Should I buy All Season Tyres for my Car?
At John Wood Tyres, we believe that all-season tyres are significantly important to driving safely and a much better choice than summer tyres in the UK winter. However, it’s vital to understand how they are important and how they compare to their main alternative: dedicated winter tyres. We asked Greg & Lea Wood – Directors at John Wood Tyres to help us break it down. The Problem with Summer Tyres in Winter First, it’s important to know why summer tyres are less effective in cold conditions: Rubber Compound: Summer tyre rubber hardens significantly when temperatures drop below 7°C. Hard rubber means less grip, longer braking distances, and possibly poorer handling, even on dry roads. Tread Pattern: They are not designed to bite into snow or disperse slush and water effectively in icy conditions. How All-Season Tyres Help All-season tyres are a compromise, but a very intelligent one, especially for the UK’s typical winter: Softer Rubber Compound: They remain flexible in lower temperatures, providing decent grip on cold, wet, and dry roads. Versatile Tread Pattern: They incorporate features of both summer and winter tyres, with more sipes (small grooves) to grip in light snow and ice, and channels to clear water. The “3PMSF” Symbol: Many modern all-season tyres carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. This certifies that they meet a specific performance standard in snow, making them a genuine option for light winter conditions. All-Season vs. Dedicated Winter Tyres This is where the nuance lies. While all-season tyres are a major improvement over summer tyres, they are not a direct replacement for dedicated winter tyres in all scenarios. Feature All-Season Tyres (3PMSF rated) Dedicated Winter Tyres Best For Typical UK winters: cold, wet, occasional frost, and light/occasional snow. Harsh winters: consistent ice, deep snow, and temperatures consistently near or below freezing. Performance in Snow/Ice Adequate for light snow and getting you home safely in a surprise flurry. Superior. Designed specifically for maximum traction in snow and on ice. Performance in Cold Rain Very good. Excellent for the UK’s most common winter weather. Very good. Performance in Mild & Dry Good. Can be used year-round without excessive wear or noise. Poor. Wear quickly and feel soft/unresponsive in temperatures above 10°C. Cost & Convenience One set of tyres year-round. Saves the cost and hassle of changing and storing a second set. Require a second set of wheels/tyres. Involves the cost and hassle of changing them over twice a year. The Verdict for the UK Driver Given that most of the UK experiences winters characterised by cold, relentless rain, damp roads, and occasional frosts with only brief periods of snow, a high-quality, 3PMSF-rated all-season tyre is an excellent and highly important choice. They provide a crucial safety margin over summer tyres for the vast majority of winter driving conditions you will encounter. You should strongly consider all-season tyres if: You live in Southern England, the Midlands, or urban areas where snow is infrequent. You want the convenience and cost-saving of a single set of tyres year-round. Your winter driving consists mainly of wet and cold roads, with only occasional frost or light snow. You should still consider dedicated winter tyres if: You live in a rural or hilly area (e.g., Scottish Highlands, Yorkshire Dales, Wales) that regularly experiences significant snow and ice. You absolutely must be able to drive regardless of the weather conditions. You are not concerned about the cost and hassle of switching tyres. In Conclusion: Don’t underestimate the importance of tyre choice in the UK winter. Switching from summer tyres to all-season tyres for the winter months is a significant safety upgrade. For most UK drivers, they offer the perfect balance of performance, safety, and convenience for our typically mild-but-treacherous winter weather.
What are the Benefits of Having a Health Check on Your Car?
Much like the human body, your car needs regular check-ups to stay in tip-top condition. While oil changes and tyre replacements might be part of your routine maintenance, we now offer a FREE vehicle health check on the following elements as listed below Tyres Battery Bulbs Fluids Wipers Whether you’re planning a long road trip or simply want to ensure your vehicle is running safely and efficiently, a car health check provides peace of mind and practical benefits. Here’s why getting a health check from John Wood Tyres is a smart and worthwhile decision: The Early Detection of Any Likely Problems with your Car Tyres, Bulbs or Battery. A vehicle health check can help identify minor issues before they escalate into major—and expensive—repairs. For example, spotting a worn-out tyre can prevent damage to the wheel or tyre failure in emergency situations. Early detection on tyre wear and tear or a faulty battery saves you money and keeps you safer on the road. Enhanced Fuel Efficiency A well-maintained car is more fuel-efficient. Issues like low tyre pressure can cause your engine to work harder, leading to increased fuel consumption. A Tyre health check ensures that everything is running as it should, helping you save money at the pump. Better Resale Value If you’re considering selling or trading in your vehicle, having a documented history of regular health checks and maintenance can boost your car’s resale value. Buyers and dealerships alike are more likely to offer better prices for well-maintained vehicles. Prevention of Breakdowns There’s never a good time for your car to break down. Regular health checks can help prevent unexpected failures by ensuring that all components are functioning properly. This is especially important before long journeys, when a breakdown could leave you stranded far from help. Environmental Benefits A car in good health produces fewer emissions. By keeping your vehicle’s engine, exhaust system, and other components in proper working order, you contribute to reducing your carbon footprint and helping the environment. And Finally, Peace of Mind Knowing your car tyres, battery, bulbs, fluids and wipers has been professionally checked by John Wood Tyres gives you confidence every time you drive. Regular health checks are a small investment that can save you from major headaches down the road. Whether you’re driving an older vehicle or a brand-new model, keeping your car in top condition ensures safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability. Think of it as preventive care for your vehicle—because a healthy car is a happy car.
Tread Depth Inspection
The importance of Tread Depth Inspection Are your tyres legal? When should you change them? Always ensure your tyres conform to the UK minimum legal tread depth i.e. 1.6mm. This means that your tyres should have at least 1.6mm of tread left across the central three quarters of the tyre tread breadth and around the entire circumference of the tyre. Various types of tread depth indicator devices can be purchased from car product specialists. These can be dipped into the tyre tread to measure the depth in millimetres. You can also do the 20p test, by following these steps recommended by TyreSafe: How to check your tread depth with the 20p test 1. Ideally, tyre tread depth should be checked at least once a month at the same time that you check your tyre pressure. 2. Insert the 20p coin into the main tyre grooves at several places around the circumference of the tyre and across its width. 3. If the outer band of the 20p coin is visible whenever you check the tread, your tread depth may be illegal and you should have them checked by a qualified tyre specialist In addition, most car tyres now have tread wear indicators set into the tread grooves, which show when the tyre is worn to 1.6mm of remaining tread. When these indicators become level with the tread surface your tyres should be changed immediately. If you are still having trouble, consult a vehicle maintenance expert. Members of our team are on hand to help if you need us. Note: If you are taking your vehicle abroad legal tread depth may vary, come and speak to us or ask a reputable source.
Taking Care of your Tyres
Take Care of Your Tyres & They Will Take Care of You Tyres may not be the first thing you consider when it comes to vehicle safety, but tyres are your vehicle’s only link with the road. In fact, your safety (and that of your passengers) actually relies on an area of contact between the tyre and the road surface, which is no bigger than the palm of your hand. In addition to grip, tyres also support the weight of the vehicle and provide drive and directional control. When fitting replacement tyres ensure they are of the same size, load index and speed symbol as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Where tyres are not fitted in complete sets of four, we advise that tyre types are not mixed across an axle. Talk to us about the fitment details for your car, especially if you are in any doubt. The following checklist outlines a few simple procedures, which if carried out regularly will ensure your tyres remain safe and you get value for money in terms of performance and service life. We have more detail on each procedure via the links to help you look after your tyres correctly. After all, if you look after your tyres, they will look after you! Tyre Checklist: Visual Tyre Care: Visually check tyre condition on a regular basis Tread Depth Inspection: Inspect tread depth to ensure tyres are safe and legal Tyre Pressure: Maintain correct inflation pressures Tyre Positions & Handling: Fit tyres in sets of two or four. If just two fit them to the rear. For 4x4s use identical tyres all round Alignment: Consider a wheel alignment check to ensure tyres wear evenly Valves: Maintain valves to extend the life of your tyre and improve safety For help or advice on tyre maintenance, give us a call or come and see us.
What does my Tyre Pressure need to be?
The importance of maintaining the correct tyre pressure Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is an important factor in both the safety and longevity of tyres. Over or under inflation could adversely affect the vehicle handling and the tyre’s performance and durability. Additionally keeping your tyres at the correct pressure and using energy efficient tyres reduces your engines workload. This means you’ll save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions too. Make sure of the correct tyre pressures by referring to the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook. Check tyre pressures monthly and before any long trip. The tyres should be checked when they are cold, as tyres heat up as you drive causing a slight increase in pressure. Don’t forget to check the spare tyre. If you intend to tow with the vehicle, e.g. a trailer or caravan, always consult the vehicle handbook or a tyre specialist for suggestions as increased pressures may be required. Remember your trailer or caravan will also need its tyres checked. Regular vehicle maintenance can be the difference between a great journey and a terrible one.
Choosing The Right Tyres for my car
The importance of the getting the right tyres for your vehicle Many drivers aren’t aware of when the optimum time to replace their tyres is, you may notice a deterioration of performance as your tyres wear but how do you know when you should actually replace a tyre? Even fewer are aware that through some simple checks and regular maintenance you can significantly improve the performance and longevity of your tyres, giving you the very best value for your money. However, every motorist is fully aware of just how expensive owning and driving a car is. With this in mind, the tyre experts at Michelin have created some simple guides to make sure you get the very best performance and life from your tyres. Tyre Damage & Ageing Tyres last longer with regular checks Standard car / van tyres are designed to be adequately filled with air, if they are not used at the correct pressure you are increasing the risk of damage to the tyre and may reduce the performance and overall life of the tyre. Make sure you check your tyre pressures monthly and before any long trip. At the same time, its important to check the tyre tread depths, and look for any signs of damage to the sidewall, or strange or irregular wear of the tyre tread. If you are in any doubt, speak to us and we will be able to talk you through whether you should come into our depot to check if your tyres are suitable for further use. Reasons to change my tyres – The Wrong Tyres For best all-around performance, the same type of tyre should be used in all four wheel positions. Tyres of different sizes, constructions, and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability. In addition, there may be specific recommendations by vehicle or tyre manufacturers which may apply to your vehicle. These should be followed, please check your vehicle handbook for details. Never mix radial and non-radial tyres Very simply, the experts at Michelin recommend that you do not mix radial and non-radial (i.e. cross-ply or bias-belted) tyres on a vehicle. If mixing tyres is unavoidable, never mix radial and non-radial tyres on the same axle. If two radial and two non-radial tyres are installed on a vehicle, it is widely accepted that the two radials must be installed on the rear axle and the two non-radials on the front axle. There are many ways to find the proper tyres for your vehicle. If you’re not sure what tyres are best suited to your vehicle, use our tyre selector.
The Danger of Part worn Tyres
At John Wood Tyres, we do not sell part worn tyres. Our decision not to sell part worn tyres comes as a result of extensive research undertaken by a number of organisations. Take a look at the information below.