Downsides to winter tyres?
Discussion
Ok dont shoot me, it's 29 degrees or whatever - fine.
But.
My new (to me) car gets delivered in October. I'm tempted to tell them to just stick it on winter tyres from the get go (it's only a little Skoda Fabia) but chances are they won't be in their ideal "ice" conditions until 6 - 8 weeks later. Having never used winter tyres before - is there any downsides to just using them in the wet/cold rather than ice/snow?
Stupid question I know, but I've never actually used them..
But.
My new (to me) car gets delivered in October. I'm tempted to tell them to just stick it on winter tyres from the get go (it's only a little Skoda Fabia) but chances are they won't be in their ideal "ice" conditions until 6 - 8 weeks later. Having never used winter tyres before - is there any downsides to just using them in the wet/cold rather than ice/snow?
Stupid question I know, but I've never actually used them..
If they are M&S tyres, they are probably fine all year round.
From Michelin:
“M+S” tyres, or Mud and Snow tyres, have been specially designed to improve your car’s performance in mud and fresh or melting snow. “M+S” relates to the tyre’s tread design which generally has solid grooves and/or the tread blocks are spaced further apart than those on standard tyres. Some “M+S” tyres are also all-season tyres, suitable for all year round, however their performance is not as high as designated summer tyres in hot weather or Cold Weather tyres in cold weather. Not all Mud and Snow tyres have been tested as Cold Weather tyres. On the other hand, all Cold Weather tyres carry the M+S mark.
From Michelin:
“M+S” tyres, or Mud and Snow tyres, have been specially designed to improve your car’s performance in mud and fresh or melting snow. “M+S” relates to the tyre’s tread design which generally has solid grooves and/or the tread blocks are spaced further apart than those on standard tyres. Some “M+S” tyres are also all-season tyres, suitable for all year round, however their performance is not as high as designated summer tyres in hot weather or Cold Weather tyres in cold weather. Not all Mud and Snow tyres have been tested as Cold Weather tyres. On the other hand, all Cold Weather tyres carry the M+S mark.
Like any tyre riot depends on the brand, I run bridgestone blizzak lm32 in the winter, and the other halfs car has nokian WR g2 (same car and engine) the nokians are a lot better in the wet and snowy stuff but noisier on the motorway in the dry.
I wouldn't foresee any issue running them from October.
I wouldn't foresee any issue running them from October.
With the car you're using them on, I doubt you'll notice any difference other than slightly increased wear if you rag it everywhere in hot weather. I've run winters all year round for two years now, including last year's "heatwave" and noticed no difference. But that was on a 1.6 Honda that hasn't been driven hard.
No doubt you would notice a difference if it were a sports car or something with a lot of power. In a fast car I understand that in the heat the tyres tend to squirm around a bit and sometimes squeal.
No doubt you would notice a difference if it were a sports car or something with a lot of power. In a fast car I understand that in the heat the tyres tend to squirm around a bit and sometimes squeal.
w00tman said:
My new (to me) car gets delivered in October. I'm tempted to tell them to just stick it on winter tyres from the get go (it's only a little Skoda Fabia) but chances are they won't be in their ideal "ice" conditions until 6 - 8 weeks later. Having never used winter tyres before - is there any downsides to just using them in the wet/cold rather than ice/snow?
The "winter" tyres generally sold in the UK would more properly be called "cold weather" tyres. So with that in mind, your question answers itself.I ran my winters until June this year. Other things got in the way.
They became very noisy in the warm and grip became fairly poor as temperatures increased. Changing back to summer tyres was as great a feeling as it was changing to winter tyres when it was cold.
For an October delivery, it's probably an ok move though. July/August on winter tyres would be rubbish though.
They became very noisy in the warm and grip became fairly poor as temperatures increased. Changing back to summer tyres was as great a feeling as it was changing to winter tyres when it was cold.
For an October delivery, it's probably an ok move though. July/August on winter tyres would be rubbish though.
No real downsides to using them in the autumn. People in my neck of the woods often run winter tyres all year round with few or no negative effects when driven normally.
Winter tyres come into their own when the air temperature drops below 7 degrees C & often perform well in mild, wet conditions too due to the tread design.
If you're buying winter tyres best buy a full set of 4 for optimum grip/stability. Also, make sure you get proper winter tyres with the combined mountain & snowflake symbol, 'Mud + Snow', 'M+S' or 'All Season' tyres just don't cut it when it gets properly cold and snowy. There's some stuff on it here:
http://www.snowtyres.com.au/severe-service-emblem
Winter tyres come into their own when the air temperature drops below 7 degrees C & often perform well in mild, wet conditions too due to the tread design.
If you're buying winter tyres best buy a full set of 4 for optimum grip/stability. Also, make sure you get proper winter tyres with the combined mountain & snowflake symbol, 'Mud + Snow', 'M+S' or 'All Season' tyres just don't cut it when it gets properly cold and snowy. There's some stuff on it here:
http://www.snowtyres.com.au/severe-service-emblem
GreatGranny said:
Only PH can start a winter tyre thread in the midst of a heat wave.
Leave it on the tyres it came with, it's the bloody summer and it's the bloody UK.
I agree with this statement, my car has to have winters on in the winter as its company policy. But I work in a country where summers are very hot and winters are very cold. I notice the difference. Never needed them in the uk.Leave it on the tyres it came with, it's the bloody summer and it's the bloody UK.
GreatGranny said:
Only PH can start a winter tyre thread in the midst of a heat wave.
Leave it on the tyres it came with, it's the bloody summer and it's the bloody UK.
The car is coming the first week of October, and, given that said car is literally free, chucking £300 at them to fit it with winters (or cold/wet weather tyres, as I now know they could also be called) seems like a pretty reasonable idea given what everyone suggest - i.e. it won't cause any problems.Leave it on the tyres it came with, it's the bloody summer and it's the bloody UK.
Thanks for the info everyone, apologies for the slightly unseasonal question.
Drive normally and you won't notice the difference. Maybe a bit noisier and I dare say they'll wear ever so slightly quicker in warm weather.
When driving quickly you can feel them squirming around underneath you a bit and they squeal like a kicked piglet if you really lean on them.
Bottom line is I see plenty of people using them year - you'll be fine.
When driving quickly you can feel them squirming around underneath you a bit and they squeal like a kicked piglet if you really lean on them.
Bottom line is I see plenty of people using them year - you'll be fine.
OP - I've just got back from Croatia (30 deg) and noticed that several cars there were running winters....
However, actually useful infrmation, just put it on All Seasons like the Goodyear Vector 4 Season, or the Bridgestone A001. They both do pretty well in the tyre reviews as they're usable all year round, and the Bridgestones are particularly good in the wet.
It may depend where you live I suppose, I live in the SE so the all seasons are perfect for very occsional white stuff (and for if I go north in the winter...), if you live in the Scottish Highlands then maybe ignore me and just get proper winters...
However, actually useful infrmation, just put it on All Seasons like the Goodyear Vector 4 Season, or the Bridgestone A001. They both do pretty well in the tyre reviews as they're usable all year round, and the Bridgestones are particularly good in the wet.
It may depend where you live I suppose, I live in the SE so the all seasons are perfect for very occsional white stuff (and for if I go north in the winter...), if you live in the Scottish Highlands then maybe ignore me and just get proper winters...
We always say that if you are looking for a balance go for the all season tyres but they will offer reduced summer performance. Above 7 degrees c the winter tyres will not perform well and it is not advised to run these all year round.
The Goodyear Vecotor 4 Seasons is good all season option or The Dunlop SP Sport 2030. For cheaper options the Hankook Optimo 4S is a good option for all seasons.
Hope that helps.
The Goodyear Vecotor 4 Seasons is good all season option or The Dunlop SP Sport 2030. For cheaper options the Hankook Optimo 4S is a good option for all seasons.
Hope that helps.
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