Toyota winter tyres are designed to provide superior grip on wet, snowy and icy roads. Their special tread pattern and compound remains supple when temperatures fall below 7ºC, dramatically reducing braking distances in harsh environments for a safer driving experience.
Toyota winter tyres have a higher natural rubber content than summer tyres, so remain supple in low temperatures, enhancing everyday driving and delivering peace of mind. Their unique tread patterns are designed to displace water and slush from under the tyre, reducing aquaplaning and braking distances. They also have small grooves, called sipes, in the tread block that bite into snowy and icy surfaces for superior grip.
Below 7º
Thanks to special tread patterns and more supple compounds, winter tyres provide superior grip and reduced braking distances when temperatures fall below 7ºC
Snow
Winter tyres have lots of small grooves, called sipes, in the tread block that ‘bite’ into snow and slush, providing better grip and reducing braking distances.
Ice
The combination of softer compounds and special tread patterns ensure winter tyres provide better grip and reduced braking distances on icy roads.
Since 2012, it has been mandatory for vehicle tyres to bear a standardised label when being sold in the EU. This makes it easier to compare the grip, fuel efficiency and noise performance of tyres from different manufacturers.
Fuel efficiency
The friction created by a tyre as it rolls along a road is called ‘rolling resistance’. The greater the rolling resistance, the more the engine uses fuel and produces emissions. Grade A tyres offer the least resistance and are best for fuel consumption.
Wet grip
This rating reflects the absolute stopping distance of a tyre when braking from 80km/h under standardised wet road conditions. The difference between each of the grades, with A being the best and G the worst, is approximately 3 to 6m.
Noise
The measurement given is the noise made by the tyre as it rolls along a road under test conditions. It is the noise produced externally in decibels with one black wave indicating the least noisy and three being the maximum noise allowed.
It’s not recommended. To cope with freezing conditions, winter tyres are made from rubber that’s softer and more flexible than the compound found in summer tyres. As a result, in warmer conditions winter tyres wear more easily, increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption and lengthen braking distances.
You should always keep your winter tyres in a cool, dry and dark environment. If you’re storing tyres without rims, ensure they are stood upright, while tyres complete with rims fitted should always be laid flat – avoiding contact with grease, petrol and oil. Some Toyota Retailers offer a tyre storage service, contact your local retailer to find out more.
Depending on annual mileage, winter tyres are designed to last between one to five years if properly stored when not in use. Both physical and chemical reactions cause tyres to age, and this can happen to tyres that are rarely or never driven on. A winter tyre that been correctly stored should still meet the specifications of, and perform like, a new tyre.
The noise performance of a winter tyre can be identified on the EU Tyre Label applied to all new winter tyres since 2012. The noise rating is explained by a measurement in decibels and by a black soundwave graphic.
Advances in tyre technology have improved the performance of winter tyres to the point where studded tyres are only necessary for the most extreme conditions.
Winter tyres
Modern winter tyres are made of a compound that remains supple in low temperatures. They are adaptable across a wide range of cold weather driving conditions, including snow, ice and wet and dry surfaces. This makes them a good all-round choice from autumn to spring.
Studded tyres
Most studded tyres have tungsten encased metal pins embedded within their rugged treads patterns. These dig into an ice-covered surface to provide grip in conditions where a road is frozen solid. They are commonly used in regions where the temperature remains around freezing or below for long periods of winter.
Whichever type of tyre you fit, remember that winter driving requires skills beyond those needed in the summer. Allow extra space for slowing and stopping, be gentle on the corners and always reduce your speed.
