Studded tires are not meant to be consistently driven on warm, dry asphalt roads. The tires create ruts which fill with water and ice creating spray and hydroplaning. There have been many studies in the effects of pavement wear by studded tires which have actually led to the prohibition of studded tires in certain States. Even in the States where studded tires are allowed it is very important to change out of studded tires after the winter. In general, studded tires have restrictions in most states with only seven States allowing their use without restrictions. In fact, they are illegal in 11 States mostly due to the damage they do to the roads. So before investing in studded tires make sure to check on the law in the state where you live. No matter what state you reside in at one point when winter is over you need to change out of the studded tires . This is because in addition to damaging roads studded winter tires are not meant to be used in warmer weather as the softer rubber compound heats up and is unable to grip the road properly making for longer braking distance.
Apart from the potential damage to the roads the studded tires are not meant to be used in seasons other than winter due to the softer rubber compounds and that the studs don’t handle well on other than snow and icy ground. The main advantage of studded tires is the superior grip on icy and hard-packed snowy roads. The studded tires provide an additional level of grip because they are not just interacting with the road surface conditions; the studs penetrate frozen precipitation and dig in like miniature anchors. When you accelerate, brake, or turn on ice with studded tires you will have the combined advantage of the winter tire compound and the studs clawing into the ice, which will improve the grip and handling responsiveness.
If you live in an area with severe winters and you prefer to have studded winter tires you might consider the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 studded winter tires. These studded tires offer the ultimate in grip and handling for the toughest of winters. They also use the “Nokian Eco Stud 8 Concept,“ which allows for supreme grip while remaining a soft stud contact on all driving surfaces. With these newer generation of studs, the impact on the roads is diminished. These tires also offer low fuel consumption and a comfortable noise level.
Even with the newer generation of studded tires it is still important to change out of winter tires when the winter is over. If living in an area with severe winter weather with lots of hard packed snow and ice, studded tires can be a real advantage. Investing in a second set of wheels can make the change over more convenient. It will also allow for a quicker changeover to make sure to comply with the local laws.
For more information regarding studded tires, visit: www.nokiantires.com
