With the cold winter weather set to return and temperatures dropping, it is time to start looking at your car. Your car generally gets a lot more wear and tear when there's lots of snow on the ground, so you want to ensure that it's running as smoothly as possible. Let’s start by discussing winter tyres.
A QUICK LOOK AT THE BEST WINTER TYRES
- Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- Continental WinterContact TS 860
- Michelin Alpin 6
- Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
WHAT ARE WINTER TYRES?
Winter tyres are designed to provide traction when the weather is cold, and roads are slick. Compared to summer tyres, winter tyres, of course, perform better in snow and ice. They're also more effective at clearing standing water, making them safer in rainy conditions.
Winter tyres are distinguished by their deep tread thickness and composition. They're designed to improve the car's grip and propulsion whenever snow gets compacted into the broad tread grooves. Natural rubber is more abundant in winter tyres, giving them a softer structure.
It is necessary to have winter tyres if your country requires them, if the temperature in your area often drops below +7°C or if you live in a remote area and encounter frequent heavy snowfall.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING WINTER TYRES
TYRE SIZE
If you're buying new tyres, it's essential to check what your automobile came with when you purchased it from the factory so that you don't end up with inconsistent tyres. To know what size your tyres are, look at their sidewalls or the door jam, which is usually on the driver's side.
COMPOUND AND DESIGN OF TREADS
Winter tyres typically feature unique tread compounds and advanced tread patterns to enhance traction and braking performance. Tyres designed for winter tend to have better handling and traction during cold weather. Their tread compound has been designed to retain its soft, malleable and grippy properties under cold conditions, making it easier to grip snow and ice. A winter tyre must also have enough tread depth to cut through slush or snow.
ROAD TYPES YOU DRIVE ON
Are you primarily driving on city streets, local roads or the highway? If you drive frequently, you should invest in high-quality tyres. This is especially important if you drive a compact car (due to its tendency to skid in poor weather). When driving mainly in the city, affordable but high-quality tyres will do the trick.
It would be best to have winter tyres with good traction and handling in areas with steep hills or sharp corners. Specialised winter tyres will help you deal with slush, ice or unploughed snow that may pose a safety risk when driving.
BEST TYRES FOR BRITISH WINTER
Looking for tyres for the chillier months but don't know which to choose? Changing your tyres as the seasons' change will help ensure your vehicle performs well in any weather. Here's our list of the best winter tyres for 2022.
BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK LM005
Launched in early 2019, this winter tyre is suitable for moderate/mild winter weather. Wet roads are no problem, making it ideal for British winters that tend to be more soggy than icy. It offers top performance in braking and handling in wet conditions, aquaplaning resistance and resistance to rolling. As an all-rounder, the Blizzak LM005 is a great choice. However, they are noisier when compared with other tyres.
CONTINENTAL WINTERCONTACT TS 860
Suitable for compact and midsize cars, this winter tyre boasts Cool Chili technology, providing maximum braking power. Its Liquid Layer Drainage minimises braking distances on ice, while its Snow Curve+ enhances cornering performance. WinterContact TS 860 performs well in wet conditions, suggesting that it is more suited to wet driving, which would make sense in British winters.
MICHELIN ALPIN 6
Michelin winter tyres are highly suitable for the UK climate, performing well in dry and wet conditions. The Alpin 6, in particular, is an excellent all-around winter tyre. Michelin places the highest priority on the longevity of its tyres. The company wants them to last longer and maintain their effectiveness over time. The Alpin 6 tyre has grooves that deepen as it ages, ensuring long-term traction.
HANKOOK WINTER I*CEPT RS2
Hankook's winter tyres are among the best on the market for dry-weather driving. The RS2 was released quite a while ago and continues to perform well. Offering good aquaplaning resistance and quick braking in wet conditions, it's pretty suitable for wet weather conditions. Overall, RS2 tyres are reasonably comfortable despite having a little higher noise than standard tyres.
GOODYEAR ULTRAGRIP PERFORMANCE+
This tyre has been designed to perform even in challenging conditions. With its specialised tread pattern, the tyre displaces water effectively, reducing the risk of skidding. It can be used in snowy and clear conditions, delivering the best results regardless of the UK's unpredictable weather. It also performs well over the long term and can be used throughout the year.
WHEN TO FIT WINTER TYRES UK
So when to change into winter tyres in the UK? A winter tyre should be installed as soon as temperatures drop below 7°C on average. It cannot be easy to pinpoint which date to do so since the UK's weather varies throughout the country.
Most drivers switch to winter tyres if temperatures consistently drop below 7°C. To prevent premature fitting, wait until the temperature drops sufficiently for a few days before installing the tyres.
ARE ALL-SEASON TYRES GOOD ON ICE?
Tyres for all seasons are not designed for cold weather conditions. Instead, all-season tyres offer reliable performance for those in mild climates who rarely encounter snow, ice or extreme cold during winter. A set of all-season tyres may provide adequate traction in a light snowfall but not in a heavy one with freezing temperatures, such as those below 7 degrees Celsius.
READY TO BUY SOME WINTER TYRES?
Are you looking for BMW winter tyres and more? Imperial Tyres offers a wide range of tyres from various manufacturers, such as Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli and Continental. Book your tyres today.