Winter in the UK brings challenging driving conditions with icy mornings, heavy rain and the occasional snow flurry. While we can't control the weather, we can control how prepared our vehicles are to handle it. Your tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road which makes them absolutely crucial to your safety. The statistics are sobering: over 2 million vehicles fail their MOT every year because of tyre defects, 1 in 5 breakdowns are due to tyre issues, and last year the government released a statement that there had been a 29% increase in serious road accidents caused by defective tyres. Many of these incidents can be prevented with regular tyre checks and maintenance.
Whether you're commuting daily or planning a winter road trip, understanding how to maintain your tyres during the colder months could make the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous one. This guide covers everything you need to know about winter tyre safety: how cold weather affects your tyres, what to check, when to replace them, and how to keep them in optimal condition throughout winter.
How Winter Weather Effects Tyre Performance
Cold Weather
When temperatures drop, your tyres don't perform the same way they do in warmer months. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your tyre pressure decreases as the mercury falls. As a general rule, every 10℃ drop in temperature causes a decrease of 1-2 PSI (0.07-0.14 bars) in your tyre pressure.
Below 7℃, the rubber in your tyres begins to contract and becomes more brittle. This affects how well they grip the road surface, particularly on wet or icy conditions. Standard summer tyres lose flexibility in cold temperatures, which is why many drivers in areas with harsh winters opt for dedicated winter tyres.
Winter tyres are made from a softer rubber compound that remains flexible in low temperatures, providing better traction when you need it most. While they're not a legal requirement in the UK, they're worth considering if you live in an area that regularly experiences snow and ice, or if you frequently drive in severe winter conditions.
Wet and Icy Conditions
Rain is far more common than snow in the UK which makes wet weather performance crucial. When roads are wet your tyres have less grip on the surface, and standing water creates the risk of aquaplaning where your tyres lose contact with the road entirely and essentially skates over the top of the water.
Adequate tread depth is essential for displacing water and maintaining grip. The grooves in your tyres channel water away, allowing the rubber to maintain contact with the road surface. Worn tyres with insufficient tread can't do this effectively which dramatically increases your stopping distance and reduces the amount of control that you have while driving.
Stopping Distance
Speaking of stopping distances, here's what you're working with at different speeds:
Speed | Thinking Distance | Braking Distance | Dry Distance | Wet Distance |
20mph | 6 metres | 6 metres | 12 metres | 24 metres |
30mph | 9 metres | 14 metres | 23 metres | 46 metres |
40mph | 12 metres | 24 metres | 36 metres | 73 metres |
50mph | 15 metres | 38 metres | 53 metres | 106 metres |
60mph | 18 metres | 55 metres | 73 metres | 146 metres |
70mph | 21 metres | 75 metres | 96 metres | 192 metres |
Notice how wet conditions double your stopping distance. In icy conditions, it gets worse - your overall stopping distance at 70mph increases to a huge 960 metres. This is why adjusting your speed to match the conditions is essential when driving in wintery conditions.
Winter Tyre Pressure Changes
Modern vehicles often come equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This wireless device sits inside each tyre and displays pressure readings on your dashboard, alerting you when pressures are too high or too low. While TPMS is helpful, it's not infallible and shouldn't be your only method of checking tyre pressure. It's recommended practice to manually check your pressure at least once a month and always before long journeys.
In wet weather, some experts recommend increasing your tyre pressure to help the tyre maintain better contact with the road and reduce aquaplaning risk. However, be careful not to overinflate your tyres as this can create other problems including uneven wear, reduced traction, and a bumpier drive.
Your Complete Tyre Safety Checklist
Tread Depth - The 20p Test
Tread depth is one of the most critical factors in tyre safety. Without sufficient tread, your tyres can't grip the road effectively or displace water properly. In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference.
However, just because a tyre is legal doesn't mean it's safe. Many experts recommend replacing tyres once they reach 3mm of tread depth as performance begins to deteriorate significantly beyond this point, particularly in wet conditions.
Checking your tread depth is straightforward using the 20p test
You should check multiple points around the tyre as wear can be uneven. Look for the Tread Wear Indicator (TWI) which is a small, raised bump moulded into the groove of the tyre. When the surface of your tyre is level with these bumps, you're at the legal minimum and must replace the tyre.
The penalties for driving with illegal tyres are severe: up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each tyre below the legal limit. If all four tyres are illegal, that's a potential £10,000 fine and 12 points which is enough to lose your licence.
Tyre Pressure
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is fundamental to safety, fuel efficiency, and tyre longevity. If your tyres are under-inflated then this could cause excessive wear, increase your fuel consumptions and reduce your control in wet or icy weather. Over-inflated tyres can reduce braking capability, create uneven wear patterns, and make driving uncomfortable.
You can find your vehicle's recommended tyre pressures in three places:
The owner's manual
A label on the inside of the fuel filler cap
A placard in the door shut (usually the driver's door)
Check your pressure at least once a month and always before long journeys. You can do this at most petrol stations using their air compressor or invest in a home compressor for convenience. You also need to check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. Driving heats up the tyres and increases pressure which gives you a false reading.
Remember to adjust your pressures when carrying heavy loads or a full car of passengers. Your vehicle's handbook will specify the higher pressures needed for fully loaded conditions.
Visual Inspection for Damage
Beyond tread depth and pressure, you should regularly give your tyres a thorough visual inspection. Look for:
Sidewall cuts and cracks: These can appear as you drive over debris or from general age-related deterioration. Even small cuts can be dangerous, as the sidewall contains no steel reinforcement and a failure here can cause rapid deflation.
Bulges and blisters: These lumps in the tyre surface indicate internal damage to the tyre's structure which are often caused by hitting potholes, kerbs, or other impacts at speed. A bulge is a weak point that could fail suddenly, causing a blowout.
Uneven wear patterns: If one area of the tyre is wearing faster than others, it could indicate problems with wheel alignment, suspension, or that you're consistently under or over-inflating your tyres.
Age-related deterioration: Even if you don't drive much, your tyres degrade over time. The rubber can become dry and cracked, particularly on the sidewalls. This is especially common on older vehicles or those stored outside.
Check all four tyres regularly, and don’t forget about your spare too! If you spot any concerning damage then you should have it assessed by a professional immediately.
7 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Tyres
Tyre Replacement: Timing & Guidelines
Mileage & Age Factors
How long your tyres last depends on how you use them. It's similar to a pair of shoes - if you're walking 10 miles a day, they'll wear out faster than if you only walk occasionally. Most tyres last around 25,000 miles on average, but this varies considerably based on your driving habits and conditions.
If you mainly do short local trips at lower speeds, your tyres will last longer than if you're regularly doing high-speed motorway miles. An aggressive driving style with hard acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering also accelerates tyre wear.
Even with minimal use, tyres should be replaced after five years. The rubber compound degrades over time due to exposure to oxygen, UV light, and temperature fluctuations. This happens whether you're driving thousands of miles a year or just a few hundred.
Repair vs. Replace
Not every tyre problem means you need to buy a new one. Many punctures can be repaired safely and effectively by a specialist, particularly if:
- The puncture is in the tread area (not the sidewall)
- The hole is smaller than 6mm
- There's no structural damage to the tyre
A professional repair typically involves removing the tyre from the wheel, inspecting it thoroughly, and patching it from the inside. This is much more reliable than temporary puncture repair kits and can be much cheaper than a new tyre.
However, always listen to the specialist's advice. If they recommend replacement rather than repair, it's for safety reasons. Sidewall damage, large punctures, multiple repairs, or internal damage all require a new tyre. Don't try to save money by repairing a tyre that should be replaced.
Don't Forget Your Spare
If your car has a full-size spare tyre (many modern vehicles come with space-saver spares or tyre repair kits instead), you need to maintain it just like your regular tyres. After all, you'll be depending on it if you break down.
Check your spare's pressure periodically. It should match the recommendation for your regular tyres. If it's been sitting in the boot for years, inspect the sidewalls for cracks and age-related deterioration. An old, cracked spare won't help you when you need it most. If your spare is over five years old or shows signs of degradation, then it’s time to replace it with a new tyre.
Keeping Your Tyres Winter-Ready
Regular maintenance is your best defence against winter tyre problems. Here's what you should be doing:
Adapting Your Driving for Winter Conditions
Good tyres are essential, but they're only part of the equation. Your driving style needs to adapt to winter conditions too.
Reduce your speed when roads are wet or icy. The stopping distance tables earlier in this guide show how much further you travel before stopping in wet conditions and icy conditions are exponentially worse. Give yourself more time for journeys and leave larger gaps between you and the vehicle ahead.
Increase following distances significantly. The two-second rule often quoted for dry conditions should be extended to at least four seconds in rain, and ten seconds or more in ice and snow. This extra space gives you time to react and stop safely.
Brake gently and progressively rather than stamping on the pedal. In slippery conditions, harsh braking can lock your wheels (if your car doesn't have ABS) or trigger the ABS system. While ABS prevents wheel lock, it still takes longer to stop on slippery surfaces.
Accelerate smoothly to avoid wheelspin, which wears your tyres and reduces control. This is particularly important when pulling away from junctions or roundabouts on wet or icy roads.
Take corners slowly. Your tyres have to work harder in corners, and if conditions are slippery, they might not have enough grip to keep you on your intended path. Slow down before the corner rather than braking while turning.
Plan ahead by checking weather and road conditions before travelling. If severe weather is forecast, consider whether your journey is necessary. If you must travel, ensure your tyres are in good condition and you have emergency supplies in the car.
Remember: even the best winter tyres have their limits. No tyre can defy physics, so responsible driving is just as important as proper tyre maintenance.
Winter Tyre Safety FAQs
Stay Safe This Winter
Winter weather demands more from your tyres than any other season. Cold temperatures, wet roads, and the occasional ice or snow all challenge your tyres' ability to keep you safe. But with regular checks, proper maintenance, and timely replacements, you can drive confidently knowing your tyres are up to the task. The simple steps outlined in this guide take minimal time but make a massive difference to your safety.
Don't leave your winter tyre safety to chance. Book a free tyre check with Swansway Motor Group today. Our technicians will assess your tyres' condition and give you honest advice on whether they're ready for winter or need replacing. There's no obligation, no pressure, just expert guidance to help keep you and your family safe on the road.