It is never the weather that is to blame when there is a bit of snowfall in the UK and the motorways become unusable. Only our lack of preparation is responsible. Here, we will delve into the world of winter tyres and see if your investment in them is worthwhile. It will help you to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the cold weather. Then you can move on to other facets of driving during the cold season.

Winter tyres are gaining more and more popularity in the UK. But, many car drivers don’t get what their uses are or there is a need to install them in a country that rarely sees snowfall. The truth is that winter Tyres Middleton isn't just for ice and snow. They also provide more grip and safety than standard tyres in all climatic conditions, even the dry, as long as the ambient temperature is under 7° Celsius.

There are not any studs of metal jutting out from the tread of winter tyres. These tyres are made so that drivers can utilise them when it is cold and the road surface is slick. You will be safer driving in winter tyres than summer tyres when during the rain. This is because they can disperse stagnant water more effectively.

Winter tyres will most probably have more grip than standard tyres between November’s end and March’s beginning.

Working Of A Winter Tyre

Winter tyres and summer tyres differ from each other in three main ways. The first difference is in the tread pattern which has a lot of carvings of grooves, or sipes. It enables the tyres to bite into ice and snow and disperse water.

Secondly, winter tyres contain a mixture rich in silica that helps the tyres to remain supple and soft even at extreme temperatures. On the other hand, in such temperatures, the rubber of standard tyres becomes rigid. So, they cannot cling to the road and slide across it.

Finally, the winter tyres have rubber vibrate when they move. They shake off all the gathered snow. Meanwhile, a summer tyre will suffer from snow and ice blockage, and thus become completely smooth and unusable.

Using Winter Tyres In Summer

Although there is no legal reason that prohibits you from using winter tyres in hot weather, we don’t recommend such behaviour. In hot conditions, winter tyres have a faster wear-out rate than summer tyres. Thus, it will dig a hole in your pocket.

Plus, in summer, winter tyres don’t have as much traction and grip as standard tyres, making them a riskier option. Once the temperatures increase, it is prudent to take off the winter tyres and store them for the following winter.

UK Law Regarding Winter Tyres

Currently, fitting winter tyres in the cold months is not a legal necessity in the United Kingdom. Various northern European countries, such as Germany, have laws requiring drivers to remove summer tyres during the winter months. Visitors are likewise covered by this statute. Between October and Easter, German drivers convert to winter tyres as a norm.

The cost of winter tyres varies according to the manufacturer and size. But it shouldn’t cost you a lot more than what you would pay for summer tyres.

Difference Between Summer, Winter and All-Season Tyres

All-season tyres combine characteristics of standard and winter tyres for all-year use in nations with temperate climates, such as the United Kingdom. They are made of a material that provides adequate grip in warm and dry situations while remaining hard and inflexible in extremely cold temperatures. They have a lot of sipes carved into the tread, just like winter tyres. All-season tyres are the most practical alternative for many drivers because they may use them in all seasons.

All-season tyres, on the other hand, are fundamentally flawed. In hot weather, they won't be as sticky as summer tyres. Moreover, in cold, low-grip situations, they won't be as effective as complete winter tyres. Furthermore, installing this kind of tyre on a performance car ensures that the car will never feel as sharp or as gripping as it should.

All-season versus winter tyres is a no-brainer in frigid temperatures and low-grip conditions: winter tyres will be significantly more effective.

Storing Winter Tyres

To prohibit rubber degradation, store winter tyres in a dry and cool location. You must stack them over one another other and far from direct heat sources and sunshine.

While replacing your winter tyres, make a note of which ones you have taken out. This way, when it's time to replace them, you can rotate their placements on the car to level outwear. It would be perfect if you could use your garage or a garden shed at home.

Before storing your winter tyres, you should wash them with warm water. Various tyre fitters offer a ‘tyre hotel’ service if you don’t have enough space at home to keep your Tyres Shenstone. They will store your tyres for you for a cost of roughly £10 each season per tyre.