Are winter tyres worth it?

Is winter tyre purchase justified?

Considering the benefits of improved safety, the overall cost, and the climate, winter tyres are a solid purchase if you frequently drive in cold conditions.

The safety benefits

• When compared to summer tyres, winter tyres cut stopping distances by up to 10 metres on cold, wet roads.
• Winter tyres improve grip on ice, frost, and light snow.
• Winter tyres also significantly improve control in slippery conditions.

Cost

The initial cost to purchase winter tyres may deter people from buying them, but the tyres' expected life span and the avoided cost of tyre wear make owning both sets cost little more than running one set year-round.

When winter tyres are less necessary

Living in a region that rarely gets light snow or frost, or driving on treated main roads, also makes all season tyres a better buying choice. These tyres also have cold weather improvements, meaning you do not have to buy a separate set of tyres and spend on storage in the off season.