Why Should I Choose Winter Tyres?
This winter, we’ve seen mild temperatures for days and days at a time, but suddenly had to endure bitterly cold snaps peppered with freezing fogs as well. As such, driving safely has become increasingly dangerous lately. Knowing this, you can make informed and responsible decisions to lower the risks you face on the road, by changing your driving habits or, alternatively, by investing in a set of winter tyres. Here we’ll be looking at the benefits you stand to gain through using winter tyres. But first:
What Are Winter Tyres?
Winter tyres are a type of tyre that works best in temperatures under 7℃, unlike regular tyres which work better, providing more traction, as they warm up. Winter tyres can achieve greater traction in the cold because they are made of a high silica compound rubber that you don’t find in regular tyres. They also have hundreds of sipes, extra edges to improve traction. They can be expensive, but for the sheer amount of benefits they offer they are a wise investment to make, especially if you live in a remote area where wintery conditions are likely to be worse.
The Benefits of Winter Tyres
- Deeper tread depths on winter tyres harness snow’s capacity to grip itself (think of how easy it is to create a snowball and compact it!) and use it to improve your vehicle’s traction. Deeper treads retain some snow as you drive over it, thereby providing you with extra traction.
- Likewise, the tread patterning is different, being designed to retain flexibility in grip while accelerating and braking in cold temperatures and adverse weather conditions. Hundreds of sipes, as said above, help to improve grip.
- The altered composition of the rubber in winter tyres allows for greater traction in temperatures of 7℃ and under.
- The greater tread depth also helps to disperse surface water, ensuring your tyres travel through the water instead of aquaplaning; travelling over the water instead of through it increases the chances of losing control of your car.
For all these reasons and more, winter tyres can improve your safety on the road in the winter months. Winter tyres can become expensive, however, when you consider the fact that you will have to change your winter tyres to your summer ones after the cold retreats. All-season tyres may be a more appropriate option for you if money is an issue in this regard, but no matter what your requirements are Munster Tyres will be able to help.
Munster Tyres and Servicing have been a leading provider of tyres and car servicing to the Fulham and North London areas for 40 years. Our team of experienced professionals are experts when it comes to providing and installing winter tyres of exceptional quality. For more information, contact our friendly team today.