Most cars are fitted with summer tyres or all year round tyres. These are normally ok for most, but if the winter is quite harsh or the car does not handle that well in the ice and snow then you many want to consider getting winter tyres fitted. The main components of winter tyres are:
- they use a softer rubber compound (usually by including more natural rubber in the mix)
- the surface of the tread blocks is covered with little jagged slits. These are called sipes
- they usually have deeper tread grooves than a conventional summer tyre.
Although many garages, tyre manufacturers and tyre fitters are quick to promote winter tyres, they often don’t always inform you of the cons of them. Winter tyres do not grip as well in temperatures over 7 degrees and for this reason can actually increase stopping distance in warmer weather. With the temperature fluctuating so much in the UK throughout winter, these tyres may not be suitable.
