Lowering indices in winter

When choosing winter tires, few people pay attention to load and speed indices. As a rule, if the recommended size fits, the speed and load index should also fit. However, there are exceptions. This is especially important to consider when replacing with a recommended size. In the winter period, this is especially important to consider because winter tires have a lower speed index. 

We have already written that manufacturers often indicate not only the recommended pressure and size, but also seasonality. Some models even recommend changing the size altogether when winter arrives. But it's essential to pay attention to the fact that the speed indices of winter tires can differ significantly from those of summer tires. Of course, we are talking about speed indices of 160 km/h and above, and most car owners do not drive at such speeds, but it's crucial to keep this in mind. Winter tires are simply not designed for the speeds at which summer tires are operated. 

First and foremost, this is due to the fact that the tread of winter tires has a fundamentally different design. The high proportion of lamellas, unique rubber compound, and higher tread are simply not designed for such loads. Summer tires have greater monolithicity, so they can withstand significant temperature overheating and maintain handling even at high speeds. It's worth mentioning studded tires separately, which cannot exceed the speed index "T" (190 km/h), and non-studded Nordic tires sometimes receive the speed index "N" (210 km/h). Tires for warm European winters usually have higher speed indices. 

When purchasing new tires, choose tires that match the characteristics of your vehicle and the manufacturer's recommendations. This information should be contained in the operating manual. It's better to choose tires with a high nominal speed than with a low one.
It's essential to understand that when driving at high speeds, you need to consider the speed of movement, vehicle load, and the presence of repairs on the tires. Therefore, for safe driving, avoid maximum speed and always follow speed limits.