Benefits of Winter Tyres

We’re well into the cold snap in the UK, and, as we looked at last month, driving conditions can become much more difficult to handle in the winter. There are many different things we can do to make driving through the ice and snow much safer for everyone, but one of the most effective changes we can make is installing winter tyres on your vehicle.

The conversation of winter tyres comes up every year, and people often wonder if they are worth using. In this article, we’re looking at the benefits of winter tyres, and how they can help with the colder conditions when you’re out and about on the roads this winter.

What are winter tyres?

Winter tyres, also known as cold weather tyres, are specifically designed for performance in cold temperatures. Your summer tyres will still operate in the winter, but the cold can have a significant impact on their performance. The benefits of winter tyres become apparent at temperatures below 7°C. They will noticeably improve braking distance on ice, and offer greater traction in cold and wet conditions.

Winter tyres are constructed from a different, softer, rubber compound than summer tyres. Where summer tyres will harden in the cold, which vastly reduces traction, winter tyres are able to stay soft enough to provide sufficient grip and control when the temperatures plummet. They also have different tread patterns to summer tyres, with deeper grooves which help to improve grip and reduce the compaction of snow.

Safer performance

Safety is paramount on the winter roads. Even without snow or ice, winter tyres offer a much more reliable level of safety than summer tyres in the cold.

Skidding is more likely with summer tyres, and performance is generally worse overall. Due to the design of cold weather tyres, stopping distance is greatly reduced when compared to summer tyres in similar conditions. This is one of the most important things to consider in the winter; as the roads become more unpredictable, your car needs to be responsive, and you need to be in control. Winter tyres can be the difference between a nasty collision and a near miss, and if the roads are icy, you need every advantage you can find in order to drive with confidence.

Much of the design of winter tyres is focused around improving and maintaining grip in adverse conditions. Along with improved stopping distance, the risk of skidding is greatly reduced when you drive on winter tyres in the cold. Cornering on the ice can be extremely hazardous, but winter tyres will provide extra grip to make this less of a concern, making treacherous turns more predictable, and offering you a greater level of control than you would have if you stick with summer tyres.

Are winter tyres worth it?

For much of the winter, temperatures in the UK will be well below 7°C, and with temperatures often closing in on the minuses, winter tyres will be beneficial throughout the country. Of course, if you’re not planning on driving very often this winter, only making short trips through busy urban areas, the benefits of winter tyres may not be enough for you to consider.

But for many drivers who use their car every day to traverse longer distances in the freezing mornings and evenings, winter tyres will offer substantial improvements to vehicle safety and performance, and are definitely worth the investment. The same can be said for drivers in more remote areas, where roads are less likely to be maintained and gritted over the winter, as winter tyres will go a long way to reducing the chance of skids and accidents.

Wyatt Auto Services provide specialist winter tyres to help make driving on the winter roads much safer for you and your passengers. Our experienced engineers will help you find the most suitable winter tyres for your vehicle, and will help you prepare your car for the oncoming harsh weather with thorough servicing and repairs. For more information on all of our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.