Should You Buy Winter Tyres?

As there are a few threads and queries regarding winter tyres here is some current advice and information supplied by the AA

Should you buy winter tyres?

Winter tyres make sense if you live in a remote area where winter conditions are likely to be worse for longer.

Elsewhere it may be harder to justify the cost, though this has to be a personal decision depending on the risk of bad weather, your confidence when driving and how much you have to drive when snow and ice are around.

Winter tyres are made by most of the main manufacturers. Some suppliers will provide these pre-fitted to a set of steel wheels too.

If changing from alloy wheels to steel wheels - you may have to change the design of wheel nuts used too. Ask the wheel supplier or car manufacturer for advice.

Winter tyres must be fitted in sets of four. Fitting only one pair will affect the balance and stability of the car.

Winter tyres are not really suited to all year round use though – summer tyres will give better performance when temperatures are higher and roads dry – so you'll need two sets of tyres if you're going to choose specialist tyres for winter.

All Season Tyres

As an alternative you could consider buying 'All Season Tyres' which also have a high silica content for low temperature flexibility and a tread pattern somewhere between a normal summer tyre and an out-and-out winter tyre. Like all compromises they're unlikely to be as good as the best specialist tyre but can be expected to work better on wintry roads than a summer tyre and you will avoid the hassle and cost of swapping wheels/tyres twice a year.

Insurance implications - winter tyres

If you fit winter or all-season tyres in place of your standard 'summer' tyres there should be no need to tell your insurer – even though the speed index might be lower.

If you follow the standard European practice of keeping two sets of wheels, one with winter tyres and one with summer tyres, then you shouldn't need to tell your insurer as long as the winter tyres are fitted to wheels of the correct specification.

'Correct specification' means that the wheel size – diameter, width and offset – conforms to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.

Check the handbook for details of wheel/tyre sizes suitable for your car and refer to the car manufacturer or dealer for further advice.

Over the winter of 2010/11 we did hear reports of some insurers increasing premiums or remarkably even refusing cover if winter tyres are fitted. As a result we (the AA) recommend talking to your insurer if you are considering fitting winter tyres.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI)

If anything winter tyres should reduce the accident risk and, by implication, drivers who fit them are likely to be more risk-conscious too.

The major motor insurers have all confirmed that they would not class fitting winter tyres as a material modification and it would not impact on the premium. The one condition would be that they would expect such tyres to be fitted by reputable garage/dealer, in accordance with the motor manufacturer's specifications.

Some said that they would not require the policyholder to tell the insurer these tyres had been fitted, but the ABI's advice is to play safe and tell your insurer anyway.

Tread depth and pressure

Whatever tyres you fit they must have enough tread – at least 3mm is recommended for winter, and certainly no less than 2mm.

Check tyre pressures too but don't be tempted to try reducing pressure when there's snow and ice about – it doesn't help with grip and can affect handling.

Why are winter tyres not compulsory here?

There are several practical and economic reasons:

many parts of the country never or only rarely experience weather conditions that would justify use of winter tyres

many drivers choose not to use the car when snow or ice are around

Please bear in mind that NO tyre works very well on black ice ... winter driving skills still need to be learned. A set of winter tyres makes keeping control easier but does not guarantee that the car will never slide, just as ABS does not allow a car to stop from high speed in zero distance.

hth

Cyb