The tyre is claimed to be the first summer tyre to be independently certified for winter use.
Although we don’t get the summer/winter extremes which pertain in mainland Europe countries, changes in temperature can mean that ordinary summer tyres are not as safe in winter even here.
In cold weather, a standard summer tyre’s composition will harden, meaning the tread will not grip as well. This applies at varying rates below 7degC, a temperature which is common even in an Irish winter.
In some countries, like Germany, motorists are required to change to winter tyres after a certain date. In other countries, where there aren’t such rules, most drivers don’t bother.
The CrossClimate tyre can mean not having to think summer/winter. It uses an innovative compound that grips the road in all conditions; an energy-efficient, under-tread layer with low heat build-up properties; and a unique ‘V’- pattern tread with varying ‘vee’ angles and self-locking, variable-width sipes that act like claws in snow to enhance traction.
