When should I switch to winter tyres?

It’s the time of year you swap your light jacket for a winter coat – but also the time of year you should be considering if it is time to change to winter tyres. But what are winter tyres, and how do you know if they are suited to your driving habits? To help check out our our guide to why winter tyres may be suitable and what makes them different.

First things first, what are winter tyres?

Winter tyres offer enhanced performance in wet and wintry conditions, specifically designed to operate best at temperatures under 7°C. The easiest way to identify a winter tyre is to look for the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) and Mud & Snow (M+S) symbols on the sidewalls of your tyres.

Designed to deliver traction, durability and the performance required for demanding cold weather conditions, winter tyres such as the Landsail Winter Lander, have unique design attributes including:

• Snow traction groove design: The sipe pattern is organised in high-density waves so that each sipe can apply maximum force to the snowy road surface.
• 3D stay-open sipes: These stay open when they make contact with the ground, so they can bite into snow more effectively.
• Stiff shoulder design: The shoulder is specially designed with stiff blocks that deliver cornering stability and driving comfort.
• Wet traction tread design: The V-shaped tread quickly evacuates water for outstanding wet handling, decreased aquaplaning and low noise.
• Advanced winter-grip compound: The Winter Lander’s tread compound is specifically formulated for the cold — so it delivers enhanced traction and braking where warm-season tyres can’t.

Across the range, Landsail’s research team has designed and engineered specific features to deliver class-leading performance and safety, while meeting stringent regulations on efficiency, noise and grip.

And are winter tyres for me?

If you are in a more isolated region, on higher grounds or encountering rugged terrains, winter tyres could be a recommended change, providing reliable grip and performance despite the cold.

Of course, if you live in a region where mild winters are the norm and snowfall is only an occasional occurrence, then the smooth, quiet drive that comes with all-season tyres may be an appropriate alternative. The Landsail 4Seasons tyre provides a solid platform for tackling driving conditions in all climates, combining summer and winter tyre design elements.

For more information on winter tyres, visit our product page.