Speed limit in winter conditions
When choosing tires, it's essential to pay attention to indicators such as size, speed, and load indices. If the load index is straightforward, the speed index often raises questions. Is it worth paying attention to this indicator?
The speed index is calculated by the manufacturer to match the speed characteristics of the tires and the maximum speed of the vehicles they are installed on. In simple terms, the manufacturer makes the tire according to the vehicle it will be used on, taking into account the additional strength reserve. However, for winter tires, the primary concern is not the speed index but the "safe speed limit". Modern road conditions and dense city traffic can somewhat dull the driver's perception of safe speed. When driving outside the city, many accelerate to high speeds without thinking about the braking distance in case of an emergency stop.
Let's consider a few examples from winter tire tests by the "Behind the Wheel" magazine. We'll take winter tires in studded and non-studded versions from Nokian as a benchmark, as many car owners consider these tires to be traditional leaders among winter tires. Note that the test was conducted in different sizes and under various weather conditions, so it's not advisable to compare tires directly; instead, evaluate their braking distance relative to speed and road surface type.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10p
Braking on ice from 30 km/h - 14.9 meters
Braking on snow from 40 km/h - 15.2 meters
Braking on dry asphalt at 80 km/h - 34.1 meters
Braking on wet asphalt at 60 km/h - 19.4 meters
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Braking on ice from 20 km/h - 5.2 meters
Braking on snow from 40 km/h - 15.2 meters
Braking on dry asphalt at 80 km/h - 28.9 meters
Braking on wet asphalt at 60 km/h - 18.4 meters
Pay attention to the speed at which braking on ice occurs! Even at such speeds, the braking distance can reach 15 meters on a top-tier tire. Even if you're driving outside the city at 80 km/h, the braking distance will be at least 30 meters in the best case. What about the braking distance if you're driving at 100-120 km/h? What if your tires are not brand new like in the tests? Then the braking distance can exceed 100-150 meters on perfectly dry asphalt, and we won't even mention ice.
Choose a safe speed and be vigilant.