Snow tire longevity
Greg Galinsky
nokian at aaahawk.com
Sat Dec 6 14:24:17 EST 2003
TM wrote:
> Is it just me or do snow tires really lose grip over time?
>
> Running 205/55R16 Dunlop Wintersport M2 on the A4 and they really
> feel slick this year (4th season). I think they are done- compound
> must have degraded as the tread blocks look decent with siping
> definitely remaining.
>
> Taka
>
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Taka
It seems from my experience that about 5 seasons of use is about the
usefull limit of good adhesion with most snow tires. The temperature
and climate that they are stored in also large factors in the life of a
tire. Keeping them in 70 degree temps or cooler is a real plus.
Likewise a large factor is keeping the UV rays off of them. All the
larger tire distribution centers that I have been in have very minimal
window exposure. Most are conctrete bomb shelter like buildings. The
Tire Rack building in IN and has minimal windows in the warhouse; lots
in the offices. When I was in the Nokian factory in Finland; the
storage area was just an extremely tall concrete building with just
about zero windows.
Most tires other than the ones produced in Scandinavia do not seem to
have all the sipes down to the 2/32" tread depth. The function of a
tire will disappear just from that factor alone.
Got my Hakkas on all my Audis and Miata; just waiting for some snow.
Wanting to test out the new Hak 2 tires without studs. Can't get into
the hockey rinks to play.
Happy winter playtime
Greg Galinsky
G & G Service
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