Seasonal Tires

  • Winter Tires
  • Summer Tires
  • All-Season Tires
  • Be Prepared For All Weather

    • There are plenty of reasons to consider buying winter tires:

      • The colder, the more effective: made from specially formulated tread rubber, winter tires make it easier for you to control your car on icy and snowy roads.
      • Strong traction: winter tires have wide tread blocks and extra cuts in the tread called ‘sipes’ that give the tire extra bite to grip winter roads, hills and sharp corners, and get rid of build-ups of snow.
      • Confidence and control: most drivers find that winter tires give them that extra security when they’re driving in challenging winter conditions.
      • Cost effective: Summer tires wear out quicker than winter tires in cold temperatures.

      Winter tire technologies

      • Ice Zones: a tread with numerous biting edges that gives you enhanced gripping traction, particularly on icy and slippery roads.
      • Winter Grip Tread Compound: a tread compound that offers enhanced traction on ice and snow-covered roads from season to season.

      Always buy a full set

      Mixing winter and summer tires can make slippery conditions more dangerous and affect how well your vehicle handles, especially if the tires have different tread patterns and performance features.

      Winter Tires

      Winter driving tips

      Driving in snow, slush and ice brings its own problems. Here are a few tips to consider:

      Keep your speed down

      You shouldn’t exceed the maximum speed that your vehicle recommends for winter tires – it’s often lower than that of summer tires.

      Check the tires for wear

      Check your tire pressure and tread depth regularly. Dunlop recommends a minimum tread depth of 4mm for winter tires to ensure optimal performance, but in colder countries where using winter tires is mandatory, tread depth will be specified by law.

      Use a higher gear to start and pull away

      Spinning your wheels can dig the vehicle deeper into the snow.

      Don’t ‘pump’ your brakes

      If you have anti-lock brakes, keep a steady pressure on the brake pedal instead.

      Keep your distance

      Braking distances increase in snow and icy conditions.

      Be careful over bridges or passes

      They are well known locations for icy patches, so lift your foot slightly off the accelerator when going over them.

      Don’t overdo the accelerator if stuck in snow

      There’s a danger you’ll just end up deeper in a hole. Use the lowest possible gear and rock the tires back and forth until you’ve got enough forward motion to push yourself forward.

      Avoid distractions

      You’ll need all the concentration you can muster in heavy snowy conditions. Don’t take calls or do anything else that could distract you.

    • Summer tires handle and grip well on dry and wet roads, and work best above 7 °C.

      Reasons to choose summer tires:

      • Summer tires are specifically designed for an optimal performance in summer conditions.
      • Responsiveness: they’ll make steering quick and accurate – especially during hard cornering.
      • Handling: with their softer rubber compounds they help you tackle twists, turns and other obstacles.
      • If you own winter tires: if you already have a set of winter tires for colder months, consider summer tires for the warmer months.
      • Temperature: if your country’s winters tend to be mild with temperatures remaining above 7 °C.
      Summer Tire

      Summer tire technologies

      Look out for these technologies in our summer tires:

      • Active Braking Technology helps you stop quicker on wet and dry roads.
      • Motorsport Derived Construction improves steering precision and handling.
      • Interlocking System 3D Bubble Blade™ helps your car handle better in dry weather.

    • If you get light snowfall and temperatures that rarely drop below freezing in winter, then you might want to consider all-season tires. Dunlop all-season tires meet high standards for performance in winter conditions and bear the same ‘M+S‘ and ‘Snowflake’ designations as winter tires. This means you can use them in countries where winter tires are required by law.

      Choose all-season tires if:

      • You have milder winters: if the temperature where you live doesn’t drop below -5 °C (if it does, you should buy winter tires)
      • One set only: if you want to use the same set of tires year round
      • Space constraints: if you’re unable to store and fit a second set of tires
      All Season

    • With a few sensible precautions, you can stay prepared for any eventuality.

      In all conditions

      Before a long journey, take a few minutes to check the tread and pressure of your tires

      It’s also sensible to keep an emergency kit in your car just in case. These often contain things like a high-visibility vest, jump leads and basic first-aid supplies. Everyday items like water, a blanket, phone charger and paper towels are also useful. Some countries ask you to carry certain items by law – like first-aid kits and warning triangles – so check before you set off.

      In Summer

      Tires

      If you use winter tires, it’s time to change back to summer ones when the temperature starts regularly going over 10°C . You’ll find your vehicle will perform better on wet and dry roads with good summer tires.

      Fluids

      It’s easy to forget, but keeping all your fluids topped up is vital. Check your oil regularly, make sure you have enough windscreen washer fluid and don’t forget your brake fluid or coolant.

      Tire pressure

      Little known fact: your tires lose twice as much pressure in summer as they do in winter, so make sure you check your tire pressure regularly. Underinflated tires reduce your fuel economy.

      Battery

      Your battery works harder in the summer months, so if it’s a few years old consider having it tested by a professional.

      In Winter

      Winter conditions are unpredictable, so if you get more than a light dusting of snow during the winter months, or if the temperatures regularly drop below 7 °C, you should switch to winter tires. They help provide better traction, grip and handling on snow, slush, ice and on frosty roads.
      It’s worth remembering that because the ground temperature is often colder than the air temperature - especially at night and first thing in the morning - there are real benefits to winter tires even when the air is milder.

      Tire chains

      If you live in a place where you regularly drive in severe winter conditions, you may want to consider tire chains. They enhance traction on snowy and icy roads and are a legal requirement in some countries at certain times of the year.

      Brakes, heater, defroster

      Make sure your brakes are performing the way they should. Check your heater and defroster before the winter comes so that you’re ready for those cold mornings.

      Antifreeze and wiper fluid

      Check your coolant – it should contain a 50/50 ratio of water to antifreeze. You should also make sure that your wiper fluid is right for winter and won’t freeze. Lastly, you might also want to think about replacing your wiper blades ahead of the snowy and icy weather.

      Winter grade oil

      You can buy special winter grade oil that will make it easier to start your car on cold mornings. It’s a good idea to have the oil changed before the cold sets in, especially if you’ve switched to thicker oil during the summer months.

      Rinse off the salt and chemicals

      The salt and chemicals that keep roads safe in winter can corrode your vehicle over time. While you’re at it, remember to keep your windows and windscreen clean so you can see as well as possible when driving.

      Slow down

      Driving in wintry conditions can test the most skilful of driver. So slow down, leave extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, and learn how to handle skids, snow, and ice.