Winter tyres are standard kit in much of Europe - but do you actually need them in the North East? Here's an honest look at when they're worth it and when an all-season tyre will do.
No. Unlike some European countries that mandate winter tyres in the colder months, the UK has no such rule - it's entirely your choice. That doesn't mean they aren't worth having, though.
Winter tyres aren't only about snow. A widely used industry rule of thumb is that below around 7°C a summer tyre's compound hardens and loses grip, while a winter tyre's softer compound stays pliable - so it grips better on cold, wet and icy roads, not just snowy ones. Given how much of a North East winter is cold and wet rather than deep snow, that matters.
Look for the 3PMSF symbol - a snowflake inside three mountain peaks - which is awarded only after a tyre passes standardised snow-traction testing. The older M+S (mud and snow) marking is just a manufacturer claim and isn't independently tested.
It depends on where and how you drive. Winter tyres make most sense if you regularly drive in snow and ice, live somewhere rural or hilly, or simply can't afford to be caught out on a cold morning. If you mostly stick to gritted main roads in milder, low-lying areas, you may not need a dedicated winter set.
For a lot of local drivers, a good all-season tyre is the sweet spot: dependable grip all year with no changeover and nothing to store. Dedicated winter tyres still beat them in real snow and ice, so if that's your reality, a winter set is the safer bet. We fit both - and if you run a separate winter set, we handle the seasonal changeover at your door.
“For most people around Sunderland, a good all-season tyre covers our winters - it's more rain than deep snow down here. But if you're up in the Durham dales, or you simply can't afford to be stuck, a proper winter set is worth every penny.”
No. Unlike some EU countries, winter tyres are optional in the UK.
Around late autumn, once temperatures regularly drop below about 7°C - and switch back in spring.
Winter tyres are better in real snow and ice; all-season tyres are the better all-rounder for the UK's milder, wetter winters.
Yes - four is strongly recommended for balanced, predictable grip.
Yes - we swap winter and summer sets over at your home or work each season.
Call now for a fast, no-obligation quote - or drop your details in and we'll come back to you.
07772 078 648We'll call you back as soon as we can. For anything urgent, call 07772 078 648.