Winter Tyres and how they can help

When winter hits driving on our roads can become challenging so ensuring that you are safe on the road is very important. Winter tyres (sometimes called cold weather tyres) offer increased grip and water displacement when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius or we have a deluge of rain.

So what are winter tyres?

The difference between your summer tyres and winter tyres is the compound they are made from and the tread pattern.

What the tyres are made of (i.e. the compound) will stay flexible when the tempratures drop as against your summer tyres, the compound of a winter tyre has more natural rubber in it so that it does not stiffen when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. This allows the tyre to flex when the temperature drops. This will help to reduce your stopping distance and maintain your grip on the snow, ice and wet roads when the temperature drops.

The tread pattern on a winter tyre is different from a summer tyre; on the winter tyre the tread pattern is much 'blockier'. This means that the tread pattern can move around dispersing any snow that has accumulated in the tread and is also much more aggressive so the tyre can bite into the road surface to give you more grip.

So why should you fit winter tyres? We might not have the extreme weather that other parts of Europe have but over previous winter when snow falls we have had chaos on the road. Drivers who have winter tyres fitted having more control over their cars in these conditions and thus this should lead to fewer accidents. Also your stopping distances on road that are covered in snow and ice are reduced, even in the wet your stopping distances will be reduced due to the design of the tread pattern being able to disperse the water on the road more effectively.

Couple of things to think about.

Are you self-employed and only get paid if you get to work

What is the excess on your insurance policy if you do have an accident?

What if you had an accident and you hurt somebody because you could not stop.

So if you would like winter tyres to help you driving through the winter weather call Hometyre on 0800 783 93 10 and we can talk you through the options that would suit you.