Winter Tyres - Stay Safe During the Winter Months

Winter tyres, or cold weather tyres as they are also know, will be the key to keeping Britain moving this year with their specialist compound and tread offering drivers better grip and control in wet and dry conditions when temperatures dip below 7°C.

The cold weather conditions of the last two years look set to continue with Forecasters predicting moderate to heavy snowfalls as early as October or November in certain parts of the UK.

This follows Met office data showing that the average temperature levels last year remained at below 7 °C for six months making cold weather tyres suitable for use from October – March.

With demand for cold weather tyres expected to be high, Blackcircles.com is recommending early adoption to avoid any delays in getting your tyres fitted and remaining safe on the roads.

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What Are Winter Tyres?

Already widely used in Continental Europe, a winter tyre offers significant performance improvements. For those asking ’What are winter tyres?’, Blackcircles.com has brought together a handy guide and video:

Enhanced performance – the technology in a winter tyre means it performs better when the temperature drops below 7° celcius
Better grip – the special compound used in a winter tyre means it remains softer in low temperatures offering more grip, better braking, traction and handling
Greater control and safety – the tread design of a winter tyre has been specially created to offer better grip and traction in the snow
Speed rating – cold weather tyres have a lower speed rating than a summer tyre due to the compound they are made from. Please be aware that your driving will not be compromised as even an H rated tyre has a maximum speed of 131mph
Still got a query? You can call our experts on 0845 620 2000 or e-mail them at sales@blackcircles.com.

As the diagram below shows, all of this adds up to increased grip and safety in hazardous conditions with a winter tyre stopping up to 11 metres shorter on icy roads.

You can view the incredible difference a snow tyres can make by watching the video below. Filmed at the Tamworth Snow Dome, it shows how an Audi, Ford and a BMW performs on winter tyres compared to summer tyres.