Is it worth getting winter tyres in the UK?
What are the benefits of winter tyres? Winter tyres work best at temperatures below seven degrees Celsius. Indeed, they outperform conventional ‘summer’ tyres for traction, cornering grip and braking in such conditions – regardless of whether there is snow or ice. While winter tires may reduce fuel efficiency, they offer unparalleled safety and traction in harsh conditions compared to all-season or summer tires. The slight increase in fuel consumption is a small price for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your vehicle is properly equipped.All-season tyres can be used all year round and work well in mild winter conditions, but do not have the same winter-specific features as winter tyres, so their performance in harsh winter weather is not as good.What are the benefits of winter tyres? Winter tyres work best at temperatures below seven degrees Celsius. Indeed, they outperform conventional ‘summer’ tyres for traction, cornering grip and braking in such conditions – regardless of whether there is snow or ice.Winter tyres use a different material which stays soft and grippy to well below zero. Tyres made with this rubber will carry either a snowflake or a mountain as a symbol on the sidewall. Winter tyres will not cause a car to fail the MOT test, however they do have drawbacks in terms of storage and cost.All-season tires are unable to offer the best traction in the winter and your car uses more fuel because of the extra effort needed to grasp the road and the lack of traction. Therefore, winter tires use more gas, unlike summer tires which require less energy to offer a better grip.
When should you put winter tyres on in the UK?
Remember the golden rule: “At temperatures below 7°C, it’s time to switch to your winter tyres! It isn’t a good idea to keep you winter tyres all year round, though. Install winter tires before freezing temperatures hit. As a good rule of thumb, consider changing to winter tires when the temperature consistently drops to about 7 degrees Celsius or lower. It’s important to note that even if daytime temperatures rise, nights and early mornings can remain significantly colder.Based on the weather: It’s time to install your winter tires when nighttime and early morning temperatures stay at or near 40º F. Yes, it’s okay if daytime temperatures hover in the upper 50s. You won’t ruin your winter tires overnight, but they will wear out faster as temperatures rise.Do Winter Tires Actually Make a Difference? Absolutely. Summer tires lose their performance capabilities as the roads cool down and the tread compound stiffens. Coupled with the relatively slick driving surface, this causes them to lose grips.You should never mix all-season, winter or summer tires. These tires were engineered with dramatically different types of traction and handling in mind. Mixing the type of tire on your vehicle can cause a loss of handling, increasing your risk of accidents.When is the best time to switch over to winter tires? The general rule of thumb is that between Thanksgiving and Easter, you’ll need winter tires. These holidays are the markers because they fall during the start and end of the time of year when it’s likely that the temperature will regularly be at or below 7°C.
What is the 7 7 rule for winter tires?
If you leave them on too late, your winter tires will degrade quickly. So, when is the right time to swap? The rule of thumb is 7-for-7: wait until there are seven consistent days at 7 degrees Celsius. There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left. Note that all tires have a manufacture date stamped on them.
What is the 20p trick for tyres?
You’ll need to place a 20p coin in the groove of the tyre – if you can’t see the outer ring of the coin, it means the tyres meet the 1. However, if you can see the outer ring, then the tyres will need replacing before making any journeys. By simply placing a 20p coin into the tyre’s main tread grooves, you’ll be able to see if you’re within the legal limit. If you can see the outer band of the coin, it means your tread may have worn below the 1.The 20p tyre test is really easy to do: just place a 20p coin in the main grooves of your tyre. If you can see the outer band of the 20p coin when it’s placed in the tyre, then the tyres may be dangerous and illegal and should be inspected by a tyre professional.Place the edge of the coin into the main tread groove of your tyre. If the outer band of the 20p coin is visible, then the tread depth is below the UK legal limit of 1. If the inner band of the 20p coin is visible, then the tread depth is above the legal limit.