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Top 3 winter tire mistakes EV drivers make and how to avoid them
EV owners want winter tires that complement the properties of their cars. But what are the most common mistakes drivers of EVs make when choosing new tires for winter driving? We have listed the three most common ones – and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Buying winter tires that are not suitable for your driving conditions
Studded, non-studded and all-season tires approved for winter use have the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the sidewall. Tires with this marking are tested to work safely in winter conditions and tires such as the Nokian Tyres Snowproof 2 winter tire and Nokian Tyres Seasonproof 2 all-season tire are a great choice for the milder winter climates of Central and Southern Europe.
However, this is not enough for the icy roads in Northern Europe and parts of North America. There, drivers should choose tires with the ice grip symbol in addition to the 3PMSF symbol. These tires, such as the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 10 and the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta R5, are tested and proven to be suitable for icy surfaces and safe in the harshest of winter conditions.
Mistake 2: Buying winter tires with the incorrect load index or in the wrong size
Tire’s load index implies how much weight it can carry when properly inflated. The load index is implicated as the two- or three-digit second-to-last part of the tire size code found on the sidewall of the tire. The battery packs on EVs are heavy and add extra weight, so for them the correct load index is crucial. The correct load index can be found on the vehicle’s registration documents. As important as the load index is choosing a tire in the correct size. This is also visible on the tire’s sidewall, and the matching information can be found on the car’s paperwork.
The battery packs on EVs are heavy and add extra weight, so for them the correct load index is crucial.
Mistake 3: Not prioritizing safety and comfort
Tires are the vehicle’s only point of contact to the road surface and as such one of its most important safety equipment. That is why saving money on the winter tires is not advisable: premium winter tire manufacturers test and develop their products to be safe in all winter driving conditions. In addition to safety, EV owners may appreciate tires that are quiet to emphasize the silent driving comfort of their vehicles. Nokian Tyres, for example, offers tires especially designed for EVs with the Nokian Tyres SilentDrive® foam technology to further reduce tire noise. Traditionally EV drivers prefer non-studded winter tires for their low tire noise but Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 10 EV studded winter tire also comes with the SilentDrive® technology bringing studded grip and silent comfort to the same tire.
All in all, the most important feature of a tire is safety and all drivers, regardless of their vehicle’s powertrain, should always choose tires, studded, non-studded or all-season, that are the safest in their usual driving conditions.
