These new winter tires have studs that retract as it warms up

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The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01.

Kristin Shaw

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01.

Kristin Shaw

Nokian keeps a section of runway covered from the weather.

Kristin Shaw

Nokian keeps a section of runway covered from the weather.

Kristin Shaw

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01.

Kristin Shaw

Nokian keeps a section of runway covered from the weather.

Kristin Shaw

One thing that makes the tires unique, Dyhrman says, is how a robot inserts each stud to make sure it’s optimally oriented to each position. Center studs offer strong support and performance, while the shoulder studs are rotated horizontally for better biting edges and steering precision.

“After each one of these studs is installed, each one is then scanned and recorded in our database so that we can make sure that each Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 01 that comes off the assembly line has just the right amount of stud protrusion, measured through and through,” Dyhrman says.

Climate change requires changing tires

As the climate shifts, Nokian says, road surfaces are different than they were 10 or 20 years ago. Sudden freeze and thaw cycles replace longer, more consistent winter weather patterns. Studded tires are still the most effective option for driving on ice. However, studs present two issues: road noise and road wear. The studs chip into the asphalt when snow and ice are absent, causing holes in the road.

In Texas, where I live, studded tires are prohibited. That’s no big deal, since we see ice maybe once a year. It’s the same story for other Southern states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. Even in Michigan, perhaps surprisingly, the state says “in practical terms, no” when asked if studded tires are legal. Most other states in the US allow studded tires during specified months of the year.

Next thing you know, someone will make a car invisible, too.

Credit:
Nokian

Nokian says its new winter tires represent up to a 30 percent reduction in road wear, as the ice grip improved by as much as 10 percent. On top of that, the Hakkapeliitta 01 represents noise levels reduced by as much as 1 decibel from the Hakkapeliitta 10. Some, but not all, of the new tires include another layer, called SilentDrive technology, that reduces interior noise even further.

The new Hakkapeliitta 01 tires will be available to consumers in autumn 2026, in the Nordic countries and North America.