Winter Tyres

Ice, snow and rain can drastically affect vehicle handling and driving can become challenging with steering, acceleration and braking being compromised. With 1 in 4 drivers being involved in a motor accident in snow or icy conditions it is worth considering investing in winter tyres for optimum road safety during the winter months. _{(Santander Insurance)}

In many countries throughout Europe, where seasons are much more extreme than here in the UK, winter tyres are a legal requirement. But with drivers being more likely to have an accident during the winter months, there is a strong argument for fitting them to your vehicle.

Winter tyres, or cold weather tyres as they are also commonly known, are specially designed to deal with ice and snow; however they are not specific to these conditions. Many people think that winter tyres aren’t necessary if it rarely snows where they live, however cold and damp roads can also affect the performance of tyres, leading to an increased risk of accidents.

When the temperature drops below 7 degrees the tread compound in standard tyres begins to harden, resulting in less grip and a heightened chance of skidding. Winter tyres greatly improve braking distances on wet or icy roads at low temperatures, prevalent between October and March.

Today’s winter tyres are just as quiet and comfortable as normal tyres and although you’ll have to spend more money on investing in a new winter set – once fitted, your standard tyres will not be wearing down as quickly, as you will have two sets of tyres in circulation. They will also provide better fuel economy, as the increased grip will reduce the amount of tyre wear, prolonging tyre life and ultimately saving money.

It is important to remember that winter tyres are not suited to all year round use. Summer tyres will offer better performance when temperatures are higher and roads dry – so you'll need two sets of tyres if you're going to choose specialist tyres for winter.

Here at the Malvern Tyres Group we offer a range of winter tyres for most makes and model of car. We recommend Michelin Alpin Winter Tyres for improving traction, braking and stability in the most demanding conditions. The Michelin Alpin range are also the most economical winter tyre; providing 35% more mileage than the market average. Search for tyres online here then book at your nearest centre at a time convenient to you. If you have any questions about winter tyres feel free to call your local branch and our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have.