Some drivers remove studs from their winter tires, although they most definitely should not. Read more about removing studs from tires.
Some car owners try to extend the service life of their studded winter tires by removing tire studs. This is done to convert old winter tires into summer tires. Although one could save money by repurposing their old winter tires, it comes at the cost of reduced safety in traffic. Read more about why removing studs from winter tires is not an alternative for premium all season tires.
Why removing studs from tires is not recommended
By removing studs from your winter tires, you are essentially eliminating the tires’ key feature, their superior safety in winter driving conditions.
Repurposed winter tires after removing tire studs are no match to proper summer or all-season tires designed for warmer driving conditions. For example, proper all-season tires are effective at channeling water from the road surface, thus minimizing the risk of hydroplaning.
Meanwhile, a studded tire with its tire studs removed was originally designed for winter use and is, therefore, unreliable in warmer driving conditions. Older tires will also have very little tread depth left, so stud removal may not be an effective way to get more miles out of an older set of studded tires.
Studded vs studless winter tires
Drivers choose studded winter tires primarily to drive safely in the most demanding of winter conditions, including snowy and icy roads that can be treacherous when driving with insufficient tires. Studded winter or snow tires are not the only safe alternative, however.
As their name suggests, non-studded tires, also known as friction tires, are designed to provide good traction and performance in the winter but without studs. Instead, tire manufacturers have designed the tread pattern, specialized rubber compound and siping of friction tires to provide traction in difficult driving conditions.
Remember that even if your winter tire does not have studs, it is still intended for winter use. Instead, use high-quality all season tires in the summer.
Safe winter driving with premium studded tires
Although the primary motive for most drivers to remove studs from their winter tires is to extend their service life, others are concerned about tire noise and possible damage to road surfaces that tire studs can cause. Cheaper studded snow tires may indeed be louder and handle the road surface rather roughly. Premium winter tires are designed with comfortable noise levels and road-friendly performance in mind.
Find reliable studded and non-studded tires from your local Nokian Tyres dealer for safe winter driving. When choosing tires for winter driving, make sure to check your local regulations for the use of tire studs and winter tires in general.
Please remember that it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their tires are safe and suitable for their vehicle and to follow the vehicle’s manufacturer´s guidelines for proper use and maintenance. Consult your closest Nokian Tyres dealer or your vehicle’s manufacturer for specific advice.
