Should you buy winter tyres?

As the seasons change and it gets colder, many of us consider buying winter tyres. But as they’re not legally required, it can be tricky to know whether you should or shouldn’t make the swap, especially with living costs rising.

If you’re not sure if winter tyres are worth the investment, read on.

What are winter tyres?

Winter tyres are designed for… well, winter! Winter tyres are built to remain supple in colder temperatures which means that they have better traction when driving on ice or snow.

Some of the key differences between winter and summer tyres include:

• Winter tyres are made from a softer rubber, which stays soft in low temperatures.
• The surface area of winter tyres is covered in small jagged slits to improve road traction.
• Winter tyres have deeper grooves to displace water.
• The tread pattern on winter tyres is designed to collect snow to improve grip on snow and ice.

How much do winter tyres cost?

Cheap winter tyres for a family hatchback can cost as little as £50 per tyre. However, if you want to go premium, winter tyres will set you back £100 per tyre. But with this being said, premium tyres are likely to offer better grip, performance and braking.

Are winter tyres mandatory?

No, they aren’t.

Although you can start using winter tyres when it’s below 7 degrees, winter tyres aren’t mandatory.

However, this changes if you go abroad. In countries where ice and snow are commonplace (such as Germany, Austria, Finland and Sweden), you will need to have winter tyres fitted.

With this being said, in the UK, we have an average of 23.7 days of snow each year, so they are well worth having!

Are winter tyres worth it?

If you’re weighing up whether winter tyres are worth the initial outlay, here are some of the benefits of investing:

• Winter tyres are safer than summer tyres as they are grippier.
• Winter tyres are designed for snow and ice, making them ideal if the temperature regularly falls below 7 degrees.
• Winter tyres are better in wet conditions as they disperse water more easily.
• Winter tyres mean better handling all around.

However, winter tyres do come at a cost. For example, winter tyres are faster to wear as they are made from softer rubber than all-season tyres. What’s more, if you’re driving on winter tyres when you don’t need to be, you might ruin them – so, you’ll have to fork out on new ones!

Final thoughts…

Although winter tyres can be expensive, if you want to keep safe as conditions worsen through the winter, they are well worth the investment. Especially if you do a lot of driving!

Luckily, if you’re looking to invest, there are plenty of retailers offering deals on winter tyres, so you’ll likely be able to save a few pennies if you shop around.

Happy tyre hunting!