Winter brings with it its own set of hazards like wet robes, black eyes, snow, and pouring rain. In many countries, it becomes crucial for drivers to replace their Summer Tyres Leicester with winter ones. Fitting them ensures the drivers that they are investing in their safety. However, this is not true for all conditions. Let us find out what exactly is the function of winter tyres and if it is the right choice for you.
Winter Tyres
These tyre types are developed to provide optimum traction and grip in the cold season. These tyres have a soft compound and deep grooves. They also have sipes or narrow cuts that are embedded into the tread. These characteristics that are specific to dispel water or snow, and enable the rubber to move, thus, enhancing contact with the ground.
Drivers can easily identify winter tyre types by the snowflake symbol. This symbol is there on the sidewall. Remember that some tyres may not have the snowflake symbol, but they would have the ‘M+S’ mark. M and S stand for mud and snow respectively. These tyres cannot be deemed as the propers.
The Technology behind Winter Tyres
There are four major components of the technology involved in winter Tyres Leicester. These include:
- · Slats – It imparts grip on icy surfaces.
- · Tread bars – They give greater interlocking with the underground when the snow is deep.
- · The snowflake symbol – It is a label for tyres that are certified winter tyres.
- · Compound – The compound of these tyre types will never freeze even when the temperature drops significantly.
These tyres give the best performance when you use them in a region where the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. In such cold conditions, these tyres should always be chosen over conventional summer tyres for cornering grip, traction, and braking. It has been found that the stopping distance of during 5 degrees Celsius is 65.7 metres as opposed to 70.5 metres of summer tyres.
Cost of Winter Tyres
There is no standard price of . It varies according to your car model and the wheel size. They can be a bit more costly than summer tyres. The cost also depends on the brand that the tyre belongs to. However, you should not choose only on the basis of price.
Pros of winter tyres
· They provide you with the best handling in temperatures that are below 7 degrees Celsius.
· On surfaces that are filled with snow and slush, winter tyres give the best grip.
· They come with superior braking abilities. Thus, they are perfect for driving on cold roads.
· They have a good amount of natural rubber content. It allows them to remain flexible in colder weather.
· Winter tyres will provide you with the advantage of mobility if you are residing in a remote area that is characterised by snow and ice during the cold season.
· If you are frequently driving through a hilly terrain you will benefit from the optimal grip that the tyres that are designed for the winter months provide.
Cons of winter tyres
· Although winter tyres give a good performance during colder months, they cannot be utilised throughout the year. Once the temperature increases over 7 degrees Celsius, they start to underperform.
· Transitioning from summer to and then from winter to summer tyres again can prove to be quite an expensive task. There is the cost of maintaining two different sets of tyres. Moreover, you also need to have two different wheels for the switching process to be easier. If you don’t have a suitable storage space, then there are expenses involved in that too.
If you live in an area where the law demands you to transition to, then you have no option except to abide by the law. Taking proper care of this tyre will help you to benefit from a smooth ride all throughout the winter season.
Read More:-APPROPRIATE CAR TYRES
