Get ready for Winter Motoring with Paynes
Winter tyres, also known as cold weather tyres, have been firmly
established across mainland Europe for many years. In
fact, the use of winter tyres is MANDATORY in a number of European
countries during winter months. Now, following the recent harsh
winters we have experienced in the UK they are
catching on quickly here too.
Not Just For Snow
Winter/Cold weather tyres are not
just for use in snow. Each winter many motorists are left
facing large repair bills from grip-related accidents during cold
snaps.
The Year-Round tyres
generally fitted to cars and vans in
the UK become much stiffer when the temperature falls
below 7°C, which means that the tyre side walls and tread do not
then give as much grip. Given that the average temperature across
the UK between November and March is often less than 7°C,
even if there is no snow, sleet or ice, these year-round tyres
will be providing less grip.
Winter/Cold Weather Tyres are
specifically designed for the cold and use a different rubber
compound that allows them to stay supple at lower temperatures,
giving greater grip in the cold. The safety implications are clear,
with these tyres delivering 50% more traction as temperatures
fall, benefiting braking, traction and road-holding.
Research has shown that when
braking from 20 mph in icy conditions in a car fitted with normal
radials it can take an extra 12 yards to stop when
compared with the same car fitted with Winter
/ Cold Weather Tyres.
Winter / cold weather tyres can be fitted for
the entire winter period for improved grip and safety, whether
or not there is snow on the ground, helping to minimise the risk
of grip related accidents.
What about SNOW SOCKS?
As a relatively new and far easier
alternative to snow chains, there are now Snow Socks available
to help with driving in icy / snowy conditions. They come in a pack
of two snowsocks required on the drive wheels only and have been
designed for emergency situations in snow and ice. They are easy to
fit and simply slip on like a sock, over the drive wheels of your
vehicle, then simply roll or drive the car forwards approximately 1
metre and finish putting the socks in place.
They are completely reuseable,
light and easy to store in the boot of your car should you be
unfortunate enough to happen to need them. Please see the video
below for a demonstration of how they work.
Snowsocks are available from our Parts Deparment or our
Ebay Shop starting at just £39.99 plus
postage for a pair.