A survey carried out the automotive industry federation Traxio has found that the number of cars being driven with winter tires has more than doubled in recent years. Currently 19% of all cars on our roads have winter tires. 7 years ago this was just 9%. But when are winter tires useful and are they mandatory in Belgium during the winter months?
Home News
Five misconceptions about winter tires
Published:
In recent weeks it has become noticeably cooler outside. More and more people are thinking about fitting their cars with winter tires. Leasing companies advise their customers to make an appointment at a garage or a tire fitter as soon as possible to avoid a long wait.
Winter tires are not mandatory in Belgium. However, many experts recommend using them during the winter months. But what are the advantages of using winter tires?
Taxio’s Filip Rylant told VRT News that "At low temperatures, winter tires have much better grip on the road surface. This makes your braking distance significantly shorter on a snowy or icy road. Replacing your summer tires with winter tires ensures greater road safety for all road users. It is of course still important to adapt your driving style to weather conditions."
Misconceptions about winter tires
There are still many myths and misconceptions about winter tires. We have compiled a list of the most persistent ones.
"The winters in Belgium are too mild for winter tires."
This is not true. Many people associate winter tires with snow. However, they are not only useful in snow and icy conditions. Winter tires grip the road better than summer tires at temperatures below 7°C. Winter tires have a different type of rubber compound that maintains flexibility at lower temperatures.
"Winter tires wear out much more quickly."
This is not true. What is true is that winter tires are softer, but if you use them during the correct period of the year (November-March) the difference in durability is not that great. If you drive on winter tires 5 months a year and summer tires 7 months a year, there is a good chance that they will last just as long.
"Winter tires are less reliable when it rains."
That may have been the case in the past, but nowadays winter tires perform very well in wet weather thanks to their profile and deep grooves. In winter it rains more often on average and the grooves in winter tires are able to shed water faster than those on summer tires.
"A car equipped with ABS and ESP does not need winter tires."
No, this is not right either. Driver assistance systems do not provide an alternative to winter tires. ABS intervenes when braking, while ESP reacts when your car threatens to skid. Both systems only work if your car has sufficient grip and using the correct tires helps ensure this.
"You are better off with all-season tires."
This is not true. In the recent past, all-season tires were a combination of the lesser aspects of winter and summer tires. The latest generation of all-season tires are better and can serve as a good alternative to winter tires, but the combination of summer and winter tires does not necessarily mean that you get the best of both worlds. All-season tires are less safe than winter tires, especially when it snows. While in the summer they are less comfortable than summer tires.
Sales of all-season tires are on the increase. Traxio says that while in 2015 just 2% of cars were driving on all-season tires, this had increased to 15% during the winter of 2022-2023. All-season tires that are suitable for driving in winter conditions have a snowflake or mountain peak symbol on them.