Winter Tyres or a 4x4: What’s Best for Winter Driving?
Sunny summer days are all but a memory now, instead we’re faced with icy windscreens, slippy streets and dark mornings. In these conditions, driving over ice or through snow can be a daunting task, but armed with the correct knowledge and equipment, you shouldn’t have a problem!
4x4s vs Winter Tyres
People often assume that a 4x4 is the ultimate tool in a winter battle, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Having four driven wheels is useful in a lot of situations, but if none of those wheels can find traction you won’t be going anywhere! In many cases, a two-wheel drive car on a decent set of winter tyres will go far further in the snow than a heavy four-wheel drive car with regular or even all-season tyres equipped!
This is true for more than just snowy driving too, winter tyres have special sipes cut into the rubber than helps displace surface water, offering better traction, which makes winter tyres the perfect companions in rain too! In order to slow the wearing process, summer tyres are designed to perform at 8 degrees C and above. If the tyre is kept below this temperature, the tyre compound becomes harder, limiting grip.
Do I Need Winter Tyres?
If you’re surrounded by well gritted A roads, there’s little reason for you to worry about snow or ice, however for those of you who live in a more rural setting, or often use B roads that are less likely to see a gritter, a decent set of winter tyres could be the difference between making it to your destination or being stranded on the road side waiting for help!
Should I Buy a 4x4?
A 4x4 is a great option if you intend to take your vehicle off roading, or if you live in areas susceptible to particularly high levels of snow. Just remember that a four-wheel drive system is only as good as the tyres its driving! You will not be immune to the effects of winter in a 4x4, so whatever you are driving, make sure you make sure that your tyres are suitable, with plenty of tread and the correct amount of pressure.