Thinking of keeping your winter tyres on all year? Before you do, it’s worth knowing how they perform in warmer conditions. This guide explains when winter tyres are useful, why they wear faster in mild climates, and the smarter alternatives for UK drivers who want year-round grip and safety.
If you live in the kind of climate where winter tyres are necessary, and perhaps even legal, then you’ll already know what the differences between season-specific tyres are.
However, for many UK drivers, the temperate nature of our climate means that proper winter tyres are very rarely needed. In fact, winter tyres only tend to be favoured by those living in particularly hilly parts of the country, up north where the weather is colder, and in remote areas where garages and mechanics are few and far between.
In this article, we’re looking at not just the design of winter tyres but their suitability, the benefits of them, and when they are needed.
What Are Winter Tyres?
Winter tyres have a softer rubber compound in order to ensure that they can remain flexible on a wet and/or icy road surface and have deeper tread grooves to facilitate maximum grip and traction.
Any winter tyres also have small cuts in the tread, designed to dispel and offset surface water from underneath the tyres.
All of these features enable winter tyres to adapt to wet and cold conditions on the road.
Benefits of Winter Tyres?
Winter tyres are designed to be effective and – most importantly – safe in adverse weather conditions.
The difference in tread design and depth ensures that they hold good traction and grip on the road surface even when there is water and ice sat on the road.
They are also less likely to lose pressure or become stiff and inflexible in the cold surrounding climate.
