Why do you need winter tyres?

As early as September/October people start actively searching online for winter tyres, especially since many people have missed out in recent years and were too late ordering their winter tyres. Given how important winter tyres are and the increasing chance that you’ll actually need them, Google sees more than 10,000 searches a day for “winterbanden”. Winter tyres are therefore a hot topic and very popular purchases.

Below you can read more about winter tyres and why you need them.

How are they made?

Winter tyres contain a higher proportion of natural rubber, which makes them softer. The interaction between the rubber compound of the tyres and the road changes as the temperature rises. This affects tyre grip. Summer tyres harden below 7 degrees, whereas the specially developed compound of winter tyres guarantees flexibility precisely below 7 degrees.

How do winter tyres work?

The name suggests they are tyres for winter, but in reality they are tyres developed for cold weather, designed to perform optimally on rain, ice, snow and dry but cold roads. Their softer compound makes it easier for them to grip the road surface at lower temperatures than summer and all-season tyres, which are made from a harder compound.
Their small sipes bite into snow, ice and slush, quickly dispersing water and improving braking and traction. At the same time, the deeper tread grooves collect snow and hold it to maintain grip on packed snow, and help channel water away to reduce the risk of aquaplaning.

What are the advantages of winter tyres?

Winter tyres are excellent for maintaining grip on cold roads, whether they are wet, dry, snowy or icy.
Nothing grips snow like snow. So in the case of compacted snow, winter tyres fill their tread grooves with snow, which then grips the snow on the road surface.
Their extra-deep tread can disperse more water, helping to reduce aquaplaning and improving handling.
Because they offer more safety in cold conditions and remain flexible, they are more wear-resistant than summer tyres.

What are the disadvantages of winter tyres?

Just as winter tyres are better than summer tyres at low temperatures, summer tyres are better in warm and mild conditions. As soon as the temperature rises above 7 degrees, you should replace your winter tyres with summer tyres.
A complete set of winter tyres and a complete set of summer tyres, including spares, can be expensive – not only to buy, but also to store. In some countries you have no choice, while in others an all-season tyre may be a better solution.
Winter tyres are an excellent investment if you live somewhere with extreme weather. For milder climates, or in countries where winter tyres are not compulsory, you may prefer summer or all-weather tyres.

What do the symbols on winter tyres mean?

Winter tyres have two symbols: M+S and a snowflake on a mountain:
M+S stands for mud and snow and indicates that the tread pattern and rubber compound of the tyre are designed to provide better grip and braking in mud and snow compared with a summer tyre. The M+S symbol appears on all-season tyres and winter tyres.
The three-peak mountain snowflake (or 3PMSF) means that the tyres have met a minimum required snow performance level, in accordance with EU regulation 661/2009. This symbol appears only on winter tyres.

What is a maximum speed rating?

Tyres have different speed ratings, which must match the top speed of the car. This is indicated by a letter on the sidewall of the tyre. A V, for example, means that the tyre has a maximum speed of 240 km/h, assuming it is correctly inflated and the car is not overloaded.
When it comes to winter tyres, you can fit one with a lower speed index, as long as you display a label with your maximum speed clearly within the driver’s field of vision and you do not exceed this speed.
Winter tyres are available in speed categories Q (160 km/h), T (190 km/h), H (210 km/h) and V (240 km/h).

Also read the article “wel of geen winterbanden aanschaffen” 

Comparing winter tyres?

Not sure yet where and how to buy winter tyres online? Take your time – especially given the high purchase price – to compare providers and read reviews. You can do this, among other places, on websitesvergelijken.nl