09/06/2011

• Order new winter tyres early – from October to Easter is winter tyre season
• Mounting capacities and time for consultation get scarce in the fall
• Continental producing at full speed – anticipating demand at last year's level 

Hanover, September 6, 2011. Continental recommends that all drivers arrange appointments soon to switch tyres for winter. Those waiting for the first snowfall may be hard pressed to quickly find someone to do the switch. Again this season there may be long waits for some tyres due to dealers having to restock popular sizes.

Too many drivers still wait for the first frost or even the first flurries before deciding to have winter tyres fitted on their cars, And this although tyres designed specifically for winter driving ensure higher safety than summer tyres – even on dry roads – as soon as temperatures drop below the freezing point

Those mounting the tyres themselves should make sure to check tread depth: experts warn that starting the winter off with a residual tread of less than four millimetres could be risky. No longer able to securely lock into snow or perform well on ice below this limit, tyres are ripe for replacement.

Production at Continental has been running at full speed since spring to ensure that orders are optimally filled. Last year around 27 million winter tyres went out to dealers in Germany. The Hanover-based market leader anticipates a similarly high demand this year. With capacities at the manufacturer's European tyre plants maxed out, Continental expects that additional tyres will have to be produced in certain sizes. Continental feels that dealers are generally very well stocked. Based on experience, though, there could be waits for some sizes.