Winter tyres: what they are and why you should switch to them

If you’ve ever lived in, or driven through a northern European country – like Germany – between the months of October and March, you’ll already know all about winter tyres. If you haven’t, the chances are you won’t.

If, like many UK drivers, you don’t know what winter tyres are, or at best have heard of them but don’t fully understand what makes them different from summer tyres, you’re not likely to consider changing your tyres as the nights draw in. We hardly ever get snow in this country, right? So why should we bother switching to winter tyres?

In this article Kwik Fit explain what winter tyres are, how they differ from summer tyres, why switching to them when the weather gets cold not only makes sense, and how by doing so they could very well prevent you from having an accident.

But first, let’s take a moment to set the record straight about a long-standing myth.

Continental tyre in the snow

Winter tyres are not just for snow

Not so long ago, premium tyre manufacturer Continental conducted a driver survey which revealed that almost half of British motorists didn’t realise that winter tyres even exist, or if they had heard of them assumed that they’re only required when there’s persistent ice or snow has settled. In fact this assumption is simply not true.

While it’s true that winter tyres will certainly help keep you motoring in snowy conditions – a lot as it happens – the fact is that they’re actually designed for all-round general driving in winter – when it’s cold. It’s not really about snow, it’s all about temperature. Think about it. It doesn’t snow non-stop from October to March in Germany, or other northern European countries, so why do drivers there change to winter tyres?

The answer isn’t simply because it’s the law (which it is in many northern European countries), it’s because winter tyres are infinitely safer than summer tyres when it’s 7°C or below. This point is really important to remember about winter tyres, and many tyre industry experts – including Continental – think that these products should really be renamed “cold weather tyres” to get the message across.

What’s the difference between summer and winter tyres?

Any confusion is understandable, since to the casual observer they look very similar. In fact you can tell a summer tyre from a winter tyre by the difference in tread pattern. With winter tyres, the tread features not only wider grooves but narrow slits – sipes – on the upper edges of the tyre. Winter tyres are also identifiable by the snowflake symbol on the sidewall. But this is only part of the story…

Snowflake symbol on tyre sidewall

When it comes to what really makes winter tyres different, it’s what you can’t readily distinguish that matters – the make up of the rubber compound itself. With winter tyres the compound is much softer, compared to that used for summer tyres. As a result, this enables winter tyres to better grip the road when the surface is cold. It’s why winter tyres work best at temperatures of 7°C and below.

These factors and more contribute to driver safety in cold weather conditions, and are the reason why Continental’s WinterContact™ TS 860 tyre was recently awarded the much coveted title of Winter Tyre Test Winner 2017 by leading UK car magazine, Auto Express.

Continental's WinterContact TS 860 tyre
Continental’s WinterContact™ TS 860 winter tyre

Winter tyres mean shorter stopping distances in cold weather conditions

Winter tyres and stopping distance graphic

Because summer tyres have harder compounds they don’t work as well when it’s 7°C and below, since this hardness means they’re less flexible and as a result provide significantly less grip in the cold and wet. This obviously presents a problem when cornering or braking.

In cold weather conditions like this, the compounds used for winter tyres don’t harden like summer tyres, so they grip the road much better, helping drivers to brake quickly and safely when they need to. And it’s not just braking. Cornering in cold conditions is significantly safer too if your car’s fitted with winter tyres. This allows drivers to turn accurately and reduce the possibility of skidding and drifting.

And then there’s snow to consider. Yes, we said that winter tyres are primarily cold weather tyres, true, but they’re also much better at coping with the white stuff than summer tyres – and for that matter even all-season tyres. Braking distances for winter tyres versus summer tyres are halved. Think about that… halved. At 70mph on a cold, perhaps fog-laden motorway, a shorter stopping distance could be the difference between having and avoiding an accident, or worse…

It’s not just car drivers that can benefit from winter tyres

Winter tyres aren’t just for ordinary cars. Tyre manufacturers like Continental make winter tyres for a wide variety of vehicles.

Winter tyres for 4x4s, SUVs and Crossovers

4x4s, SUVs and Crossovers typically have better traction than ordinary cars, and this is borne out in snow and on ice. As a result, people that drive these vehicles could be forgiven for thinking they don’t require winter tyres. If you drive one of these vehicles, you’ll certainly fare better than most other ordinary car drivers when it comes to getting started and driving in a straight line. This added traction may even help you with an incline or two.

But when it comes to taking a corner, and braking, that advantage comes to an end. Why? Because the usual summer tyres will struggle to grip the surface, compared to winter tyres. At the end of the day, switching to winter tyres is the safest choice, even if you drive a 4×4, SUV or Crossover. If you drive one of these vehicles you could consider Continental winter tyres, like the Conti4x4WinterContact, or new WinterContact™ TS 860 S.

They make winter tyres for vans and trucks too

Driver safety is of paramount and the driving force behind this article, but – while it’s also a huge factor when it comes to light commercial vehicles too – there’s something else to consider: productivity.

No matter if you’re self-employed or run a small, medium or large enterprise, if your business depends on mobility during the cold weather months, winter tyres will help keep you on the road. You shouldn’t underestimate the contribution that winter tyres can make to the success or failure of UK businesses during the cold period.

If you drive a van or light truck, you could consider Continental winter tyres, like the VanContact Winter or Vanco™ Winter 2.

Baby it’s cold outside

Care driving in the snow

With the clocks having recently gone back and the long, dark winter months upon us, before long it will be Christmas. Chances are you’ll be loading up your car with luggage and presents, heading off to spend time with friends and family.

As cosy and atmospheric as the winter can be when you’re on the inside, we all know it can be pretty inclement outside. If it’s not lashing down with rain or sleet then it’s the possibility of black ice warnings and certain winter darkness that can add to the anxiety and stress of driving, not forgetting that every now and again it does actually snow in the UK too!

With all this in mind, knowing that your car is fitted with winter tyres – and that they can pretty much handle whatever comes your way – is not only reassuring, it’s genuinely safer for you, your passengers, and fellow road users.

Speak to Asda Tyres about winter tyres

If you’re still unsure about whether your car needs winter tyres, or if you have any other tyre questions, get in touch with Asda Tyres. We can offer you impartial, expert advice on which tyres are best for your vehicle. Click here to live chat to one of our experts, or find you nearest fitting station.

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