The temperature is dropping and many people are beginning to ask a very important question, are Winter tyres really worth it?
Unlike other European countries, there is no legislation in the UK that requires Winter tyres to be fitted. However, it’s not just extreme weather conditions that can hinder the safety of your vehicle, once the temperature falls below 7 degrees, as it often does in the UK, the performance of your tyres can be seriously affected.
To combat the problem, many tyre manufacturers have developed tyres which are designed specifically to be less prone to skidding and stop the car quicker when operating in the chilly Winter conditions.
‘Normal’ tyres are unable to withstand cool temperatures as the rubber compound begins to harden and less grip will be provided. Winter tyres are made of a different rubber compound containing a high silica content which, alongside deeper grooves, minimises the hardening effect and ensures flexibility, improving contact with the road.
Once your tyres are changed it’s important to continue with routine checks, both the tyre pressure and tread depth need to be regularly monitored when it’s colder. In the wet weather as your tread depth decreases, stopping distance increases. Cuts, cracks and bulges can all lead to slow punctures or blow-outs so don’t forget to check for those too!
If you’re not due a new set of tyres, don’t worry about your current tyres going to waste – at tyrZ we want you to get your moneys worth which is why we can store your original tyres in our ‘Tyre Hotel’.
Here at tyrZ, we believe that Winter tyres are an essential for safe driving throughout the cold, wet and snowy months.