Now that the winter has finally arrived, it’s time to check your tyres and make sure you stay safe on the roads.
According to the DVLA, cruising at 30mph in dry conditions will take you just 12 metres to bring your car to halt. Add a layer of snow and the estimated braking distance is 30 metres. In icy conditions the distance increases to whopping 66 metres. Driving on low-quality or worn tyres will significantly increase the stopping distance. It’s a good moment for you to check the tyre tread depth and ensure you’re road-legal.
With all that information in mind, you can’t help but wonder whether it would be a good idea to get an extra set of winter tyres. In many parts of Europe, especially the Scandinavian countries where snowy winters are inevitable, wearing winter tyres is a legal requirement. To take the concern for safety one step further, some countries even expect you to carry a set of snow chains with you. Worth checking the list of countries if you anticipate a winter holiday in the mainland Europe.
In the UK, however, winter tyres are not a legal requirement. In some parts, especially up North and Scotland, it’s recommended to use winter tyres but you won’t get into trouble for not doing so. No wonder winter tyres aren’t the best-sellers in the UK.
When it comes to cold weather and snowy roads, winter tyres have several advantages. As the temperature closes in on the O, the regular tyres will harden. It’s a normal process that occurs in rubber compounds. Special winter tyres are made of a rubber compound high in silica content. This clever material ensures the tyres maintain flexibility even when it’s cold. Another advantage is the specially-designed tread to ensure a better grip.
During the summer months, performance of winter tyres reduces significantly, affecting your car’s fuel economy and roadholding. So, to get the full benefit, you’d have to keep two sets of tyres and two spare tyres (because three winter tyres and one summer tyre is a deadly combination). Very few car owners can keep two sets due to practical and financial reasons.
A possible compromise would be to choose a set of the so-called all season tyres. They will have a little bit of silica mixed into the compound to guarantee they retain softness but like any compromise you make, an all season tyre is not as brilliant as a summer tyre during the warm season and a bit lacking in performance in comparison to a proper winter tyre during the cold spells.
Nevertheless, it’s emerging as a popular choice for drivers who live in the regions where occasional snowstorms are likely. Besides, you can always carry a set of snow chains with you just in case the severe weather warning materialises and sets in to cause havoc on the UK’s roads.
Stay safe folks
Filtee