard of 50 studded tires. But there is a caveat that the manufacturer has the right to install more of them if he proves that such a wheel does not destroy the road surface more than the standard one.
Scandinavian countries are ahead of everyone in the development of safety systems, so here, too, tire manufacturers were able to bypass their own law and install as many as 190 studs on the most advanced Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 tire, which is close to the limit of the number of their installation. Naturally, tests confirm the safety of such rubber for the road, and also show exceptional braking properties on snow and ice. The cost of such tires, oddly enough, is at the level of their competitors (from 3 thousand rubles for an r14 tire).
Japanese and Asian manufacturers do not legally limit the number of studs in wheels. These tires (Bridgestone, Yokohama) have about 130 of them on one tire. For domestic tires, the number of studs is closer to the maximum and ranges from 130 to 160 pieces per tire, since there are no restrictive laws in our country.
Winter R18
Actually, this is the last option, and I want to finish with it, this is “TOYO TIRES”, large in diameter. Oddly enough, there are only 100 elements in it!
There is no point in writing about the large sizes R19 - R20; after all, these are not such common tires.
As you can see, the myths that the larger the diameter, the more studded elements - HAVE NOT BEEN CONFIRMED! After all, the R13 has 110 of them, and the R18 has only 100!
Now let's look at the video version.
I would like to note that I consider studded tires to be the main ones for a large number of regions of Russia, our climate is harsh, cold, it can be covered with snow in a matter of hours, they will roll it in and you will have ice. And with “ice” the spike is just right. However, in warm regions, as well as in capital cities, you can look at Velcro. Why, they thought in the article - spikes or Velcro .
And here I end, I think my article was useful to you. Sincerely yours, AUTOBLOGGER.
( 28 votes, average: 4.61 out of 5)
After driving for three or four seasons on winter studded tires, there is a need to replace these tires due to their natural wear. However, when you get to a tire center, you can find that there are fewer studs in completely new tires. What is the reason for this and how does a smaller number of studs affect the performance properties of the wheels?
What is affected by the quantity and quality of spikes?
Metal inserts on the tread perform several tasks:
- Increased traction on snow
- Increased cross-country ability on loose snow and above-zero temperatures.
- Increased stability on ice, reduced slipping at start and shorter braking distance.
In general cases, with a larger volume of studs located in the area of the contact patch with the road surface, the adhesion properties also increase. Numerous tests of the best winter tires confirm this.
However, at present, progress does not stand still and the latest models of studded tires can boast of significantly fewer of them, which, however, show the same results when braking on ice. Such specimens differ from other models in a qualitatively different composition of the rubber mixture itself, which has different adhesion properties.
Which R15 winter tires are best to buy?
When choosing between studded tires and Velcro, you need to focus on the climate. For a region with mild weather conditions, without severe frosts, where most of the time you have to drive on asphalt, conventional tires are better suited, they do not make noise and have good cross-country ability on snow. Studded tires are ideal for use on ice; their hooks knock out small holes in the icy conditions and securely fix the car on the road. On the other hand, the protruding elements make the ride harsh and noisy, and the sound intensifies as it accelerates.
Let's give some tips on buying tires:
- For residents of villages, frequent off-road trips and travelers who own crossovers and jeeps, there is nothing better than Nokian Tires Nordman 5 195/65 R15 95T. Their cross-country ability and stability on the road are amazing, but on asphalt they behave a little worse.
- Fans of high-speed driving in the cold season should take a closer look at the Pirelli Ice Zero 195/65 R15 95T. The main advantage of rubber is its stable behavior on all types of surfaces.
- If you want to take wear-resistant tires that will last for at least 3 seasons, it is better to buy Goodyear Ultragrip 600 195/65 R15 95T. These durable tires are ideal for urban conditions, completely safe and comfortable when driving on asphalt.
- If the vehicle’s cross-country ability is a priority, then Gislaved Nord Frost 200 195/65 R15 95T tires will be an excellent option. They allow you to overcome high hillocks and perform well on ice covered with snow.
- For a comfortable ride and reliable grip on the road, it is appropriate to choose the Bridgestone Blizzak VRX 195/65 R15 91S. These studless tires are safe even on ice.
- For soft, economical tires with high performance characteristics, we recommend Yokohama Ice Guard IG50+ 185/65 R15 88Q. Features of the tread pattern ensure the wear resistance of the tires and their stability on the highways.
- City residents who value travel safety are better off buying the Toyo Observe GSi-5 195/65 R15 91Q. The quality of driving a car with these tires is practically not inferior to summer tires in the warm season.
When choosing which winter studded R15 tires to buy, you should focus on the quality of movement on ice and asphalt, as well as the strength of the studs and the level of noise emitted. All models with hooks produce a characteristic sound, but its strength varies. Studless tires are worth taking because of the same driving comfort on mixed types of surfaces, due to their good cross-country ability and wear resistance.
Number of studs on tires of different sizes
Although there should be more studs as the tire diameter increases, this is not always the case.
Oddly enough, an increase in diameter does not lead to a directly proportional increase in their number, but remains approximately at the same level. So, for tires with size r14 there can be an average of 110 of them, and this is quite a lot. On such a tire they are installed in at least three rows. On tires size r15 (the most popular size on budget foreign cars at present), the number of studs also remains the same, even if they are tires of the same model, because the size of the “checkers” on the tread increases. So the diameter of the tire does not greatly affect their number. Wheels with r16 tires (most C class cars) have the same number, and it all depends on the manufacturer.
How many studs are there in the popular Michelin and Nokian tires?
Number of studs in Michelin tires
The Michelin company is one of the few that began to develop technologies to reduce the total volume of studs and maintain performance, before the introduction of updated standards.
As a result, this led to the fact that on all models of this brand, grip, handling and other properties depend not only on the studs, but also on the rubber composition, tread pattern and other components. They all complement each other, providing decent performance.
The first model that passed the new standards was Michelin X-Ice North 2. During its development, the number of studs was reduced to 50 units per linear meter.
At the same time, no deterioration in adhesion was observed, since at the same time the structure of the rubber with various additional features was changed. elements that, together with the spikes, caught on the road surface.
Nokian
The Nokian manufacturer has gained popularity in Russia largely due to its winter tires that can be used in difficult conditions. Almost every winter model of this brand has spikes.
For example, there are 190 of them on the Nokian Hakapelita 7 tread. At the same time, they do not destroy the road surface when driving, but provide excellent grip and other indicators.
Compared to other tires, they usually have no more than 120 gripping claws, and the impact on the asphalt is much greater. Here it was possible to reduce it by changing the shape of the elements and their location.
Each manufacturer decides during the development process how many studs can be present in the winter tires produced at its factories.
In general, this indicator is currently not limited, but on the condition that the impact on the road surface should not exceed permissible standards.
Source kolesadom.ru
Author:
Maxim Markov
Winter tires come in different types - non-studded (the so-called “Velcro”) and equipped with studs that increase the traction properties of the tire. Spikes are metal cylinders of round or multifaceted cross-section, which are installed in special recesses in the tread. They are arranged on it in several rows and at equal intervals, forming a certain pattern. However, depending on the size of the tire, their number should be different, because the circumference increases with increasing diameter. So how many studs are there on winter tires R16, R15, R14?
conclusions
Thus, the wheel size has virtually no effect on the total volume of studs in the tread. Even in tires of sizes r17 and r18 there are not much more of them. Much more important is the quality of installation, their shape, as well as the properties of the rubber itself.
It’s no secret that over time (and often after the first season) they begin to fall out, and by the end of their service life no more than a quarter of the original amount remains. Of course, this will happen much earlier than the wheels turn into bald tires, but, firstly, the tread can be re-cut, and secondly, new studs can be installed to replace the lost ones. And we should not forget about comfort while driving.
A larger volume of studs always leads to increased noise while riding. Therefore, no matter what results winter tires show on ice and snow, the increased noise factor will remain in any case. And when choosing specific tires for your car, you should be guided by all aspects and performance indicators of the product.
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Studded tires are winter tires equipped with metal inserts (studs). They provide rubber grip on ice or snowy roads. Car studs have two components:
- An interspersed rod responsible for reliable fastening of a metal insert to a car tire. The more serrations the rod has, the less risk it will fly out of the wheel.
- The core of the insert, which consists of an alloy of the most durable metals to ensure high-quality adhesion of the tire to the road surface. The core, as the main part of the inclusion, protruding from the rubber, is its main part, because it clings to ice or compacted snow.
Standards for the number of studs in a car wheel
The number of spikes until 2013 was determined as follows:
- For tires with diameters R13 and R14 – up to 90 metal inserts per wheel.
- For tires with a diameter of R15 – up to 110 studs per tire.
- And wheels with a diameter of R16 could have up to 130 inserts.
The Scandinavian countries made changes to these values in 2013. The permitted volume of studs per tire was changed due to the need to reduce the negative impact of metal inclusions on the quality of the road surface. The second reason for the adjustments was the harm caused to the health of citizens due to dust flying from the sites of road destruction. The editorial addressed the following points:
- Reducing the volume of metal inserts on a tire to 50 pieces per linear meter.
- Test resolution proving that the density of metal inserts, higher than the previous recommendation, does not harm the road surface.
Types of studded wheels
Taking into account the listed instructions, the following types of tires are distinguished depending on the number of studs installed:
- Tires with steel inserts up to 50 pieces per linear meter.
- Tires that have retained the same number of metal inserts, namely about 130 pieces per wheel.
- Rubber that has a significant number of studs, i.e. from 170 pcs to 190 pcs per tire.
Why change summer tires to winter ones?
The main purpose of winter tires is to improve road safety. When temperatures drop, the road quickly becomes frozen and slippery. Summer “shoes” lose their grip, it becomes more difficult to brake, and the risk of an accident increases.
The braking distance of a car with winter tires moving on a wet road in winter at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour will be 70 m from the start of braking to a complete stop. Under the same conditions, but with summer tires, he will need at least 110 meters.
According to Russian law, winter tires must be installed between December and February and have a tread depth of at least four millimeters.
Top 3 tires with the most studs
So, the first place in our rating is 190 studs : Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 and Continental IceContact 2. They have twice as many studs as the others! Nokian wins winter tire tests more often than others. These tires have the best performance on ice, snow and snowy roads. The Continental is also an excellent tire with balanced characteristics, without failures. Their uniqueness lies in the technology of vulcanization of the studs.
Second place - 170 studs : Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+. Additional advantages of Hankuk: low fuel consumption, traction on ice, snow and wet asphalt.
Tire test result 205/55 R16 Autoreview 2020
Overall rating: 8.45. + Grip properties on ice and snow. + Cross-country ability. + Grip properties on wet asphalt. — Grip properties on dry asphalt. — Insufficient level of comfort. Number of studs: 170. Stud protrusion: 1.1 mm.
The number of “curly” studs was increased to 170, and at the same time, control over the quality of studs was strengthened (it is made in Russia, in isolation from the main production in Korea).
When braking on ice - second result! Only leader tires are better. Good grip properties on snow. All that remains is to improve the handling: both on ice and snow, the reactions lack clarity, especially when entering a turn.
Hankook tires do not shine on asphalt: there are complaints about both noise and smoothness, but the main puncture is weak deceleration during emergency braking on a dry surface.
For snow and ice it’s what you need, but for city driving it’s not the best option.
Why so many thorns?
During testing, such “multi-studded” tires had the best or very good performance on ice: braking, acceleration, and handling. More often than not, you get good performance on snow as a bonus. However, on the other side of the coin is noise.
What is the real difference in performance on ice between different tires, depending on the number of tires? Autoreview experts measured the braking distance from a speed of 20 km/h (using ABS).
The spread between the three tires from this rating is 30 centimeters (the difference between 5.9 and 6.2 m), and between all studded tires it is 1.6 meters.
