Tyrereviews.co.uk Addresses UK Winter Tyres “Misunderstanding”

Coinciding with the current UK obsession with snow and ice-covered roads, consumer-based interactive review website Tyrereviews.co.uk has published its seven reasons for the country’s drivers to consider fitting winter tyres in the colder months, regardless of whether the current extreme conditions – for Britain at least – are a sign of things to come. Starting with the concept that UK drivers misunderstand winter tyres, compared to their status as a “legal requirement in most of northern Europe”, the website substantiates why UK road-users should think about purchasing seasonal rubber in greater quantities than currently seen – estimates put the UK market for winter tyres way under 1 per cent. The relatively new Tyrereviews.co.uk says that it aims to give motorists “impartial feedback on road and track tyres” by allowing “the people that drive on the tyres every day” the opportunity to review them.

First of all, states Tyrereviews.co.uk, “winter tyres are not snow tyres”, suggesting that the most common misapprehension is that the usual lack of snow renders winter tyres unnecessary. “Winter tyres are designed to be more effective than regular tyres in any temperature under 7 degrees Celsius (44 degrees Fahrenheit) on any type of road,” it states, continuing to explain that the “larger percentage of silica in the compound” helps the tyre harden up less than the synthetic rubber in non-seasonal tyres in cold conditions.

The site also cites a review conducted by Tirerack (see video below) that has the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 winter tyre stopping in less than half the distance than the manufacturer’s RE050A in icy conditions at just 10mph. It also argues that savings can be made after the initial outlay for a set of steel rims: “winter tyres are often cheaper because of their smaller size. While you’re driving on winter tyres, you’re not wearing out your expensive summer tyres, thus saving you money.”

Addressing the argument that ABS also means winter rubber is unneeded, the website states, “ABS was designed to allow steering control to be retained while in an emergency situation and will not stop you any quicker in low-grip situations.” Tyrereviews also explains that the heavier modern cars have give tyres “much more work to do”, much of which can be better achieved in the colder months with winter-specific tyres. It argues that technological advances have helped make winter tyres “as comfortable as summer tyres,” correcting what it sees as an outdated assumption. Finally, the article states that the sheer increase of wet weather accidents in the winter (up “267 per cent” according to its quoted figures) means that fitting winter rubber puts drivers in a better position to avoid “someone else’s incident”.