Éric Descarries, Headline, Parts & tires
WINTER TIRES, 2024 EDITION!
(Article published in L’Automobile Mechanic magazine, October 2023)
By Éric Descarries
Not surprisingly, here we are once again at the beginning of autumn, and for many motorists, it’s time to think about winter tires. This is certainly the case for some of your customers, who will come to you to discuss which tire they should choose. Because, let’s face it, they’re not the tire specialists, you are!
According to the key people consulted, it seems that the “2024 winter tire season” will be less painful than last year’s, since, based on the latest news, supply will be favoured by an improved influx with distributors. There’s therefore a good chance that you’ll be able to find tires that will be suitable for your customers’ vehicles as well as selling at a better price, thanks to the greater availability of stocks.
Limited Supply of New Products
In other interesting news, given the need for everyone to recover from the situation in recent years, the vast majority of tires offered for winter 2024 will be repeating products from last year. In fact, new products announced are rather limited, with a few exceptions such as the Finnish brand Nordman, which has become an individual label (but still within the Nokian family). So, expect Nordman to impress you with its new Nordman 9 North, whose tread pattern resembles that of the old Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9s. As for the Hakkapeliitta 10, they will now be offered in more sizes.
And with the recent popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), expect such cars just over three or four years old to eventually need new winter tires. For the moment, there aren’t necessarily any new models specifically designed for the cold season, although there are a few identified as such on the market today. Nevertheless, there are several reasons why it’s best to recommend high-quality tires to EV owners. EVs are generally heavier than more conventional vehicles, so it’s better to opt for sturdier tires. Then, since electric motors reach high torque more quickly, you might want to choose a tire with the most effective grip to avoid slipping as much as possible. Finally, because EVs are considerably quieter than internal combustion engine versions, you need to know which winter tires produce the least noise.
What About “Homologated” Tires?
More and more clients will be asking you about “homologated” tires—those tires you can keep on your vehicle all year round. Some experts advise against them, but if major manufacturers like Michelin or Nokian are investing time and money in this formula, it’s because they want to see it succeed. If a customer doesn’t travel much in winter, and only goes out when the roads are clear, this could be a solution to help them avoid the expense of changing wheels and tires twice a year. These “homologated” tires are not recommended for motorists who drive in very snowy regions outside urban centres. On the other hand, for people who have leased vehicles, this could be a more cost-effective strategy.
Once again, there’s not much new in the way of tires for SUVs and vans, except, perhaps for Nokian’s announcement that it is now ready to meet any demand for all sizes, since manufacturing of its latest product, the Outpost, has moved from Russia to Dayton, Tennessee (not to be confused with Dayton, Ohio).
Note that there are more and more “homologated” tires in the light truck segment, including models like the Outpost mentioned above, or certain Goodyear Wrangler and others. But before ordering such a tire, it’s an excellent idea to check whether it displays the now legendary mountain silhouette symbol with a snowflake in the middle. This indicates that the tire is government-approved for winter use.
Quality or Cheap Tires?
Obviously, a customer’s budget will play a major role in determining which brand to choose. However, remember that quality tires will always perform better than cheap ones. Incidentally, ask the client what type of road they drive on most often. For some who travel a lot on snowy roads, there are tires with a more aggressive tread pattern. Alternatively, silence and ride comfort may be more important, in which case the tread pattern could be more discreet. In the latter case, the tire could also be more effective on icy roads (the main feature of suburban roads).
Most experts will not recommend using low-cost tires. If the budget calls for this type of tire, it’s best to advise customers to buy a less expensive tire with an international reputation, such as second—or third-rate tires from the major manufacturers (like BF Goodrich, Uniroyal from Michelin, Cooper or Dunlop from Goodyear, or General Tire from Continental).
With or Without Studs?
Except for a few high-end brands like Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10, it’s hard to find winter tires that are both superior and studded. Fewer people opt for studded tires (which are noisy and not accepted in underground parking lots), given that many quality tires are now very effective on icy roads.
As for other brands (especially Asian), it’s best to stick to those that are well known and whose names have been on the market for a long time (like Minerva or GT Radial). Beware of labels (particularly Chinese) that appear and disappear too quickly.
Finally, it’s important to remember that a winter tire is always a compromise. Some models excel in certain situations. Analyze your choice carefully!
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