What are winter tyres and are they worth it?

Winter tyres are specially designed to maximise grip in cold, slippery conditions. They’ll help make sure you stop safely on ice-covered roads and don’t lose control in snowy corners. Winter tyres are a legal requirement in some countries during the coldest months of the year, but are winter tyres worth it in the UK?

What are winter tyres?

Winter tyres offer improved grip in cold temperatures and on icy surfaces. Replacing summer tyres with winter rubber makes a car safer and easier to control in wintery weather.

There are several important differences between the summer tyres (commonly used all-year round in Britain) and winter tyres.

Tread: Winter tyres have a more pronounced, deeper tread. They also have smaller groves, called sipes, cut across the tread blocks. These help to disperse water, snow, and slush so the tyre can grip the road.

Rubber: In cold weather, the rubber compound of summer tyres hardens and loses flexibility, reducing grip. Winter tyres are made of a softer rubber that stays supple and flexible in cold weather.

Performance: Winter tyres perform better than summer tyres once the temperature drops below 7°C. Stopping distances are reduced by 40% or possibly more, depending on the conditions. Aquaplaning (when water lifts the tyres from the road surface) is less likely, and cornering grip and manoeuvrability are improved.

Identification: You’ll find winter tyres have an ‘M+S’ or three-peak mountain snowflake symbol to indicate that they are winter tyres. The symbol will be on the tyre’s sidewall.

Winter tyres vs summer tyres

From a distance, they may look the same, but winter and summer tyres are very different.

Summer tyres are, as the name suggests, designed for use in the summer. With our moderate UK climate, most drivers use this type of tyre throughout the year, despite the benefits of running winter tyres in cold weather.

Summer tyres are made of a different compound to winter tyres, optimised for higher temperatures. They will perform better than winter tyres in temperatures above 7°C.

Winter tyres use a softer rubber compound that doesn’t harden like summer-tyre rubber in low temperatures. They also have a more pronounced tread for better grip in snow and ice, and extra sipes in the tyre to disperse water more efficiently.

Lots of differences, then, but they largely add up to one thing – summer tyres work better in summer, winter tyres work better in winter.

<H2>What are the benefits of winter tyres?

Winter tyres perform better than summer tyres in every important metric once the temperature drops below 7°C. They stop in a shorter distance, provide more grip for accelerating and cornering, and are less likely to aquaplane.

In snowy and icy conditions, switching from summer to winter tyres will transform the performance of your car. Just as you wouldn’t wear flip-flops to climb Ben Nevis, you can’t expect summer tyres to perform well when there’s snow and ice on the road surface.

Switching to winter tyres is safer in cold weather, but that’s not the only benefit. Using winter tyres saves wear on your summer tyres, which offsets the extra cost of having two sets of tyres for different times of the year.

If you like to ski, having winter tyres also saves the hassle of fitting snow chains to drive up a wintery Alp legally and safely.

When should I use winter tyres?

In some countries, such as Germany, it’s a legal requirement to fit special tyres during the winter months. This isn’t a law in the UK but many tyre manufacturers recommend fitting winter tyres when the temperature drops below a sustained 7°C.

Winter tyres are also more resistant to wear and fatigue than harder summer tyres in cold conditions. As a result, fitting your car with winter tyres in very cold weather will help both your winter and summer tyres last as long as possible.

Which cars need winter tyres?

Any car can benefit from winter tyres when it’s cold outside.

Some make the mistake of thinking a 4×4 doesn’t need winter tyres to cope with low temperatures, snow, and ice. A 4×4 on summer tyres will struggle in the snow, as the tyres won’t provide enough grip.

A front-wheel-drive car has the engine over the driven wheels, which can help the tyres find traction. Even so, winter tyres can transform the performance of a front-wheel drive car in cold, wintery weather.

Rear-wheel-drive cars arguably need winter tyres even more than other types of vehicle, as most don’t have the weight of the engine over the driven wheels to help with traction. This can make pulling away on snow and ice very difficult.

Whether your car is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or a 4×4, all cars need winter tyres to perform at their best in cold weather.

How much do winter tyres cost?

There’s not a big difference between the price of a typical summer and winter tyre. Just like summer rubber, winter tyres vary in price depending on the manufacturer, model, and size. Fitting costs will also vary.

As a rule of thumb, expect to pay £50-£200 per winter tyre.

There is an additional cost to consider – storing your summer tyres. If you don’t have somewhere to do this at home some tyre retailers will store them for a fee.

While the initial cost of winter tyres can be off-putting, they are not as expensive as they first appear. That’s because you are saving wear and tear on the summer tyres while using the winter set, and vice versa. You’ll be paying for twice as many tyres, but you’ll only have to replace them half as often.

Can I use winter tyres in summer?

You can, but you won’t be getting the best from the tyres or your car.

While it’s legal to use winter tyres in summer, they won’t provide as much grip as summer tyres, especially in warm and dry weather. It’s better to switch back to summer tyres once temperatures are above 7°C.

Are winter tyres worth it?

If you live somewhere prone to particularly harsh winter weather, a set of good winter tyres could make the difference between getting stuck and getting home safely. If, however, you live in a built-up area where heavy snowfall is rare and gritters are common, dedicated winter tyres are probably an expense you can do without.

There is a third option that arguably offers the best of both – four-season tyres. This type of tyre won’t perform as well as dedicated winter tyres in deep snow, but are miles better than summer tyres in cold weather. In the warmer months, they come close to the performance of a good summer tyre. The best examples of four-season, all-weather tyres are great choice for changeable UK conditions throughout the year.

Winter tyres FAQs

Can you use summer tyres in winter?

Yes, you can. Most drivers in the UK don’t change their tyres for winter. Summer tyres tend to be the default choice for most of us all year round, even if this means missing out on the
benefit of winter tyres.

Do you need winter tyres in France?

Winter tyres are a legal necessity during the winter months in some countries. There isn’t a blanket requirement for winter tyres across the whole of France, but in some mountainous areas cars must have winter tyres or snow chains. You could be fined if your car doesn’t comply.

Is it illegal to mix winter and summer tyres?

It’s not illegal, but it’s not recommended. The problem is that the wheels will have different grip depending on which tyre is fitted and the weather conditions. For example, if you drive on snow with winter tyres on the front and summer tyres on the back, you risk spinning the car.