Driving on wet and slushy winter roads

Winter weather is setting in fast in the UK with cold and wet conditions becoming more common. Driving in these wintry conditions places stress on a vehicle’s tyres and Protyre, the UK’s largest independent tyre wholesaler and retailer, is offering motorists the following advice to help keep control and keep safe on the roads:

Driving in slippery conditions requires skillful and delicate use of the vehicle controls, steering, brakes and accelerator.

In wet and slushy conditions, accelerate and brake very gently.

Use the vehicle’s gears to help reduce speed smoothly.

Drive in the highest gear possible to avoid wheelspin.

If a vehicle is stuck in snow or ice, do not try to spin the wheels, as this can result in damage to the tyres or even cause a tyre to burst.

If the car gets into a slide, stay off the brake, clutch and the accelerator until you have got the vehicle back under control.

Always keep well clear of other vehicles and try to anticipate what is happening.

Regularly check your tyres for pressure, tread depth and general condition.

One myth that Protyre experts are keen to dispel is that you should reduce tyre pressure for driving in snow, as this can be dangerous. To achieve the best traction in snowy conditions, all tyre pressures should be maintained at the manufacturer’s recommended pressures, details of which can be found in the vehicle’s handbook. Finally, drivers are advised to listen to the weather forecast and traffic reports and not to travel if the police or motoring organisations advice against it.

Motorists are encouraged to consider fitting cold weather winter tyres to their car, which are specifically designed to perform in cold, snowy and icy conditions and improve safety. Protyre stocks a wide range of winter tyres and can provide motorists with expert advice in terms of choosing the best set for their vehicle.

All Protyre outlets will provide motorists with a free tyre safety check.