Consider these Pointers while choosing Your New Set of Tyres this Winter

by Totton Tyre & Exhaust Auto Garage for car Servicing

Although winter tyres are not mandatory in the UK, some parts of the UK experiences biting and frigid colds. When the ambient temperature falls below 7°C, tyre rubbers tend to harden up because of loss of oil and moisture. Due to the presence of snow and sleet on roads, a tyre’s ability to generate sufficient traction is also compromised.

Winter tyres address these issues with their unique tread compounds and groove designs. They have a higher percentage of natural rubber in their tread compound which keeps them supple and flexible even at frigid temperature. Moreover, the aggressive groove patterns of these tyres allow them to produce better traction on wintry roads.

So, it is customary for a car owner to fit winter tyres in Totton for safety and as well as performance in wintry road conditions. Now, before you buy winter tyres, you need to consider some essential factors. Let's look at them.

Factors to consider when buying winter tyres

The M+S sign

Many tyres are marked with the ‘M+S’ sign which indicates that the tyres are suitable to drive through mud and snow. To be precise, it means that the tread design of these tyres delivers better road grip on wet conditions than other general tyres. All-season tyres are also marked with this sign.

However, the presence of this sign doesn’t mean that a tyre is best suited for winter roads. Tyres with just ‘M+S’ mark are not meant to deliver optimal traction and short stopping distances vital in wintry road conditions. Hence, look for the mountain and snowflake sign when buying winter tyres. Tyres marked with this sign are best for driving on packed snow. Also, it means that the tyre’s performance has been tested and certified for winter condition.

Whether all season tyres will suffice

Some people have a wrong notion that all-season tyres are sufficient for driving safely in winter conditions. However, that's not the truth as there's a significant difference between the construction of a winter tyre and summer tyres. All-season and summer tyres are made of harder rubber compounds. Their rigid rubber compound enables them to maintain shape when rolling on hot tarmac.

Winter tyres comprise of softer rubber hydrophilic rubber compounds, which imparts them more pliability in cold weather. Additionally, winter tyres feature more ‘void-to-lug’ ratio, which means there are more gaps between the tyres’ tread blocks. Due to their broad grooves and biting edges, winter tyres scoop snow into its large grooves allowing closer contact with the road surface. So, for mild winters, all-seasons can serve you well, but for the harsh cold, you must use winter tyres.

Going for part-worn tyres

Winter tyres can be costly, and since they are needed only for certain months, many people opt for part worn tyres in Totton. However, to ensure the best performance, you must inspect these tyres closely. Make sure that the tyre code complies with your manufacturer recommendation. Also, the tread depth on each tyre shouldn’t be below 4mm, and all four tyres should be of same tread depth.

Additionally, consider buying a set of wheels for the winter tyres. It'll save you the cost of un-mounting and mounting new tyres onto wheels every year. You can visit a professional auto garage and let them help you with choosing and fitting the right set of winter tyres. Garages such as Totton Tyre & Exhaust sell winter tyres from top manufacturers. They also offer brake repair and wheel alignment services across their facilities.