Time to Think About Your Tyres
With a cold weather warning sweeping the nation, now is the right time for drivers to pay particular attention to tyre safety for the coming wintry months, says TyreSafe. That’s especially relevant to those who drive significant distances as the weather increasingly turns to the classic British experience of ‘all four seasons in a day’. That makes winter tyres an option for many but all road users should at least ensure tyres are in good condition and ready to face all possible road conditions.
As the UK’s average mean temperature is below 7°C throughout the winter months*, winter tyres become the optimal choice for motorists. Even at low temperatures, they stay supple and provide the best levels of grip unlike summer tyres which harden in these conditions. Winter tyres also have an increased number of ‘sipes’ or grooves in the tread allowing more contact with the road in icy or wet conditions.
All-season tyres are an increasingly popular option as they provide better performance than summer tyres in winter and are designed to be driven all year-round. However, they do not offer the optimal performance of summer tyres in warm weather or winter tyres in the cold.
When deciding whether winter or all-season tyres are their best option for the months ahead, TyreSafe is recommending owners consider their own driving requirements and, most importantly, ensure they and their tyres are prepared for winter driving.
For tyre safety information visit tyresafe.org