Do’s and don’ts of winter tyres
The discussion about winter tyres … you are familiar with it. Some say they are a must on cold days. Others do not think that they are necessary for our mild winters. Carr&Repair answers some common questions, but decide for yourself if it is worth it!
What does a winter tyre do?
Summer tyres turn harder at lower temperatures. That reduces their contact area and they lose some of their grip. Winter tyres are made from a softer rubber and have a different tread. That is why they perform better when it is below 7°C.
More specifically, they make it easier to brake on snow and ice. Winter tyres also make you skid less easily.
So, fewer accidents?
Yes and no. Research by the Belgian Institute for Traffic Safety (Het Belgisch Instituut voor Verkeersveiligheid) shows that, in winter conditions, there are effectively fewer minor accidents when winter tyres are used.
However, this is not the case for more major accidents: they mainly occur on dry roads and are usually due to driving too fast or driving under the influence.
So, are winter tyres useless in Belgium?
No, not at all. When driving on snow, winter tyres are always safer. It is true that we do not have many days of snow in our country. But winter tyres make it a bit safer on the road and allow for more grip when it is rainy and cold. Even when you have ABS and ESP. But they are not a miracle cure either. There is still the risk of aquaplaning, so you still need to drive slower when it rains.
And what about all-season tyres?
All-season tyres are in fact a sort of compromise. They do not offer all the benefits of summer tyres, nor all the benefits of winter tyres. That means that they increase the fuel consumption in the summer and provide less grip in the winter. They are not really worth it.
We certainly do not recommend that you drive around on winter tyres all year round. The rubber is too soft for warm days and will wear off too quickly.
Are winter tyres not expensive?
It is true that winter tyres cost a bit more. But do not forget that you save over the longer term. Your summer tyres will last twice as long because you are not using them in the winter. That does of course depend on how many months you actually use your winter tyres. In the Ardennes, you will use them more than on the coast, for example.
Where in Europe are winter tyres mandatory?
If you go on winter holiday, you probably have to get winter tyres because they are mandatory in many countries. It is possible to rent them, but that is often more expensive.
On winter roads, they are mandatory in:
Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Iceland and Sweden.
They are mandatory in certain regions and periods (indicated with a road sign) in:
France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland
If you are involved in an accident, you may end up liable if it can be proven that the accident could have been avoided should you have had winter tyres. You can find more details about this on eccbelgium.be.
Winter tyres or not, if your car is damaged, Carr&Repair will help you.