Winter tyres.. wheels... partworns?
Discussion
After more than 10 years of separate rims, winter tyres and swapping them twice a year, I saw the light and went for Cross Climates.
They’re legally winter rated for Germany and Austria and on something like a Tucson you really will not feel any handling difference.
I’ve also been using them for enough years and on enough cars that noise and wear are almost as good as summer tyres and far better than winters.
I’ve got a car that stays permanently on the Alps and is on Cross Climates, as the dealer was willing to supply them as OEM from new.
My UK V90 CC is on its second set after 26k miles and spends 12 winter weeks a year in the Alps too, as well as a few summer weeks.
In terms of snow performance - I’ve never noticed a difference. They have never not got me out of a situation and I’ve only needed chains / socks where the winters would have required them too.
There are other good brands too but make sure they carry the 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) mark to ensure they’re legally acceptable in the winter.
Seriously - I won’t be going back to winters.
They’re legally winter rated for Germany and Austria and on something like a Tucson you really will not feel any handling difference.
I’ve also been using them for enough years and on enough cars that noise and wear are almost as good as summer tyres and far better than winters.
I’ve got a car that stays permanently on the Alps and is on Cross Climates, as the dealer was willing to supply them as OEM from new.
My UK V90 CC is on its second set after 26k miles and spends 12 winter weeks a year in the Alps too, as well as a few summer weeks.
In terms of snow performance - I’ve never noticed a difference. They have never not got me out of a situation and I’ve only needed chains / socks where the winters would have required them too.
There are other good brands too but make sure they carry the 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) mark to ensure they’re legally acceptable in the winter.
Seriously - I won’t be going back to winters.
Earthdweller said:
I’ve a neighbour that has a Tuscon that has all season tyres on it from the factory .. might be worth checking yours
On that point I run a Mini Countryman with Goodyear Vector 4 seasons on it all year round and the tyres are ace in all weathers and almost as good as full winters in bad weather
For reference I also run a BMW where i swop between winter/summer wheelsets
Depending where you are in the U.K. I think all seasons should be the default tyre
Not just the UK. Take a stroll around any ski resort and you’ll see many local cars on all seasons nowadays. On that point I run a Mini Countryman with Goodyear Vector 4 seasons on it all year round and the tyres are ace in all weathers and almost as good as full winters in bad weather
For reference I also run a BMW where i swop between winter/summer wheelsets
Depending where you are in the U.K. I think all seasons should be the default tyre
BikeSausage said:
Earthdweller said:
I’ve a neighbour that has a Tuscon that has all season tyres on it from the factory .. might be worth checking yours
On that point I run a Mini Countryman with Goodyear Vector 4 seasons on it all year round and the tyres are ace in all weathers and almost as good as full winters in bad weather
For reference I also run a BMW where i swop between winter/summer wheelsets
Depending where you are in the U.K. I think all seasons should be the default tyre
Not just the UK. Take a stroll around any ski resort and you’ll see many local cars on all seasons nowadays. On that point I run a Mini Countryman with Goodyear Vector 4 seasons on it all year round and the tyres are ace in all weathers and almost as good as full winters in bad weather
For reference I also run a BMW where i swop between winter/summer wheelsets
Depending where you are in the U.K. I think all seasons should be the default tyre
BikeSausage said:
After more than 10 years of separate rims, winter tyres and swapping them twice a year, I saw the light and went for Cross Climates.
They’re legally winter rated for Germany and Austria and on something like a Tucson you really will not feel any handling difference.
I’ve also been using them for enough years and on enough cars that noise and wear are almost as good as summer tyres and far better than winters.
I’ve got a car that stays permanently on the Alps and is on Cross Climates, as the dealer was willing to supply them as OEM from new.
My UK V90 CC is on its second set after 26k miles and spends 12 winter weeks a year in the Alps too, as well as a few summer weeks.
In terms of snow performance - I’ve never noticed a difference. They have never not got me out of a situation and I’ve only needed chains / socks where the winters would have required them too.
There are other good brands too but make sure they carry the 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) mark to ensure they’re legally acceptable in the winter.
Seriously - I won’t be going back to winters.
Hi BikeSausage (Wicked username They’re legally winter rated for Germany and Austria and on something like a Tucson you really will not feel any handling difference.
I’ve also been using them for enough years and on enough cars that noise and wear are almost as good as summer tyres and far better than winters.
I’ve got a car that stays permanently on the Alps and is on Cross Climates, as the dealer was willing to supply them as OEM from new.
My UK V90 CC is on its second set after 26k miles and spends 12 winter weeks a year in the Alps too, as well as a few summer weeks.
In terms of snow performance - I’ve never noticed a difference. They have never not got me out of a situation and I’ve only needed chains / socks where the winters would have required them too.
There are other good brands too but make sure they carry the 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) mark to ensure they’re legally acceptable in the winter.
Seriously - I won’t be going back to winters.
) Thanks for that detailed reply, Someone further up thread suggested the same.
You can get the Crossclimate 2 which have the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating, XL ect. So I think rather than fanny around, as you say, with loads of different options and rims ect, just whack on 4 of those before we go.
BikeSausage said:
They have never not got me out of a situation and I’ve only needed chains / socks where the winters would have required them too.
Perhaps thats the the difference between winters and ATs with sipes.I had ATs (with sipes) on a 4x4 and went through rediculous stuff and never lost traction - i.e no need for chains/socks at all. Obv. the 4x4 element is a large factor too.
The cross climates do sound impressive mind you.
Interesting posts.
Certainly I would agree the all season partially siped tyres performed well in the UK on my 306.
If you aggressively break traction in the dry the do age significantly, but unless your a student messing around in a luke warm hatch (I was) or otherwise pushing on very hard, then this is unlikely to be a huge issue.
Certainly I would agree the all season partially siped tyres performed well in the UK on my 306.
If you aggressively break traction in the dry the do age significantly, but unless your a student messing around in a luke warm hatch (I was) or otherwise pushing on very hard, then this is unlikely to be a huge issue.
Bluemondy said:
Hi BikeSausage (Wicked username )
Thanks for that detailed reply, Someone further up thread suggested the same.
You can get the Crossclimate 2 which have the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating, XL ect. So I think rather than fanny around, as you say, with loads of different options and rims ect, just whack on 4 of those before we go.
See if you can get Goodyear Vector 4 Season Gen 3s. They are marked up with the necessary snowflake M&S. They also appear to have around 1mm more tread depth from new according to Camskill. GY 7.7mm, MCC 6.6mm. ) Thanks for that detailed reply, Someone further up thread suggested the same.
You can get the Crossclimate 2 which have the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating, XL ect. So I think rather than fanny around, as you say, with loads of different options and rims ect, just whack on 4 of those before we go.
Bluemondy said:
BikeSausage said:
After more than 10 years of separate rims, winter tyres and swapping them twice a year, I saw the light and went for Cross Climates.
They’re legally winter rated for Germany and Austria and on something like a Tucson you really will not feel any handling difference.
I’ve also been using them for enough years and on enough cars that noise and wear are almost as good as summer tyres and far better than winters.
I’ve got a car that stays permanently on the Alps and is on Cross Climates, as the dealer was willing to supply them as OEM from new.
My UK V90 CC is on its second set after 26k miles and spends 12 winter weeks a year in the Alps too, as well as a few summer weeks.
In terms of snow performance - I’ve never noticed a difference. They have never not got me out of a situation and I’ve only needed chains / socks where the winters would have required them too.
There are other good brands too but make sure they carry the 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) mark to ensure they’re legally acceptable in the winter.
Seriously - I won’t be going back to winters.
Hi BikeSausage (Wicked username They’re legally winter rated for Germany and Austria and on something like a Tucson you really will not feel any handling difference.
I’ve also been using them for enough years and on enough cars that noise and wear are almost as good as summer tyres and far better than winters.
I’ve got a car that stays permanently on the Alps and is on Cross Climates, as the dealer was willing to supply them as OEM from new.
My UK V90 CC is on its second set after 26k miles and spends 12 winter weeks a year in the Alps too, as well as a few summer weeks.
In terms of snow performance - I’ve never noticed a difference. They have never not got me out of a situation and I’ve only needed chains / socks where the winters would have required them too.
There are other good brands too but make sure they carry the 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) mark to ensure they’re legally acceptable in the winter.
Seriously - I won’t be going back to winters.
) Thanks for that detailed reply, Someone further up thread suggested the same.
You can get the Crossclimate 2 which have the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating, XL ect. So I think rather than fanny around, as you say, with loads of different options and rims ect, just whack on 4 of those before we go.
Michelin frequently have a £100 discount on a set of 4 through certain fitters, including Costco.
Curiously, when not in use / stored, tyres are very sensitive to temperature, direct sunlight, etc:
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-care/h...
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-care/h...
NGK210 said:
Curiously, when not in use / stored, tyres are very sensitive to temperature, direct sunlight, etc:
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-care/h...
Sensitive, yes. Very sensitive, no.https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-care/h...
At the end of the day, they do ok stuck on the four corners of a car, in a large range of conditions.
dhutch said:
NGK210 said:
Curiously, when not in use / stored, tyres are very sensitive to temperature, direct sunlight, etc:
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-care/h...
Sensitive, yes. Very sensitive, no.https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/advice/tyre-care/h...
At the end of the day, they do ok stuck on the four corners of a car, in a large range of conditions.
Tyres actually in use / on a car will last for years before they 'go off', whereas tyres stored in a shed for 6 months, not in a cover and exposed to sunlight and changing temps, will lose grip - especially winter tyres. (Anyone know why?)
Which is why Michelin issues the advice above.
Edited by NGK210 on Thursday 9th November 17:01
NGK210 said:
Tyres actually in use / on a car will last for years before they 'go off', whereas tyres stored in a shed for 6 months, not in a cover and exposed to sunlight and changing temps, will lose grip - especially winter tyres. (Anyone know why?)
I don't run separate winter tyres so maybe there's some effect I haven't noticed, but I'm not convinced the effect you mention actually exists. Isn't it more likely that winter tyres, being made using a compound designed to remain soft at very low temperatures, simply don't like getting very hot?Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff