In some parts of the world, winter means piles of snow, sparkling frost and clinking icicles. Elsewhere, it’s rain, fog and sleet with only the occasional sprinkling of snowflakes. No matter which climate you will be dealing with during the colder months of the year, winter is whatever you make of it. Enjoying the great outdoors and getting out into the fresh air has never been more important, but winter roads are challenging, so you need the best equipment possible. Whether you’re looking forward to going skiing in the mountains, building a snowman with the kids, or even just long walks in the woods, here’s how to make sure your car will get you there safely:
Enjoy winter outdoors, regardless of the weather – and the driving conditions.
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We want you to enjoy winter, regardless of the weather – and we want you to arrive safely at your destination, regardless of the driving conditions. Here’s why it’s so important to have the right tyres for winter weather:
Depending on where you live and where you will be driving this winter, your tyres may need some or all of these features. Find out whether winter or all-season tyres are the right choice for you. If you are faced with conditions that require winter tyres even occasionally, we highly recommend the switch, even if it isn’t required by law. It’s a matter of safety.
Once you’ve established that you need winter tyres (by law or by choice), you need to find the best time to make the seasonal tyre switch. Changing to winter tyres too early in the season increases tread wear, as the softer compound isn’t as robust in warmer temperatures. However, making the change too late can cause tyre damage and lead to serious safety risks, such as a loss of grip and reduced braking performance on wet. In some countries or regions, where winter tyres are mandatory, you may even be fined for driving with summer tyres in winter. You may be familiar with the rule of thumb to use winter tyres from October until Easter, but more specifically, you need them once seasonal temperatures drop.
Many countries across Europe have winter tyre laws in place. In some countries, winter tyres are mandatory during a certain time period, in others only in certain weather conditions. We’ve put together an overview of all the laws, including details on minimum tread depth, studded tyres, snow chains and other legally mandated winter equipment.
Do you live in a region with mild winter conditions, where temperatures rarely drop? If you think you don’t need winter tyres, but summer tyres may not be good enough, perhaps all-season tyres are the right solution for you. Check our article comparing the advantages and safety features of tyres designed to perform all year round.
You know how it goes: One day you’re driving through beautiful fall foliage – next thing you know, winter’s here. Don’t get caught off-guard and prepare early with our handy checklist to get your car ready for cold weather, ice and snow.
Did you know that the cold affects your tyre inflation? The lower the temperature, the lower the air pressure in your tyres. At the same time, the right tyre pressure is important for grip and traction, especially in winter. Find out how exactly cold temperatures affects tyre pressure and how to make sure your tyres get through winter with just the right inflation.
Tyre tread is always important, but in winter, as your tyres encounter rain, ice and snow, it matters even more. Find out the legal minimum tread requirements and why it’s so important to have enough tread as you drive into winter.
One of the reasons Continental tyres perform so well in independent tyre tests is the fact that we test our tyres so rigorously before they are even released to the world. We put our winter tyres in particular through a series of tests under a variety of extreme winter conditions.