As winter approaches, it brings not only joy but also concern, particularly for those who drive. Besides the queues at service stations, cooler weather also means additional costs for new tires and other parts of the vehicle. However, preparing for winter can be easier if a few basic rules are followed, as noted in a press release from VILNIUS TECH.

All-season tires are not the solution

As stated in the Road Traffic Regulations (RTR), from November 10th, it is prohibited to drive vehicles with summer tires on Lithuanian roads — they must be replaced with winter (studded or non-studded) or all-season tires. However, scientists do not recommend relying on the latter.

“All-season tires are a compromise between summer and winter tires. In warmer weather, their performance characteristics do not match those of summer tires, and in colder weather, they do not perform as well as winter tires. Of course, they can be an appealing option due to their price and convenience — there is no need to change tires as the seasons change or store them. However, they do not provide the same level of safety that tires specifically designed for each season offer,” says Dr. Giedrius Garbincius, Associate Professor at the Department of Automotive Engineering at Vilnius Gedimino Technical University (VILNIUS TECH).

According to the expert, the tread of all-season tires wears out faster in warmer weather, increasing noise and fuel consumption. In winter, these tires will not provide the same traction on snowy or icy roads as winter tires. Therefore, to ensure the best driving quality and safety, it is recommended to choose tires designed for a particular season.

The most important thing is to consider the temperature

According to Associate Professor Dr. Giedrius Garbincius, tire changes can be done earlier than November 10th, but it is important to monitor the temperature of your surroundings. He explains that at temperatures of 7°C (44.6°F) or lower, the performance characteristics of summer tires change: traction with the road surface, wear intensity, etc.

"Especially if you are traveling early in the morning when the temperature is near zero, it is advisable to change your tires then. Of course, the weather might change and suddenly warm up. However, there is no need to switch back to summer tires — winter tires won’t wear out quickly in a short period,” the scientist clarifies.

New tires are always better than old ones

Those choosing tires may face the dilemma of whether to buy a new, lesser-known brand or cheaper used tires from a well-known manufacturer. Dr. Garbincius advises to focus not on price but on the age of the tires and their characteristics.

“The rubber compound used in tires changes over time, and not for the better. Often, drivers say that old tires are ‘hard’: this means that their traction on snowy or icy roads is worse. Therefore, new tires, even from a lesser-known brand, are a better option than older tires from a well-known manufacturer. New tires also have deeper treads, which is an important factor in ensuring safe driving,” says Dr. Garbincius.

Don’t forget to change fluids

As winter approaches, experts in the transport sector advise changing windshield washer fluid in a timely manner. It is recommended to use up all the summer windshield washer fluid before the cold weather sets in and refill the reservoir with winter fluid. Failing to do so risks damaging the window and headlamp cleaning system, as the summer fluid can freeze even at 0°C (32°F).

Cold weather also requires special fuels, which are designed for engines to operate in lower temperatures. This is especially important for those driving diesel vehicles.

"While gasoline typically freezes at around -60°C (-76°F), diesel fuel freezes at a higher temperature. Therefore, when autumn begins, gas stations start selling winter diesel fuel — this is often marked with special signage on price boards or fuel pumps. Frozen diesel fuel will prevent the engine from starting until the system is thawed. In such a case, the car should be transported to a warm place and left to thaw,” explains the expert.

It is also recommended to ensure that the car’s battery is fully charged, as a discharged battery can freeze and malfunction in cold weather.

Electric vehicles in winter: How to maintain them?

Questions about how to properly prepare a vehicle for winter can also arise for electric car drivers. According to the expert, electric vehicles don’t require any special winter maintenance.

“Electric vehicles should be maintained in the same way as internal combustion engine vehicles: change the tires on time, switch the windshield washer fluid, and take care of other important components. In winter, you may need to charge your electric car more often, as cold weather increases electricity consumption. However, the same applies to fuel consumption. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, get it properly prepared and on time for the cold season — this is the only way to protect yourself from unexpected and often unpleasant surprises,” concludes Dr. Garbincius.