Hankook Winter i*cept IZ2. FEATURES AND BENEFITS: Winter weather traction; Enhanced controllability; Shorter braking distance; Better uniformity; . OVERVIEW: The Hankook Winter i*cept IZ2 is a touring, winter tire manufactured for passenger vehicles.The tire ensures a secure winter weather performance. The tire is molded from a high silica compound that increases the wet and cold winter temperature traction by maintaining its flexibility. The directional tread design features a high density 3D siping detail, an increased number of pitch placement, an increased sipe length, and traction grooves that upgrade the snow and ice-covered road gripping capability. The tread's V-shape groove design prevents hydroplaning by dispersing water and slush from below the tire's footprint. As a result, the tire has received its three mountain peak and snowflake symbol, which indicates its capability of handling harsh winter weather.The maintained road contact improves the model's controllability. The continuous zigzag center rib keeps the tire's contact with the road surface constantly, which upgrades the steering responsiveness and driving stability. In other words, the steering becomes faster and more precise, while the structure is stabilized against the driving pressure. The special zigzag traction groove creates friction at the moment of braking to shorten the braking distance and ensure a safer performance. The better sidewall stiffness and Z' grip shoulder block enhance the cornering capability. The sidewall does not deform under the pressure, while the block design boosts the road contact with extra biting edges.The Winter i*cept IZ2 promotes first-rate uniformity. The internal structure's steel belt strengthens the tire's shape and durability, while the high strength bead wire and the high-stiffness bead filler ensure the optimal bead shape. This enables the tire to closely follow the road surface in all winter conditions which lowers the road vibrations felt in the vehicle's cabin. The close road contact absorbs the shock of driving and guarantees a comfortable driving experience. 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.