Winter tyres: Pros and cons

Anyone who has never driven a car on winter tyres before may not realise just what a difference they make while motoring in icy conditions. Of course, not all winters are icy and it will very much depend on where one intends to drive as to whether to have them fitted. That said, they offer improved performance in winter even when it is not icy. This winter, new tyres for the car could ensure the safety of loved ones with that extra grip on the road. Dartford Tyres advertise some of the best prices on tyres, and, in the meantime, here are some of the positives they associate with winter tyres as well as some of the drawbacks.

Pros

•  Winter tyres offer improved traction on ice, in snowy conditions and when the road surface is in that in-between state when there is slush all over the tarmac.
• Hill starts are much easier when drivers have the extra grip afforded by winter tyres to rely on, especially when there is snow and ice underfoot.
• Braking distance will be much lower with winter tyres fitted than normal ones. The benefit of being able to stop sooner than would otherwise be possible begins at 5°C and continues into the sub-zero temperature ranges.
• Sipes – or little nodules that stick out of winter tyres – help to maintain grip when cornering, ideal for dealing with tight country lanes in exposed places where problematic soft snow might stick around for longer than would be the case in a town or city.
• Some countries, like Sweden for example, make using winter tyres mandatory at certain times of the year – worth knowing for anyone intending to head to Scandinavia.

Cons

• Winter tyres often cost more than normal tyres. That said, you don’t have to have them fitted all year round so long as they can be stored somewhere for next winter.
• In the summer, winter tyres won’t add grip. They can make stopping times longer, in fact.
• When it is hot, winter tyres will not perform optimally and can wear down quicker than normal ones.
• For those who only drive in relatively warm cities where the roads are gritted regularly, winter tyres might not be worth it.
• Snow chains are easier to fit and remove for specific journeys but they’re not as effective as true winter tyres.

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