Winter Can Prove Tough for Motorists
Winter is always a challenging time of year, due to the change in season providing sometimes terrible weather conditions. With those conditions set on making it difficult to get anywhere again this winter, it is imperative you allow your car the chance to keep you as safe as possible. Fortunately, there are many ways to prepare your car, one of which being new tyres for winter. Winter tyres are definitely something to consider during the cold months, but are they worth it? Take a look at the benefits of winter tyres and book your car in for a fitting.
Is the Switch to Winter Tyres Worth It?
With busy lives, many of us rely heavily on our cars to get us from A to B. So, as the weather gets colder, it’s time to keep mobile by considering the use of specific winter tyres. Despite the fact winter tyres can reduce stopping distances on ice and snow by up to half - yes, we said half! Their use is still relatively uncommon in the UK, believe it or not.
Let’s look at what makes fitting winter tyres worth it.
In many areas of Europe, such as Finland and Sweden, it’s actually a legal requirement that you fit winter tyres on your vehicle for the duration of the coldest season. In others, like Germany and Spain, suitable tyres or chains must be fitted whenever road signs instruct. In the UK, however, we have no such laws, leaving many people to asking the question we are answering for you in this blog.
What’s Special About Winter Tyres?
The main difference between winter tyres and normal ones is simply tread depth. On standard tyres, it starts at between seven and eight millimetres, whereas winter tyres increase that to between eight and nine. The grooves within the tyre are both wider and deeper, giving the car much more grip. While all-season tyres can perform reasonably well in most weather conditions, they don't do well in extremes, whether that’s hot or cold. As such, most drivers in the UK should use both summer and winter tyres, each at the appropriate time of year.
It’s not just a money making ploy
Remember, swapping your tyres can mean that each set will last longer. The real benefit comes from ensuring better safety for you and your passengers when the temperature drops, and ice and snow become less of a winter wonderland and more of a driving challenge… That you don’t want!
A test carried out by Tyresafe, looked at the stopping distances of cars fitted with summer and winter tyres, while travelling at 62 mph at 5˚C. Scarily, the car wearing summer tyres took almost 5m further to come to a halt than the winter tyre-clad car. Throw in some ice and snow, and a car using summer tyres can take twice as far to stop.
It’s clear which we’d rather have if we needed to make a sudden stop.
So, are winter tyres worth it? We say definitely! Structurally speaking, summer tyres will stiffen up as soon as the temperature starts to get lower, thus significantly hurting the car’s performance. Winter tyres, on the other hand, rely on a rubber that has a high amount of silica, allowing them to remain soft. You want your tyres to stay soft enough so that they can provide grip; they must be able to adjust to the road your car is travelling on.
The tread pattern of winter tyres is also different, allowing them to remain flexible, even in lower temperatures. Take a closer look at winter tyres and you will notice fine grooves in every tread block, which are better at biting into the snow to provide the grip your tyres may need. The result is that winter tyres have improved handling and braking performance on ice or snow. In wet and icy conditions, winter tyres are able to provide better grip and stop quicker, this, in turn, aids road safety and gives drivers that additional peace of mind when driving in rough weather. Marked by either a snow-topped mountain or snowflake, it’s easy to spot a winter tyre and they should cost pretty much the same as a summer tyre.
When Is Switching to Winter Tyres Worth It?
It’s doesn’t need to be rocket science - summer tyres are necessary for traction and stability when driving in warm conditions, while winter tyres become necessary in cold months. But what is the real definition of ‘cold’ driving conditions?
When the temperature is above 7˚C, summer tyres are the best way to ensure high grip on both dry and wet roads. This is a result of their tread compounds and patterns, they also have optimum efficiency and driving stability in summer temperatures.
Winter tyres on the other hand, grip much better in temperatures below 7˚C. They specifically maximize control in slippery and wet conditions, and winter tyres can also improve cornering performance allowing you to turn in a situation where you would have kept skidding straight ahead if you had summer tyres. All this combined definitely makes the switch to winter tyres worth it when the temperature drops.
Since it is not practical to change between summer and winter tyres every time the weather changes, a simple rule of thumb is to use summer tyres from April to October (when, according to the Met Office, minimum temperatures fall below that magic 7˚C in the Northwest and many other parts of the UK) and winter tyres the rest of the year.
Are Winter Tyres for Me?
The AA suggests that you invest in winter tyres if the area you live in regularly experiences cold weather, or snow and ice. Winter tyres are a necessity for those living in remote parts of the country, as roads can be left out of winter road salting routines and the conditions tend to remain worse for a longer period. Indeed, for many living in rural areas, road travel is necessary to reach essential facilities.
Those who live in cities and areas of the country with less severe weather and easier access to amenities will have to decide whether winter tyres are necessary for them - if not, if you live in an area where there is access to public transport, it could be wise to take that option if able to. You might find winter tyres worth it if you consider how likely you are to experience poor weather and think about how you could survive a cold spell without the use of your car.
The RAC reminds you to always check the regulations before taking your car to other areas of Europe, due to many other countries requiring winter tyres by law. If hiring a car abroad, you should also check whether it has been kitted out with the required tyres, even if they are compulsory in that neck of the woods.
Are Two Sets of Tyres Really Practical?
Now that we’ve seen evidence of the improved traction, handling and stopping distances that make the switch to winter tyres worth it, you might be tempted to simply leave winter tyres on year-round. Don’t! The softer compound used in winter tyres is not helpful in the summer. In fact, using winter tyres in the summer is as bad as using summer tyres in the winter. You’ll have longer stopping distances, a higher risk of skidding, and greater wear and tear.
Worried about additional costs and storage issues, many car owners dislike the idea of buying a set of winter tyres in addition to their summer tyres. However, owning two full sets of tyres means that the wear is spread over eight tyres rather than four. Each set is only used half of the year, in theory delaying the replacement of your summer tyres.
Healthy Tyres, Healthy Wallet
Save Fuel - Under Inflated tyres can cost you a lot in fuel consumption. TyreSafe found having tyres at just 6psi, lower than the recommended inflation, causes a 3% increase in fuel consumption. Correctly inflated tyres have a lower rolling resistance, so your vehicle requires less effort to move them.
Your Tyres will Last Longer - This one probably seems obvious, but tyres cost money, so keeping them in good condition means you won’t have to replace them frequently. Regularly checking your tyres are inflated is a must as for every 10% your tyres are underinflated.
Prevent Flat Tyres - Well maintained tyres are less likely to experience punctures, flats, or blowouts. Prevention is the best form of protection, so check your tyres are in good condition regularly to avoid the cost of replacing them.
Pros & Cons of Winter Tyres
Colder temperatures are now a more common occurrence as we head towards Christmas, and when things start to get chilly, switching your car onto winter tyres can make a great deal of sense. Often a requirement in many European countries, winter tyres are beginning to gain traction in the UK too.
What benefits do they bring?
Essentially, that softer compound means that winter tyres will be able to grip far better in near-freezing conditions, compared with summer tyres. They are a must-have in countries with harsher winters because they are safer and faster. Though super-chilly temperatures are not as common in the UK, as winter tyres can still provide benefits in single-digit temperatures. Plus, if you’re caught out in a rogue snowfall, winter tyres should ensure that you can see your journey through.
Do they cost a lot more?
Just like normal tyres, the cost of winter tyres varies between brands. Compare them with all-season tyres, and you’ll probably be paying around 10% less for a winter set. Though this might sound like good value, just remember that you can’t use them all year round.
Do I need to make the switch?
No. In the UK, winter tyres are not a legal requirement by law, so you do not have to fit them. However, they could be a good option for you if you live in an area that is rural, prone to a build of snow and ice, and is also not in close distance to public transport or amenities.