Make sure your car tyres are ready for winter

With winter fast approaching, many drivers will be thinking about how best to prepare their vehicle to cope with the changing elements. There are numerous parts of an automobile that will require special attention during the colder months, not least of which are car tyres.

Motorists are often aware of the need to equip their vehicle with warm blankets, a warning triangle and a couple of bottles of water when winter arrives, but there are other measures that can be taken to keep the car in good working order and ensure it can cope with frost and snow.

A winter service can help make sure your vehicle's moving parts and mechanisms are well-prepared for the elements, but it's also wise to consider your auto's wheels and how they will bear up on slippery or icy surfaces.

Drivers are increasingly fitting their cars with winter tyres as the weather gets colder, which are made from specially formulated rubber that is softer than usual, providing excellent grip even when temperatures fall below zero degrees C.

Also known as snow tyres, this type of wheel can be used in a range of conditions, not just when the ground is snowy. Designed to cope with any type of cold weather, the tyres are useful when traversing muddy terrain, as they have special treads that can move larger amounts of liquid than regular tyres.

They are also manufactured to give maximum traction and mould easily to cold road surfaces to provide better braking.

If you feel this kind of tyre would be beneficial, you'll find a vast range to choose from. Whether you want an all-round winter tyre, or a premium alternative with added capabilities, you're sure to find something to suit your requirements.

A top manufacturer of wheels suitable for winter conditions is Pirelli, which makes a comprehensive array of options. The 190 Sottozero, for example, combines dry and wet road proficiency with traction in snowy and icy conditions, while the 270 Sottozero offers the same grip but is designed for drivers of high performance, fast cars.

If you can't afford to change your wheels' rubber protection depending on the season, you could instead choose all-season Pirelli tyres, which are made to cope in both summer and winter conditions, offering maximum grip and safety in the wet.

Pirelli is not the only manufacturer of winter tyres, however. You can find alternatives from Avon, Bridgestone and Continental, among others.

Many motorists are required by their jobs to be mobile all year round, and the weather conditions of winter can make this difficult. In this case, consider ice touring premium tyres from Avon, which are ideally suited for rural conditions where you could encounter snow, ice, mud and wetness.

Meanwhile, the XPC from Michelin is also a great choice, being an all-season tyre with exceptional performance in the winter months, as well as off-road capabilities.

So, to ensure your car - and you - make it through the winter conditions safely, consider investing in snow tyres. Not only can this type of wheel provide enhanced grip and better braking in bad conditions, but it can also help keep you mobile and able to continue working through the cold months, when you otherwise could find yourself in difficulties getting around.

Don't delay in getting your vehicle winter-ready; browse the many seasonal tyres available today.