HOW TO CONTROL WINTER

Control has always been a top priority for Pirelli. Thanks to the passion for innovation of our engineers and the exclusive experience of F1®,
Pirelli’s tyres offer increased control on the road.
Overview

WHY TO USE PIRELLI WINTER TYRES

SAFETY AND MAXIMUM GRIP
On wet roads or snow, but also on dry surfaces with low external temperatures, winter tyres guarantee increased safety compared to summer tyres because they are specially designed for low temperatures. Summer tyres decrease their grip at low temperatures. Winter tyres, on the other hand, guarantee maximum grip thanks to their specific composition.
HYDROPLANING DECREASE
The particular winter tread pattern has a high drainage level in order to prevent risk of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning can occur on wet surfaces or in the presence of water holes. This is when vehicles “float” due to the tyres’ inability to expel the water.
BRAKING DISTANCE REDUCTION
When temperatures fall below 7°C, winter tyres reduce braking distance by 10% on wet surfaces and by 20% on snow compared with summer tyres.
CONVENIENCE IN ANY CONDITIONS
Mounted at the beginning of the season, winter tyres make it possible to drive on dry and wet roads as well as snow, maintaining maximum control thanks their innovative research technology.  According to law, they must offer the same control in winter conditions as snow chains. However, snow chains take up a lot of space in your car and limit your maximum driving speed to 50 km/h, producing high levels of noise and drastically reducing comfort while driving.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
At equivalent speeds, winter tyres offer higher performance in any conditions under 7°C. An increased grip guarantees a high level of traction, stability and braking efficiency which translate to excellent comfort while driving.
TRAVEL FREEDOM
Winter tyres allow you to travel from autumn to spring without being held back by weather conditions.
WINTER CATALOGUE

WINTER TYRE MAINTENANCE

Move the tyre to know all the details for the maintenance of your winter tyres.
CHECK WINTER TYRE PRESSURE Move the
WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3
HERE
TYRE LIFESPAN Move the
WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3
HERE
DURABILITY Move the
WINTER SOTTOZERO™ 3
HERE
CHECK WINTER TYRE PRESSURE
For winter tyres, a rise in pressure of 0.2 bar is recommended due to thermal fluctuation that leads to a decrease in tyre pressure. It is preferable to measure pressure in cold conditions at least 30 minutes after using the vehicle, in order to be sure that the heat produced while driving has not modified the pressure. The winter tyres check has to be performed not only after traumas (such as bumping the tyres), but at least once a month.
TYRE LIFESPAN
The Highway Code and the applicable European directives establish that tyres must be replaced when the tread depth is less than 1.6 mm.
DURABILITY
When not in use, winter tyre must be preserved, preferably inflated, with rims put on and pressure under control periodically. The best way to save them is positioning in a single line on shelves vertically, at least 10 cm from the ground, with the lateral side in a vertical way in order to not affect the profile

ASK A RETAILER FOR HELP

They provide all the assistance that you need to periodically check your tyres

GO TO DEALER LOCATOR

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

Here you can find some tips from the Pirelli engineers to get the best in terms of performance and safety from winter tyres
SMOOTH MOVEMENTS
Avoid abrupt acceleration or braking that can make the vehicle lose grip on wet or snowy surfaces. Also avoid exaggerated steering.
CHECK SPEED LIMIT
Pay attention to the speed limits described on the external side of the tyre. It is possible to use winter tyres with a lower speed indication than that stated in by law.
ALWAYS USE FOUR WINTER TYRES
Uniform equipment is necessary to ensure excellent performance and safety while driving. Always use 4 winter tyres of the same brand and with the same design characteristics.
CHECK THE TREAD
Winter tyre performance is excellent on snow at a tread depth of 4mm. By law, a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm is required for winter tyres.
TYRES ROTATION
Tyre rotation gives tyres even wear and increased durability. Rotation of winter tyres must be carried out every 8,000/10,000 km.
STORE CAREFULLY
If you don’t use your tyres, they must be stored inflated, with controlled pressure. The best way to preserve tyres is to store them vertically in a single file of shelves, at least 10 cm above the ground.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE WINTER TYRES

They are easily recognizable because they have a M+S (Mud&Snow) marking on the side and a mountain with a snowflake symbol

FAQ

I live in the city, and during the winter I travel on flat terrain, do I really need winter tyres?
Below 7°C, or for most of the period running from October to March, winter tyres offer greater road holding ability than summer tyres. During the cold months, the compound used in summer tyres hardens which decreases its grip on the road, as well as its braking capabilities.

Winter tyres are more expensive, why should I buy them?
It’s true, you have to buy two sets of tyres: one for summer and one for winter. But when you fit winter tyres, the summer tyres should be set aside and stored appropriately. They can then be used again as the months get warmer ensuring safety in all weather conditions.

But if it’s true that winter tyres perform much better than summer tyres why can’t I keep them all year round?
Winter tyres have been developed to offer excellent performance when the temperature is below +7°C. During the summer their compound, which is softer than that of summer tyres, wears much more rapidly and hence doesn't perform as well.

Can winter tyres only be used on snow?
Winter tyres have been developed to respond actively in the presence of snow but also offer excellent performance, compared with summer tyres, on wet and dry roads throughout the cold weather season. The tread pattern has been designed to reduce the risk of aquaplaning considerably.

Can I fit two winter tyres on the powered wheels and keep the summer tyres on the others?
This option is strongly advised against. In fact, if the car is a front-wheel drive, and you fit winter tyres only at the front, there is a risk of losing control of the vehicle. If the car is rear-wheel drive, and you fit winter tyres only at the rear, there is a risk of losing control when turning. Finally, if you fit winter tyres to the non-powered wheels it will be very difficult to move on icy or snow-covered roads.

With winter tyres am I forced to reduce my driving speed drastically, like when using chains?
No. With chains you can’t go more than 50 km/h. Some winter tyres, however, are approved for speeds up to 270 km/h (speed rating W). Of course, you must always observe the speed limits set by the Highway Code and adapt your speed according to the weather conditions.

If I continue to use summer tyres in the autumn and winter will it be more difficult to retain control of the vehicle?
The braking distance with winter tyres is reduced by up to 10% on wet surfaces and 20% on snowy surfaces with respect to summer tyres. This means that if you use winter tyres below 7° C you can stop quicker and you have better control of your car.