What are the Benefits of Winter Tyres?

If the weather forecast is to be believed, we’re in for an incredibly cold and potentially snowy October. Even without the damning outlook, there is no denying that summer days have melted away and winter is coming! With this comes the annual uncertainty around winter tyres: When’s the best time to fit them? Are they worth it? Does my car need them?

This lack of awareness about winter tyres means that they often go unnoticed and unused, despite the fact that they could significantly improve the ease and safety of driving in the colder months.

While there are debates for and against the use of winter tyres, here are the key reasons you could benefit from investing in a set this winter.

Better Grip

Winter tyres have a different tread to regular ones, giving better grip when driving, turning and braking. The deeper tread repels water better, meaning you have more control in wet or slushy conditions. This is particularly helpful when going up and down hills or in rural areas, where bad road conditions take longer to clear. 

Some snow tyres are studded for extra traction on ice and thick snow, but it should be noted that snow tyres and winter tyres aren’t the same thing. If you are in areas prone to more extreme weather, you should maybe look into real snow tyres.

Stopping Distance

Because of the superior grip of winter tyres, stopping distances are greatly reduced when compared to regular tyres. As a general rule of thumb, a car driving at 20mph on winter tyres will be able to stop 11 metres shorter on icy roads than on standard tyres.

chart showing the difference in stopping distances between winter and standard tyres

Flexible in Cold

Unlike regular tyres which crack in the cold weather, winter tyres retain their flexibility. This is because they are made of a softer rubber which has better traction on snow, slush and ice. However, for winter tyres to work as effectively as possible, it is important they are used only when the outside temperature is below 7 degrees.

Winter tyres wear out much quicker in warmer weather than regular tyres do in the cold, so it is important to keep this in mind when deciding whether winter tyres are right for you.

Selected Bridgestone Winter Tyres

No matter what type of vehicle you have, Bridgestone supply a range of high-quality winter tyres to suit every requirement. Here is a selection of the most popular:

Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 – Low CO2 emissions, reduced noise levels and better fuel economy

Bridgestone Blizzak LM80 EVO – Suitable for 4×4 vehicles

Bridgestone Drivegw – Reinforced run-flat tyres

For more information about Winter Tyres, check out the ASDA Tyres website.

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