Winter Tyres

During the winter, driving conditions become challenging and making sure you are safe on Britain’s roads is important.

Winter tyres – or ‘snow tyres’ as they are also commonly known – can play an important role in ensuring you stay safe on the roads during the more severe winter months.

What are winter tyres?

Winter tyres look very similar to summer tyres but are specially developed to provide additional driving performance in winter conditions. It is a common misconception that winter tyres are only for driving in the snow. There are some key differences between each type of tyre, with winter tyres being designed to work best in conditions below +7°C, so even in wet and icy conditions, you’ll benefit from their superior grip and handling.

The benefits of winter tyres

Here are some of the advantages of switching to winter tyres:

• Shorter stopping distances - In comparison to summer tyres, winter tyres reduce braking distance significantly in water, snow, and ice.
• Added safety and improved performance - Due to the specially developed compound which contains more natural rubber and increased groove ratio, a winter tyre can maintain excellent grip in snow, ice, and wet conditions so you are less likely to lose control.
• Reduced risk of aquaplaning - Aquaplaning or hydroplaning is when your vehicle loses traction with the road in wet conditions and occurs when the water between your tyres and the road cannot be removed quickly enough. The specific tread pattern design of winter tyres can disperse a greater amount of water, effectively reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

Buy winter & snow tyres at Kwik Fit

Kwik Fit stocks a wide range of cheap winter tyres for your car or van from premium brands including Pirelli, Continental, and Bridgestone and lower budget winter tyre alternatives.

To get an idea of the kind of winter snow tyres we stock, here are some great options:

Continental VancoWinter

The Continental VancoWinter is a premium winter tyre for vans and light commercial vehicles, offering excellent traction in icy, snowy, and wet conditions. With a durable tread and reinforced sidewalls, it ensures safety and stability under heavy loads, making it a reliable choice for winter driving.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is a high-performance winter tyre that provides superior traction on snow, ice, and wet roads. Its advanced tread ensures precise handling in cold conditions, making it ideal for drivers seeking control and confidence during winter.

Continental CrossContact Winter

The Continental CrossContact Winter is designed for SUVs, delivering excellent grip and stability on snow, ice, and wet roads. Its tread pattern improves braking and cornering in winter conditions, offering a secure and reliable drive for larger vehicles.

How do winter tyres work?

The tread compound of a winter tyre contains more natural rubber so that it does not harden when it’s cold. This ensures that the tyre stays flexible in low winter temperatures (below +7°C) which helps to reduce the stopping distance and maintain excellent grip on snow and ice as well as on wet roads in cold conditions.

The design of the tread on a winter tyre allows the tread to bite into the snow and ice in order to give interlocking grip, which is critical in the centre of the tread where the tyre carries the highest load. In addition, a winter tyre has an increased groove ratio and up to 10 times the number of sipes than a normal summer tyre.

Tyre markings: what do they mean?

When selecting winter tyres, it's essential to understand the various symbols and markings that indicate a tyre’s performance in winter conditions. Two key markings you may encounter are the 3PSMF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) and IMP (Icy Mountain Snowflake).

3PSMF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake)

This marking is a symbol of superior winter tyre performance. Tyres bearing the 3PSMF symbol have passed rigorous tests in snow traction and are specifically designed for use in severe snow conditions. These tyres offer enhanced safety and grip in snowy or icy environments, making them a reliable choice for winter driving.

IMP (Icy Mountain Snowflake)

While less commonly referenced, the IMP (Icy Mountain Snowflake) symbol indicates tyres that have been optimised for icy road conditions. Tyres with this marking are crafted to provide excellent handling and stability on icy surfaces, giving you peace of mind when driving in extreme winter weather.

Winter tyres and European law

If you are planning to take your car abroad this winter, it is important to note that throughout many parts of Europe, driving laws can be different. It is common and sometimes a legal requirement for drivers to fit winter tyres during the winter months.

Snow and cold weather conditions are much more commonplace in central Europe during the winter months so it is important to check local restrictions before you travel.

Countries that have laws regarding the use of winter tyres include Germany, Austria, Finland, and Sweden. In other countries including France, Italy, Switzerland, and Poland, winter tyres are not compulsory but are strongly recommended by authorities.

Is it worth getting winter tyres?

Although the UK does not suffer from extreme winters like many parts of Europe, it does, on average, have many days that are cold with a surprising number of them with ice and snow. Previous winters have resulted in chaos on the UK roads with many people struggling to get out of their road or driveway. In the UK, there is currently no legal requirement to use winter tyres but with drivers being six times more likely to have an accident from October to March, there is a strong argument for fitting winter tyres to your vehicle. While winter tyres are often referred to as snow tyres, they also provide additional benefits including superior handling and braking in dry conditions when the weather is cold and below +7°C.

Can I use winter tyres in summer?

Although winter tyres are excellent in cold weather, using them during the warmer months is not recommended. Winter tyres are made from a softer rubber compound that performs best in temperatures below +7°C. In summer, when temperatures rise, this softer rubber wears down much faster, reducing the tyre's lifespan. Additionally, snow tyres can negatively impact handling and increase braking distances on warm, dry roads.

If you leave winter tyres on all year round, not only will they wear out quicker, but you may also experience reduced fuel efficiency and less grip in summer conditions. It's a better idea to swap back to summer or all-season tyres as the weather warms up to ensure optimal performance and safety for your vehicle.

Winter tyres vs summer tyres

The tread compound and tread pattern of a winter tyre compared to a summer tyre makes it quite different. Road tests show that a vehicle travelling at 20mph on an icy road would stop 11 metres shorter if fitted with winter tyres. But winter tyres are not just for ice and snow, you’ll benefit from their added traction on wet roads too. Travelling at 62mph In wet conditions below +7°C, your braking distance will be up to 4.8 metres shorter when comparing winter tyres to regular summer tyres.

Getting your car ready for winter goes beyond just swapping tyres. It's important to check that your vehicle is fully prepared for the colder months by ensuring your battery, antifreeze, and windscreen wipers are in good condition.

Winter tyres put to the test

See for yourself the difference winter tyres can make to your driving performance during the winter months.

When should you fit winter tyres?

In the UK, we recommend that you change to winter tyres during the months of October to March when the average temperature is regularly below +7°C.

To make switching between summer and winter tyres even easier, Kwik Fit offers a Tyre Swap service. With this service, you can store your off-season tyres at Kwik Fit, eliminating the hassle of finding storage space and ensuring your tyres are swapped at the right time for maximum performance.

Get in touch with your local Kwik Fit centre for expert advice on the best tyres for your vehicle and any other tyre services you may need. You can also check out our blog for more tips on tyre safety and seasonal driving advice.

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