WINTER DRIVING
WHY TO USE PIRELLI WINTER TYRES
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.
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.
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.
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 to 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.
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 translates to excellent comfort while driving.
Winter tyres allow you to travel from autumn to spring without being held back by weather conditions.
WINTER TYRE MAINTENANCE
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 tyres 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.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
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.
