Snow Tyres – Drive Safely During the Winter

Every year, as winter approaches, there is one thing that most people look forward to; the snow. Despite the cold that accompanies it, most people just love the beautiful site of the snow falling on rooftops and covering lawns. However, despite its beauty, snow also comes with its own dangers. For drivers, winter means slippery roads and high accident risks. It is for this reason that during the winter months, it is always prudent that you fit your car with snow tyres. These are tyres that are designed to perform well despite the ice, snow and sleet on the roads which usually make driving a nightmare.

Unlike regular tyres which usually have wide grooves, snow tyres are made with very narrow grooves which help to maximize the traction on the road. This ensures that the grip between the vehicle and the road is increased so as to avoid slipping and sliding which is usually caused as a result of the ice on the road. In addition, these grooves are usually deeper than those found on standard tyres.

Another feature of their design that makes them well suited for driving in the snow is the material used to make them. These tyres are usually made from materials that help to prevent the rubber in the tyres from hardening in low temperatures. When rubber hardens is becomes stiff and the amount of friction between the tyres and the road decreases. Regular tyres usually start hardening when temperatures fall below 7º C and at this point they become like hard plastic and they lose the gripping effect that rubber usually has with surfaces. This makes them a hazard, especially considering that the roads will also be full of ice which makes conditions already slippery.

In extreme winter conditions when there is increased snow fall and temperatures are drastically low, snow tyres are also fitted with metal studs and chains. These help to further increase the traction between the tyres and the road. The studs and chains help by breaking down the snow as the car moves forward and also increase the friction between the tyres and the road. This greatly reduces the slipping and sliding effect and maximizes the amount of control that one has on their vehicle. Therefore, when you are buying winter tyres, it is always advisable that you also buy accessories such as the studs and chains incase weather conditions get extreme and the basic tyres are no longer functional.

The best time to fit your car with winter tyres is just before the winter season begins. So as soon as you start hearing that snowfall is imminent, you should replace your regular tyres with those specially designed for driving in the slippery conditions during winter. Ideally, this is usually around November although this depends on your time zone. You should therefore stay alert in regards to the weather by following weather forecasts so that you don’t get caught with the wrong tyres when the snow starts falling. Given the special materials used to make them and their unique design, snow tyres are usually quite expensive as compared to regular tyres.

Some people may therefore opt to do without them but this can be quite dangerous. Despite the expense, it is far safer to invest in winter tyres than to have to pay huge medical bills due to injuries sustained in an accident or worse still lose lives. You should therefore ensure that you set aside some finances to ensure that you get a good set of tyres for safe driving during the winter.

A good way to save money on such tyres is by buying them during the summer season. Since their demand will obviously be low during this season, you will be able to enjoy huge discounts at various stores and this will make the tyres more affordable. When buying tyres for the winter, it is also prudent that you look for the most modern versions.

This is because newer versions usually come with the latest in tyre technologies which will guarantee better performance in snowy conditions than older versions. You should therefore carry out some due diligence before you set out to buy a set of winter tyres and ensure that you invest in the most current versions.

To ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones as you travel during the winter, always ensure that you invest in a good set of snow tyres. They may be expensive but it is always better to be safe than sorry.