Winter tires do not have moving parts but require a running-in as a kind of complex mechanism. The process of the mutual running of parts at the start of the complex multi-component product is known as breaking in.
Although studded winter tires need a running complex, they cannot be called complex and multi-component products. Learn more in this guide.
- How To Break In Studded Tires
The studs in studded winter tires are not glued or cured into the tread. They are driven into a hole in the finished tire. Frictional forces and rubber flexibility then hold the studs in the tread. If strong external forces are applied, the stud can quickly jump out of the holes. Due to this reason, tire manufacturers always ensure the tires are tightly driven into the tread using a lot of force. They ensure they shape the hole to fit and hold the diameter of the tire tightly. Also, the properties of the rubber are inserted into and the true shape matter.
Most of today’s studs have flanges with annular protrusions, preventing them from coming out of the holes. However, these flanges are also a disadvantage because they make it hard to insert the stud into the holes.
Manufacturers use unique pistols to push the stud into the hole and unfold the rubber around the hole to ensure the stud will not come out. Other manufacturers use lubricants which when it dries, the studs start coming out.
These wheels will not survive on snowy roads for a long time, and that’s why they need a run-in. With this, the wheel’s load does not affect the studs around it. Both the stud and the load will experience the same load as daily use. New Canadian tire winter tires require to cover a distance of 500-1000 km for the running to be effective. However, ensure the car meets these conditions.
- The full set of tires on the car should be of the same model.
- You should check the inner pressure every two to three days. If the car allows a deviation of 0.1-0.2 bar during normal operation, the pressure must be according to the vehicle’s manual during break-ins. Always ensure you measure the inner pressure before and after running.
- Ensure you run in the tires at air temperatures above zero and when the rubber is soft. A light frost at night is allowed. Ensure you change summer tires to winter tires when the air temperature is at +7oC.
- Record the car’s odometer reading before you use the new tires for the first time. It will help you to know the break-in mode for 500-1000 KM that is quite essential for this process.
- Drive at lower speeds than 60km/h. this is because the centrifugal force pushes the unsteady studs out when the rate is high. Also, studs are likely to heat up at high speed if the road is clean and dry. This changes the rubber properties to be hard and will not hold the studs well.
- Avoid abrupt maneuvers. Avoid starting with slipping, hard braking, or small radius turns at high speeds. The studs will loosen up the holes and could fall.
- Do not turn your vehicle’s steering wheel when it’s not moving. This also leads to the loosening of the studs that is something you would not like when breaking in winter tires.
- Do not try to cover 500-1000 km in one go. Your tires will overheat, which tampers the rubber on the tires and can affect the entire tire significantly.
You need a break-in of friction or stud-less winter tires to remove the top layer of the tread. Some new tires have rubber hairs that prevent the excellent gripping of new winter tires on uneven road surfaces. This top glossy layer of the tread can be removed by driving 100-300km.
If you are driving a heavier or SUV car, you only need to cover 100-200 km. a light hatchback needs to run an average of 200-300 km in break-in mode. The end of the running in of stud-less tires will be signified by a rough and uniform tread surface—lack of spew pips, flash, and rubber hairs. Also, the lack of glossy areas and other signs will indicate the end of the running-in.
You can run on any winter tires on concrete roads. You cannot achieve constant and uneven load on the stud by running on unpaved roads or ice and snow.