Switching to winter tyres

As a result of experiencing one of the hottest summers on record, the change in temperature as autumn arrives is even more noticeable. Ensuring that your car is prepared for the winter isn’t at the forefront of many motorists' minds. However, the change in weather conditions have a significant influence on the performance of your car. Your tyres play a crucial role in keeping your vehicle safe on the road.

What is the difference between summer and winter tyres

Summer and winter tyres are made from different combinations of compounds engineered specifically for their respective seasons. Winter tyres are designed to be flexible at colder temperatures therefore they can grip the road better at 7°C and below. Premium tyre manufacturers invest a large amount of time on research and development to improve their tyre designs and compounds. This benefits drivers as it improves vehicle safety by ensuring that technological innovations are consistently being made.Tyres, such as Continental’s WinterContact™ TS 860, which has been chosen by Auto Express as their Winter Tyre Test Winner 2018 for the third year running, are designed for optimum performance in cold weather conditions.

Should I make the switch?

The British weather is notoriously unpredictable so choosing when to switch to winter tyres can be difficult. Fitting winter tyres too early can lead to premature tyre wear and a higher spend on petrol. The other option to consider is all season tyres which combine the characteristics of summer and winter tyres. For British drivers, these can be a sensible choice given the generally mild weather conditions as they offer good performance throughout the year.

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