Time to buy winter tyres? Everything you need to know about costs, the rules and what your winter tyre options are
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In Austria, driving without winter tyres from November to mid-April can mean a €5,000 fine (£4,411) as well as your car being impounded.
In Germany, winter tyres are mandatory in wintry conditions, and in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Italy and Andorra, you can be fined for “impeding traffic” if your car's not equipped to travel through snow.
In the UK there's no legal requirement to put them on - although be careful if you're travelling abroad - but they will improve your car's performance.
Winter tyres are designed for low temperatures, their softer rubber mix increases grip on Tarmac, as well as in wet and dry conditions, snow and ice.
Wave-shaped segments in the tread block increase the tyre’s gripping edge and improve its grip in snow and ice - helping braking performance and driving stability.
“The tread depth of your tyres is also crucial. If the tread depth is less than 4 mm, the performance of your tyres really suffers. Beyond this limit, you should change them without exception," said Thierry Delesalle of Mytyres.co.uk .
But do you really need winter tyres in Britain? We explore what they are, the alternatives and how much they cost.
What are winter tyres?
Winter tyres are specially designed to improve safety in cold weather. They are designed to perform when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius.
Normal summer tyres can harden in cold weather and this means they are more at risk of aquaplaning in wet weather and increasing stopping distance in icy conditions.
Winter tyres are made using a rubber compound that does not harden when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius and this can improve grip and reduce stopping distances in the event of an emergency stop.
Winter tyres usually have deeper tread to add extra grip and disperse surface water, making them safer and more effective than summer or all-year-round tyres, as our sister site Chronical Live reported .
Are winter tyres recommended?
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Using winter tyres depends on where you live and how you drive your car. In the winter months temperatures in the UK regularly drop below 7 degrees Celsius but rural drivers and those in areas with high snowfall and wet weather will be more likely to need the tyres.
In European countries that experience a high level of snow they are a legal requirement for drivers but winter tyres are not a legal requirement in the UK.
If most of your driving is done in the daytime in areas where the roads are relatively clear, it may be that you do not need to take on the expense of fitting winter tyres.
Winter tyres perform worse than normal tyres in temperatures over 7 degrees Celsius, so it is important to change back when the weather gets warmer.
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How much do winter tyres cost?
Winter tyre prices will vary depending on the manufacturer, but anything over £500 is likely for four tyres. You will also have to pay fitting costs and to have your normal tyres stored over the winter months.
Winter tyres can be a hefty up front cost but you will be saving wear and tear on your summer tyres, extending their use in the summer months.
What are the alternatives to winter tyres?
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If you do not feel winter tyres are for you there are some alternatives. For shorter drives winter tyre socks , or snow socks, can be fitted.
Winter snow socks cost from around £50 and can be slid over the wheel to provide extra grip on shorter journeys. These are useful when there is a brief flurry of snow.
Where do I get winter tyres?
(Image: Daily Record)
Car makers will usually offer their own official winter tyres and some will even offer to store your summer tyres over the winter months, ready to be fitted back on when the weather gets warmer.
A growing number of online retailers are also offering cheap winter tyres including:
Local garages will also offer winter tyre services, but it is always best to shop around to find the best deals.