Winter tyres are specially designed to improve the grip in cold, icy road conditions. They achieve this through advanced rubber compounding, which maintains flexibility at low temperatures and provides optimum grip in snow or ice.
- Specially designed tread patterns remove snow and channel water away for improved braking performance in wet wintery condones. In contrast, advanced sipe technology improves the biting edges when cornering in the dry.
New technologies such as low-temperature curing methods have allowed reducing the amount of rubber compound used, allowing Hankook Tyres Peterborough manufacturers to produce tyres with reduced weight, so they retain their light steering feel yet still offer enough grip to allow safe driving in winter conditions.
Winter Tyres – Look after Them!
It’s important not to skimp on safety at this time of the year. If you’re planning on staying out late, make sure you have plenty of headlamp bulbs with you, especially if your car isn’t fitted with daytime running lights. And don’t forget to keep your windscreen washer fluid topped up – that extra bit of vision could save your life.
Benefits of winter tyres
Improved grip in the wet
The sipes (additional cuts in the tread) provide much better water dispersal and improved grip in wet driving situations.
Better grip on snow and ice
A well-designed winter tyre improves vehicle handling and stopping distances in snowy and icy conditions by providing a low-friction contact area with the road and improving braking and cornering performance. A practical winter tyre will also remain flexible at low temperatures to adapt to uneven road surfaces without compromising handling.
Reduced fuel
Using winter tyres help to reduce rolling resistance, resulting in reduced fuel consumption during winter months.
Minor wear on summer tyres. Think about this.
If you drive all year round on your summer tyres you are reducing their life by 50%. Servicing your vehicle at a garage that offers a winter wheel swap will mean that you don’t have to fork out for an additional set of dedicated winter tyres, which can be very expensive.
More comfortable driving
The more grips your tyres have, the less likely you are to skid and cause yourself and others alarm. This is particularly important in icy conditions when the extra grip provided by winter tyres can prevent accidents from occurring in the first place.
Just remember – if you’ve got summer tyres on your wheels right now, it’s not too late to change them. There’s still time to invest in your safety, even if it is a few days before the clocks go forward!
Winter tyres – a legal requirement in some countries
Some countries have regulations for the use of winter tyres, so it is essential to check before you travel. In Austria, for example, drivers caught without proper winter tyres during December, January and February can be fined up to €2000! A similar law exists in Italy so if you are planning on travelling through these parts, make sure your car is prepare.
What happens when I switch from summer to winter tyres?
Switching your rubber will take approximately one hour, depending on the specification of your vehicle. It’s also worth noting that brake pad wear may occur after fitting new winter tyres; this is especially true if you drive aggressively or if the material in manufacturing your brake pads is not as hard as it should be.
How long will winter tyres last?
If you’re commuting to and from work regularly, then your tyres should provide adequate grip for at least one year before deteriorating noticeably. You might notice that your car handles less effectively during the first few days after fitting new winter rubber, but this is quite normal and soon wears off once you’ve got used to driving with them fitted.
Your Tyres Peterborough manufacturers will also offer a whole range of other information designed to keep you safe and legal on the road, so make sure that you read their handbook or check their website for more details.
Do I need unique snow chains?
Snow chains can damage alloy wheels – we recommend using cable ties instead! Snow chains are not an effective solution for tyres smaller than 255mm. If you decide to use snow chains, make sure that they are the correct size and type for your vehicle, and check your local regulations concerning their legality.
- If in doubt, don’t drive! There is a legal requirement in many countries to carry a set of winter driving gloves, de-icer spray or some ice scraper (for example), so it’s always worth checking before you travel.
- Driving on summer tyres Peterborough increases your stopping distance by up to three times which can be very dangerous, especially if it is icy. Just remember – the best time to switch your tyres is now.
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