Staying on the road whatever the weather.

Tyre manufacturer, Michelin is reporting a significant increase in cold-weather tyre sales this winter. This is despite the unusually mild weather seen throughout the land within the last three months of last year.

The company estimates that half a million winter tyres were sold by the end of 2011, which is around half more than the same time last winter. With around four times more than the same period a few years ago, the result is especially impressive given that motorists have less cash to spare in today's economic climate.

Cold-weather tyres are effective in all conditions and not just snowy situations. “They actually come in to their own when temperatures drop to below 7 degrees Celsius and have been fitted by many drivers abroad for years”, said a Michelin spokesperson. “UK car-owners only started taking a real interest in them after recent severe winters” .

These tyres create improved grip, delivered through rubber compounds that differ from those used in summer tyres. The tread patterns are also designed to disperse water or slush effectively and key into snowy surfaces. Ideally, if you can afford to pay out for a spare set of tyres such as winter tyres, the best option would be to keep a set for the cold snowy roads and once the weather improves (where we are again snow-free and above 7 degrees), exchange them back to your normal wear tyres. Naturally, there is more expense initially but not only would this make each set of tyres last longer, you would also be safer as the UK faces more arctic-like conditions.

Added: 22 January 2012

Back to News