Why dont we change between Winter and summer tyres in the UK

[only1ian]

I want to open up a debate and id be interested to know if anyone can explain why we in the UK dont follow the continentals (tyre pun intended) and have 2 sets of tyres one for summer and one for winter driving. I just married a German and they think us Brits are backwards for not doing this.... After hearing their arguments im kind of in agreement with them:

1) every time it snows the country shuts down and icy roads become skid pans, winter tyres would make safer for driving and keep the country moving. Its the law in most of Europe to have the right tyres for the conditions on your car,

2) it saves money. Summer tyres wear quickly in winter and winter in summer. So you get both optimum performance and less wear.

3) ive owned afew japanese cars in my time and all of them suffered from alloy corrosion as a result of salt on our roads. If you had a winter set on steel rims i could have saved my alloys another £500 ever 3 year's

Also i just found out that bmw offer an £80 a year tyre storage service so even those without storage space could do this.

Therefore why the hell arent we all doing this?

[Yipper]

Because, due to global warming, Winters now are roughly the same as Summers for ~90% of the country. Wet, a bit chilly, and grey skies.

[anonymous-user]

Don’t we have a lower fatality rate than the Germans?

Most people here just buy M+S tyres and leave them on all year, it’s what I do.

[dieseluser07]

Because theres not much need for winter tyres unless you live where it snows heavy and drive a rear wheel drive car


Plus the average layman doesent want to fork out to get tyres swapped over twice year, cancels out any 'tyre wear savings' you mentioned.

[ambuletz]

depends on the area. london? nope not needed as pretty much every single road will have been gritted except for some residential side roads.

[Dabooka]

I do, swapped over on Sunday.

Many reasons though, initial cost, lack of legislation or other statutes to force the hand, generally mild winters plus no one appears bothered anymore if they can't get into work for a bit of snow

Edited by Dabooka on Tuesday 14th November 18:00

[DoubleD]

Oh god not this again

[only1ian]

I suppose it does give us all an excuse to stay at home rather than get to work when the enviable 3 days of snow hits the uk in the "big freeze"

[Du1point8]

Cause its not law and even if it were I doubt people would use them.

In places like Finland its law by late Oct (I think) irrespective of if snow is falling or not, after that date winter tyres have to be on cars.

[only1ian]

Speed matters PH! Surely winter tyres mean you have still give it the beans in inclement conditions

[anonymous-user]

because most except Scotland have mild weather all year round with a few snow falls or icy weather. If people want to waste loads of money on winter tyres for 2 days a year that is there right, the rest just get on with their lives.

Edited by The Spruce goose on Tuesday 14th November 18:11

[Du1point8]

only1ian said:

Speed matters PH! Surely winter tyres mean you have still give it the beans in inclement conditions

considering inclement conditions = wet for most of the country, I dont see how you think winter tyres are worth it

[anonymous-user]

I've got rain tyres on the front of a little Clio 172 cup and P zero neros on the rear to keep it lively all year round.

It works just grand!

[Uncle John]

It would be a start if people actually looked after their ‘summer’ tyres, read their only tyres, properly.

The amount of people driving around on shot to bits pvc hedge magnets astounds me.

With ‘these’ people on the road, you are pissing in the wind with a swap to winter tyres.

[loskie]

OP have you been living under a stone for the past few years?

FWIW for UK climate, all seasons are the best bet: fact.

[PorkInsider]

Why don’t we have winter tyres?

Erm... we do.

Some of us do, anyway.

[KevinCamaroSS]

4 season tyres are a sensible alternative here in the UK, no need for two sets at all. Got them on both our cars.

[loose cannon]

Can’t say I have ever struggled without winter tyres tbh we don’t really get winters anymore couple of weeks of frost, I managed to pilot my first car a triumph dolomite in the snow, also managed to ride to work on my moped in the snow for the whole of winter, there is a reason why it’s not mandatory in this country and that is because unless you live in the outer Hebrides they just are not required for most of this country,

[HustleRussell]

In south east, manage without, never been stranded.

[wiliferus]

Yup, I run M and S tyres all year round. Pirelli Scorpian Verde All Seasons. It’s not a sports car (XC90) so I’m happy to accept they won’t perform as well as a dedicated summer tyre when it’s warm and dry. But they excel in the wet, and make the car a bit more sure footed in cold, slush and snow. No brainer for my car and use.
Not sure I’d put them on a more performance focussed vehicle if I’m honest. I’d probably go for dedicated summer and winter rubber.