20 November 2024

Hiring a car in winter? We cover all you need to know about your car rental

Do I need snow chains if I have winter tyres with my rental car?

During the colder months there are just a few extra elements to consider when it comes to your hire car such as whether or not you need to add winter tyres. How do you know if they are included and when do you need winter tyres and when should you use snow chains?

Driving in a country which typically sees a lot of snow and ice can be very different from your driving experience here in the UK. In some countries such as Germany and Austria, winter tyres are compulsory for a number of months and during this time, your rental car will automatically be provided with them.

In countries such as France and Italy, where there are mountainous regions, you may be required to have snow chains in the car if your vehicle is not fitted with winter tyres. In these areas you may find that snow chains are included but not winter tyres.

In many other locations however, you can add winter tyres or snow chains as an additional extra to your booking. This is usually known as a Winterisation fee.

You can compare car hire including winter tyres with ease by using our in-house car hire broker Clarify Car Hire. We show what winter extras are included in the hire. We also offer the option of winterisation where it is available and what the cost would be for your chosen vehicle.

How do winter tyres help with driving?

Winter tyres are made of a softer material and along with the deeper grooves provide a much better grip on the road and therefore more traction so the car can keep more control on icy patches. They can help with your driving experience in wet, icy and slippery conditions due to the improved tyre contact with the road surface.

Usually, if your rental car comes with winter tyres fitted, you will not be offered snow chains as well.

When would I need snow chains?

When there is deeper and more compacted snow on the road surface snow chains can excel at enabling you to get a grip on the road, particularly on hills. If you fit snow chains on your car in deeper snow, you will need to pull over and remove them when you reach roads where the snow is thinner. If they are left on, they can wreck the car’s wheels as well as the road surface.

With snow chains fitted on your rental car you will need to keep your speed under 30mph and only make gentle turns to avoid scratching or causing other damage to your hire car.

Chains offer even better grip than winter tyres and, if you are driving through a remote area where the roads have not been treated or cleared, they can prove invaluable. If you have never used them before then we recommend practising before you set off – YouTube has some very helpful tutorials. Take a high-viz jacket and some think gloves with you as protection when you travel, just in case you have to put the snow chains on at the roadside.

There are countries, such as France and Italy, where in mountainous regions it is compulsory to have snow chains in the car during the colder months if you are driving a car which is not already fitted with winter tyres.

Our Top Tips for Winter Car Hire

1 – Consider taking out a car hire excess insurance policy which will cover the excess on your car rental as well as areas such as your windscreen and tyres should you be charged for damage.

2 - Remove all snow from the car before setting off including the roof on any journey.

3 – Take a windscreen scraper in your luggage or pop to the nearest garage when you arrive. It can make those early starts a whole lot easier.

4 - Ensure windscreen wipers and car lights are all working and you know where the controls are in the vehicle.

5 – Keep some extra bits of warm clothing in the car. If you break down and you have to get out, you will need them!

6 - Use dipped headlights in heavy snow and use fog lights if the visibility gets worse.

7 - Drive at a slower speed, leaving a larger gap between vehicles, and avoid sudden turns and sharp acceleration to prevent skidding.

8 – Keep your mobile phones charged. When you collect your hire car it may be dark so the torch function can be very handy for checking the vehicle over. It also means you can contact your car hire company or the emergency services if needed.

9 – Speak to the car hire desk when you arrive if you are expecting snow or bad weather. They can best advise you if there are further precautions you should take.