Winter Tyres

You may think that because it hardly ever snows where you live, winter tyres are a waste of time. Not so. winter tyres are designed to cope with all types of poor weather conditions, not just snow, giving you greater traction and roadholding in the cold and wet conditions winter can bring.

Winter tyres which are composed of more rubber and less silicone so they don't harden so much when it's cold, work best in temperatures under seven degrees, in the UK this typically means between October and March.  They have wider grooves which have greater grip in snow and slush and more sideways grooves to give more edges and contact with the road surface.

That translates into shorter braking distances which reduces the risk of an accident: at 20 mph a car or van equipped with cold weather tyres will stop 11 metres sooner on icy roads than if fitted with summer tyres; at 30 mph the braking distance on snowy roads is reduced by eight metres.

Winter Tyres

Peugeot Winter Tyres

Higher levels of road safety during the colder winter months.

Considerably shorter stopping distances on both wet and dry roads at low temperatures.

Better mileage than normal tyres in winter weather. 
The wear on normal tyres increases when used during winter months, reducing mileage by up to 20%.

Do I really only need winter tyres for driving in heavy snow?
All modern winter tyres are designed for optimal safety below 7°C, in the cold, wet, ice and snow. Although they afford much higher levels of traction in snowy conditions, they offer superior performance in all winter conditions.

Can I fit just two winter tyres if I only have a front wheel drive car?
Fitting less than four cold weather tyres could cause problems with the car. The car may skid or be more difficult to control if only two cold weather tyres are fitted to one of the axles.

Does using winter tyres affect the speed at which I can drive?
Tyres are rated for the maximum amount of speed and weight they should carry. Winter tyres, by design may have a slightly lower speed rating than summer tyres. However, a cold weather tyre that has an H rating has a maximum speed of 131mph, and therefore should not compromise your driving speed in winter conditions.

Do winter tyres wear out quicker?
No, winter tyres are designed to perform and last better in colder conditions. When you take into account the extra grip cold weather tyres afford, the argument to change tyres is compelling.

When should I change back to my summer tyres?
It is recommend that you should change back to summer tyres when average temperatures are aound 7°C or higher in the morning.  In the UK, this is usually around March.

What should I do with my summer tyres during the winter?
Each tyre should be stored in its own bag, making it easier and cleaner to store at home. It is recommended that you stack your tyres so that they are lying flat on the ground horizontally.

Last winter we saw extremely high levels of demand for winter tyres and we anticipate that demand will be high again this winter.

So to make sure your car is best equipped, pre-order your winter tyres now.