Thanks to their special compound, Semperit winter tyres have the necessary suppleness to ensure optimum grip, whatever the driving conditions in winter. As soon as the temperature drops to 7oC, summer tyres can already go hard, losing the suppleness required to create enough grip when braking, setting off or cornering. Their greater suppleness in the cold means that winter tyres are able to interlock with asphalt, snow and ice even at lower temperatures.

The grip required for this - i.e. the co-efficient of friction - depends on several factors, including the type of road, the speed driven, the temperature, the characteristics of the rubber and the tread pattern design. How effectively a dedicated winter tyre responds to such varying requirements can be demonstrated dramatically by the length of the braking distance on a smooth road surface during brake testing. As optimum grip improves your safety in winter, having winter tyres fitted right from the first frost is well worthwhile.