Winter tires also have a tread pattern designed to cope with increased precipitation. Winter Tyres Nottingham edition tread patterns consist of sipes – specially designed grooves in the tire tread – that help provide grip and traction on snow, but also disperse water away from the tyre. This in turn helps prevent the likelihood of aquaplaning when there is standing water on the roads.
Winter tires are not necessary only when there is snow or ice on the road. Rather, winter tires are specifically designed to provide optimal performance once temperatures drop below 7°C. This is because winter tire compounds allow the tire to retain elasticity at lower temperatures. And provide optimal grip and traction in winter driving conditions.
Fitting winter Tyres
Close-up of a car tire
In the UK, winter tires are usually recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C. On average, temperatures usually drop to these levels between November and April. However, there is no set date and temperatures can vary significantly in urban areas compared to rural areas. So you need to keep an eye on the temperature where you are and when it drops below 7°C that’s when you should consider switching to winter tires.
Once temperatures start to rise above 7°C in the spring, it’s time to switch back to summer tires.
Using only two winter tires?
You should not mix tires designed for different seasons.
Putting only two winter tires on your car – either front or rear – will have a negative impact on your handling, making difficult conditions even more dangerous.
It is important to always put a full set of winter tires on the car, not just two.
Advantages
Now that we know winter tires make a difference, here’s a full list of the benefits they provide:
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Shorter braking distance: in winter conditions – be it rain, snow or ice – winter tires shorten the braking distance by several meters compared to summer tires
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Better handling: the flexible rubber with more elasticity in winter tires ensures the best possible grip, traction and handling when driving in cold weather, allowing you to drive with confidence
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Aquaplaning: the tread pattern of winter tires helps disperse more water from under the tires, minimizing the possibility of aquaplaning on dangerous standing water
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It’s the law in some European countries: if you plan to travel around Europe, whether for work or pleasure, you need to make sure you follow local laws.
Driving tips In Winter
Finally, here are some tips to consider when driving in the winter months:
Allow more space
braking distances on wet, snowy, and icy roads will be longer, so make sure there is enough space between your car and the car in front
Standing water and puddles should be avoided
we know that rainfall tends to increase during winter in the UK, so be aware that roads are more likely to have standing water
Slow down
reducing your speed will also help reduce stopping distances and it is often the case that the recommended maximum speed for winter tires is lower than for summer tires
Check your tires
check the tread depth regularly and look out for other signs of uneven tire wear. Look for good quality tyres like Car Tyres Nottingham edition.
Check your tire pressure
keep your tire pressure up to make sure your tires are not under or over-inflated as this can also affect performance
Use a higher gear when moving off and on
this will help prevent wheel spin and driving the vehicle deeper into the snow
Be careful over bridges or passes
These are well-known places for icy patches, so take your foot off the gas slightly when crossing.
Don’t go overboard if you get stuck in the snow
Use the lowest possible gear and rock the tires back and forth until you have enough forward motion to push forward.
Avoid Distractions
You’ll need all the concentration you can muster in snowy conditions, so don’t make phone calls or do anything else that might distract you.