Business does not stand still for commercial vehicles, even when weather conditions deteriorate. Tires used for drivers who use their commercial vehicles especially in rainy and snowy weather come to the fore. In order to reduce the number of accidents that increase in bad weather conditions, compulsory winter tires are applied throughout the developed countries. The first contact with this application is the drivers of commercial vehicles who have to be on the road all the time. Turkey's leading automotive manufacturer, Otokar, brought together the information you need about winter tires and mandatory winter tire application for commercial vehicle drivers. Let's examine the details together. Details of Mandatory Winter Tire Application. Winter Tire Specifications for Commercial Vehicles. Types of Winter Tires for Commercial Vehicles. What are the Features That Make a Difference in Winter Tires?
Here are the Details of the Mandatory Winter Tire Application
The obligation to use winter tires was published in the Official Gazette dated April 1, 2017 by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and entered into force. According to the Communiqué, it is obligatory to use winter tires on intercity highways between 1 December of each year and 1 April of the following year. Within the provincial borders, the governorships determine the dates of this practice. Governorships may extend the date range determined by the ministry before or after it, taking into account local temperatures.
Considering the conditions of use of winter tires, all tires must be winter tires. While the presence of a skid chain does not eliminate the necessity of using winter tires, the so-called studded tires used on icy surfaces replace winter tires. The tread depth of the tires is less than 4 mm for trucks, buses, tractors and tankers; not less than 1.6 mm for cars, vans and minibuses. During the winter tire use mandatory inspections, the (M+S) sign or the snowflake (severe_snowflake) sign is looked for on the tires. Drivers who do not use winter tires are fined according to Article 65/A of the Highway Traffic Law. As Otokar, our recommendation is to implement this practice for your safety rather than being punished.
Winter Tire Specifications for Commercial Vehicles
While commercial vehicle drivers are choosing tires, attention should be paid to strong traction and high mileage performance in all weather conditions. In fact, winter tires are mandatory because they have the most suitable compound and tread pattern to cope with bad weather conditions.
Winter tires are specially developed for driving at low temperatures and in winter conditions. The tread blocks have multiple grooves that provide adequate grip even on slippery roads. In addition, the material composition is carefully selected to keep the tires flexible even in the cold.
The roads don't need to be just icy to use winter tires. Because when the temperature drops below 7°C, winter tires adhere better to the asphalt and in turn improve acceleration, handling and most importantly braking distances. However, at high temperatures, winter tires become very soft, so they are not recommended for use in summer. For this reason, you should choose separate tires for each season and avoid using tires in seasons that are not suitable for production specifications.
Types of Winter Tires for Commercial Vehicles
There are three types of winter tires that can be used on commercial vehicles. These; They are lamella, studded and studless tire models. Lamel is a material used in the production of winter tires designed for mild winter climates.
Tires produced for more demanding conditions, such as the northern region, fall into the studded or non-studded tire categories. Both studded and non-studded winter tires offer high performance winter grip and handling, but each rely on a different tread.
Studded winter tire models have metal studs embedded in the tread that can hold back ice and snow. When choosing a studded tire, the place and time you will use the vehicle is very important. If there is no ice on the road for the tire to grip, the metal spikes will then grip the road surface.
What are the Features That Make a Difference in Winter Tires?
A tire's handling performance is important all year round, but becomes even more critical during the winter months when temperatures and conditions can change. Tire engineers optimize every element of a tire, including tire composition, tread pattern and tread depth, to help drivers stay in control of rain, sleet, snow and ice. Now, let's have a little more detail on the subject.
Tread
The tread rubber in winter tires is softer and more flexible than summer and all-season tires, which allows the tire to remain flexible even in very cold weather and to achieve a firmer grip on slippery roads. Choosing the right tread is one of the factors affecting grip performance and fuel efficiency.
Tread Pattern
The tread pattern of a winter tire is also an important feature as it helps maintain traction. The tread pattern of a winter tire contains narrower slits or grooves to repel water from the surface and provide power in snow, ice and sleet. In this way, the grooves on the tire increase the grip performance of the tire and provide a better contact between the tire and the road.
Thread Depth
The tread depth of a winter tire includes deeper grooves and sipes compared to summer and all-season tires. These elements mean that a winter tire can accumulate and trap snow for improved traction to ensure a smooth ride for drivers.
Complying with the winter tire application in commercial vehicles is very critical for the safety of drivers and passengers, as well as other vehicles and persons traveling in traffic. Produced by using specially developed compounds to help your commercial vehicle move on heavy snow and ice, these tires also support your vehicle's performance. Whether you're driving in a sudden downpour or on a slippery road with melting ice, winter tires help all drivers feel safe and in control. For this reason, do not neglect to comply with the winter tire application.
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