Summer vs all season vs winter tyres.

[raf_gti]

OH is currently driving a 1.2 fiat 500 and replacement tyres are rapidly looming. Currently the car is on OE bridgestones which has served their purpose well.

As she is no way arsed about steering feel etc what would be the best tyre compromise? Would a mild winter tyre be suitable for year round use? Is an all season tyre really any better than a summer tyre in winter?

One consideration is that she is self employed and has an 18 mile ea way drive to work on rural roads. stty performance is important.

[wackojacko]

PH tyre guide ?


Maybe Toyo proxes of some sort or Goodyear Eagle F1's of some sort ? both quite good in all weathers.


My T1R's were really capable in the snow, rain, standing water and 20+ degree heat.

[page3]

I have eagle F1's on the Volvo. Brilliant in the dry. Good in the wet. Poor in the cold. Lethal in the snow!

Definitly not recommended for 'all season' and I'd be interested in suggestions of something better for all year round too.

[thinfourth2]

I've never got stuck due to too much sun

All season or winter tyres if you aren't trying to shave 3 seconds off your commute

[Tunku]

I've been thinking about getting Bridgestone A001 All Weather tyres for a V70 that lives in Scotland.

[Caulkhead]

I run all-season Vredestein Quatrac 3 tyres on my Fiat Doblo. They are excellent - work perfectly in the summer, were very good in the snow and ice and ride better than the Pirelli summer tyres they replaced. I think they would suit a 500 very well indeed and look like they'll last babout 22,000 miles on a heavy diesel Doblo.

[DJC]

thinfourth2 said:

I've never got stuck due to too much sun

All season or winter tyres if you aren't trying to shave 3 seconds off your commute

I'd go for some all-season tyres such as the Bridgestone A001 or Kleber Quadraxer if they are available in the right size.

[liquidken]

All season tyres are too much of a compromise for our climate. They're not that common on the market, either.

The best option is winter for the wet/cold months and summer for the rest of the year. You could use winters all round of course. However, they can get noisy and lose a little grip/braking efficiency in the hotter months. Increased cabin noise can be an issue, too.

Depends how sensitive she is as a driver really. Mrs Liquid wouldn't notice if I changed her tyres for industrial solids.

[otolith]

I've been very happy with the year-round performance of Vredestein Quattrac 3 all season tyres.

[DJC]

liquidken said:

All season tyres are too much of a compromise for our climate. They're not that common on the market, either.

The best option is winter for the wet/cold months and summer for the rest of the year.

Not sure I agree with your first statement. They are almost perfect for our climate in that they provide adequate grip during the winter months (far better than a summer tyre) and more than adequate grip in the summer unless you tend to drive very hard. Certainly much better than a winter tyre on all year.

Whilst not that common (yet), they are easily purchased from Europe via the web. Even my local tyre stockists now do a few brands of all season tyres.

Your second statement I agree with entirely, but for most people this isn't an option and an all season tyre is a better compromise.

[chrisr29]

otolith said:

I've been very happy with the year-round performance of Vredestein Quattrac 3 all season tyres.

Yup, agree. Have run these on a couple of cars now and they work well in everything. Last ages to.

Great in the wet. Had a set on an old v70 volvo and the speed that old barge could be punted round wet roundabouts was hilarious!

[swanny71]

Caulkhead said:

I run all-season Vredestein Quatrac 3 tyres on my Fiat Doblo. They are excellent - work perfectly in the summer, were very good in the snow and ice and ride better than the Pirelli summer tyres they replaced. I think they would suit a 500 very well indeed and look like they'll last babout 22,000 miles on a heavy diesel Doblo.

Put four of these on the Mrs' Corsa in November and they've impressed so far. Not the last word in steering feel or feedback but they've been great in all weather/road conditions, are quiet at motorway speeds and she's still getting 55mpg. Added bonus is that they're tough as old boots when kerbed and are in their element on muddy country lanes where she does a lot of her miles.

It's not a performance car but these tyres are perfect for it and how it's used.