The number of traffic accidents is 6 times larger in winter than in summer. In order to protect yourself and your family, you must have winter tyres.

Find out what are the advantages of winter tyres and you won’t be driving with summer tyres this winter.

Keep this in mind: whether it’s snow, melted snow, ice, or just water on the road, tyres have much less traction in winter and therefore lower overall performance.

Winter tyre on snow

On an icy road, the heat generated by friction melts ice crystals and forms a thin and slippery layer of water below the tyres. Tiny lamellas in winter tyre’s tread are designed to effectively disperse this water, reducing the risk of aquaplaning and ensuring greater stability in the wet.

Compared to summer tyres, winter tyres have more traction and shorter stopping distance, due to their deeper tread and different tread compound. According to a test conducted in ice, the stopping distance at the speed of 30 km/h with summer tyres was 68 m, whereas with winter tyres it was 57 m – the difference enough to prevent an accident.

Winter tyres are made of special compound of softer rubber with added silica which has better grip in low temperatures and ensures lower road noise. More importantly, unlike summer tyres, winter tyres do not harden in low temperature. Therefore, it is advised that winter tyres be used when the temperature drops below +7°C, even if there is no snow or ice. Some countries go so far as to demand the use of winter tyres by law.

Use Summer Tyres in Summer and Winter Tyres in Winter – and Save

Four summer tyres and four winter tyres in the long run will cost you the same as four summer tyres which you drive in all seasons. Also, it is far better to have four winter and four summer tyres already mounted on wheels because it is easier to replace them, and tyres wear only half as much. What you initially pay for two sets of tyres will be compensated by traveling twice as many miles.

You will be driving faster, safer, and more comfortable, without paying more. And, after all, safety comes first.

Mount Winter Tyres on All Four Wheels

It is best to mount winter tyres on all four wheels. If winter tyres are not mounted on both front and rear axle, you may experience oversteering or even turning of vehicle in curves.

This video demonstrates why you need winter tyres on all four wheels.


Related articles:

  • Types of tires - Find out which tire type to choose: summer, winter or all season?
  • Driving in snow - Keep in mind that the tire contact area with the ground is the size of a credit card. Choosing a good winter tire is important but you might want to know how to drive safely in the winter conditions.
  • Set higher winter tire pressure in your garage - Find out how to maintain the correct tire pressure in the winter - low temperature has a significant effect on a tire pressure.