Winter tyres – what are they, and are they worth it?

We might have enjoyed a mild autumn, but make positive you aren’t caught unprepared must freezing climate strike.

Snow and icy roads make driving significantly a lot more challenging and, even if you drive gradually, it can be all as well simple to skid out of control.

Winter tyres can really support in wintry conditions, as they are created to perform in temperatures decrease than 7 degrees Celsius. They appear pretty a lot like any other sort of tyre, but the big distinction is that they have far more natural rubber than normal tyres.

Get a grip

This signifies they can still stay supple even in freezing circumstances, which permits them to grip the road greater than typical tyres that harden in colder climate.

The tread on winter tyres is diverse, too. They are covered in far more tiny channels than standard tyres to support displace water much more swiftly and to give greater traction in the snow.

The bigger channels on normal tyres can rapidly become packed with snow, creating it really feel as though you’re skating on an ice rink.

Even though winter tyres do not come low-cost – it’ll normally cost you about £300-£350 for a set of 4 winter tyres for a Ford Fiesta, and the expense escalates for bigger vehicles – they will usually last for about 2 or 3 winters .

Bear in mind also that employing them also helps conserve your summer time tyres for longer, as you will not be using them all year round.

Nation life

If you live in the country and travel on roads that are not typically gritted in cold weather, then it tends to make sense to invest in winter tyres for your car so you can still drive in snowy conditions. If you do not, then you threat being successfully housebound till the snow and ice thaws.

If you do fit winter tyres, it’s worth informing your insurer, as some will take into account these a modification which could have an effect on your premiums.

If you live in an urban area, where roads are routinely gritted in winter and public transport is readily accessible if you choose not to drive, shelling out for winter tyres is unlikely to be worth the expense.

A spokesman for the AA stated: “It might be harder to justify the expense (in an urban environment), though this has to be a private choice depending on the risk of poor climate, your self-confidence when driving and how a lot you have to drive when snow and ice are around.”

If you opt not to match winter tyres, you need to nevertheless often verify your tyres in preparation for winter. You need to have to be specific the tread isn’t worn, as this will make you much more most likely to skid on icy roads.

20-20 vision

The tread need to be at least 1.6mm deep to satisfy legal requirements, but at least 3mm is advised for winter. Insert a 20 pence piece into the tread – if you can see the perimeter edging on the coin, you need to have to place the cash towards new tyres.

Although you are in maintenance mode, verify the oil level, anti-freeze and hazard lights too.

Wherever you reside, you can further defend oneself this winter by making sure that you have comprehensive breakdown cover in location so that you aren’t left shivering at the roadside if one thing goes incorrect.

Kit vehicle

Kevin Pratt, of MoneySuperMarket, said: “We urge all drivers to take out complete breakdown policies, but it’s also essential to be ready for the worst case situation of a extended wait in the cold. In extreme weather events, emergency breakdown cover can be stretched thin, and waiting instances lengthened.

“We advise all motorists carry an emergency breakdown kit, with charged-up phone, shovel, blankets, bottled water and enough snacks to see you by means of till you are on the move once again.”

Winter tyres – what are they, and are they worth it?