Winter/Snow tyres? Help and advice?
Discussion
Right, sorry to start this so early but I’ve got some questions on winter /snow tyres.
Firstly what is the difference between winter and snow tyres?
Which is best for the UK?
Now, I’m going to have to buy a run around for the winter because my car is bloody useless in the snow and to get winter tyres I’ll need new wheels etc which will cost thousands so I thought I’d be better just buying a run-around.
Any thoughts on whether or not to buy a 4X4 say like a Shogun sport and just leave normal tyres on them or buy a normal car like a old style TT and stick winter tyres on it/?
Advice and help appreciated.
Firstly what is the difference between winter and snow tyres?
Which is best for the UK?
Now, I’m going to have to buy a run around for the winter because my car is bloody useless in the snow and to get winter tyres I’ll need new wheels etc which will cost thousands so I thought I’d be better just buying a run-around.
Any thoughts on whether or not to buy a 4X4 say like a Shogun sport and just leave normal tyres on them or buy a normal car like a old style TT and stick winter tyres on it/?
Advice and help appreciated.
Winter Tyres and Snow tyres can be the same thing, or can be very different.
It kind of depends who you're talking too and where you are.
For example, snow tyres in Norway might be studded, but snow tyres in Canada are 'normal style' tyres with a specialised tread pattern.
For the sake of this post – I'll be ignoring the studded tyres.
Perhaps better described as ice tyres – for the sake of argument.
The two main difference between 'normal' tyres and winter/snow tyres are the tread and the rubber compound. Winter/Snow tyres have a softer compound that retains grip in cold weather. 7c is the normal quoted figure where one becomes better than the other – but this can very from tyre to tyre.
There are a few marking to be aware of on tyres.
Mountain/Snowflake Symbol.
M+S designation
In most of Europe where they require winter tyres the M+S designation is enough.
Lots of M+S tyres also have the snowflake, but some don't.
Some don't have it because they are perhaps more suited to mud than snow, others because they just haven't applied for it.
You're unlikely to find a Snowflake tyres that isn't M+S too though.
When you look at the tyre a snow tyre will have lots of siping in the tread.
Siping is grooves that run through the thread.
It’s used to absorb the water so the rest of the tread is on solid ground not water.
You'll need to take a look at some M+S tyres to determine whether they have siping or not, and can then decide whether you consider them to be a suitable 'snow 'tyre.
Many people consider M+S to be all season tyres.
Some of them are, but some are more winter oriented.
You'd need to look at the specific tyre.
If you plan to get two sets of tyres, make sure the winter set is snowflaked or is M+S with sipinig.
If you just want one set to last the year then I'd suggest an M+S without or without the siping as you choose.
Other Opinions are available.
I have two sets of tyres for my Hilux.
Both have M+S designation, but one set has siping and one doesn't.
Make of that what you will.
It kind of depends who you're talking too and where you are.
For example, snow tyres in Norway might be studded, but snow tyres in Canada are 'normal style' tyres with a specialised tread pattern.
For the sake of this post – I'll be ignoring the studded tyres.
Perhaps better described as ice tyres – for the sake of argument.
The two main difference between 'normal' tyres and winter/snow tyres are the tread and the rubber compound. Winter/Snow tyres have a softer compound that retains grip in cold weather. 7c is the normal quoted figure where one becomes better than the other – but this can very from tyre to tyre.
There are a few marking to be aware of on tyres.
Mountain/Snowflake Symbol.
M+S designation
In most of Europe where they require winter tyres the M+S designation is enough.
Lots of M+S tyres also have the snowflake, but some don't.
Some don't have it because they are perhaps more suited to mud than snow, others because they just haven't applied for it.
You're unlikely to find a Snowflake tyres that isn't M+S too though.
When you look at the tyre a snow tyre will have lots of siping in the tread.
Siping is grooves that run through the thread.
It’s used to absorb the water so the rest of the tread is on solid ground not water.
You'll need to take a look at some M+S tyres to determine whether they have siping or not, and can then decide whether you consider them to be a suitable 'snow 'tyre.
Many people consider M+S to be all season tyres.
Some of them are, but some are more winter oriented.
You'd need to look at the specific tyre.
If you plan to get two sets of tyres, make sure the winter set is snowflaked or is M+S with sipinig.
If you just want one set to last the year then I'd suggest an M+S without or without the siping as you choose.
Other Opinions are available.
I have two sets of tyres for my Hilux.
Both have M+S designation, but one set has siping and one doesn't.
Make of that what you will.
The snowflake symbol is a US/Canadian designation to show that the tyre has passed through standard tests to ensure that its traction on snow is at least 10% better than a normal/summer tyre. The M+S symbol is completely unregulated and can be slapped on any tyre that looks a bit chunky. That is not to say that an M+S tyre will be perform less well than a tyre with a snowflake symbol, that depends on the tyre and the manufacturer, but just be aware that it is not a guarantee of performance.
The terms "winter" and "snow" when applied to tyres in the UK seem to be used interchangeably, but suffice to say that you will not be able to source studded tyres in the UK unless you order them specially or press the wrong button on Mytyres. Anything marketed as a winter tyre by the usual suspects will most likely be studless tyres and all the interweb suppliers have pictures of the tyre so you can see what you're getting.
If you want one set of tyres to last all year round you can get all-season tyres which are a compromise between winter and summer tyres, but will keep you going in the snow - the best of these appear to be the Vredestein Quatrac 3 and the Goodyear Vector 4 seasons, with the Hankook Optimo 4s H730 and Kleber Quadraxer following closely behind (as per German tyre tests).
The terms "winter" and "snow" when applied to tyres in the UK seem to be used interchangeably, but suffice to say that you will not be able to source studded tyres in the UK unless you order them specially or press the wrong button on Mytyres. Anything marketed as a winter tyre by the usual suspects will most likely be studless tyres and all the interweb suppliers have pictures of the tyre so you can see what you're getting.
If you want one set of tyres to last all year round you can get all-season tyres which are a compromise between winter and summer tyres, but will keep you going in the snow - the best of these appear to be the Vredestein Quatrac 3 and the Goodyear Vector 4 seasons, with the Hankook Optimo 4s H730 and Kleber Quadraxer following closely behind (as per German tyre tests).
daz3210 said:
Are there any regulations that prohibit the use of studded tyres (or indeed chains and the like) in the UK?
My immediate guess is that there must be, since you don't see them being used here.
Yes.My immediate guess is that there must be, since you don't see them being used here.
Studded tyres are illegal in the UK.
(Although, I think that studded tyres with the studs removed are alright.
Most modern studded tyres have removable studs – and in fact you buy them without studs. I believe a set of studs can last longer than a set of tyres)
I believe Chains are legal in the snow, but illegal on non-snowy roads.
I think that's a common sense style of law though, as driving with chains on a clear road isn't a good idea.
In the UK, you may be better off with snowsocks rather than chains anyhow.
Snowboy said:
I believe Chains are legal in the snow, but illegal on non-snowy roads.
I think that's a common sense style of law though, as driving with chains on a clear road isn't a good idea.
In the UK, you may be better off with snowsocks rather than chains anyhow.
Thanks for that.I think that's a common sense style of law though, as driving with chains on a clear road isn't a good idea.
In the UK, you may be better off with snowsocks rather than chains anyhow.
I have a set of chains, and used them last year. I asked a copper the same question on legality, and he couldn't answer, he didn't know.
What we usually call "winter tyres" are actually badged "M+S" for "mud and snow". I think that's actually a statement on the self-clearing nature of the tread pattern rather than the rubber compound's optimal temperature range, though.
Some tyres also have a picture of a snowflake on them, but I'm not sure exactly what that means.
Some tyres also have a picture of a snowflake on them, but I'm not sure exactly what that means.
Edited by kambites on Friday 7th October 10:38
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