Do Winter Tyres REALLY work? Oh, yes, say Volvo (+ video)

Volvo has taken a pair of FWD V40s to the Snowdome Ski Slope in Tamworth to prove just how effective winter tyres are in snowy conditions.

[nggallery id=1718 template=customlinks]

For some reason, the debate on fitting winter tyres in the UK continues to be a debate, even when those who’ve actually used a car fitted with winter tyres swear by them (an argument not helped by previous government advice).

So Volvo – safety conscious as ever – decided to prove the point by taking the very good Volvo V40 off to the Snowdome indoor ski slope in Tamworth to see exactly what difference a set of winter tyres makes to the grip available in a regular, FWD, family Volvo. And the results should make every car owner go out and fit winter tyres.

Volvo enlisted Louise Thompson, from TV’s Made In Chelsea, to take to the wheel of the V40s heading up the ski slope (a celeb face – even a minor one – seems to make an information video more accessible for many) and their very own Martin Bayntun to explain facts and proceedings as the two V40s – one fitted with summer tyres and one with winter tyres – tried to negotiate the indoor ski slope.

The resulting video (below) demonstrates what a huge difference a set of winter tyres make to a normal car (frankly, you’re almost always better off on winter tyres in a FWD car than in a 4×4 on normal tyres), with the summer tyre shod V40 struggling to even make the 5m mark on the slope, whilst the winter tyre shod V40 sailed effortlessly to the very top of the 100m slope.

For those who don’t want to splash out on a set of winters tyres, Volvo also demonstrated the effectiveness of Snow Socks (which cost around £50-70) which managed to get to the top of the slope too, although they’re much more of a faff as they can only be used on proper snow and have to be removed once you reach clearer roads.

If you weren’t convinced fitting winter tyres is a must, you surely must be after watching this video?