When should I switch to winter tyres?

The UK autumn/winter season this year has been milder and wetter than average, with one of the warmest November’s on record*, so with the cold weather currently at bay, you may not have given much thought to navigating icy and snowy roads.

However, as we head deeper into the winter season, it is important to consider changing to winter tyres (like you do your winter boots) for better control on the road when the colder temperatures inevitably hit. But what are winter tyres, and how do you know if they are suited to your driving habits?

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 sidewall of the tyre.

For excellent braking and handling, enhanced water dispersion and stability in cold and icy conditions, winter tyres – such as the Davanti Tyres Wintoura – have specific design features, including:

• Two wide circumferential grooves with lateral and zig-zag cuts (known as sipes) to improve traction and lateral grip. In winter, they are excellent at dispersing water and increasing grip in icy and snowy conditions.
• A connected centre rib (the raised section of the tread pattern you see) provides assured steering response in all conditions.
• A flexible carcass construction provides a smooth, comfortable drive in tricky, wintry conditions.
• Angled tread block edges actively help reduce noise.

Winter tyres are researched and tested in the most severe conditions to ensure performance and reliability.

When should I fit winter tyres?

When the temperature is consistently below 7°C, it’s time to switch to winter tyres. It’s important to ensure that all four tyres are the same – it is not recommended to mix summer and winter tyres as you will experience an imbalance in grip between the two tread patterns, causing loss of control.

Are winter tyres for me?

In the UK, you’re most likely to require winter tyres if you live in an isolated area or face uneven terrains, where cold and icy conditions are more common and long-lasting. In parts of the EU it is mandatory to have winter tyres fitted when the temperature falls below seven degrees – so if you are crossing international borders by car this winter, keep that in mind. 

If you’re likely to be facing less extreme conditions this winter but plenty of wet weather, all-season tyres are the more suitable option for you.

As the name suggests, all-season tyres are built to adapt to the changing weather and road conditions from season to season. Davanti’s Alltoura 4-Seasons, the all-season passenger tyre, is a great example, as it balances exceptional wet and dry grip performance, delivering an all-round strong cross-climate tyre that consistently performs and eliminates the need to change tyres.

For more information on winter tyres, visit our winter product page or visit your nearest Davanti dealer.

*Source – Met Office