Best winter tyres for your Hybrid car

As the temperatures plummet it becomes necessary to undertake some routine maintenance on your vehicle to prepare it for the changing driving conditions. You need to top up your screenwash and antifreeze, check and potentially change your engine oil, test your battery and if you are using summer tyres, swap them for winter tyres.

Why it is important to prepare your vehicle for winter

Whether you drive a petrol car or run a fleet of hybrid vans, all vehicles need attention prior to the onset of cold winter weather. This is because freezing temperatures can degrade batteries, compromise engine oil and cause vehicles to malfunction. Combined with fewer daylight hours and an increased likelihood of poor weather conditions such as rain and fog, performing routine inspections becomes more challenging.

Tyres are an especially important consideration, as summer tyres are not designed for temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius. When they are exposed to colder temperatures, the rubber compound used to manufacture them hardens, reducing traction and increasing your braking distances. Combined with slippery, wet or icy winter roads, this becomes dangerous.

What tyres are appropriate for hybrid motor cars?

Hybrid vehicles are heavier than their petrol and diesel counterparts so they need heavy duty tyres. However, they are also valued by owners for their quiet, peaceful driving performance, so it is equally important to select tyres that have low levels of rolling resistance so that driver enjoyment is not degraded by noisy tyres.

Your local Protyre garage stocks a wide range of all season and winter tyres that are suitable for hybrid cars and vans, ranging from the high performance Pirelli P Zero Winter through to budget brands such as the GT Radial FE2.

When to swap to winter tyres

You should swap from summer tyres to winter tyres when the weather forecast indicates that the temperature will be below 7 degrees celsius for a prolonged period. You can also swap from all season to winter tyres if you require replacement tyres during the winter months because your existing ones are perished, worn or damaged, however you will need to swap back to all season tyres or summer tyres when the temperatures climb as winter tyres are made from a softer compound which will wear more quickly and deliver poor performance in warmer temperatures.

Many vehicle owners will ask their mechanic to change their tyres from summer to winter tyres during their vehicle's annual pre-winter service. This optimises the technician's time and reduces the amount of time that the vehicle is off the road. A pre-winter service is a good idea for all vehicles, not just hybrids, as a trained technician will be able to fully inspect the vehicle, replacing engine oil, screenwash and antifreeze as well as checking that the lights and wiper blades are working correctly, that brakes are functioning effectively and that the battery is holding its charge as it should.

By investing in proactive maintenance, you not only prolong the life of your vehicle but can prevent unexpected winter breakdowns, saving you time and money in the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions