By the H Auto Mobile Tyres team · Updated 1 November 2026
The short answer
Winter tyres aren't a legal requirement in the UK. For most drivers in towns and cities, good summer tyres with plenty of tread are fine. Winter or all-season tyres make the most sense if you live somewhere rural or hilly, drive a lot in the early morning, or regularly travel in snow and ice.
What winter tyres do
Winter tyres use a softer rubber that stays grippy in the cold, and a tread pattern with lots of small slits that bite into snow and slush. As temperatures drop, ordinary summer tyres harden and grip less.
All-season tyres
All-season tyres are a middle ground. They work in summer and cope better with cold and wet weather than summer tyres, so you don't need to swap tyres twice a year. Many carry a snowflake-on-a-mountain symbol, which shows they meet a winter performance standard.
Winter tyre checks for every driver
- Check your tread depth. More tread means better grip in rain and slush. See our tread depth guide.
- Check your tyre pressures more often. Cold weather makes pressures drop. See what your tyre pressure should be.
- Look for cuts, bulges or nails, especially after potholes.
Changing tyres for winter
We supply and fit winter, all-season and summer tyres at your home or work. Call or WhatsApp 0330 043 6598 with your tyre size and we'll give you the options and a price. See tyre fitting at home.
