Everything You Wanted To Know About Winter Tyres

In the UK, even our little snow can bring the motorways to a complete halt. It is not always the fault of the weather, but the fact that many of the vehicles running on the motorways are not ready for winter roads. Before the winter of 2021, here is all the information you need to know regarding winter tyres. Make sure you read till the end before you book tyres online in Winchester.

Many in the UK have this misconception that winter tyres are only for those places that see heavy snowfall in the winter. But the fact is that winter tyres are safer in weather that is below 7 degrees Celsius because they have a better grip than your summer tyres. Another misinformation people have about winter tyres is that they are similar to ice tyres or snow tyres. However, unlike snow or ice tyres winter tyres don't have metal studs in them. They are basically tyres that are perfect to go over slippery roads and when the temperature is low. They provide a better grip than summer tyres not only over the wet road but also over dry roads if the ambient temperature is below 7 degrees Celsius. They perform better than summer tyres when it comes to standing water and hence are a good choice while driving through rain.

How does a winter tyre differ from a summer tire?  The first is that there are more grooves in the trade pattern of winter tyres. This is the reason why it displaces water better and has a better grip over snow and ice. Secondly, the rubber compound used for making winter tyres has more silica in them which keeps the tire soft and supple even in low temperatures. On the other hand, summer tyres will become harder when the temperature goes below 7 degrees Celsius and will skid on the road but not cling to it. Lastly, the rubber block of the winter tyre when on the move vibrates which shakes off any snow that accumulates on the tyre. Your summer tyres will be clogged in a similar situation.

Now comes the important question, can we use winter tyres during summer? you can but given that the temperature determines the rigidity of a winter tire, during summer they become very soft leading to faster wear and tear. Hence, if you are bothered about your tire budget then using winter tyres during the peak of summer will be a very bad decision.

As for the cost of winter tyres, it will depend on the size and the brand you are buying. Price-wise there isn't much of a difference between a set of summer tyres and winter tyres. Also, since you use this tire for only a limited time in a year, if you keep it in the right way you will get maximum value out of your tyres.

This brings us to the last point, how to store your winter tyres. The biggest enemy of your winter tyres is sunlight, so keep it in a cool dry place stacked one upon another. 

So, these are the important points you need to know before you book tyres online in Winchester for buying your winter tyres.