Why dont we change between Winter and summer tyres in the UK
Discussion
I want to open up a debate and id be interested to know if anyone can explain why we in the UK dont follow the continentals (tyre pun intended) and have 2 sets of tyres one for summer and one for winter driving. I just married a German and they think us Brits are backwards for not doing this.... After hearing their arguments im kind of in agreement with them:
1) every time it snows the country shuts down and icy roads become skid pans, winter tyres would make safer for driving and keep the country moving. Its the law in most of Europe to have the right tyres for the conditions on your car,
2) it saves money. Summer tyres wear quickly in winter and winter in summer. So you get both optimum performance and less wear.
3) ive owned afew japanese cars in my time and all of them suffered from alloy corrosion as a result of salt on our roads. If you had a winter set on steel rims i could have saved my alloys another £500 ever 3 year's
Also i just found out that bmw offer an £80 a year tyre storage service so even those without storage space could do this.
Therefore why the hell arent we all doing this?
1) every time it snows the country shuts down and icy roads become skid pans, winter tyres would make safer for driving and keep the country moving. Its the law in most of Europe to have the right tyres for the conditions on your car,
2) it saves money. Summer tyres wear quickly in winter and winter in summer. So you get both optimum performance and less wear.
3) ive owned afew japanese cars in my time and all of them suffered from alloy corrosion as a result of salt on our roads. If you had a winter set on steel rims i could have saved my alloys another £500 ever 3 year's
Also i just found out that bmw offer an £80 a year tyre storage service so even those without storage space could do this.
Therefore why the hell arent we all doing this?
because most except Scotland have mild weather all year round with a few snow falls or icy weather. If people want to waste loads of money on winter tyres for 2 days a year that is there right, the rest just get on with their lives.
Edited by The Spruce goose on Tuesday 14th November 18:11
Can’t say I have ever struggled without winter tyres tbh we don’t really get winters anymore couple of weeks of frost, I managed to pilot my first car a triumph dolomite in the snow, also managed to ride to work on my moped in the snow for the whole of winter, there is a reason why it’s not mandatory in this country and that is because unless you live in the outer Hebrides they just are not required for most of this country,
Yup, I run M and S tyres all year round. Pirelli Scorpian Verde All Seasons. It’s not a sports car (XC90) so I’m happy to accept they won’t perform as well as a dedicated summer tyre when it’s warm and dry. But they excel in the wet, and make the car a bit more sure footed in cold, slush and snow. No brainer for my car and use.
Not sure I’d put them on a more performance focussed vehicle if I’m honest. I’d probably go for dedicated summer and winter rubber.
Not sure I’d put them on a more performance focussed vehicle if I’m honest. I’d probably go for dedicated summer and winter rubber.
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