Winter Car Tyres- Which are the best for my car?
At Tyre Shopper, we stock a wide range of winter car tyres- all based on the premise of keeping you safe on the road this winter.
"Why do I need winter tyres? I already have my summer car tyres and they work fine." Yes we hear that a lot, and here are the reasons why winter tyres are so important over the winter months. In wintry conditions, roads naturally get icy and due to this, the risk of skidding and accidents occuring is dramatically increased. Winter car tyres are designed to reduce the risk of road accidents and keep yourself, fellow drivers and pedestrians safe.
What are Winter Tyres?
Winter car tyres have an increased silica content within the tyre tread which is designed to stay flexible in low temperatures (anything below 7C). Due to the rubber compound used, braking and handling responsiveness is greatly improved and ensure a positive, safe and relaxing driving experience, no matter how difficult the winter conditions may be.
The rubber compound used within summer car tyres stiffens when temperatures drop below 7C. When summer tyres are used within wintry conditions, this reduces the reliability of the braking performance, as well as this the handling when driving is significantly affected.
Which Winter Tyres are the BEST for my car?
We have analysed 5 of the best rated winter car tyres to ensure that you gain the adequate information you need to stay safe this winter.
| Winter Car Tyre | Tyre Manufacturer |
| WV7 Snow | Avon |
| Blizzak LM001 | Bridgestone |
| CrossContactWinter | Continental |
| Cinturato Winter | Pirelli |
| Agilis 51 Snow-Ice | Michelin |
Avon WV7 Snow
Customer Tyre Review: "Delighted!"
The Avon WV7 Snow is an excellent performing winter car tyre which drastically helps improve driver safety. The innovative rubber compound used within the tyre helps reduce braking distances and enhance stability on the road. Due to the excellent performance of the Avon WV7 Snow tyre you can rest assured that driver confidence will be increased when driving in somewhat difficult winter conditions. Avon Tyres are consistently looking to improve their tyre offering to guarantee tyre improvements year-on-year. Classified within the mid-range category of the tyre market, the Avon WV7 Snow tyre not only offers improved safety levels but is also outstanding value for money. If you are looking to buy the Avon WV7 Snow Tyre then looking no further than Tyre Shopper.
Bridgestone Bizzak LM001
Customer Tyre Review: "I always make sure that I buy winter tyres in the winter months. The grip on these Bridgestone tyres are up there with the best I have used. I feel very safe when driving now- especially in this horrible rainy weather!"
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 is a fantastic winter car tyre and perfect for all wintry conditions. Due to Bridgestone being a premium tyre manufacturer, they spend a lot of time and money on research and development. Due to this, the innovative rubber compound used within Bridgestone winter tyres helps drastically improve grip while significantly reducing braking distances. If you are looking to buy the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 this winter then make sure you check out our Bridgestone tyre brand page where you can find this tyre and many more.
Continental ContiCrossContact Winter
Customer Tyre Review: "Best winter tyre for my car."
Continental tyres are renowned for their high quality tyres. Whether it be Continental's summer tyres, their all-season tyres or their winter tyres, you can be sure of a vast improvement in your overall driving experience. The Continental ContiCrossContact Winter ensures maximum safety levels on wet road surfaces, greatly reducing the risk of aquaplaning. Whether you be driving in wet, icy or snowy road conditions you can be confident of optimum levels of safety. If you are looking for more information regarding the Continental ContiCrossContact Winter then Tyre Shopper has all the information you need.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter
Customer Tyre Review: "Driving with them was a very pleasant experience."
Pirelli have an excellent reputation within the tyre industry of manufacturing outstanding performing tyres. Classified within the Premium tyre category you can be certain of greatly improved tyre characteristics across all aspects of driving. You would not be surprised to know that the Pirelli Cinturato Winter tyres are no different. Improved safety, excellent grip levels and a firm tyre tread are only a few of the characteristics of the Pirelli Cinturato Winter to keep you safe this winter. If you would like to know more about this tyre, please watch the video above.
Michelin Agilis 51 Snow-Ice
Last but by no means least is the Michelin Agilis 51 Snow-Ice tyre which yes you guessed, performs magnificently in snow AND ice. Whether you be driving on a country road, just round your estate or travelling high speed on a motorway, you can feel confident that this tyre will greatly maximise your safety and stability. If you are looking for more information on this tyre make sure you check out our Michelin brand page (check the table at the top of this page) where you can find the Michelin Agilis 51 Snow-Ice and MANY more. If you want to know the more about why winter car tyres are so important, please watch the video below.
The Mirror have reported that this winter will the worst winter for 11 years with heavy snow, ice and rain expected. At Tyre Shopper we understand that Winter is an expensive time of year, especially during the Christmas period. However, please do not risk your safety by ignoring the fact that your car needs winter tyres. You can search for the best car tyres currently available by using the tyre search lookup at the top of this page.
Car safety is important all-year round, however it is especially important in winter. At Tyre Shopper, we have produced a number of driving tips to ensure you are safe this winter.
Check Your Tyre Pressure
It is vital that you check your tyre pressure as under-inflated tyres negatively impact on car safety. For every drop of 10*C in temperature, it is estimated that your tyre will lose 1 PSI (pounds per square inch). It is important to know the correct tyre pressure value for your vehicle to ensure maximum quality and safety.
Amend Your Driving Style
It is recommended to drive in a conservative style when you first start your engine to ensure maximum car safety. It takes time for your engine to warm up, especially in cold weather conditions. You will potentially damage your engine by ‘high revving’ immediately after starting up your car.
Reduce Your Speed When Driving
You should reduce your speed when driving as braking distances will be increased in winter conditions. It is recommended that you increase the gap between yourself and the car in front of you to minimise the risk of any accidents. Due to these difficult road conditions, you will need to take extra care to ensure not only your safety, but also the safety of those around you.
Replace Your Antifreeze
To prevent freezing and boiling over, the engine cooling system should be filled with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water. Antifreeze prevents the water in your car’s radiator and engine from freezing.
Regularly Wash Your Car
Salt spreading and gritting plays a big role in keeping our roads safe. However, if you don’t wash off your car after long journeys, the salt can slowly corrode the metal exterior of your car causing rust. Rust may potentially cause parts of your vehicle to crack or fall off.
Ensure Your Windscreen Is Clear
If you want a quick and safe solution to defrost a windscreen, purchase a can of de-icer and a scraper from sites such as Amazon. You should never use boiling water to defrost your windscreen as it may cause the windscreen to crack. Ensure that you do not drive with a partly frozen windscreen as this is a severe safety risk.
Purchase Winter Tyres
At Tyre Shopper, we stock a number of different specialist winter tyres such as the Continental Winter Contact TS860. No matter how difficult the winter weather conditions, you can be assured of maximum control due to the high level of grip. It is recommended that you look to purchase tyres specific for winter if temperatures drop below 7*C.
Overall, car safety is extremely important. In cold and difficult weather conditions, you can put yourself in danger when driving, however this danger is preventable. As well as this article, we have also produced an infographic regarding the importance of checking your tyre tread depth which is extremely important for overall car safety. You need to ensure that you are safe at all times and we feel that this is achievable if you follow these winter driving tips.
Winter tyres are vital in ensuring safety in cold, wintry conditions. This guide answers the most common questions about winter specific tyres.
What are Winter Tyres?
Winter or Snow tyres are designed to cope with cold weather conditions. There are an increased number of edges inside the grooves of the tyre known as sipes. These sipes improve grip and handling on wet or icy road surfaces. A compound containing a high silica content is used within the tyre tread. This ensures for excellent gripping qualities with the road surface. The tread pattern is designed to maintain flexibility when temperatures drop below 7*C.
Winter specific tyres are recommended to be used in temperatures under 7*C. This is to ensure an improvement in car safety in difficult weather conditions.
What is the difference between Winter and Summer Tyres?
The main difference is the rubber compound used to make the tyre. In all season or summer tyres, the rubber compound will harden and lose grip at temperatures under 7*C. In a cold weather tyre, the compound will stay softer at these temperatures to maximise grip and stability. The video below explains this in more detail.
Can you use Winter Tyres all year?
Legally, yes you can. However, the rubber compound used does not work effectively in temperatures over 7*C. This leads to a increase in braking distances and grip, especially when cornering.
Can you use Summer Tyres in Winter
The rubber in summer tyres may become brittle in cold conditions. This may cause the tyre sidewall to crack. If there are cracks within a tyre’s sidewall, it is recommended that the tyre is changed. This could be a major safety risk when driving, especially in difficult wintry conditions. Tyre sidewall cracks could cause a loss of control as well as increased stopping distances.
What are the best tyres for wet conditions?
Cold weather tyres help reduce the risk of aquaplaning in wet conditions. The grooves within the tyre help quickly disperse surface water to ensure maximum control.
Can you mix winter and summer tyres?
No. You should swap all four tyres to ensure a balanced performance. If you have a mixture of tyre types, handling of the vehicle may become unpredictable.
Where can you buy Winter Tyres?
We stock tyres from a number of different tyre manufacturers such as Continental, Pirelli and Michelin. If you enter your vehicle registration number or your specific tyre size in the section at the top of this page, we will be able to find the perfect set of tyres to fit your vehicle.
Is there a difference in tyre noise?
Tyre manufacturers such as Continental and Pirelli invest huge amounts of time and money in research and development. Due to this, tyres suited specifically for winter are just as comfortable and quiet as standard tyres.
Laws On Winter Tyres In The UK
There are many countries where it is illegal not to have winter specific tyres fitted. However, it is not a legal requirement within the United Kingdom. Overall, due to the number of safety benefits we would definitely recommend that they are fitted below when the temperature drops below 7*C.
01 Nov 2019
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