The Annual Check That Could Save a Winter Commute for UK Drivers
The first frost always comes as an absolute surprise in the UK. There will be mornings when the windshield is clear, but the next day it will be covered in a thin layer of ice. The road looks the same, but it does not feel the same. It took a fraction longer to bring the vehicle to a halt. The steering also felt slightly vague while making turns at roundabouts. This is a clear signal for drivers who live outside major urban centres, where roads are not gritted as regularly and remain damp for longer, that the coming season will be challenging. Winter affects driving, and the tyres bear the brunt. What Cold Does to Rubber Many drivers consider winter driving dangerous due to ice and snow. They may be right. But what they do not know is that changes begin long before the first snowflake falls from the sky. The moment temperatures fall to below seven degrees Celsius, the rubber in standard tyres starts to harden. This is not a fault, just basic science. Tyres are designed to be flexible w...