Discussion
Chicane-UK said:
Willy Nilly said:
My faithful steed needs new front tyres, and when I asked about them the PH winter tyre beards said Kleber Quadraxers would do. Can I just replace the front 2 or will I die in a ball of flames unless a 4 are the same?
They'll certainly help but you end up in the risky situation where (obviously) you have less grip on the back end - when cornering for example. So whilst you may be able to get the car dragging itself out of situations where it might struggle, if you're taking a corner on a slushy / icy patch you could end up with the back end breaking away from you as the grip levels are mismatched. I'm not sure I'd want to take that risk personally. 0a said:
Should you put the grippier tyres on the back end to stop spinning?
It seems like one of those areas of endless debate concerning worn normal tyres.. I always thought general consensus was that you're better off having your "best" tyres on the rear on a FWD car as it's relatively to bring understeer, etc under control, but if the back-end steps out then it's less easy to correct. But sort of defeats the point if you just want to buy two snow tyres as you want them on the driven wheels.
Someone I know bought just a pair for the front and has found them perfectly effective and had no brown-trouser moments so really it's up to you
Chicane-UK said:
0a said:
Should you put the grippier tyres on the back end to stop spinning?
It seems like one of those areas of endless debate concerning worn normal tyres.. I always thought general consensus was that you're better off having your "best" tyres on the rear on a FWD car as it's relatively to bring understeer, etc under control, but if the back-end steps out then it's less easy to correct. But sort of defeats the point if you just want to buy two snow tyres as you want them on the driven wheels.
Someone I know bought just a pair for the front and has found them perfectly effective and had no brown-trouser moments so really it's up to you
Edited by Monkeylegend on Saturday 19th January 17:09
Chicane-UK said:
Willy Nilly said:
My faithful steed needs new front tyres, and when I asked about them the PH winter tyre beards said Kleber Quadraxers would do. Can I just replace the front 2 or will I die in a ball of flames unless a 4 are the same?
They'll certainly help but you end up in the risky situation where (obviously) you have less grip on the back end - when cornering for example. So whilst you may be able to get the car dragging itself out of situations where it might struggle, if you're taking a corner on a slushy / icy patch you could end up with the back end breaking away from you as the grip levels are mismatched. I'm not sure I'd want to take that risk personally. I'm not expecting the new tyres to be a get out of jail free card and will drive to the conditions. I don't commute in the car, it's just a tool for going to the shops in really, so it won't really do much snow driving and most of what it does do will be in town. My thinking is any old tyre will be fine when the roads are dry, so I'd like to trade some dry grip for more when it's wet or cold. Or should I just put some part worn?
Willy Nilly said:
Chicane-UK said:
Willy Nilly said:
My faithful steed needs new front tyres, and when I asked about them the PH winter tyre beards said Kleber Quadraxers would do. Can I just replace the front 2 or will I die in a ball of flames unless a 4 are the same?
They'll certainly help but you end up in the risky situation where (obviously) you have less grip on the back end - when cornering for example. So whilst you may be able to get the car dragging itself out of situations where it might struggle, if you're taking a corner on a slushy / icy patch you could end up with the back end breaking away from you as the grip levels are mismatched. I'm not sure I'd want to take that risk personally. I'm not expecting the new tyres to be a get out of jail free card and will drive to the conditions. I don't commute in the car, it's just a tool for going to the shops in really, so it won't really do much snow driving and most of what it does do will be in town. My thinking is any old tyre will be fine when the roads are dry, so I'd like to trade some dry grip for more when it's wet or cold. Or should I just put some part worn?
This year I have an rwd car as my main car and have 4 winters and wouldn't consider anything else. The fwd car is still around and still has 2 winters and will be used that way quite happily by me. So far I haven't died or anything!
Just had four Vredestein Snowtrac3 fitted to my work horse Mondeo, my god what a difference! On the original tyres it was quite concerning to drive, the slightest bit of snow would make it stop in it's tracks. Braking was quite hairy too. Tried the new tyres today, all I can say is "why didn't I get them before?", what a revelation. It is like driving a different car, the levels of grip even on ice is incredible, after gaining a bit of confidence I was pulling over into deep snow to let cars pass, absolutely no dramas gaining traction again. Whay I didnt go for them before I'll never know, going to get them fitted on the Mrs' car on Moanday.
Simon_m said:
Just had four Vredestein Snowtrac3 fitted to my work horse Mondeo, my god what a difference! On the original tyres it was quite concerning to drive, the slightest bit of snow would make it stop in it's tracks. Braking was quite hairy too. Tried the new tyres today, all I can say is "why didn't I get them before?", what a revelation. It is like driving a different car, the levels of grip even on ice is incredible, after gaining a bit of confidence I was pulling over into deep snow to let cars pass, absolutely no dramas gaining traction again. Whay I didnt go for them before I'll never know, going to get them fitted on the Mrs' car on Moanday.
How long before Countdown (of winter tyres unnecessary in sunny countries fame) comes up with a similar post? 
andyps said:
I also acknowledge that in an extreme braking/swerving situation then the car could be unstable, but to be in that situation would be driving incorrectly for the conditions.
Do you think that the chance of someone else doing something stupid requiring you to make an emergency swerve is too small to worry about?I'm thinking of another driver starting to pull out of a side road just before you are about to pass on the main road, or someone in a parked car opening a door into the road just before you are about to pass. How about when you're travelling in lane two of a three-lane motorway and the car immediately ahead in lane one moves out without signalling?
You might be lucky, but maybe not. Your choice to take the gamble, but if you are going to use only two winter tyres you should see the gamble for what it is.
andyps said:
On snow I have driven as if the car was on summer tyres in terms of speed and visibility point/hazard awareness.
Almost nobody does this. I'm not saying this applies to you, but once most drivers feel the extra grip that the winter tyres are providing, they'll be very hard pressed to resist using any of the extra 20-30 mph headroom available. So, for the general driving population, the appliance drivers, the suggestion that just having two winter tyres is a good idea is plain barking.Edited by AnotherGareth on Saturday 19th January 21:21
Simon_m said:
Just had four Vredestein Snowtrac3 fitted to my work horse Mondeo, my god what a difference! On the original tyres it was quite concerning to drive, the slightest bit of snow would make it stop in it's tracks. Braking was quite hairy too. Tried the new tyres today, all I can say is "why didn't I get them before?", what a revelation. It is like driving a different car, the levels of grip even on ice is incredible, after gaining a bit of confidence I was pulling over into deep snow to let cars pass, absolutely no dramas gaining traction again. Whay I didnt go for them before I'll never know, going to get them fitted on the Mrs' car on Moanday.
Welcome the club 
The best purchase I have ever made. I managed to work a full day yesterday and get back up my 1:6 hill, punching through the drifting snow. Then I went out and played. No cars around. What an absolute hoot! A golf diesel may not be the best rally car in the world but all that torque is great for four wheel slides at 25mph!! Lots of control going down all the steep hills nearby and a real hoon power sliding back up them
best driving Friday for looong time.This morning, after dropping my daughter at work I couldnt to bothered to go the long way round, so I went up one of the closed 1:6 road that a sliding 4x4 rangie had shoved a car through a wall. It felt soo good! No drama and naughty but fun
As others have said, for me part of the thing is other road users. For example today I had close to an emergency stop as the lady coming the other way decided she would just pull out past the four parked cars on her side of the road as I was about 10 yards from them.... Car slowed perfectly, despite the fresh snow. No matter what way you look at it, if there is something that can make your driving far safer in adverse conditions it is surely wise to use it?
tjlees said:
Simon_m said:
Just had four Vredestein Snowtrac3 fitted to my work horse Mondeo, my god what a difference! On the original tyres it was quite concerning to drive, the slightest bit of snow would make it stop in it's tracks. Braking was quite hairy too. Tried the new tyres today, all I can say is "why didn't I get them before?", what a revelation. It is like driving a different car, the levels of grip even on ice is incredible, after gaining a bit of confidence I was pulling over into deep snow to let cars pass, absolutely no dramas gaining traction again. Whay I didnt go for them before I'll never know, going to get them fitted on the Mrs' car on Moanday.
Welcome the club The best purchase I have ever made. I managed to work a full day yesterday and get back up my 1:6 hill, punching through the drifting snow. Then I went out and played. No cars around. What an absolute hoot! A golf diesel may not be the best rally car in the world but all that torque is great for four wheel slides at 25mph!! Lots of control going down all the steep hills nearby and a real hoon power sliding back up them
best driving Friday for looong time.This morning, after dropping my daughter at work I couldnt to bothered to go the long way round, so I went up one of the closed 1:6 road that a sliding 4x4 rangie had shoved a car through a wall. It felt soo good! No drama and naughty but fun
St John Smythe said:
As good as winter tyres are, a 4x4 will always have more traction. My Rangie fitted with all seasons has been great in the snow. In fact, I haven't even noticed it!
The contact point of the tyre with the road is where traction occurs and 2 wheels with winters will give more than 4 wheels with summers in icy, snowy conditions.Monkeylegend said:
St John Smythe said:
As good as winter tyres are, a 4x4 will always have more traction. My Rangie fitted with all seasons has been great in the snow. In fact, I haven't even noticed it!
The contact point of the tyre with the road is where traction occurs and 2 wheels with winters will give more than 4 wheels with summers in icy, snowy conditions.Jasandjules said:
As others have said, for me part of the thing is other road users. For example today I had close to an emergency stop as the lady coming the other way decided she would just pull out past the four parked cars on her side of the road as I was about 10 yards from them.... Car slowed perfectly, despite the fresh snow. No matter what way you look at it, if there is something that can make your driving far safer in adverse conditions it is surely wise to use it?
Yep. Agreed. Three of the driving gods had skidded off the m5 motorway on my way back, and another one had come clean off all three lanes, the hard shoulder and deposited themselves on the grass verge on my side. Meanwhile the car was happy to go at 60-70 in the snowy 3rd lane. No dramas.The only word of caution is not to get cocky. Even winter tyres have their limits. Must stop driving in the snowy 3rd lane ....
j4ckos mate said:
Ullevi said:
errrr, some people have to get out?
Are you really incapable of seeing that other people may live in different circumstances to you?
Nope, im aware of other peoples existance.Are you really incapable of seeing that other people may live in different circumstances to you?
However if i did shift-work, or my job was such that i couldn't work remotely, or other people were particularly dependent on me.
And i lived in a region where i knew the local roads where bad or often tricky in the winter, id take it upon myself to get a capable 4 wheel drive vehilce not jump on here saying how life-changing winter tyres are.
No need for a 4 wheel drive vehicle (unless you do off roading, pull big stuff, or make that lifestyle choice) to keep moving in the worst of weather. The only thing you have to watch is ground clearance. People seem to manage in Central Europe and Scandinavia without everyone resorting to 4WD vehicles in worse conditions than we tend to get here.
2 wheel drive with winter tyres does just nicely, thank you very much, as proven to my own personal satifaction over the last 3 winters that I have been using them.
I am happy to let other people make their own decisions, but I can only speak for myself and, this being a motoring forum, offer my experience and opinion.
Edited by Ullevi on Saturday 19th January 23:06
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