An abbreviated FAQ:
Okay?
Can I drive on winter tyres in summer?
Yes, but the best thing to do is store them in the summer otherwise they’ll wear out quite quickly.
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What are the biggest benefits of winter tyres compared with normal tyres?
On rear wheel drive cars in particular, they improve all areas of performance. But the biggest differences are in braking and traction, and the differences are monumental, as in more than 50 per cent.
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Do I really need winter tyres on a front wheel drive car?
Yes, because although the improvements aren’t as great as they are on rear drive cars, they are still very significant indeed, especially in braking performance.
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Do winter tyres make any difference in the rain?
Yes, a huge difference In fact, they will improve the braking, traction and overall grip of your car at pretty much any temperature below 5-7 degrees C – even in the dry. And in the wet, in those sorts of temperatures the difference is chalk and cheese.
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What’s wrong with carrying a set of snow chains instead?
Best of luck fitting a set of those once you’ve slid to a halt on the hard shoulder on the uphill section of a busy motorway.
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Is it enough in winter just to drive more slowly?
Below 7°C you would stop 11 metres sooner than with summer tyres (when braking on an icy road from just 20mph). That is 4.8 metres shorter in wet conditions from 60mph.
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Why should I buy 4 tyres in a set?
Due to superior grip from winter tyres, cars should be fitted with 4 winter tyres or 4 summer tyres, of the same speed rating and the same load index.
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Are winter tyres really for when it snows?
They are designed for optimal safety in the cold, wet, ice and snow conditions below 7 degree
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Q: Can I put snow tires on just the drive wheels of my car?
A: Putting just two snow tires on your car is a bad idea. If you have a front-wheel-drive car and put snow tires on the front only, the back wheels won't have anywhere near as much grip as the front wheels. This will make the car much more likely to spin out while braking or cornering. Likewise, if you put snow tires on the just back wheels of a rear-wheel-drive car, the wheels that do the steering won't grip as well as those that provide the power, so the car may not respond when the steering wheel is turned -- it will simply plow straight ahead. Always install snow tires as a full set of four.
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There is often a temptation in winter to only fit winter tyres on the drive axle, to improve performance when pulling away. However, this is not enough to guarantee good performance and maximum safety. With 2 winter tyres, all you are ensuring is that the vehicle will move.
A front-wheel drive vehicle with winter tyres fitted on the front only is out of balance at the rear, and the vehicle is more prone to spinning.
A rear-wheel drive vehicle with winter tyres fitted at the back only is out of balance at the front, and may go straight on at corners.
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Are 2 winter tyres enough?
Although it seems logical and economical to fit M+S tyres on the drive wheels and keep the summer tyres on the free-running wheels, this approach does involve some very real risks. When braking the weight is transferred to the front wheels. Vehicles with rear wheel drive would then be slowed down mainly via the summer tyres on the front, which provide little grip.
So more for front wheel drive cars?
Again, no, because the difference in traction and lateral guidance would soon make the vehicle unstable in bends. Complete safety can therefore only be ensured when winter tyres are fitted on all four wheel positions.
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Yes, but the best thing to do is store them in the summer otherwise they’ll wear out quite quickly.
--
What are the biggest benefits of winter tyres compared with normal tyres?
On rear wheel drive cars in particular, they improve all areas of performance. But the biggest differences are in braking and traction, and the differences are monumental, as in more than 50 per cent.
--
Do I really need winter tyres on a front wheel drive car?
Yes, because although the improvements aren’t as great as they are on rear drive cars, they are still very significant indeed, especially in braking performance.
--
Do winter tyres make any difference in the rain?
Yes, a huge difference In fact, they will improve the braking, traction and overall grip of your car at pretty much any temperature below 5-7 degrees C – even in the dry. And in the wet, in those sorts of temperatures the difference is chalk and cheese.
--
What’s wrong with carrying a set of snow chains instead?
Best of luck fitting a set of those once you’ve slid to a halt on the hard shoulder on the uphill section of a busy motorway.
--
Is it enough in winter just to drive more slowly?
Below 7°C you would stop 11 metres sooner than with summer tyres (when braking on an icy road from just 20mph). That is 4.8 metres shorter in wet conditions from 60mph.
--
Why should I buy 4 tyres in a set?
Due to superior grip from winter tyres, cars should be fitted with 4 winter tyres or 4 summer tyres, of the same speed rating and the same load index.
--
Are winter tyres really for when it snows?
They are designed for optimal safety in the cold, wet, ice and snow conditions below 7 degree
--
Q: Can I put snow tires on just the drive wheels of my car?
A: Putting just two snow tires on your car is a bad idea. If you have a front-wheel-drive car and put snow tires on the front only, the back wheels won't have anywhere near as much grip as the front wheels. This will make the car much more likely to spin out while braking or cornering. Likewise, if you put snow tires on the just back wheels of a rear-wheel-drive car, the wheels that do the steering won't grip as well as those that provide the power, so the car may not respond when the steering wheel is turned -- it will simply plow straight ahead. Always install snow tires as a full set of four.
--
There is often a temptation in winter to only fit winter tyres on the drive axle, to improve performance when pulling away. However, this is not enough to guarantee good performance and maximum safety. With 2 winter tyres, all you are ensuring is that the vehicle will move.
A front-wheel drive vehicle with winter tyres fitted on the front only is out of balance at the rear, and the vehicle is more prone to spinning.
A rear-wheel drive vehicle with winter tyres fitted at the back only is out of balance at the front, and may go straight on at corners.
--
Are 2 winter tyres enough?
Although it seems logical and economical to fit M+S tyres on the drive wheels and keep the summer tyres on the free-running wheels, this approach does involve some very real risks. When braking the weight is transferred to the front wheels. Vehicles with rear wheel drive would then be slowed down mainly via the summer tyres on the front, which provide little grip.
So more for front wheel drive cars?
Again, no, because the difference in traction and lateral guidance would soon make the vehicle unstable in bends. Complete safety can therefore only be ensured when winter tyres are fitted on all four wheel positions.
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