Should you buy winter tyres?

As winter approaches, we all need to take extra care on the roads. Wet leaves, black ice, standing water and snow can cause hazardous conditions, especially for those of us commuting daily or living in remote or rural places. Under cold conditions, summer tyres can stiffen up, providing you with less grip on the roads. You can improve the traction and road safety of your car in wintry conditions by investing in a set of winter tyres. Let’s look at their benefits and how they can work for you.

How do winter tyres work?

Winter tyres are designed to be used on vehicles when temperatures regularly drop below 7°C. They are constructed from a softer rubber compound than summer tyres and covered with sipes – small jagged slits. Together, these increase the surface area of the tyre on the road, improving traction and grip. Deeper grooves in the tyre allow water to be displaced more effectively and snow to be gathered to improve grip when driving on compacted white stuff.

All these design features mean winter tyres perform better in wet, cold and icy conditions than standard summer tyres. You can identify a winter tyre by checking the sidewall, which will be marked with a snowflake or snow-capped mountain symbol.

What are the benefits?

The key benefits of winter tyres are improved grip, enhanced braking performance and better traction. Stopping distance is improved significantly in comparison to driving on a standard tyre in poor weather conditions. All of this does depend on your own driving, so you should consider how confident you feel in wintry conditions before setting out on a journey.

How much will they cost?

Purchasing a full set of winter tyres may seem like a big outlay. However, as your summer tyres will be rested for several months, they will last longer, saving money in the long run. You will need a safe place to store them, and most garages offer a storage service for your spare set while not in use. To find your new set of winter tyres at a competitive cost, use our price comparison service today.

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