“Winter tyres will be needed
also in the future”

The climate is getting warmer – will separate winter tyres become a thing of the past?

“Although global warming has accelerated recently, it is still estimated that over the next 15 years, temperatures will increase by 0.5 to 1.5 °C here in Northern Europe. Even over a period of 100 years, the increase will not be great enough to stop winters from occurring altogether. Instead, winters will become milder, which is when you need a good set of winter tyres the most.”

Under what conditions do winter tyres provide the greatest benefits?

“Modern winter tyres are the jacks of all trades, as they have to perform in heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and thick snow. Situations in which conditions change significantly during the course of a journey or a day are becoming increasingly common. Among the most challenging winter driving conditions are zero temperatures, when wet ice forms on roads. In freezing temperatures, snow and ice have more texture, providing good traction for both shoes and tyres.”

What can a tyre manufacturer do to prevent the acceleration of climate change?

“Around 20 per cent of car fuel consumption is caused by tyre rolling resistance. The more smoothly a tyre rolls, the less roll resistance there is. At the same time, the frictional properties of a tyre must not be neglected to ensure that the saving in fuel consumption does not compromise safety. The predicted deterioration in winter driving conditions doesn’t make our climate change-related development work any easier.”

So tyres affect fuel consumption, then?

“Few believe it, but winter tyres save fuel. This is because nowadays their rolling resistance is usually lower than that of summer tyres. When you make a short trip in the winter, your fuel consumption will be greater during the first few kilometres due to starting the engine in the cold, after which the savings will begin to show.”