What are the disadvantages of winter tyres?
Discussion
I have read countless articles in the last couple of years extolling the virtues of winter tyres i.e. a Ferrari 458 on winter tyres will cope better with snow than a Range Rover on summer tyres blah, blah, blah!
So why are they not fitted as standard? Do some markets, such as Canada where there is snow for 6 months of the year have them fitted as standard? Why change back to normal tyres in the summer?
I'm guessing that winter tyres don't grip as well in warmer weather (lower contact area?) and stopping distances may be slightly longer but would you really notice this on the road. Are they detrimental to fuel consumption? To be fair I've never used them but my Subaru seems to cope fine with snow on summer tyres. So if winter tyres are so great, why not fit them as standard and at what point do winter tyres become better than normal tyres and vice versa?
So why are they not fitted as standard? Do some markets, such as Canada where there is snow for 6 months of the year have them fitted as standard? Why change back to normal tyres in the summer?
I'm guessing that winter tyres don't grip as well in warmer weather (lower contact area?) and stopping distances may be slightly longer but would you really notice this on the road. Are they detrimental to fuel consumption? To be fair I've never used them but my Subaru seems to cope fine with snow on summer tyres. So if winter tyres are so great, why not fit them as standard and at what point do winter tyres become better than normal tyres and vice versa?
In my experience, to varying degrees depending on the tyre in question and what you're comparing it to: The "jagged" tread pattern that's so good at generating grip on snow creates more road nose and drag; they're usually a softer compound so they wear faster and give less precise turn-in and less steering feel; and they generate marginally less grip in warm dry weather.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Life's a compromise.
Winter tyres are only good for half the year. So much more cost and half the convenience.
Poor compromise!
I buy good tyres - they may be quite costly but they work all year round.
Excellent compromise!
Never quite understood that argument. If you do run winter, and summers, you don't run either for the year, so use less, last longer, so to speak. Winter tyres are only good for half the year. So much more cost and half the convenience.
Poor compromise!
I buy good tyres - they may be quite costly but they work all year round.
Excellent compromise!
Your all season tyres are a compromise.
I found this video quite quick and informative http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLMwF5WR-us and there are other more in depth comparisons and reviews if you search for them.
I don't think we'll see it as a legal requirement like Germany and other countries because we don't have snow and ice for the duration/the most part of winter, and when we do its for perhaps 10 days of the year for most parts of the UK
I don't think we'll see it as a legal requirement like Germany and other countries because we don't have snow and ice for the duration/the most part of winter, and when we do its for perhaps 10 days of the year for most parts of the UK
Winter tires are not high speed performance tires, and as said, have a different compound designed for low temperatures. They make a huge difference. I have had them of FWD,RWD,AWD and 4x4 vehicles If you live in a snowy area, the all seasons are much less grippy. I now use only summer and winter tires on the cars that are used all year. Even have tiny little winters for the Smart ForTwo.
They are mounted on rims, so no problem with the changeover.
They are mounted on rims, so no problem with the changeover.
Ouch!!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff