Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3. FEATURES AND BENEFITS: Winter weather traction; Tread wear indicators; Enhanced controllability; Stronger sidewall structure; . OVERVIEW: The Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 is a highway terrain, winter tire manufactured for light trucks.The tire upgrades the winter weather performance. The detailed directional tread design and the durable winter compound boost the winter weather, ice and snow traction. The durable compound elements optimize the rubber flexibility in freezing temperatures, ensuring a secure cold weather performance. The zigzag groove pattern allows the tire to firmly grip the road surface with extra biting edges, increasing the ice and snow traction. The footprint is pinned for studs which can further boost the ice and snow traction. The angled lateral grooves prevent hydroplaning by dispersing water and slush from the footprint, effectively upgrading the wet weather driving safety levels.The tire features tread wear indicators on the center rib. The tread wear indicators show the tread wear rate in percentages. The tread shows the tread life left on the tire in percentages and these numbers wear out along with the tread. As a result, the driver can easily follow the treadwear across the tread area, enabling the tire to promote a safer driving experience.The ideal tread design with the continuous center rib maintains the surface contact at all times. It enables the tire to improve the steering responsiveness and the driving stability. As a result, the tire is quicker and more precise in its response to the driver's commands, while the structure is secured against the driving pressure. The shoulder block pattern with the siping placement firmly grips the road surface with extra biting edges, optimizing the cornering capability. The siping pattern also improves the braking ability. The sipes generate friction between the tire and the road surface, greatly shortening the braking distance. This combination guarantees the driver's better control over the vehicle.The Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 features special Aramid sidewalls, which upgrade the driving durability. These sidewalls protect the tire from external damage, while promoting a secure driving safety. These tread elements improve the overall driving safety levels at all times.Nokian's studdable winter tires require special studs. For this reason, Nokian winter tires can only be studded at their factory. Therefore, tire shops will not be able to install studs into Nokian tires in the US. Manufacturers recommend changing tires every 10 years. As long as tires are properly stored before they are sold, the year of their manufacture will not shorten their service life.