Many people think that winter tyres are unnecessary because the UK doesn't have much snow and ice – unless, of course, you live in Scotland.
But winter tyres aren't just for freezing temperatures, they actually make driving safer in any cold weather.
Here's the how and why…
What's wrong with using summer tyres in winter?
Regular tyres harden when the temperature drops below 7°C, meaning they have less traction on the road. This increases the risk of spinning off the road and also extends the distance it takes to make an emergency stop.
So how do winter tyres help?
To minimise the hardening effect at low temperatures, winter tyre rubber compounds contain a higher proportion of natural rubber and silicone content than regular tyres.
They give you better grip in cold conditions because they have tiny slits in the tread blocks called sipes. The sipes greatly increase the number of lateral edges in your tyres so that when you accelerate or brake, the tyre has more leading edges to bite into the road's surface, improving its ability to grip.
According to AutoChain, this can result in up to 40% better grip on cold, wet roads and can reduce breaking distances by up to 10 metres.
What’s more, the heavier, deeper tread patterns on winter tyres can also help to prevent aquaplaning, which happens when the tyre fails to clear the layer of water between it and the road. You could end up losing control of your car.
Should you fit winter tyres all year round?
Winter tyres simply aren't designed for warmer conditions, so the softer tread will wear out much quicker than regular tyres. You'll also suffer from increased road noise and increasingly poor fuel efficiency as the tyre degrades.
Can I just fit winter tyres to the drive axle?
No. While it may be tempting just to fit winter tyres to the drive axle, this can unbalance the car and make it harder to handle. For optimal performance and safety, you should always fit winter tyres to all four wheels.
Are winter tyres compulsory when driving abroad?
In some European countries it’s illegal to drive with regular tyres in the winter, so if you're motoring abroad you need to follow the local law.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that some insurers treat winter tyres as a modification, so always check with your insurance provider if you are planning to fit them.
To sum it up, in the UK, winter tyres are optional but well worth considering to keep yourself and others safe on the roads.
