Winter tyres or snow tyres are specifically designed to deal with the challenges of icy winter roads. They usually feature a tread design with larger gaps with deeper grooves than those on conventional tyres, increasing traction on snow and ice. They are made from a softer compound for added grip in freezing conditions.
Winter tyres perform optimally in conditions of 7°C and below. South African’s are fortunate enough to experience moderate winters, so it isn’t necessary to switch over to winter tyres during the colder months. It is, however, intresting to know what makes winter tyres different to summer tyres.
Here’s what makes Winter tyres different:
- Made from specially formulated tread rubber, winter tyres make it easier for you to control your car on icy and snowy roads.
- Winter tyres have wide tread blocks and extra cuts in the tread called ‘sipes’ that give the tyre extra bite to grip winter roads, hills and sharp corners, and get rid of build-ups of snow.
- Most drivers find that winter tyres give them that extra security when they’re driving in challenging winter conditions.
- Summer tyres wear out quicker than winter tyres in cold temperatures.
Fairly easy to identify, winter tyres always have a symbol with a snowflake and mountains on their sidewall. This symbol – called 3PMSF for Three Peak Mountain Snowflake – means that the tyre meets international standards for use in harsh winter conditions, making it a safe and reliable tyre for anyone who drives in snowy, slippery, and extremely cold conditions. The tread depth of a winter tyre is always at least 4 mm, to ensure a longer life in severe winter conditions.
