Winter Tyre Advice
As the evenings begin to draw in and the temperature lowers, it really feels like summer has come to an end. While winter might still be a few months away, now is a very good time to start thinking about how the weather we associate with the coldest season can affect your car. In this advice page, we're going to provide a few of our best tips for what to consider when taking care of your tyres during winter.
Stay aware of your tread depth
Making sure the tread depth of your tyres isn't too worn is something to keep on top of all year round, but it's especially important during winter. The frequent wet and icy conditions mean that being able to grip to the road well is essential, and a key part of this is making sure your tyres have ample tread depth. For complete peace of mind, we recommend you fit a dedicated set of winter tyres for driving during the darkest months of the year. Winter tyres should have a tread depth of at least 3mm, which is nearly double the amount legally mandated for the rest of the year.
Regularly check your tyre pressure
While all vehicles have different recommended tyre pressures, what is universal is that during colder weather the pressure can drop significantly. As a rule of thumb, for every 10 degrees Celsius drop in temperature, you can expect a loss of between 1 to 2 pounds per square inch of pressure. Obviously, this means that in a cold winter you could experience a really significant drop in pressure, and the associated problems that come with that. Examples of what can happen when your tyre pressure is low is reduced grip and even a blow-out. In a season when the road often has far less grip than usual anyway, you really need your tyres to be on top form. To combat this, regularly check your tyre's pressure and adjust it accordingly.
Drive more conservatively
No matter how much attention you pay to the health of your tyres, the fact remains that winter is the most dangerous time of year to drive. The unpredictable weather and less maintenance on the roads mean that the unexpected could happen. Be mindful of breaking too hard, as on snowy or icy roads that can lead to your wheels locking and then skidding. To stop this be sure to always apply pressure gently and steadily. The same should go for steering. The key is to try to avoid doing anything too suddenly.
YourNewTyres are always here to help
Our trained team of mechanics here at YourNewTyres are always happy to discuss any concerns you have about your tyre health during winter. As well as providing advice, we can also perform a complete tyre check on your vehicle to see if there are any issues that need addressing before winter arrives. Arrange for a visit from our specialists for mobile tyre fitting in Manchester, Liverpool and throughout the North West.
