Winter & Cold-Weather Tyres
Winter Tyres In Guildford Grip When It Drops Below 7°C
Winter tyres aren't just for snow. Below 7°C their softer compound and deeper sipes grip cold, wet and icy roads far better than a summer tyre — cutting your braking distance when Surrey's roads are at their most treacherous.
Better grip below 7°C Shorter cold-road braking Seasonal swap service Summer tyre storage available
Winter Tyre Options
Choose Your Winter Setup
From a full winter set to a swap-and-store arrangement, here's how Guildford drivers get through the cold months safely.
All Season
Mild winters, low mileage
✓ One set, all year
- 3PMSF snowflake rated
- No seasonal swap needed
- Good compromise for Surrey
Michelin CrossClimate, Goodyear Vector
Ask About All-SeasonBest Cold-Weather Grip
Winter Set
Rural roads, hills, regular winter driving
✓ Fitting & balancing included
- Maximum grip below 7°C
- Shortest braking on ice and snow
- Swap back to summer in spring
Continental, Michelin, Dunlop
Get My Winter PriceSwap & Store
You already own winter tyres
✓ Per wheel, seasonal
- We swap summer ↔ winter
- Safe storage of your off-season set
- Booked around the first cold snap
Any brand you own
Check My Price
Our Work
Inside the workshop In Guildford
A look at the team, the tools and the cars we look after every day at Giant AutoCare, Guildford.
Most Requested Tyres
Popular Tyres in Guildford
The tyre models Guildford drivers ask for most — fitted at our Guildford workshop. Use the filter to narrow by category, brand, size, or the car you drive. Call or WhatsApp to confirm availability and your exact price.
Bridgestone
Weather Control A005
- One of the UK's most popular all-weather tyres — A-rated for wet grip
- Available in dedicated SUV-rated sizes up to 21"
215/55 R17Popular on SUVs like the Ford Kuga
Get a Quote
Michelin
Pilot Sport 5
- 2026's benchmark performance tyre
- Best Tyre for Hot Hatches, 2026/27 industry awards — 4.8★
225/40 R18Popular on hot hatches like the VW Golf GTI
Get a QuoteMichelin
CrossClimate 2
- Widely regarded as the benchmark all-season tyre
- One set, year-round — no seasonal swaps needed
205/55 R16Popular family-car choice, e.g. Ford Focus
Get a Quote
Continental
PremiumContact 7
- Exceptional wet-weather braking performance
- A common OEM fit on BMW, Audi and Mercedes
225/45 R17Popular OEM fit for BMW
Get a QuoteBridgestone
Turanza T005
- One of the quietest touring tyres available
- Strong choice for comfortable family driving
205/55 R16Comfort-focused, suits cars like the Toyota Corolla
Get a QuoteMichelin
Primacy 4+
- The volume seller in 205/55 R16 — the UK's most common size
- Arguably the best all-round touring tyre on the market
205/55 R16Fits the Audi A3 in this size
Get a Quote
Pirelli
P Zero
- The go-to choice for performance and sports cars
- Outstanding dry-weather grip and cornering confidence
245/45 R18A famous OEM fit for Porsche
Get a QuoteMichelin
255/35 R19
- A popular Michelin fitment for BMW 5 Series, Audi S4 and Mercedes C-Class
- Low-profile luxury performance sizing
255/35 R19Fits the Mercedes C-Class in this size
Get a Quote
Goodyear
EfficientGrip Performance 2
- Outstanding wet braking and fuel economy
- Refined, everyday touring tyre
205/55 R16Popular family-car fitment, e.g. Vauxhall Astra
Get a QuoteGoodyear
Vector 4Seasons Gen-3
- One of the best all-season tyres available in the UK
- Ideal if you want one set of tyres year-round
205/60 R16Popular on family hatchbacks like the VW Golf
Get a Quote
Dunlop
Sport Maxx RT2
- Popular with drivers who want sporty handling at a fair price
- Strong sporting heritage, sharp steering response
225/40 R18Fits hot-hatch fitments like the Ford Focus ST
Get a Quote
Hankook
Ventus Prime
- The go-to "safety-first on a budget" pick
- Genuinely close to premium performance at a lower price
195/65 R15Common OEM fitment on Hyundai models
Get a QuoteMichelin
Primacy 4
- Reliable premium touring tyre for small and compact cars
- Long tread life and consistent wet performance
195/65 R15Popular on compact cars like the Toyota Yaris
Get a QuoteContinental
AllSeasonContact 2
- Strong all-round year-round performance
- A common all-season option for VW Golf and Polo
205/55 R16Popular on the VW Golf
Get a Quote
Yokohama
BluEarth-GT
- Well-rounded touring tyre with strong value
- Comfort, grip and low running costs in one tyre
205/55 R16Popular on cars like the Nissan Qashqai
Get a QuoteFalken
PerformanceFalken
Azenis FK510
- Well-regarded ultra-high-performance tyre
- Strong dry and wet grip for the money
245/45 R18Popular on performance saloons like the BMW 3 Series
Get a QuoteBridgestone
Turanza 6
- Won the 2026/27 family-car customer award — 4.7★
- Praised for everyday comfort and refinement
205/60 R16Popular family-car fitment, e.g. Ford Focus
Get a QuotePirelli
Cinturato P7
- Popular premium touring tyre and common OE fit
- Focused on efficiency and low road noise
225/45 R17Popular OEM fit for Audi
Get a QuoteMichelin
Energy Saver+
- Economy-focused premium touring tyre for small cars
- Low rolling resistance and a long tread life
185/65 R15Popular on superminis like the Kia Rio
Get a QuoteContinental
EcoContact 6
- Efficiency-focused tyre built for city driving
- Great for short trips and everyday economy
175/65 R14Popular on small cars like the Vauxhall Corsa
Get a QuoteGoodyear
Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
- Premium ultra-high-performance tyre
- Excellent dry and wet grip with sharp response
235/40 R18Popular on performance cars like the Audi S3
Get a QuoteBridgestone
Potenza Sport
- Track-capable UHP tyre for sporty cars
- Strong braking and precise steering feel
235/40 R18Popular on the BMW M-Sport range
Get a QuoteHankook
Ventus S1 evo3
- Sporty performance tyre at a keen price
- Well-balanced wet and dry handling
215/45 R17Popular on warm hatches like the Skoda Fabia
Get a QuoteDunlop
BluResponse
- Efficient everyday touring tyre
- Good wet grip and low running costs
185/65 R15Popular on small cars like the Toyota Aygo X
Get a QuoteNo models match that exact combination.
Try removing a filter — or call us on 01252 323077 and we'll find your tyre.Stock changes daily across every model and size — call or WhatsApp us and we'll confirm what's ready to fit for your car here in Guildford.
Why Below 7°C Matters
What Winter Tyres Actually Do
It's a common myth that winter tyres are only for snow. The real benefit kicks in on any cold road — which in Surrey means most of December to February.
01
Softer at low temperatures
Summer tyres harden and lose grip below 7°C. Winter compounds stay flexible, so they keep gripping cold tarmac long before there's any snow.
02
Shorter cold-road braking
On a cold, wet road a winter tyre can stop you metres shorter than a summer tyre — the margin that avoids a shunt.
03
More sipes clear water & slush
Hundreds of tiny sipes bite into snow and channel away slush and standing water that a summer tread can't cope with.
04
Seasonal swap service
We fit your winters before the cold sets in and swap them back in spring — booked around the forecast, not guesswork.
05
Safe storage
No room for a spare set of wheels at home? We store your off-season tyres safely so your garage stays clear.
06
3PMSF certified
Look for the three-peak-mountain-snowflake mark — the only symbol that certifies real winter performance, not just an M+S label.
Our Tyre Fitters
People who
know their tyres.
Every fitter on our floor is trained, experienced and has been with us for years. Your wheels are in safe hands.
46+
Combined yrs
4
Specialists
100%
In-house
MT
Senior Tyre Fitter
Fitting, balancing & TPMS
WA
Wheel Alignment Specialist
Camber, caster & toe correction
EV
EV & Run-Flat Specialist
EV-rated, run-flat & OE fitments
SA
Service Advisor
Tyre quotes, sizes & bookings
Open Today · Same-Day Tyre Fitting
Need new tyres?
Fitted in under an hour.
Thousands of tyres fitted for drivers across Guildford. Call with your tyre size for an all-in quote — no pressure, no obligation.
All-In Pricing
Rated 4.9★ on Google
Price-Match Promise
All Major Brands
Same-day fitting · Free tyre check · No obligation · 4.9★ from 1,200+ reviews
Open Today
15K+
Tyres Fitted
4.9★
Google Rating
25yr
Experience
Not sure which tyre is right for your car?
Tell us your car and your yearly mileage and we'll give you a straight answer — even if it's the cheapest option.
Winter vs All-Season vs Summer
Which One Do You Need?
For most Guildford drivers it comes down to how rural your roads are and how often you drive in genuine cold.
You drive rural or hilly roads
Lanes around Shere, the Hog's Back and the Surrey Hills ice over first and clear last. A dedicated winter set is the safest choice.
You mostly do town & A-road miles
An all-season tyre with the 3PMSF snowflake is usually the sensible compromise — one set, all year, no swap.
You garage the car in winter
If it barely moves in the cold, all-season tyres are plenty. Save the winter set for high-mileage cold-weather drivers.
You already own winter tyres
Use our swap-and-store service — we'll change them over each season and keep the off-season set safe.
7°C
The temperature it all changes at
Below 7°C, a summer tyre's rubber stiffens and its grip drops — wet or dry, snow or not. A winter tyre is built to stay soft and grippy in exactly those conditions. That's why the benefit is about temperature, not snowfall.
Book your winter fit before the first cold snap — slots fill fast when the forecast turns.
Got a cheaper quote? We'll beat it.
Bring us a written quote from another local garage for the same tyre, fully fitted, and we'll match or beat the price.
Do You Actually Need New Tyres?
Six Signs It's Time To Replace
If any of these sound like your car, bring it in for a free check before it becomes an MOT failure or a fine.
Tread near 1.6mm
The legal minimum across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Below it, it's an instant MOT failure.
Cracks in the sidewall
Fine cracking means the rubber has perished. Common on cars that sit unused for long periods.
A bulge or egg-shaped lump
Usually kerb damage. The internal structure has failed and the tyre can blow out — replace it now, not next week.
Worn on one edge only
A classic alignment problem. New tyres alone won't fix it — the geometry needs setting up too.
Vibration through the wheel
Often a balancing issue, sometimes a deformed tyre. Either way it's wearing your suspension while you drive.
Over 6 years old
Check the 4-digit DOT code on the sidewall. Rubber hardens with age even with plenty of tread left.
1.6mm
The UK legal minimum tread depth
Measured across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the whole tyre. Most safety bodies recommend replacing at 3mm — wet braking falls off sharply below that, long before you're actually illegal.
The 20p test: push a 20p coin into the main tread groove. If you can see the outer band of the coin, your tread may be below the limit — get it checked.
Driving on an illegal tyre risks a £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points — per tyre. All four illegal means up to £10,000 and losing your licence.
Free tyre check — no appointment needed
Pop in and we'll check tread, pressures and condition on all four tyres. Takes 10 minutes, costs nothing, and there's no obligation to buy.
Tyre Size Guide
How to read
your tyre size.
Not sure what size you need? Every tyre has its size printed right on the sidewall. Here's exactly what each number means — so you can order with confidence.
Same-day fitting
Most sizes in stock
All major brands
Your tyre size is printed on the sidewall
Width
205
/
Profile
55
/
Rim Size
R16
Load & Speed
91V
01
205mm
Width
The width of the tyre across the tread, measured in millimetres from sidewall edge to edge.
02
55%
Profile
The sidewall height as a percentage of the width. Also called the aspect ratio — lower means sportier.
03
R16in
Rim Size
"R" means radial construction. 16 is the wheel diameter the tyre fits, measured in inches.
04
91V
Load & Speed
91 is the load index — the max weight each tyre can carry. V is the speed rating — the maximum safe speed.
In-stock sizes
Popular tyre sizes we carry
Most available for same-day fitting
175/65 R14
Common fit
185/60 R14
Common fit
185/65 R15
Common fit
195/55 R15
Common fit
195/60 R15
Common fit
195/65 R15
Best seller
205/55 R16
Best seller
205/60 R16
Common fit
205/65 R16
Common fit
215/55 R17
Common fit
215/60 R17
Common fit
225/45 R17
Popular
225/50 R17
Common fit
225/55 R17
Common fit
235/45 R17
Common fit
235/35 R18
Low profile
235/40 R18
Popular
245/40 R18
Sport fit
255/35 R19
Sport fit
275/35 R20
Premium
195/70 R15
Van fit
205/65 R15 C
Van / LCV
215/75 R16 C
Van / LCV
225/75 R16 C
Van fit
Simple Process
New Tyres In Four Steps
01
Enter Your Reg
We pull up the exact tyre sizes your car came with — no measuring, no guessing at the sidewall.
02
Pick Your Tier
Budget, mid-range or premium, with the fully-fitted price shown against each. Ask us if you're unsure.
03
Book Your Slot
Choose a time that suits you. Same-day slots are usually available on common sizes.
04
Fitted & Checked
Fitted, balanced, pressures set and alignment checked. Usually 30–45 minutes and you're away.
Every Budget Covered
Brands We Stock & Fit
Can't see yours? We can order almost any brand or size, usually for next-day fitting.
Michelin
Continental
Pirelli
Bridgestone
Goodyear
Dunlop
Falken
Hankook
Yokohama
Kumho
Toyo
GT Radial
Vredestein
Avon
Sumitomo
BF Goodrich
Nexen
Maxxis
Cooper
Nokian
Uniroyal
Accelera
Kenda
Davanti
Guildford Garage · 15+ Areas Nearby
Our workshop is right on your doorstep.
Giant Auto Care is a fixed garage based in Guildford. Customers drive to us from across Surrey — most are here within 15 minutes. Covering GU1–GU8, GU22 and GU23 postcodes and beyond.
15+
Nearby areas
<15 min
Most drives to us
Same day
Most bookings
25 yr
Serving Surrey
Areas that visit our Guildford workshop
GuildfordGU1
StoughtonGU2
Onslow VillageGU2
BurphamGU4
ShalfordGU4
MerrowGU4
WorplesdonGU3
SendGU23
GodalmingGU7
AshGU12
WokingGU22
CranleighGU6
Common Questions
Winter Tyres — Answered
Do I really need winter tyres in Guildford?
If you drive rural Surrey lanes, hills, or commute in early-morning cold, they make a real safety difference — winter tyres grip better on any road below 7°C, not just snow. If you mainly do town driving and garage the car in bad weather, a good all-season tyre is usually enough.
What's the difference between winter and all-season tyres?
Winter tyres give maximum cold-weather and snow grip but should be swapped back in spring. All-season tyres are a year-round compromise — they carry the 3PMSF snowflake for real winter capability while still working in summer, so there's no seasonal swap. We'll help you pick based on your roads and mileage.
Can you store my summer tyres?
Yes. We offer seasonal swap-and-store — we fit your winter tyres when the cold arrives, store your summer set safely, and swap them back in spring. It keeps your garage clear and your tyres in good condition.
What is the 3PMSF snowflake symbol?
The three-peak-mountain-snowflake mark certifies a tyre has passed a real snow-traction test. It's more meaningful than the older M+S marking, which any tyre can carry. Look for the snowflake if you want genuine winter performance.
When should I fit winter tyres?
As a rule of thumb, once daytime temperatures regularly sit below 7°C — usually late October or November in Surrey. Book early: slots get busy the moment the first frost is forecast.
Get Winter-Ready Before The First Frost
Book your winter tyres or a seasonal swap now — we'll have you gripping cold roads before the temperature drops.
Find Us
Our Garage Is In Guildford
We're based right here in Guildford, Surrey — easy to reach from across the town and the surrounding areas. Pop in, or call ahead on 01252 323077 and we'll have everything ready for you.