Change is necessary for survival, and changing your ordinary tyres to winter tyres when the cold season comes knocking may just be the determining factor in your safety on the road.
The necessity of winter tyres
As the name suggests, winter tyres are made especially for the cold snowy season. Several aspects and features in them are different compared to those of ordinary tyres, necessitating a higher price. There is however always the option of cheap winter tyres, which can serve the same, purpose just as well. They are made the same way and come with the same features. Here is a look at a winter tyre’s composition.
What is different about winter tyres?
For starter, winter tyres have a greater composition of rubber compared to ordinary tyres. Natural rubber, unlike artificial one, isn’t affected as much by the cold. As such, it doesn’t harden and shrink during winter, allowing excellent grip and flexibility.
The patter on the circumference of the tyre also has more grooves compared to an ordinary tyre. This is to allow it to collect as much snow as possible. Once the snow has accumulated on the tyre, it helps in ascertaining grip since snow tends to stick to snow.
The slots or little craters that run all across the circumference of the tyre are also more. This is meant to enable the tyre to grip and lock on to snow so as to aid in breaking and acceleration.
All these features make winter tyres a bit pricey compared to ordinary ones, but they are nonetheless necessary, and the extra cost isn’t worth risking lives. Besides, you can find cheap winter tyres; all you have to do is search wider and save some extra pounds.
The right time for using winter tyres in the UK
Winter tyres are meant for the winter, especially when the temperature drops below 70 C. this is usually in between October and March. That doesn’t however imply that winter tyres can be used only during the winter, they can comfortably serve the purpose just as well during other seasons like summer. They can be in fact used throughout the year. For winter tyres to work optimally, some conditions have to be met first.
Enhancing performance
Owing to the higher cost associated with winter tyres, most car owners tend to buy only two for the winter, arguing that they are sufficient for the task. That’s however not right. For optimum performance, it would be better to use a whole set as required by your vehicle. If the money proves too much, you can look harder for cheap winter tyres just as long as you ensure safety on the road for you and other as well.
The air pressure is also another crucial factor. Air tends to contract during cold seasons, and it is the same air responsible for holding your vehicle in place, affecting many more dynamics like balance and grip. It is as such important to constantly check on the air pressure, (about once a month is sufficient) and maintain the right pressure for safety.
All in all, replacing your ordinary tyres with winter tyres during the season is a crucial step towards enhancing safety on the rods during the snowy season.