Winter Wheels

Winter wheels are an additional set of durable alloy wheels fitted with winter tyres. In the winter months the winter wheels would be fitted to the vehicle, and in the summer months the summer wheels are used.

Why use winter wheels?

Winter wheels protect your factory alloys. Winter wheels are generally smaller than your factory wheels, they are durable in structure and finish. Using winter wheels  means that your factory standard wheels will not be open to the elements, will not be damaged by puddle filled pot holes. Furthermore the tyres we use in summer are not really suitable for winter conditions, in fact in most parts of Europe, drivers consider it unbelievable that we only use summer tyres in the UK.  Having a set of winter wheels fitted with winter tyres is a great solution for protecting expensive factory wheels, getting better grip and tyre wear in the winter and reducing accidents in the snow.

How do winter wheels differ from summer wheels?

Summer tyres are designed to operate a mean summer temperature with capabilities to deal with rain and adverse weather. Winter tyres are designed to operate in lower temperatures, more efficiency and grip in poor weather conditions. Winter or snow tyres have additional grooves in the tread design called "Sipes". Sipes are narrow slices in the tyre that allow the grip blocks individual movement in low grip conditions. Here is an example...

   
Summer Tyre Tread (No Sipes)                         Winter Tyre Tread with Sipes

I have never used them before, why now?

Because our winters are usually a little more mild than the rest of Europe, none of us have never really considered it. This winter is expected to be a harsh one and the wheel and tyre industry is preparing for its biggest demand yet of winter tyres. Nearly half of all accidents happen in the colder months despite less people using the roads, it is widely believed that more grip in the winter conditions would reduce this.

The law on winter tyres...

There is currently no UK legislation that requires anyone to use winter tyres, however there is also no legislation to make you wear boots and not flip flops in the snow. In Europe however, if you drive in any of these countries in the winter, you are required by law to have winter tyres:

Austria, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Sweden, Switzerland. France & Italy, are not compulsory, but most of the driving population fit winter wheels and tyres for safety.

Insurance Companies Verdict...

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has confirmed to motorists that they will not be affected by increased car insurance premiums as a result of using winter wheel and tyres to improve their vehicle's safety during the winter months provided that the cost is not greater than the original factory fitted wheels. This is a great reason to buy our winter wheels as they are produced to the same quality as factory wheels, but are significantly cheaper therefore not increasing your insurance premium.

All of our Winter Wheels & Tyres are marked with this icon:

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