Anyone on the forum use Winter tyres?

rolfw

rolfw

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Seriously looking at getting a set for the van, as we tend to have at least a couple of months where for some of most days, the temperature drops below 7 degrees.

So does anyone, particularly in the UK, use them?
 
Better to get them than be stuck without them, especially if this year's winter is to be a long one... :)

Mud & Snow tyres are certainly better for getting about in snow, but of course, on treated and clear roads, they will wear faster and may reduce MPG, but that said, snow tends to reduce MPG anyway. Just think of driving past all the numpties in BMWs who think their traction control will get them moving on their semi-slick tyres, that's certainly worth buying proper tyres just to see that... :D
 
Big problem round our rural roads is the 4WDs owned by the Farmers and the Rich (And they do actually have just cause to have 4WDs, unlike yer Chelski Tractor folk) is that they belt around the narrow lanes in this poor weather without consideration for those of us with limited traction.
 
In answer to the question no.....but this weekend I heard of a scheme over here where garages will fit "winter" tyres for you and store the "summer" ones until you need them next year. It sounds a good idea but of course the garage gets to charge you again for changing the tyres back over.

Probably better to buy some spare wheels, get them mounted with your M&S (not Marks and Spencers) tyres then just swap them yourself.
 
I know a number of country people with them, they are fairly essential in some parts of Scotland. There is a day and night difference between the summer tyres and winter tyres in snow and ice, once tried people don't go back. I used to choose tyres by the pattern and make sure the tread was at least 3-4 mm over winter but the modern tyres are definitely getting worse in snow, so my next set will be All Season. As I am used to ice and snow the compromise is ok for me.

In your case I suggest true winter tyres with the mountain and snowflake symbols, not just the M+S because a loaded van will become a guided missile if it slides around a road even at 20-30mph.

rolfw said:
Seriously looking at getting a set for the van, as we tend to have at least a couple of months where for some of most days, the temperature drops below 7 degrees.
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This seem to be somewhat misunderstood. I blame the Met Orifice.

The problem is that we have 3-4 months where the temperature is below 7 degrees for most of the time.

Especially in the evening, night and morning - due to the long nights, short days and low sun - then it is only near 7 degrees for an hour or so when the sun is highest in the sky.

That is obvious if you look at a graph of average daily temperatures, the peak (max) temperature is usually brief and the median more typical.

Then add in the wind chill which is usually significant in the north, often making -5C to -10C in a decent breeze on way too many days.
 
Yes they have the same scheme over here now Pete, Quickfit do it, but they are quite expensive to start off with, I really don't have room at home to store four complete wheels in the garage unfortunately.

@ 2cv, yes would be nice to be a little more mobile than the others.

@ Tivú, don't have that problem so much here, although some idiot in a four by flour decided to stop half way up a steep hill to pick someone up, completely ignoring the fact that the two cars behind had had to take a run up to make it to the top, result was thet they both didn't make it, while he just then continued up the hill.
 
'Proper' 4x4s are meant to have M+S (Mud + Snow) tyres, with the mud being the main hazard most of the time, and of course I know country people with such vehicles who depend on it at times.

The 'urban' 4x4 I don't know, you would have to look at the tyres for the M+S mark, if they are all season tyres they may also have the mountain & snowflake. Doesn't stop the driver from being a clueless asshat who has no idea of the countryside hazards. )(-red

All Season tyres are harder wearing than ever before, the best are similar to summer tyres and have decent rolling resistance so not as bad on mpg.

They seem to be becoming more popular on the continent for that reason. Some with the snowflake and mountain certification comply with the winter tyre laws in countries that have them, and also local bylaws in the alps etc - though be aware that many councils also demand snow chains even with certified winter tyres (mainly due to ice conditions but also for severe gradients and brown trouser high roads with huge drops) and you will be fined if you can't show them to the police.
 
Sorry hexah, missed your first post, I was typing as you posted.

I've got snow chains, but they are of course useless for anything but snow on the road, will get out and get some quotes during the week and see if I can locate a set of spare wheels.:)
 
hexah said:
(.......and brown trouser high roads with huge drops) and you will be fined if you can't show them to the police.
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An odd request if you have to provide proof
 
If you have been on those roads, proof is no problem...
 
I used summer tyres all through last winter and when it came to testing time this spring (it's every two years here) they were 'found wanting'. So at least I have fresh rubber.

In my youth I gained quite a bit of experience driving in snow and on ice both on the North Yorks Moors and round Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale. Although the skills never fully leave you the Micra is the first automatic I've driven in adverse conditions. Not my vehicle of choice for snow I have to say, which is why I only venture out if absolutely neccessary.
 
I take it there is no 'snow' position on the automatic selector?

Loads of opportunity for practice oop narth. :cool: I'm sure its been put to good use. Nothing beats having experience of driving on snow and ice, London must be hell when it snows.

There is always a sledge pulled by the petit goats...
 
I used to use Vredestein mud and snow tyres on my old Passat when we lived in Aberdeen. :eek:

They made a hell of a difference when trying to get up some of the back roads when it had been snowing :D

Can't honestly remember getting stuck in it the old 1.6TD which had the snow tyres. :confused:

My other 2.0 GT Passat was forever being pulled out. In the end i just stopped using it when it snowed :-DOH!
 
hexah said:
I take it there is no 'snow' position on the automatic selector?
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No, no snow position, just the usual R & D plus 2, 1, P(anic) and E(jector seat)

hexah said:
There is always a sledge pulled by the petit goats...
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Yes that hadn't occurred to me but as they are an unruly bunch to begin with I fear it's a none starter.:):)
 
Ive seen some natty modern snow chains on one of the Italian shopping channels - basically its 10 huge zipties long enough to go around the tyre & through the holes in the rim, with 5 on each driving wheel. Its a matter of seconds to put them on.
 
I had to look them up, out of interest.

A great idea for emergencies. Looks like a genuine innovation for once, not just marketing rubbish. Reminds me of lego. :confused: They really can be put on quickly. The steel chains take forever and rip your freezing hands to bits. Sensibly they point out it should not be used where real chains are required by law.

There are also auto socks or snow socks. They are expensive textile covers for the wheel which can be used in emergencies but I suspect they would not last 5 seconds on tarmac. I forgot about them, I think they have been available for some years. Proper tyres would be cheaper in the long run - they would last 6-10 years easily if only used 4 months a year.

Edit: I remember why I forgot about them, you put them on the tyre, then move the car a half turn forward, then pull it over the rest of the tyre - whoops see the problem there!!
 
My wife thinks everyone living here is crazy not using winter tyres as it is normal practice in Moscow. :)

This is the first year in about 7 yrs I've had to try driving a fwd car. I'm stuck with an i10 from the repair shop after someone reversed into my car in a car park. It doesn't have enough weight to leave tracks in the snow and just sort of glides everywhere atm. Today I had to leave the wife and son at home just to have enough space to go shopping, it truely is an awful car.

Was expecting it to be a bit hairy last year going from 4 years of a GT4 with permanent 4x4 and no electronic wizardry to mess about with it, to a rear wheel auto S-Type with traction control but the Jag must be heavy enough not to care as it didn't give any problems.
 
I think that an FWD car would be better in the snow (with proper tyres of course), cos the weight of the engine is over the front wheels and would provide the traction needed to get a move on, RWD, unless loaded up in the rear, wouldn't have the same traction and would just spin the tyres a lot, but of course, 4wd is the best of both in one unit, so would work better in the long run... :)
 
2cvbloke said:
I think that an FWD car would be better in the snow (with proper tyres of course), cos the weight of the engine is over the front wheels and would provide the traction needed to get a move on, RWD, unless loaded up in the rear, wouldn't have the same traction and would just spin the tyres a lot, but of course, 4wd is the best of both in one unit, so would work better in the long run... :)
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FWD cars are better . I usd to drive my dads 980cc Talbot Sunbeam hatchback whick was RWD and just going round a roundabout the back end would step out on a wet evening if you put the throttle down half a second too early. It was a complete dog in bad weather with absolutely no weight over the rear wheels.
 
Analoguesat said:
980cc Talbot Sunbeam hatchback whick was RWD and just going round a roundabout the back end would step out on a wet evening if you put the throttle down half a second too early
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Now that's FUN driving.

Sideways to Victory!
 
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