Winter tyres: why I’ve switched wheels for the rest of the season

It really is not too late to invest in a set of sure-footed winter tyres. After a couple of years of dithering and sliding in snowy and icy conditions, I have succumbed to the allure of what I hope will be stress-free winter driving. While many European countries make it mandatory to change tyres, in Belgium the practice is only beginning to become more mainstream. 

The particularly bad winter of 2010-11 and the ensuing havoc on the roads resulted in a massive rise in the sale of seasonal tyres. Last year’s conditions were not so dire, but many drivers still recall lengthy drives. One friend had the foresight to load a newborn lamb into her 4x4 for the school run so that little Larry could be fed during the four-hour journey home.

For me, it was the purchase of a new car earlier in the year that finally swung the decision. I live in naturally hilly Namur and commute to Brussels, so the onset of a snowstorm or freezing conditions always instils panic.

I was lucky enough to have a friend in the trade who could advise, order and organise the installation, based on the tyre specifications on the car’s conformity certificate. The total cost was €580, though prices vary depending on the car and the tyre and hub specifications. But what are the pros and cons of switching tyres?

First of all, winter tyres have a different and deeper tread pattern, which gives better grip on snow and ice. They are also made from a different type of rubber that stays soft and grippy when temperatures drop below zero, unlike normal tyres, which get stiffer and start to lose their grip below seven degrees Celsius. This is pertinent if you mainly use your car early in the morning and late in the day. Don’t forget that you extend the life of your ordinary tyres as they will wear out less quickly, and it’s certainly a more frugal option than buying a 4x4.

One disadvantage is that they offer poorer grip in dry conditions above seven degrees, with an increase in braking distance and poorer handling and grip on bends. Another problem, particularly for city and apartment dwellers, is storage. Like many drivers, I opted for a new set of wheels as well as tyres: painted aluminium, which still looks good and, more importantly, protects against grit. It was cheaper than buying a wider set of tyres to fit my existing alloy frames and the cost of installing and removing twice a year would also be lower. If you don’t have a garage, some quick-fit tyre centres offer a storage service in their winter tyre packages. The advantage of a new set of hubs is that you can opt for steel or aluminium that is less likely to corrode when exposed to winter grit. Expensive high-finish alloys can end up tarnished and scratched after a couple of hard winters.

Post-installation, I was advised to ease off the accelerator and run the tyres in for the first 100km or so. They certainly drive harder and make more noise than regular tyres, but I’m now almost impatiently waiting for snow and an icy twist to the weather so I can put them fully to the test.

Some drivers consider the cheaper option of buying just two new tyres for the traction wheels, but this is not recommended as it can result in non-traction tyres slipping in bad conditions.

One word about all-season tyres (fitted on my previous car), which use a special type of rubber compound. The consensus seems to be that they are something of an unhappy compromise: not as good as normal tyres in the summer; not as good as winter tyres in the cold.

An alternative is to keep snow chains or socks in the boot of your car. Socks are a relatively new innovation, are slightly cheaper than chains and take up less space. Made of a strong fabric, they stretch to fit over the tyre and are certainly easier to fit than chains - which are more effective but a nuisance to install. Neither should be used on clear roads as they will damage the tyres. You may still need to opt for one of them if visiting a high-altitude ski station, for example.

While it is certainly not too late now to install new tyres - January and February are rarely without some harsh weather - ideally you should be looking to switch at the end of October or beginning of November and change back at the end of March or mid-April. If you want to be ready for the beginning of the next season, think about ordering in September. The cheaper option is nearly always a tyre specialist and, while they usually keep some stock, you should allow time to order the best option for your car. If time is of the essence, your local garage can organise a change of tyres as part of your pre-winter checklist.

The final decision may come down to where you live: higher altitude, sloping drives and local roads are more likely to turn treacherous in winter. Annual mileage is also a factor, and whether or not you can avoid driving in extreme conditions by working from home. And winter tyres or not, you still need to maintain good driving techniques: reduce your speed and go gentle on the clutch and the steering for safe winter driving.

Tyre specialists in the Brussels area

http://www.eurotyre-ceva.be
http://garage-fr.midas.be
http://www.pneuvanhamme.be/
http://www.monsieurpneus.be/monsieur-pneus-bruxelles-2/