Cold Weather Tyre Benefits Will Out-last the Snow

In the middle of the UK’s coldest winter for 30 years, industry association Tyresafe and tyre manufacturers and traders alike are pointing to the lasting benefits of driving on specialist cold weather tyres. The clear advice is that drivers who took the precaution of fitting cold weather tyres to their vehicle last autumn will continue to benefit from safer driving long after the current snow melts away. With more natural rubber in the tyre tread compound than standard ‘summer tyres’, they provide significantly shorter stopping distances in cold (under seven degrees celcius), wet and icy conditions.

“There is a misconception that cold weather tyres are not appropriate for drivers in the UK,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Cold weather tyres provide much better grip in both wet and dry conditions when the temperature falls below seven degrees, so they offer extra safety typically from October through to March. These tyres also have different tread patterns from ‘summer’ tyres making them more able to cope with snowy conditions. Those drivers who have chosen cold weather tyres will continue to benefit long after the current snow falls melt away.”

Gavin Marshall, managing director of North Eastern Tyre and Autocare (NETA) gave this advice: “It is vital that motorists and their cars are well prepared for their journey in the severe weather. Drivers should check that their cars are safe and pay particular attention to their tyres. Tyres are the only thing that will get vehicles through the snow and ice and driving in these conditions with bald tyres could cause a serious accident particularly on roads which haven’t been treated…Remember to check the weather and travel reports on the local radio both before you set off and during your journey. If the weather becomes too treacherous, stop driving. Few journeys are worth the risk.”

The recent snowy conditions have also highlighted the need for drivers to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth. Vehicles travelling on tyres that have low or illegal tread depth have experienced poor levels of grip making acceleration, steering and braking difficult. According to Tyresafe, this has led to many motorists being stranded, often in remote locations, or involved in an accident.

Current UK law stipulates that tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference. And to this end TyreSafe recently launched its ‘lifesaver in your pocket’ campaign which advised motorists how to check their tyre tread depth using a 20p coin. However, while the legal limit for tread depth remains 1.6mm, the AA recommends driving on at least 2mm of tread in wintry conditions: “At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter motoring, and certainly no less than 2mm.”

‘A must in icy conditions’

For its part Continental Tyre Group, one of the UK market leaders for winter tyre sales, took the opportunity to highlight the benefit of cold weather tyres to van and fleet drivers

Continental’s research shows that a van’s braking distance (when travelling at 30mph) increases by up to 31 per cent in icy conditions. The average extra distance a van will travel when braking on standard tyres versus cold weather tyres is 13 metres while a passenger car or car-derived van will travel a further 8 metres – an increase of 23 per cent.

The consensus is that as the continuing freezing temperatures continue – whether there’s snow on the ground or not – there are significant benefits to driving on tyres designed specifically for wintry conditions as opposed to standard products. However, with cold weather tyre products currently occupying less than 1 per cent of the 31 million-strong UK car tyre market, continued communications efforts would appear to be needed.

In the meantime, the Highway’s Agency is advising drivers to limit risks in the winter season by slowing down and leaving plenty of space between vehicles. According to them, it can take up to 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions. In addition the agency recommends driving in the highest gear possible to avoid losing control of your vehicle; and to avoid sudden braking, acceleration and sharp turns. The Highways Agency is also asking drivers to be prepared by carrying a winter emergency kit – warm clothes and boots, food, a drink, de-icer and an ice-scraper, a torch, a first aid kit and, for the worst conditions, a spade.