Winter brings icy and wet roads. Why not consider changing your tyres to cold weather car tyres? This article gives three reasons why this is a good decision: 1) Safety Probably the best reason for changing your car tyres. Did you know that the number of accidents caused by wet road conditions increases in winter by 267%. The changes in weather conditions in the UK can be extreme. In the summer it is not unusual to have temperatures in the high 20's. And then winter brings freezing temperatures and wet weather. As its name suggests, a cold weather car tyre is designed to cope with the cold and wet weather of winter. The tread compound contains more natural rubber than a standard tyre, which prevents it hardening when the air temperature falls below 7C. This means grip is improved with cold weather car tyres and you'll experience significantly shorter stopping distances. 2) Performance With the extra grip that a cold weather tyre provides you'll experience better driving performance. Cold weather car tyres improve braking, cornering and acceleration. It gives you more confidence as a driver that your car is performing to its best ability on poor road surfaces. Think of cold weather tyres as a pair of shoes. On an icy morning you wouldn't go out in a pair of smooth, leather soled shoes, but would probably opt for the extra grip that a pair of trainers can provide. The same is for a tyre; your car's shoes! 3) Economy Cold weather car tyres can save you money in two ways; by improving fuel economy and by reducing car tyre wear. Fuel economy is improved by the improved performance of your car. Without the extra grip that a cold weather car tyre provides, the engine has to work harder and fuel consumption is increased. The wear on normal tyres increases in the difficult driving conditions that winter brings. With cold weather car tyres this wear is significantly reduced and mileage can be improved by up to 20%. Remember that your car tyres are the only point of contact between the car and the road and should be looked after. a) Check the pressure of your car tyres at least once every 4 weeks. b) If the tread depth a car tyre is less than 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre then replace it immediately. c) Look for any unusual cracks, bulges or signs of damage on your car tyres. These can result in slow punctures or blow-outs. Although the ideal situation is to have two sets of car tyres, 'summer' and 'winter', cost can prevent this. Today's cold weather tyres have been developed to deliver the best possible performance and safety during colder months but with no significant downside if they are used during the summer months. Cold weather car tyres are just as quiet and comfortable as normal tyres. For more information consult a car tyre specialist for advice.
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