Winter Tyres or AT's on a 4x4

[creampuff]

Can anyone clarify with M+S tyres: I thought it was just the coarse tread pattern which gave them the mud and snow rating. Is there any difference to the rubber content which keeps them soft at low temps like snowflaked winter tyres?

[MackemPete]

creampuff said:

Can anyone clarify with M+S tyres: I thought it was just the coarse tread pattern which gave them the mud and snow rating. Is there any difference to the rubber content which keeps them soft at low temps like snowflaked winter tyres?

or are they required to have sipes to grip the snow?

[Bill]

Coarse tread pattern: yes. Soft rubber or sipes: no.

[LeoSayer]

I’ve got Conti 4x4 Contact (M+S) on my X5. I can’t compare them to winter tyres but hope this helps anyway….

They’re quieter than the summer road tyres that were on previously, there’s no noticeable drop in mpg, no noticeable handling, traction or braking deficit.

I see them as a way to avoid getting stuck and losing control on mud, grass, snow and ice and they fulfill that role perfectly, including braking, accelerating and steering on some fairly steep snowy hills. I never tried driving on snow on the summer tyres, so no real basis for comparison there.

I’m sure I’d be able to drive faster and have a bigger safety margin with winter tyres, but I’m very happy with the year-round compromise of the Contis.