The operation of such tires is dangerous!

The presence of winter tires does not guarantee their functionality. Many car owners cannot come to terms with this fact. It is essential to understand that the term "winter tire" itself does not give it any special properties. A tire should have a complete set of technologies that were built into it by the manufacturer. However, what many people fail to understand is that a tire loses its useful properties with every kilometer driven. Every sudden maneuver or braking reduces its service life. This is why it is crucial to assess the real condition of the tires, even in the off-season. 

Often, you can come across tires that are worn out to the limit, close to the residual tread depth of 4 mm, and with non-functioning studs. If studs are present in the tread, it does not mean they are working. Broken studs are a different story, and it's clear that they are simply not there. But even if the studs appear to be intact at first glance, they may simply not be working. For example, if the stud body is worn out. It is easier for it to deflect in the tire's contact patch with the road than to puncture the ice crust. 

This is why it is essential for tires to meet the following requirements:
- The color of the so-called "working" rubber compound should be monolithic, without "gaps" of rubber of different density or color. 
- The lamellas should completely cut through the tread blocks. If most of the lamella is missing, as shown in the photo, the tire is unfit for use and unsafe. 
- The studs should fit tightly against the tread rubber.
- The stud cores should be free of chips and other damage. 
 

If the tires do not meet these requirements, they need to be replaced. Winter tires can only be safe with the right technology, and just having rubber in the contact patch is not enough, unfortunately.