Winter tyres have been specially developed to work in colder climates. They tend to have a higher natural rubber content. This softer structure allows them to remain flexible even at lower temperatures, resulting in better grip on cold. “A complete ban on winter tires is not something we`ve looked at or intend to look at, as we haven`t seen any evidence that this is a safety issue.” But anyone buying a vehicle should inquire about tires. “Previous work on winter tyres on New Zealand roads has revealed that the main problem with snow tyres is more age-related – they are only used for a small part of the year and then removed, meaning they can become brittle and age before the tread wears out. Depending on the conditions and the type of roads you drive on, it may be worth considering winter tires. These offer better grip than conventional summer tires in icy, snowy and cold weather. Keep in mind that they offer less grip than summer tires in non-winter conditions, so if you`re considering winter tires, read this guide first. Winter tires consist of a softer rubber compound and a deeper tread specifically designed to maintain grip in cold weather (less than 7°C). These will be telltale clues. Well, not so much a clue as a pretty clear mark on the tire. Winter tires have a snowflake and a mountain symbol on the sidewall of the tire.
You can also have the word “studless” written on it. They also have a distinctive, deeply grooved and generally trendy look, but if you don`t look at the tires every day, we recommend looking for the snowflake and mountain symbol instead. Consider lifting your windshield wipers to their top position overnight to prevent them from freezing under the snow, and consider covering your windshield with a secure cover (watch the video for help). Many vehicles have their own ice scraper. Anyone who owns a ŠKODA will find it behind the filler cap. “In the North, they know they shouldn`t have winter tires, and most dealers remove them.” The problem would have been solved by replacing the tires. First, check if the depth of your tread is sufficient. The minimum legal tread depth in New Zealand is 1.5mm, but the more tread you have, the better the grip. For reference, a new tire will have a size of about 8 mm. The NZTA has a great resource for tire selection and installation. Motor Trade Association spokesman Graeme Swan told Stuff that more information about consumer information could include whether a vehicle has winter tires. That depends.
In New Zealand, there is no legal requirement to have winter tyres. In most places in New Zealand, this doesn`t make sense and in fact, they are probably more dangerous than beneficial. In a handful of places in New Zealand (for example, if you work at a ski resort during the winter months), they could definitely come in handy. Just be aware that they are not designed for temperatures above 7 degrees Celsius and wear out quickly in hot weather – and remember that there have been calls to ban them completely in New Zealand. “It`s worth noting that the age of the tires and whether a vehicle is equipped with off-road, snow or road tires are issues that potential buyers should consider when buying a used car.” When winter starts to bite, the topic of winter tires will likely come up in some conversations. If you`re a little confused about what they are and how legally they`re used in New Zealand, read on. Vinsen`s advice is a response to a story in which Aucklander Costa Feneridis raised safety concerns regarding Japanese winter tires on his second-hand Jeep Wrangler, claiming they were causing bad corners. While most people think of snow when they talk about winter tires, their grooves and grip edges ensure they work well even in wet conditions – as long as the conditions are cold.
In hot weather, winter tires offer much less traction on the road than standard tires. Dealers are encouraged to inform buyers if a used import they sell contains Japanese winter tires. If you plan to ski in mountainous areas (or at lower altitudes when the weather is worse), you should have snow chains handy. From the point of view of your tires, winter begins as soon as the temperature drops below 7°C. Grip on the road deteriorates significantly as the temperature drops, the rubber compounds become hard, and traction decreases. Further information on the tyre and wheel rule is available at: www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/tyres-and-wheels-amendment-2009-2-qa.html(external link). Safety tips for winter tyres are available at: www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/winter-Tyres/docs/Winter Tyre brochure.pdf(external link) The Ministry of Transport says it is not aware of any safety issues with snow tyres in New Zealand. In the South Island, dealers take the tires for the summer and bring them back for the winter season, Vinsen says. The New Zealand Transport Agency is reminding drivers that from this Thursday (1 April), new rules to ensure the safe use of winter tyres will come into force in New Zealand. “My advice would be: If a dealership sells a car with winter tires, make sure the customer understands it,” Vinsen says.
If you have winter tires and use them, it will be much easier if you buy a second set of wheels. It`s much easier to just change the wheels instead of constantly taking tires on and off a wheel, which can damage the tire. Also note the age of the winter tires you use. If you use them sparingly, although they still meet tread depth requirements, they will eventually harden easily, reducing their effectiveness in cold weather. In fact, the NZTA notes that many automakers recommend not using tires older than 7 years on the road. No, not necessarily. M+S stands for “Mud & Snow” and suggests that the tyre is likely to operate above average in winter conditions. But M+S markings are just as likely on all-season tyres, which also work well in summer conditions. If it does not have the symbol of the snowflake and the mountain, it is not a real winter tire. They wear out quickly, especially in summer temperatures – have a minimum tread depth of 4mm to guarantee and should not be mixed with standard tyres as they adhere differently – especially in hot weather. Note that if you only have one pair of snow chains, attach them to the wheels that drive power on the road (in most Volkswagen and ŠKODA 2WD vehicles, this would be the front wheelset).