Winter Tyres
Extreme winters with lots of snow are rare in the UK, although areas such as the Scottish Highlands and the north of England are far more likely to experience icy roads and falls of snow than southeastEngland, for example.
So, while plenty of drivers in the UK won’t have any need for winter tyres – either because the weather isn’t severe enough or they don’t drive in those conditions – winter tyres can keep other drivers moving.
What are winter tyres?
Winter tyres are specifically designed to provide better grip when driving over ice, snow, and cold road surfaces. You can use them throughout the winter months, but they work at their best in low temperatures. Of course, there’s no guarantee that you won’t skid on any tyres, but winter tyres give you the best grip and better traction during wintry weather.
They do this in several ways. All tyres are made from rubber, but summer tyres aren’t designed to handle low temperatures. When the mercury drops, the rubber starts to harden, thereby reducing the amount of grip the tyres can achieve.
In contrast, winter tyres use a rubber compound specifically designed to remain soft even whentemperatures are hovering around or below freezing. The softer tyre ensures you’ll have better grip. Winter tyres also have tread patterns that grip better in the snow and ice, further improving safety.
Are winter tyres safe?
Yes – providing you purchase winter tyres designed to fit your vehicle and have them fitted by an expert, you can rest assured they’re safe to use. If you normally drive with all-season tyres, you may notice the improved grip and performance of dedicated winter tyres in comparison.
Where can I find the best winter tyres for my vehicle?
You’re in the right place to shop for winter tyres for your vehicle. We can match you with tyres intended for everything from Peugeots to Minis, and 4x4s to hatchbacks. Use our search tools and browse the latest affordably priced winter tyres here today. We aim to provide the most competitive prices and the biggest range of winter tyres for all vehicles.
Which tyre manufacturers produce winter tyres?
Many manufacturers have added winter tyres to their range. Among them are major brands including Bridgestone and Goodyear. You’ll find a range of other brands to consider too, such as Minerva and their S210 winter tyre, and the Kormoran Snow tyre. And as usual, you can search and compare them all here with us, at Tyres.com.
Benefits of winter tyres
The UK doesn’t typically get anywhere near as much snow as other countries in Europe. However, we still get plenty of ice throughout the winter months – something that winter tyres can cope with equally as well as snowy conditions.
If you live somewhere that is more likely to get snow each year, or at least have icy conditions, think about shopping around for winter tyres today. You’ll need to swap over to summer tyres once the warmer weather arrives, but that’s a small price to pay if you are looking for maximum safety on the roads each year.