While most German and Polish drivers make preparations for the bleak midwinter, Goodyear Dunlop says the only response from the west and south of Europe is often to “hope and pray the snow will stay away.”
Snow has already fallen in parts of the country and the European Center for Medium Range Forecasting predicts colder than average temperatures for this winter, yet despite warnings of another big freeze coming our way, a recent survey held for the tiremaker reveals a “Europe divided” between those countries who are switching to winter tires and those that think they can weather the storm. More than half of French and Belgian drivers, two-thirds of Spanish and three-quarters of British drivers admitted they would not use winter tires.
“Some countries demand winter tires by law, some countries simply know they can’t make it through winter without them,” said Tom Delforge, director of communications at Goodyear Dunlop. “Winter tires significantly improve grip and reduce stopping distances in low temperatures, unlike summer tires, they do not harden. This enables them to maintain better traction in the cold as well as in the wet and on snow, slush and ice.” The tire industry uses 7C as a rule of thumb, recommending a change to winter tires when temperatures drop below this temperature.
A total of 3,500 drivers were surveyed in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the U.K. between Aug. 31 and Sept. 9. “Our research shows us that there are dramatic misperceptions about winter tires,” Delforge, continued. “The reality is that in wintry conditions a small hatchback equipped with winter tires will perform better than a high performance 4×4 on summer tires.
“What we find most worrying was the simple lack of knowledge about the impact tires have on safety,” he added. “Europe is remarkably divided – by those that understand and care, and those that don’t. It is not surprising to see the U.K. Government encouraging the use of winter tires this year, and Governments such as Germany just tightened their winter tire legislation.”
As evidence of winter tires’ effectiveness, Goodyear Dunlop points to recent winter tire tests conducted in Europe and the U.K.; not only did its tires perform well against its winter competition, in a test held by Auto Express, the Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ achieved a stopping distance 25 meters, or six car lengths, shorter than a summer tire on snow.
Goodyear- and Dunlop-brand winter tires excelled in recent winter tire tests in Europe, including taking eight of the top nine spots in testing by Germany’s highly respected tire tests such as the ADAC motor club test. In the test conducted by Britain’s biggest selling weekly car magazine, the Auto Express , Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ achieved a stopping distance 25 meters – six car lengths – shorter than a summer tire on snow.
In all, Goodyear Dunlop tires won 17 out of the 27 published European and British tests. Twenty further second and third places went to Goodyear Dunlop products. “We are delighted with these outstanding test results which confirm our industry-leading role in the development of top-performing winter tires,” said Mark Brickhill, Goodyear Dunlop vice president consumer tires in Europe. “Our consistent investments in research, development and testing deliver clear safety benefits for consumers and improve road safety in general. Winter with its slippery road and difficult driving conditions is not the time to compromise on your tires.” (Tyres & Accessories)
