WITH heavy snow falls and icy conditions gripping the country, one Business Car Manager reader wonders whether cold weather tyres would provide significantly better levels of grip in the snow. Here’s what the experts say.
COLD weather tyres – what are they? Hmmm. To be honest, I didn’t know, explains Business Car Manager editor, Ralph Morton, but I thought I’d ask the people at TyreSafe, the tyre safety organisation, who were bound to know. They did. So, TyreSafe, what are cold weather tyres? Here’s what they said.
Drivers can significantly improve their safety in the winter by fitting cold weather tyres – often referred to as winter tyres, as well. These are designed to operate more effectively and provide added safety in temperatures below seven degrees Celsius. They contain more natural rubber than standard ‘summer’ tyres. As a result cold weather tyres have extra grip in cold, wet, and icy conditions, and enable significantly shorter stopping distances.
TyreSafe says that cold weather tyres give drivers a major safety enhancement over the whole winter period, not just when the snow falls. They are worth fitting from October through to March but provide benefits all year round.
Drivers can significantly improve their safety in the winter by fitting cold weather tyres
In addition, TyreSafe suggests drivers should check the tread depth of their tyres, even if cold tyres are not an option. Without adequate tread depth in the snow, there’s the risk of losing traction, finding you are unable to steer, brake or accelerate properly.
Current UK law states that tyres should have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference. Drivers who fail to comply with this legislation significantly increase their chances of being involved in an accident. And also face a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
For more on cold weather tyres
For further useful information click here for TyreSafe.
