Winter Tyres in the UK - About Time
With wintry conditions with us for the next few months, the j2Ski Team would like to get us all thinking about winter tyres. In the UK, they are pretty uncommon - which is maybe one small contributory reason why the country shuts down at the first sign of a snowflake!
Did you know that winter tyres give more grip than summer tyres in cold temperatures, even when there’s no snow?
On snow and ice the difference in grip levels is significant.
A recent test of Winter Tyres on www.tirerack.com showed winter tyres giving almost double the traction of their summer equivalents on ice.
So, what makes winter tyres different and how do they work? This article about Winter Tyres from www.racerchicks.com gives some good detail:
The main tread blocks will be inundated with very small cuts known as sipes.
Tread sipes create little biting edges that aid snow traction. They also allow displacement of the boundary layer of water that is created as the tire contacts an ice or snow surface. This is important because this boundary layer of water is a large part of what makes winter travel slippery. This boundary layer of water is the same as that produced by a ski or snowboard as it slides across a snow surface…
Winter tyres are available in the UK through several on-line suppliers and some retailers, though supply is generally limited and you are advised to start looking now.
Although winter tyres will wear faster due to softer rubber, they only need be fitted for 3-4 months of the year and can then be stored for the summer. It can be worth buying a cheap set of wheels to make the changeover easier each year - which also helps keep your nice shiny alloys out of all the chemical muck that goes on the roads each winter!
So go on, give it some thought and give them a try - you will notice improved grip in cold weather and they might just keep you out of trouble when the UK does get some snow.
Driving to the Alps
If you’re planning to drive to the Alps this season, then winter tyres are definitely something you should be considering. Check this article on eTyres about European Winter Tyre laws before you leave - and note the points about being automatically deemed liable for any accident you’re involved in, if you’re driving on summer tyres in the winter!
They also make life easier as you will find you have to fit chains less often - and if you find yourself on an Autoroute in slushy / icy conditions…
A final thought; your ski boots are the most important piece of equipment on the piste - your tyres are the most important part of your car on a wintry mountain road.
