Winter tyres

Winter tyres, or cold weather tyres, are specially designed for a wide range of wintry conditions such as damp and wet roads as well as snow and ice. Winter tyres are made of a special rubber compound suited to low temperatures and unlike Summer tyres, they do not harden in the cold, making sure you get optimum performance and grip in cold conditions. Winter tyres not only improve safety, they also shorten braking distances by up to 50% and increase performance in cold weather conditions.

Winter tyres from stock at Chonka

At Chonka we stock the full range of Winter tyres for cars, vans, 4x4s and high performance vehicles and we promise to be cheaper than our high street competitors.

So if you need help or advice concerning your seasonal tyre choice call us on 01765 640275 or call in for 1 on 1 advice.

We have also recently launched a new tyre storage facility , for a small fee you can store your summer tyres in cool dark storage and then when the weather improves we will get them from storage , refit them to your vehicle including new valve and balance.

Do I need Winter tyres?

Winter tyres are designed for use when the temperature falls below 7ºC. In the UK, the temperature is usually below 7ºC for around 5 months of the year. In recent Winters, the temperature has been cool enough to need Winter tyres for 6 months of the year in the UK.

At the forefront of most drivers’ minds is how to improve their car’s safety in dangerous weather. Winter tyres not only improve safety, they also shorten braking distances and increase performance. Remember, Summer tyres are not designed to be used in cold weather. At cool temperatures, Summer tyres are less effective on all types of road surfaces.

It’s important to stay in control when you feel responsible for everyone in your car. If you’ve ever skidded on ice or snow, you’ll know how scary it can be. Improve your grip and safety and reduce the likelihood of finding yourself in a similar situation this Winter by switching to Winter tyres to get you through the season.

Summer tyres vs. Winter tyres

One major difference between Summer and Winter tyres is the formulation of the rubber used to make them. A good example is the new Michelin Alpin tyre, which uses a special compound that enhances grip and braking power even on wet or icy roads.

Another big difference between Summer and Winter tyres is the tyre tread. Because there’s less friction on Winter roads, tyre tread is even more vital. Winter tyres need all the grip they can get – so they have wider, more uniform contact areas allowing a more gradual shift from one tread block to another. Winter tyres have upto 71 tread patterns per tyre, designed to stop snow, slush and water collecting between tread blocks. They create a caterpillar-like effect on slippery surfaces to get you going more easily… and help you stop when it counts. In fact, the special tread and high proportion of natural rubber in Michelin Winter tyres reduces braking distances by up to 50%. The differences can be startling: a typical car travelling at just 50km/h on snow will take 48m to come to a stop with Summer tyres – 24m more than if the same car is equipped with Winter tyres.

When should I fit Winter Tyres?

Winter tyres are not just for driving in the snow. Contrary to popular belief, Winter tyres do not wear more quickly than Summer tyres so make sure you fit them early to enjoy maximum benefits. We recommend that you fit 4 Winter tyres for optimum safety. As the cold weather approaches don’t be caught out, switch to Winter tyres and drive in confidence.