As we write this, weather warnings are showing for a host of areas indicating that snow is either on its way or is already falling. Such warnings instantly put drivers on high alert as concerns about road safety start to increase. While many of us may choose to avoid driving in such conditions, others have no choice but to start the engine and get moving. There is much we can do to make our journey safer though, such as equipping our Land Rover with winter tyres, but is this worthwhile? Or should we just leave the journey until the conditions improve?
In this blog, we look at winter tyres and assess whether they are a worthwhile investment for a Land Rover owner.
What are winter tyres?
Winter tyres are tyres made specifically for driving in bad weather. With enhanced capabilities when compared to standard tyres, they go a long way to helping keep you safe in poor driving conditions. Made of a softer compound with deeper grooves, water and snow are dispersed much easier, allowing for heightened traction and grip.
You’ll know if your Land Rover is already equipped with winter tyres due to the markings. Winter tyres have a mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall.
It is important to recognize that winter tyres are not studded tyres. The studded tyre is adopted by drivers in countries where levels of snow, ice and rain can be much more extreme than what we find here.
Do I need winter tyres in the UK?
There is no law that states the use of winter tyres is mandatory in the UK however, it can be advisable to use them, especially if the country is going through a bout of extreme cold weather. Should you be looking to take your Land Rover abroad, however, the rules are a little different. Many countries have stringent rules in place and winter tyres must be fixed to your vehicle at certain parts of the year. Failing to do so could see you handed a rather substantial fine!
Back in the UK though, the choice is entirely yours. You can either use them or go without.
When should I use winter tyres in the UK?
The weather in the UK can be inconsistent at the best of times. One day it could be blue skies, the next day it could be torrential rain. And it is this inconsistency that may lead you to hold back from using winter tyres on your Land Rover. Winter tyres work best when temperatures hit 7°C or lower, so if you see a weather forecast, consistently showing temperatures as low as this, it may be time to swap your summer tyres for their winter equivalent.
The majority of cars in the UK are fitted with summer tyres and once the mercury drops to 7°C or lower, they become less effective. In fact, studies have shown that winter tyres work considerably better than summer tyres in these temperatures regardless of whether snow or ice is present.
What are the benefits of winter tyres on my Land Rover?
Fitting winter tyres to your Land Rover should give you added peace of mind that your journey will be safer than if you chose to make it with summer tyres fitted. With improved grip and better stopping distances, you can avoid potential accidents and have more control over your vehicle. In a country riddled with potholes, this can be especially beneficial if you have to brake suddenly or make a quick swerve to avoid damaging your Land Rover.
What are the disadvantages of winter tyres on my Land Rover?
As with anything that has advantages, disadvantages tend to follow and with winter tyres it’s much the same. Winter tyres tend to be more expensive than the summer equivalent, which is always enough to detract people, but, as you’ll be swapping out the summer tyres and saving the wear on those, you could actually be better off in the long term.
You’ll also have to remember that your tyres will need to all be swapped out when you change them. It’s not like you are just changing one, you are changing all four. And this for some, is a little laborious. Once they are off, they need to be stored, and this can also prove to be a little frustrating if you don’t have much room. An option to consider here is a tyre hotel. This is a storage facility that the tyre retailer provides, at a cost to you, for the long-term storage of your tyres.
One final disadvantage, but this is often down to driver preference, is that winter tyres do not give as comfortable a ride as the summer tyres. We would have to leave this one to you though as every driver has different tastes!
Is it illegal to mix winter and summer tyres?
It isn’t illegal to mix winter and summer tyres, so you could drive on a combination of both, but it does not come recommended. Mixing different tyre types can lead to a host of issues. Not only will some wear faster than others, leading to a potential lack of grip and shift in braking distances but overall handling could be compromised too. This then puts you and your passengers at risk as the vehicle becomes harder to control compared to normal.
Could I keep winter tyres on my Land Rover all year?
You could but it wouldn’t be advised. The soft compound is made to work at its best in cold weather. Should temperatures rise and winter tyres be in use, they will wear much faster and put you at an increased risk of accident. Furthermore, with increased wear comes increased costs as you’ll have to replace the tyres much more frequently.
How much do winter tyres cost?
Winter tyres can be expensive when compared to summer tyres and the prices can vary greatly between suppliers. Going direct to Land Rover will likely cost you more than if you purchase directly from an independent Land Rover specialist but prices are so variable it would be best for you to shop around.
Are there alternatives to winter tyres?
If the price of winter tyres, or the thought of swapping tyres over is putting you off, you could consider all-season tyres as an option. Also known as M+S tyres (mud and snow, not the store!) they have been created to handle different weather types and provide a safe drive. Combining the fine snipes, you see on winter tyres with the larger ones found on summer tyres, they help deliver grip all year round. However, as we mentioned earlier, every advantage also has its disadvantages, and all-season tyres are the same. As these provide somewhat of a middle ground for tyre choice, they don’t perform as well as the tyres made specifically for summer or specifically for winter. As a result, if the weather is cold, you’ll have better performance than if using summer tyres, but a poorer performance when compared to winter tyres.
You could also look at snow socks. This temporary measure provides you with a cheap alternative to winter tyres but can only be used in snow and ice. They are also only a short-term solution; a long drive would see them completely destroyed!
Snow studs, as mentioned in the intro are illegal for use in the UK so you should certainly avoid those, and as for snow chains, they never really become useful in the UK and are best avoided unless lots of snow has fallen.
Should I use winter tyres on my Land Rover?
It all comes down to preference. With no law in place indicating you must use them; you can decide what works best for you. Winter tyres will give you an added degree of safety, and we can all agree safety should never be compromised. That being said, all-season tyres may provide a suitable set-up for the UK climate. You should weigh up how much you will dive in the winter and decide based on that. If you are a frequent driver, winter tyres will certainly be a worthwhile investment, if the temperature hits 7°C or lower often. If you don’t need to drive regularly, or the temperatures stay on the other side of 7, you could be better off with summer tyres.
At RCV, we are pleased to offer comprehensive Land Rover servicing that can help you see you have your Land Rover at its best for winter driving. With tyre and wheel alignment as well as Land Rover MOT services available, contact our team today and see how we can save you money on main dealer prices.
We’ve also created a handy guide should your Land Rover windscreen be freezing on the inside during this cold weather and put together some top tips if you need to drive your Land Rover in the snow. Check them out!