Winter tyres vol 2
Discussion
Here's a conundrum.... as a result of this I had my TPMS go off this morning.
My current car, a 2014 SLK CDi 250 on 18 inch rims is identical to my previous car, a 2012 model. Same design and size of wheels, same size tyres. I might be imagining it but the new one seems softer sprung than the old one.
2012 car came factory fitted with Conti Sport Contact 5s, the 2014 car with Bridgestone something-or-others.
Here's the odd thing - the old one had specified pressures of 30 psi front, 33 rear. The new one 35 front, 38 rear. What's all that about? I've had the same winters (Conti TS830P WinterContacts) that I used last year on the new car. Should I go with the new cars pressures (35/38) or the old pressures?
My current car, a 2014 SLK CDi 250 on 18 inch rims is identical to my previous car, a 2012 model. Same design and size of wheels, same size tyres. I might be imagining it but the new one seems softer sprung than the old one.
2012 car came factory fitted with Conti Sport Contact 5s, the 2014 car with Bridgestone something-or-others.
Here's the odd thing - the old one had specified pressures of 30 psi front, 33 rear. The new one 35 front, 38 rear. What's all that about? I've had the same winters (Conti TS830P WinterContacts) that I used last year on the new car. Should I go with the new cars pressures (35/38) or the old pressures?
Davie said:
Targarama said:
I'm now thinking of a set of 195/45 Nokian WR A3s - seem the best option for this odd size.
Appreciate the tyre snobs won't like them... but just paid £170.00 delivered for four Nankang SV's in that size. Car doesn't do a high annual mileage and is driven my a 58 year old woman. For the money, they seem pretty good so far. I did look at others but they were nigh on double the price and I just couldn't justify that given the usage the car gets. My wife does 20k miles a year, lots of M1/M6. She's only been driving for 2 years and is a bit 'timid' on the road, so only tried and trusted for her. I told her I would buy her two tyres if she buys the other two. 4x Nokians now on their way from Mytyres for £300. She needs new front tyres anyway and I'll sell the 40% worn Conti Sport rears on Gumtree for the £40 fitting fee.
Due to hassles of getting tyres (no local places seem to be able to put hands on any, despite the net sites all claiming to have stock), and inability to find a cheap set of rubbish wheels to put them on, and the cost of getting the garage to change them all over anyway, and the good tread depth on the ones it came with, and the general odds on snow occurring anyway...
...decided to leave what's there already on, and invest in snowsocks again. I did this with my E46 touring until I fitted winters the next year, although it was tight getting them on the back wheels... it should be a LOT easier on the grand vitara. But I need something, as there will be no end of urine extracted if I get stuck in my 4x4
Which reminds me, the snow socks for the BM are still in the garage with plenty of hair left on them... must get them on ebay!
...decided to leave what's there already on, and invest in snowsocks again. I did this with my E46 touring until I fitted winters the next year, although it was tight getting them on the back wheels... it should be a LOT easier on the grand vitara. But I need something, as there will be no end of urine extracted if I get stuck in my 4x4
Which reminds me, the snow socks for the BM are still in the garage with plenty of hair left on them... must get them on ebay!
The one time I needed snow socks on my E46 I couldn't get them on as the car as there wasn't enough arch clearance for me to get my arms in. Car wasn't lowered but it was on a slope up the driveway. Neighbours saw me faffing about and gave me a push so they never got used in the end.
Picking up an E61 soon and already ordered a set of spare wheels with Continental Wintercontacts, it's one that needs the TPMS sensors in the valves so waiting to see how annoying the alarm is before I decide whether to cough up for a set or just ignore it....
Picking up an E61 soon and already ordered a set of spare wheels with Continental Wintercontacts, it's one that needs the TPMS sensors in the valves so waiting to see how annoying the alarm is before I decide whether to cough up for a set or just ignore it....
wombleh said:
Picking up an E61 soon and already ordered a set of spare wheels with Continental Wintercontacts, it's one that needs the TPMS sensors in the valves so waiting to see how annoying the alarm is before I decide whether to cough up for a set or just ignore it....
Didn't know the E61's needed them. Bugger. Was planning on investing in some new wheels for summer tyres (chucked winters on mine as soon as I got it) - looks like I'll be getting second hand OEM wheels then.tenohfive said:
Didn't know the E61's needed them. Bugger. Was planning on investing in some new wheels for summer tyres (chucked winters on mine as soon as I got it) - looks like I'll be getting second hand OEM wheels then.
They probably don't - my E92 didn't and my F10 doesn't either, they use the wheel speed sensors. Only the models with the more advanced TPMS system which tells you the actual pressure have sensors in the wheels.Fox- said:
They probably don't - my E92 didn't and my F10 doesn't either, they use the wheel speed sensors. Only the models with the more advanced TPMS system which tells you the actual pressure have sensors in the wheels.
Ah fingers crossed then it just had green lights rather than pressure readings. I'd thought it was an LCI change from reading some of the BMW forums, which doesn't sound likely if your F10 doesn't have them.Fox- said:
tenohfive said:
Didn't know the E61's needed them. Bugger. Was planning on investing in some new wheels for summer tyres (chucked winters on mine as soon as I got it) - looks like I'll be getting second hand OEM wheels then.
They probably don't - my E92 didn't and my F10 doesn't either, they use the wheel speed sensors. Only the models with the more advanced TPMS system which tells you the actual pressure have sensors in the wheels.Hugo a Gogo said:
latest Autobild had surprisingly good results from Chinese Goodride and Westlake winters - both made by same company
they are catching up, it seems
English here: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2014-Auto-Bil...they are catching up, it seems
I wouldn't call them great, but you're right, they're closing the gap slowly.
In addition to the results below, Auto Bild included a summer tyre on test for comparison purposes.
Unsurprisingly, in the snow, the summer tyre was useless, stopping over 31 metres longer than the best winter tyre in snow braking, and unable to gain enough traction to even complete the snow handling tests!
Dry testing also presented no surprises, with the summer tyre convincingly besting every winter tyre on test, stopping 4.6 metres shorter than the best winter tyre in dry braking, with a similar advantage in dry handling. The compromises a winter tyre has to make for snow performance means with todays technology, a winter tyre will never outperform a summer tyre during dry braking.
Most interesting was the wet scoring. The summer tyre put on a good show during wet braking, beating fifteen of the winter tyres, and just beaten by the Pirelli winter for second place, but finished ninth in wet handling and was considerably down in the aquaplaning tests too. Unfortunately we don't know what temperatures the wet testing was carried out, but this marks an improvement for winter tyres over previous years.
I think firstly you have to define the type of snow. Driving on fresh snow as opposed to compacted snow makes a huge difference as does the temperature.
England has the worst conditions because the temperatures are around freezing more often than not in Winter. We have a fall of snow which melts, turns to ice overnight and melts again. I cannot see a Winter tyre stopping any quicker on sheet ice.
What this report does show rather alarmingly is that it a Summer tyre will stop over four metres earlier than a Winter tyre in the dry.
People are using Winter tyres all the year round but even if they only have them on for the Winter they will be driving 90% of the time on normal roads.
I would argue that in British intermediate Winter conditions most sensible drivers are going very steadily and giving large margins for error. Collisions are usually minor and more of an inconvenience than a life taker.
This is not the case with normal driving conditions and at motorway speeds the stopping distance between Summer and Winter is the difference between life and death.
Unsurprisingly, in the snow, the summer tyre was useless, stopping over 31 metres longer than the best winter tyre in snow braking, and unable to gain enough traction to even complete the snow handling tests!
Dry testing also presented no surprises, with the summer tyre convincingly besting every winter tyre on test, stopping 4.6 metres shorter than the best winter tyre in dry braking, with a similar advantage in dry handling. The compromises a winter tyre has to make for snow performance means with todays technology, a winter tyre will never outperform a summer tyre during dry braking.
Most interesting was the wet scoring. The summer tyre put on a good show during wet braking, beating fifteen of the winter tyres, and just beaten by the Pirelli winter for second place, but finished ninth in wet handling and was considerably down in the aquaplaning tests too. Unfortunately we don't know what temperatures the wet testing was carried out, but this marks an improvement for winter tyres over previous years.
I think firstly you have to define the type of snow. Driving on fresh snow as opposed to compacted snow makes a huge difference as does the temperature.
England has the worst conditions because the temperatures are around freezing more often than not in Winter. We have a fall of snow which melts, turns to ice overnight and melts again. I cannot see a Winter tyre stopping any quicker on sheet ice.
What this report does show rather alarmingly is that it a Summer tyre will stop over four metres earlier than a Winter tyre in the dry.
People are using Winter tyres all the year round but even if they only have them on for the Winter they will be driving 90% of the time on normal roads.
I would argue that in British intermediate Winter conditions most sensible drivers are going very steadily and giving large margins for error. Collisions are usually minor and more of an inconvenience than a life taker.
This is not the case with normal driving conditions and at motorway speeds the stopping distance between Summer and Winter is the difference between life and death.
Vanin said:
This is not the case with normal driving conditions and at motorway speeds the stopping distance between Summer and Winter is the difference between life and death.
Or, and here's a novel thought, people could just drive to the conditions. What about all those on cheapo ditch-finders? Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff