Goodyear highlights winter driving safety: How tyre technology keeps you safe through changing seasons
As the winter season approaches, tyre technology is key in ensuring safety and control for motorists navigating challenging road conditions. Tyre grip is especially vital when temperatures drop, and Goodyear’s comprehensive development process, including rigorous testing, reveals what makes winter tyres superior for cold weather driving.
Understanding tyre grip in different seasons
Goodyear’s tyre experts emphasize that grip is fundamentally determined by the tyre’s material composition and tread design. Winter tyres are made from softer compounds that stay flexible in low temperatures, maximizing contact with the road even below 7°C. This is different to summer tyres, which experience rubber hardening, and reduced grip as the weather cools. This flexibility allows winter tyres to provide superior traction, crucial for both braking and cornering on cold, damp, or icy surfaces. In contrast, summer tyres are optimized for warm conditions, where a harder compound improves performance and longevity but loses necessary flexibility as the weather cools. Using the right tyre for the season ensures that your vehicle “puts its best footprint forward,” avoiding loss of grip that can lead to longer stopping distances and decreased control.
Goodyear’s commitment to safety and innovation
Goodyear employs one of the industry’s largest teams of technicians, scientists, and test drivers at its Innovation Centre in Luxembourg. Every winter tyre undergoes two years of development, covering hundreds of real-world and laboratory tests on snow, ice, wet, and dry surfaces. Tests simulate the most extreme conditions drivers might encounter, including the Arctic Circle and Alpine ski resorts - all to validate real-world safety before tyres reach customers.
The Goodyear UltraGrip tyre range, recognized with the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, is engineered to meet the toughest snow grip standards, offering high performance even in the most demanding winter climates. These tyres are also evaluated for resistance to aquaplaning, so drivers can remain on course even during heavy rain and standing water. This range also features optimized dry handling and grip performance in cold conditions.
Essential winter driving safety tips
If you’re a first-time winter driver or a season pro, it's essential to know how to navigate challenging roads. Staying safe behind the wheel requires more than just caution; it starts with preparation. From fitting the right tyres to adjusting your driving habits, here are four key tips:
- Fit winter tyres early: Switch to dedicated winter tyres when temperatures drop below 7°C to ensure optimum grip and control.
- Check tread depth and pressure: Regularly inspect tread and maintain correct pressures, as both under- and over-inflation can reduce grip and safety, particularly as cold weather can lower tyre pressure. If you do not have a Tyre Pressure Gauge on hand, pass by your nearest tyre dealer who will be happy to do a quick measurement for you. The correct tyre pressures can usually be found either at the inside of the driver door or at the inside of your fuel cap.
- Look for reliable markings: Ensure tyres have the 3PMSF symbols, confirming their suitability and tested performance in severe winter conditions.
- Adjust your driving: Drive smoothly and anticipate longer braking distances. Even the best tyres need slower speeds and gentle maneuvers for optimal safety, especially if the conditions get severe with temperatures below 3°C or even ice or snow.
Ben Glesener, Senior Director Technology Consumer EMEA at Goodyear, said: “Goodyear is dedicated to developing balanced tyres that provide not only outstanding winter performance but also deliver on other customer priorities such as mileage and fuel efficiency. Our rigorous test programs mean that drivers can trust their Goodyear winter tyres to perform at their best, no matter how demanding the conditions”.
Find out more about Goodyear’s range of winter tires here and all-season tires here.
