Continental: Tips for maximising winter tyre life

Grippier sipes and softer rubber compounds mean higher rolling resistance when driving on winter tyres. They wear more quickly than summer tyres too, but anyone who fits these products can maximise tyre mileage by adapting their driving style and treating the tyres with care. Continental offers tips for using winter tyres in the most resource-efficient way possible. Robert Waldmann, who heads up technical customer service for Continental within the German, Austrian and Swiss markets, offers tips on how tyres can be used in the most resource-efficient way possible.

Pressure & tread depth: regular checks are key

Tyre pressure has a major influence on tyre longevity and even a slight drop below manufacturer-stipulated levels manufacturer can lead to unnecessarily high rolling resistance and therefore increased wear. For example, pressure that is 5.8 PSI or 0.4 bar too low will reduce the tyre’s lifespan by 30 per cent. At the same time, fuel costs will rise by two per cent. “Drivers who use their tyres sparingly should check their tyre pressures regularly – i.e. every two weeks – and top them up in line with the manufacturer’s guideline values if necessary,” comments Waldmann. “This information can be found in the vehicle handbook, on the inside of the driver’s or front passenger door or on the inside of the fuel filler cap. However, you also need to be careful not to overdo it, as putting too much air into the tyres will also negatively affect their lifespan and the vehicle’s driving characteristics.”

Ideally, drivers should check tread depth of the tyres at the same time as pressure. The minimum tread depth required by law in the UK and Europe is 1.6 millimetres, but Continental recommends replacing tyres “well before then” for increased safety.

Anticipatory driving enhances safety & reduces tyre wear

A sporty driving style, with hard acceleration, braking instead of coasting to a halt and cornering at high speeds, is not only more dangerous in winter, it also has a detrimental effect on tread wear. Drivers who take a more anticipatory approach to driving treat their tyres more gently, as “this means leaving a sufficient distance to the vehicle in front and coasting as far as possible as you approach red traffic lights and stop signs, rather than braking.”

Avoiding deterioration when tyres are not in use

Excessively hard use isn’t the only factor that shortens the lifespan of winter tyres. Incorrect storage can also lead to deformation and material damage. To avoid this, owners should store their tyres out of direct sunlight and in an area that’s moderately ventilated. Waldmann points out differences in how tyres are stored: “Tyres on rims should ideally be stored hanging up and with increased air pressure in them. Special brackets are available that prevent deformation and pressure points. If the tyres are not stored on rims, they can be stacked up, but should be turned regularly by a certain amount.”

Continental recommends enlisting the services of a dealer or specialist workshop to ensure tyres are stored professionally. The advantage over storing them in a cellar or shed at home is that the tyres are not only correctly stored, but also insured, checked for damage and balanced properly.

The right time to change tyres

Tyres can only deliver maximum safety in the season they’re developed for, which for winter tyres is between around October to Easter. “This way, as well as benefitting from the specific functionality of the tyres for summer or winter, drivers can ensure that the ambient temperature does not have a damaging effect on the tyres,” comments Waldmann. “When it’s warmer outside, winter tyres wear more – and equally, summer tyres suffer from accelerated wear in colder conditions.”