We all associate winter driving as being a bit of a palaver; braking distances become a lot shorter, the car needs to be maintained even more often and if that wasn’t enough, we have to get up even earlier than usual to scrape away all that frost that just won’t budge. What you don’t need on top of all that is a nasty accident because your tyres were inadequate and unsafe for winter driving. Why not consider using winter tyres? If you aren’t really aware of the benefits of using winter tyres then not to worry - Rescuemycar.com can equip you with everything you need to know about switching to winter tyres…

Benefits of winter tyres

One of the most common questions asked by people who have been recommended winter tyres is, “what’s the point of using winter tyres?” Well, as we’re all aware, the demands of the winter weather can start to take its toll on your vehicle and your tyres especially. When the road is wet, snowy or icy, the road surface provides less grip, which means that braking can be more problematic depending on how serious the weather condition may be.

Not only that, but cold temperatures (below 7 degrees) can also reduce the performance of each of your normal tyres as the rubber stiffens, providing an even bigger hazard for winter driving. Winter tyres can retain more elasticity at freezing temperatures, meaning that they can provide a better grip of the roads, even in ice.

Fitting winter tyres

When you approach into winter is an obvious trigger to get those winter tyres on, but also watch the weather forecast so you know when temperatures are likely to drop below 7 degrees Celsius. If you haven’t already, now would be a good time to switch to winter tyres, so take your vehicle down to your nearest garage and they’ll fit these for you. It’s also advised to apply four winter tyres in order to maintain vehicle stability. Two winter tyres with two normal tyres ones won’t provide your vehicle with its full winter driving potential.

In terms of winter tyre maintenance, remember to check the pressure of each tyre every fortnight when the tyres are cold. Check that your winter tyre tread is between 4mm and 3mm – any less than 3mm will weaken the tyre’s performance.

What to do if you’re sticking with your normal tyres

Normal tyres are perfectly fine to use in winter, they’re just not as sufficient for winter driving when compared to winter tyres. When on your travels, take care with your speed and be speed up gradually, not abruptly. If you speed off into the distance, you’re more likely to slip on the wet or icy roads and lose control of the car, resulting in an unwanted accident. The same applies for braking; brake gradually to prevent slipping on the roads and don’t slam on! When you approach a hill, change into a lower gear to also prevent slipping.