Winter tyres? (cars)

[lewis1641]

Winter tyres are about more than just grip in snow.

They are designed to be used in conditions less than 5 degrees. At that kind of temperature an all season tyre struggles because of compound as much at tread design.

 

[REKIBorter]

Yes, winter tyres are designed to work at lower temperatures but it's all about the pattern. They have thousands of sipes (small cuts) that give loads of gripping edges to bite into the snow. Winter tyres are not recommended for year round use in our climate.

 

[Supernaut]

Mytyres had the nokian tyres for the 4x4 at £68 last week, now £109.

Ordered Nokians for my Impreza last Friday - £64 a corner.
On Monday they were £154

Smug? Oh yes

 

[JamesM]

I've always found a good quality tyres to have plenty of grip in sub zero temps unless there is actual ice or snow on the road. Budget tyre's on the other hand are generally rubbish in most conditions especially the cold and the wet. The difference between budget and decent tyres is like night and day as I'm sure most of you will agree.

So rather than make everyone have two sets of tyres and swap them round twice a year would it not be better to make cheap budget tyres illegal meaning everyone would have quality tyres which could then be made with a compound most suited to the variations in british conditions.

 

[REKIBorter]

As with anything you pays for what you get. If you want a cheap tyre that is exactly what you get. Most budget brands are made in the far east and made for a worldwide market, they don't make specific ones for the UK and so on.

 

[suburbanreuben]

I've used winter tyres on my Subaru for the last 3 years. I hadn't managed to fit them yet when I took my daughter skiing (on a dry ski slope) yesterday. I had one or two moments on the way back.getting going aint the problem with AWD- it's stopping, which is just as crap as with ordinary cars.
I fitted the winter tyres first thing this morning. Business as usual.!
Stangely , though, winter tyres are crap in the rain...

 

[Stick Legs]

Interesting, I think my rain tyres are great in the rain, rubbish when it gets over about 10c and they feel a bit 'wooley' compared to normal tyres in the dry.

On the subject of frint vs rear wheel drive any one with a little thought and experience can make good progress in both. I have had a lot of BMW's and had no problems in snow that you would not face in another rear drive car.

2 winters ago I had my Vauxhall Omega 3.0 Elite and got about fine until I got to a road that was deep enough that the car grounded out on it, the same time my sister got stuck in her LandRover Freelander. Go figure!

 

[P20]

Dont worry about what is behind you - its their fault, worry about what you are likely to hit.

Please clean your rear windows though, rather than the idiots who just clear the windscreen with the wipers. Its hard enough trying to get people to notice 5ton of ambulance behind them in ideal conditions, let alone winter weather.

 

[lewis1641]

a tad too late for this recent weather but just ordered a set of winter tyres from germany. should be here in a few days. going to put them on the wife's car as she does the most miles and if it gets icy/snowy i'll ride or walk to work.

absolutely staggered by the difference the correct compound for the temperture and the sipes make. not bought new tyres for aout 8 years and i am actually excited!

 

[Supernaut]

Mytyres had the nokian tyres for the 4x4 at £68 last week, now £109.

Ordered Nokians for my Impreza last Friday - £64 a corner.
On Monday they were £154

Smug? Oh yes

£235 this morning