Winter tyres: the key to safer driving
When purchased, winter tyres have a deeper tread than summer tyres. This is no coincidence, as grip is paramount during the winter months, especially on slippery or snow-covered roads. It is therefore essential to keep a close eye on the minimum tread depth of your winter tyres. If the tread is less than 4 mm, it is highly recommended to buy new winter tyres.
The legal minimum tread depth for winter tyres
In the Netherlands, the legislation is clear on the minimum tread depth of winter tyres: it must be at least 1.6 millimetres. If you are stopped, checked or your car goes for the MOT and the tread depth of your winter tyres turns out to be less than 1.6 millimetres, you are in an awkward situation. You are breaking the law and your car will no longer be allowed on the road until you have solved this problem. Most winter tyres come with a Tread Wear Indicator (TWI). This rubber block is located on the tyre and immediately indicates when the legal minimum tread depth has been reached.
The fine for driving too long on worn tyres is considerable in the Netherlands, as it can endanger other road users. You have to pay €150 fine per tyre, or €500 for all tyres together. This money might have been better spent on brand new winter tyres for your car.
Drive on until the legal minimum tread depth?
Legally, you may continue driving until the tread on your winter tyres has reduced to 1.6 millimetres. However, here you should pay attention: this applies to the most worn spot on the tyre. If you measure a tread depth of less than 1.6 millimetres anywhere on the tyre, the tyre is actually at the end of its service life.
Although it is legal to wear tyres down to 1.6 millimetres of tread depth, no car tyre expert would recommend this. Rather, the average professional recommends replacing winter tyres when the tread reaches 4 millimetres. This may seem early, but a new winter tyre usually has a tread depth of around 9 millimetres, and this is no coincidence. Tyre manufacturers want the tyre to perform optimally, and a good tread is vital for this. The fact that in many other countries outside the Netherlands (with colder winters) the minimum permissible tread depth for winter tyres is 4 millimetres underlines the importance of this.
The profile of winter tyres also contributes to driving comfort and makes the car respond as expected. These benefits disappear when the tyres are worn out.
Other important considerations
When determining when to replace winter tyres, you should not only look at tread depth. It is also essential to pay attention to how worn the tyres are. For example, if one half of the tyre still has over 4 millimetres of tread, while the other half is so worn that only 2 millimetres or less remain, it is wise to take a critical look at the tyres.
In case of uneven wear, wheel alignment is recommended. Often, uneven wear indicates problems with the wheel alignment or suspension. If a garage identifies these problems, it is advisable not to buy new tyres yet, but fix the suspension or alignment problems first. New tyres would otherwise wear just as fast as the current tyres if the underlying problems are not fixed.
Tips to extend the life of your winter tyres
To extend the life of winter tyres, you can also consider switching to summer tyres in time. This is because in warmer temperatures, the rubber of winter tyres wears considerably faster, as the composition of the tyre is much softer than that of summer tyres.
Another useful measure to preserve the tread and overall life of winter tyres is to regularly check the tyre pressure. Monthly checks are usually sufficient, especially if no significant deviations are observed at these checks. By driving with the correct tyre pressure, you can ensure that the tyre performs optimally according to its design specifications, resulting in a longer tread life for winter tyres.
Summary
Winter tyres play a crucial role in the safety of your driving experience, especially in winter conditions. Maintaining a tread depth of at least 4 millimetres, instead of the legal minimum of 1.6 millimetres, is highly recommended by experts. This ensures better performance, grip and safety on the road. It is essential to regularly check the condition of the tyres, investigate irregular wear and address wheel alignment issues. This will help you keep your winter tyres longer and drive more safely during the cold seasons. Think about safety and be proactive when it comes to winter tyres, as grip on the road is invaluable.
