Quality between you and the road

When winter approaches, you may consider new tyres. You know you'll be driving in rain, snow and ice, but you also know your car has four wheel drive -- you chose this type for the added traction that results in improved grip on slippery surfaces. So with that extra traction, do you really need winter tyres? Well, it's certainly true that your standard four wheel drive vehicle gives you better traction on ice and snow than a front wheel drive would. But the help it provides is limited when negotiating corners and non-existent when it comes to stopping distances in winter weather. Read on to find out more about winter tyres.

What Are Winter Tyres and How Do They Work?

The main difference between summer and winter tyres is the depth of tread. This difference is usually just one or two millimetres but can make an enormous difference when driving in bad weather. In addition to the deeper tread, winter tyres have wider, deeper grooves that form larger channels allowing water and snow to pass through easier. Most importantly, winter tyres are made with a different type of rubber that contains a higher percentage of natural rubber and silica. This means that the rubber won't harden in cold weather as much as the synthetic rubber used in standard tyres. Consequently, you get a better grip in icy, snowy and rainy weather, better stopping distances, and improved cornering performance with reduced risk of skidding.

Can You Use Winter Tyres in the Summer?

You can leave them on, but you really shouldn't. When the temperature rises above 7 degrees Celsius, the effect of winter tyres in summer is similar to that of summer tyres in snow and ice -- your stopping distance increases and you experience a greater chance of skidding when cornering. In addition to the safety aspect, your winter tyres will wear down faster in higher temperatures, making them far less cost effective.

What Do You Do with Them When Winter's Over?

If you want to make your investment in new tyres worthwhile, you'll need to change them when the weather warms up, which means you'll need to store them over the summer. You should store your tyres on the rims and avoid stacking them, which can result in sidewall damage. The ideal environment to store tyres in is one that is dark and dry. It's worth checking with your car manufacturer who may be able to offer a storage service for your summer and winter tyres when they're not in use.