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When temperatures drop, tread carefully

27th October 2014 Print
Toyo SnowProx S943 Winter Tyre

We’ve all laughed at embarrassed Heathrow Airport officials in previous winters; the comical images of planes being unable to land because of the ‘wrong kind of snow’ lead to much mirth and many red faces. The crazy thing is, most British motorists get stuck in the same situation, by trying to make it through the winter months on their summer tyres. Although the Winter in 2013 was unusually mild, the forecast for this year doesn’t look quite so hospitable, meaning that many motorists face long delays at best, or accidents at worse, due to a lack of planning and the wrong kind of rubber on their car.

Japanese tyre manufacture Toyo Tires is one of the most experienced winter tyre distributors and is advising motorists to invest wisely this winter, by equipping their vehicles with the appropriate ‘footwear’ to allow them to cope with even the harshest of weather. Toyo’s extensive range of tyres in all sizes can be purchased from its extensive UK dealer network, either being fitted to the recipient car’s existing rims, or mounted up to an additional set of wheels. Over 90% of the cars on Britain’s roads are covered by Toyo Tires’ extensive range.

With winter tyres being mandatory requirements in almost all European countries, it can only be a matter of time before the UK follows suit – Particularly as many of the countries that have recently legislated towards this sensible outcome are on the same latitude as much of the UK!

It’s a misconception that winter tyres can only provide a benefit in snow. Toyo’s Winter tyres are made of a different silica tread compound which remains more flexible at low temperatures, giving excellent contact between the tyre and the road, thus retaining traction and grip. This does not just improve safety in braking situations, but also improves the ride on the variable road surfaces and textures experienced in winter, as well as when cornering. On ice, snow and in wet conditions, winter tyres offer traction that no summer tyre can match. Using winter tyres really can help you avoid becoming another accident statistic.

From October to April, temperatures regularly dip below 7°c – this is generally considered the signal to change tyres for a winter set. Winter averages in the past thirty years have been around 1°c, with recent averages of -1.5°c. When temperatures dip below 7°c, braking distances from 62mph (100kph) can increase by up to 5m, from 65m to 70m, when using summer or all-weather tyres. This is owing to the decreased pliability and increased stiffness in the rubber at these temperatures. As a result, they are unable to react to road surface irregularities and traction dramatically decreases.

Toyo’s multifaceted solution to this problem is the Snowprox range of tyres. Between them, the S943, S953 and S942 cover the vast majority of passenger cars with the Open Country W/T being the perfect solution for SUVs. Toyo’s Winter van tyres will keep a great many tradesmen “turning and earning” during the colder months too, thanks to their innovative tread design and silica compounds. The H09 covers most commercial wheel sizes from 14” to 17”, ensuring that deliveries and appointments are always made on time.

Alan Meaker, Technical and Motorsport Director for Toyo Tyre UK, commented. ‘It’s crucial that UK motorists understand that trying to make it through the winter on summer tyres will hugely compromise their safety. It’s the equivalent of walking in the snow in sandals! Even the humblest of 2WD cars can have exceptional traction and control throughout the winter, if correctly fitted with the right tyres. After very harsh winters over the last few years, I think a lot of motorists will prepare properly for this winter – which is forecast to be much worse than last year.’

For more details, visit  toyo.co.uk.

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Toyo SnowProx S943 Winter Tyre Toyo Winter Tyre Subaru