Everything You Need to Know About Winter Tyres

In the past week or so, temperatures have dropped, with many places in the UK seeing their first snow of the year. As such, it’s important to be prepared for these weather conditions; otherwise, driving may be dangerous. That is why we’re exploring what characterises Winter tyres and why they are helpful. 

What are winter tyres?

Winter tyres are made to offer maximum traction and grip during the colder months. They have narrower cuts, deeper grooves and a softer compound. These distinct characteristics improve contact with the road surface by allowing the rubber to flex and disperse water and snow. (The type of tyres you’re driving can be determined by looking at the symbol on the outer wall of your tyre).

Pros of winter tyres

• They perform best during cold temperatures, somewhere below 7 degrees.
• They reduce the stopping distance by 5m. Whilst summer tyres have a stopping distance of 70.5m in low temperatures, winter tyres feature a stopping distance of 65.7m.
• Extra deep treads aid with water dispersion, lowering the risk of aquaplaning and enhancing road handling.
• Winter tyres offer superior traction in all conditions, including wet, icy, snowy, or even dry conditions. If it snows, the snow will accumulate in the treads, allowing the tyre to adhere to the snow on the road.

Cons of winter tyres

• Changing your tyres: You’ll need to swap your winter tyres out for summer tyres once the temperatures warm up. As severe weather conditions don’t usually last long, remember that you may only need to use winter tyres for a short period. 
• Can be costly: Having a set of summer and winter tyres can be expensive. Having both in some countries, such as Germany or Sweden, is mandatory. However, this is not the case in the UK.

However, in case of weather fluctuations, Winter tyres are great to have.

Winter tyres symbols explained

You need to be aware of two different kinds of symbols found on winter tyres. This includes:

M+S: This symbol indicates tyres made for both snow and mud. These tyres do not qualify as full winter tyres.

The symbol Snowflake + Mountains is typically seen on full winter tyres, signifying that they offer safety and traction on both snow and ice.

 

 

Do winter tyres make a difference? They do if you live in an area subject to snowy or icy weather conditions; otherwise, it may be difficult or unsafe to drive by not having winter tyres.

Here at Perrys we offer tyre fitting at all our dealerships. Click here to find the most suitable tyres for your vehicle. 

Tags: *car_tyres *tyre_safety *car_tyre_types *driving_education