A: Switching to winter tyres is something that isn’t really the norm in the UK, though in parts of Europe it’s quite common, and in fact even a legal requirement. Using winter tyres means that drivers need to keep two sets of wheels and tyres, one set to use in the summer and another for winter.

You’d have to ask yourself whether you really need to do this. But, as it seems that weather conditions are becoming more severe nowadays, people in certain parts of the country are starting to favour the idea.

The difference in winter tyres lies in the make-up of the rubber. Winter tyres use rubber with a high silica content that is designed to stay flexible in low temperatures, typically those below 7 degrees Celsius. Normal summer tyres would become stiffer at those types of temperature and therefore not perform as well.

The tread patterns on winter tyres are designed differently too. The job of the tread is to get water away from the surface of the tyre as quickly as possible, as it means better braking and better handling performance. The same applies to the wetter conditions on snow and ice.

Winter tyres aren’t really suited to all year-round use though, which is why in this country we go for tyres that are designed more for the dryer, summertime conditions.

Why not in the UK?

For most of the UK, the sort of conditions that winter tyres are designed for, happen only rarely, and many drivers avoid using their car when snow or ice are around. With that mindset, it’s hard to justify the extra cost. You could keep the same wheels and get a tyre-fitter to swap your tyres around twice a year, but that’s a lot of extra hassle for little benefit. And you’d need to store them.

However, winter tyres may make sense if you live in a remote area of the country and expect to regularly experience conditions that make the use of winter tyres a good idea. Look out for tyres with a symbol showing a snowflake or snow-topped mountains. Also, check whether you need to let your insurance company know.

You can buy all-season tyres that have a similar rubber compound to winter tyres but with a summertime style tread pattern. They are a compromise, but should work better on wintry roads.

The important thing for most drivers is too make sure that the tyres are in good condition and have more than the legal requirement of treat. At least 3mm is recommended for winter driving.