Winter tyres: should we believe the hype?
Discussion
PHers,
It's mandatory in most northern European countries to run winter tyres from November through to March.
It would seem sensible that if you believe the messages coming through from the press that winter tyres operate better below 7 degrees than "normal" tyres that we should make the change.
However, if this is the case then why is it so difficult to locate these tyres?
Does anyone have any recommendations for tyre centres who they know can deliver winter tyres?
Location is ideally around Camberley...
Cheers,
Nick
It's mandatory in most northern European countries to run winter tyres from November through to March.
It would seem sensible that if you believe the messages coming through from the press that winter tyres operate better below 7 degrees than "normal" tyres that we should make the change.
However, if this is the case then why is it so difficult to locate these tyres?
Does anyone have any recommendations for tyre centres who they know can deliver winter tyres?
Location is ideally around Camberley...
Cheers,
Nick
Winter tyres are highly recommended by me for all winter driving and are not just better in the snow and ice but better whenever it gets cold and wet. They are a significant safety improvement. Essential IMHO for winter driving and as the OP says its a requirement in many parts of the world. If I were to have an accident in the winter on normal tyres then it would be seen to be as bad as driving around with bald tyres and my insurance would be invalid. I am living the Alps and winter tyres make a huge difference in grip levels from personal experience.
There is, as expected, also quite a difference between different manufactures winter tyres. The ÖAMTC (Austrian AA)review winter tyres ever year.
http://www.oeamtc.at/index.php?type=article&id...
Google translate does a good enough job if your German is not up to it. The tests are grouped into tyre sizes on the left. It seems cheap Chinese 'winter' tyres are not very good!!!!
You should not use winter tyres all year round. They are designed for cold winter conditions and will wear out too quickly in the summer. Also, I am told summer tyres are actually better for summer conditions.
I have been running Continental winter tyres for the last 4 or so years and they have been superb. They are usually in the top 5, if not top, in the ÖAMTC tests too. I have had mates going up mountain trails with me who got stuck on black ice whereas mine just kept going and I didn't even notice it was slippery. Audi Quattro helps also
I never worry about snow fall or ice. Its snowing right now and I am quite looking forward to the trip home. Only once had to get the snow chains out and that was on a 16% hill with 50cm fresh snow on old packed stuff.
If I get back to UK I will definitely invest in a good set of winter tyres. They are much safer and I am still surprised that so few in the UK use them given the other measures done in the name of safety.
I should also say that tyre width is an important factor too but it depends on the sort of snow as to which is better. Fresh soft stuff, then your better off with skinny tyres. These more easilly cut through the snow to find grip below whereas as fat wide ones act like skiis. I tried once in TVR......never again
. Wide tyres are better when the snow is hard packed... bigger grip area. The link I posted talks about it a bit.
ps I also like Spikes spiders snow chain system. Expensive but very quick to fit. Also, some cars do not have the clearance behind the wheels and these just fit on top of the tyres and not around it, so are OK with sport cars and alloys. Chains, or least having a set in the boot, are also a requirement on some extreme mountain roads.
There is, as expected, also quite a difference between different manufactures winter tyres. The ÖAMTC (Austrian AA)review winter tyres ever year.
http://www.oeamtc.at/index.php?type=article&id...
Google translate does a good enough job if your German is not up to it. The tests are grouped into tyre sizes on the left. It seems cheap Chinese 'winter' tyres are not very good!!!!
You should not use winter tyres all year round. They are designed for cold winter conditions and will wear out too quickly in the summer. Also, I am told summer tyres are actually better for summer conditions.
I have been running Continental winter tyres for the last 4 or so years and they have been superb. They are usually in the top 5, if not top, in the ÖAMTC tests too. I have had mates going up mountain trails with me who got stuck on black ice whereas mine just kept going and I didn't even notice it was slippery. Audi Quattro helps also
I never worry about snow fall or ice. Its snowing right now and I am quite looking forward to the trip home. Only once had to get the snow chains out and that was on a 16% hill with 50cm fresh snow on old packed stuff.If I get back to UK I will definitely invest in a good set of winter tyres. They are much safer and I am still surprised that so few in the UK use them given the other measures done in the name of safety.
I should also say that tyre width is an important factor too but it depends on the sort of snow as to which is better. Fresh soft stuff, then your better off with skinny tyres. These more easilly cut through the snow to find grip below whereas as fat wide ones act like skiis. I tried once in TVR......never again
. Wide tyres are better when the snow is hard packed... bigger grip area. The link I posted talks about it a bit. ps I also like Spikes spiders snow chain system. Expensive but very quick to fit. Also, some cars do not have the clearance behind the wheels and these just fit on top of the tyres and not around it, so are OK with sport cars and alloys. Chains, or least having a set in the boot, are also a requirement on some extreme mountain roads.
Edited by m4rk on Friday 26th November 16:17
Tyres or no tyres, if the person in the car behind you is texting while driving, yelling at their kids, or just generally being an idiot tailgater with no respect for braking distances according to weather conditions, then you are doomed to get stuffed up the backside regardless 
Happy happy thoughts
Happy happy thoughts
Edited by L666 on Monday 29th November 14:02
We've had loads of these threads.
This morning, on my journey to work, the temperature averaged 3 degrees. It was dry. The grip levels of my tyres were compromised. The rears would spin far more easily than usual on application of revs from a standstill.
Winter tyres going on the M5 this week. Don't have any for the car I was driving thismorning, but I'm thinking of getting a set.
This morning, on my journey to work, the temperature averaged 3 degrees. It was dry. The grip levels of my tyres were compromised. The rears would spin far more easily than usual on application of revs from a standstill.
Winter tyres going on the M5 this week. Don't have any for the car I was driving thismorning, but I'm thinking of getting a set.
Winter tyres: should we believe the hype?
Just ask Kwik-Twit to fill your tyres with Carbon Dioxide.
Apparently it will warm up your tyres and they grip better!
Just read it on WWF, Greenpeace also say it will capture millions of tons of the stuff too!
Outside the box or what?
Oh Nokian tyres are pretty good in winter!
Just ask Kwik-Twit to fill your tyres with Carbon Dioxide.
Apparently it will warm up your tyres and they grip better!
Just read it on WWF, Greenpeace also say it will capture millions of tons of the stuff too!
Outside the box or what?
Oh Nokian tyres are pretty good in winter!
It's just a big ploy for the manufacturers to claw some money back out of the Brits during a recession. Anyway, everyone just starts driving like a geriatric stroke victim when it's really cold and icy, so you'd only end up with added-performance tyres that you can't use, because some bibette is going ten down the road, just asking to be slammed into the back of.
Define winter tyres? When I lived in Scandinavia it was required to run studs, from November to the weekend after Easter, and studs work, I understand for my son that the current law is un-studed winter tyres in towns studs if you go out, so now you need three sets of wheels. I think the current talk of winter tyres and 4x4 being required in the south of the UK is rubbish, When i lived in Scandinavia I used rear wheel drive Volvo’s and BMW's no problem, my old E28 had a wooden box that went into the boot and held two kerb stones, so they didn't rattle, and they went in every weekend for the drive to the skiing, never got stuck, and I’m talking real snow. But in the south of the UK for a few days a year why would you want the expense and noise of so called 'winter tyre', having spent time in Aberdeen I'd give you Scotland can be different.
It’s a few days a year (normally) with one off type winter that looks like this year, but there can be no way it is worth the expense to either the person or society of gearing up the ways Scandinavians do.
It’s a few days a year (normally) with one off type winter that looks like this year, but there can be no way it is worth the expense to either the person or society of gearing up the ways Scandinavians do.
No matter what the naysayers utter regarding winter tyres I and others know they are very effective in all wintry weather be it cold damp roads, rain, fresh snow, hard packed snow, or ice. There is no way in hell that you can persuade me to not fit them. The cost easily justifies the benefit and the increased safety. They have got me places safely many, many times without fuss throughout the winter, even in extreme conditions, where summers would have surely left me stranded or put me at much greater risk of having an accident. Now with the correct tyres winter journeys are no more stressful than summer ones and there is the peace of mind that should I have to brake in an emergency then I have the best chance of stopping and avoiding an accident with my winters fitted.
I gave a lift home to someone last night which involved driving up a steep hill with fresh shiny ice all over it from the snow melt run off. My passenger was sure it would be best if they got out and walked home to save me from the risk and hassle. Walking was very difficult it was that slippery and steep. I pushed on and the car simply sailed up without even a flicker from the traction control and no abs action on the way back down either.
I gave a lift home to someone last night which involved driving up a steep hill with fresh shiny ice all over it from the snow melt run off. My passenger was sure it would be best if they got out and walked home to save me from the risk and hassle. Walking was very difficult it was that slippery and steep. I pushed on and the car simply sailed up without even a flicker from the traction control and no abs action on the way back down either.
It's just getting them now. Not much availability! When Micheldever say they are struggling I wonder what hope there is of securing a set.
There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
Edited by Nickellarse on Friday 10th December 14:32
Nickellarse said:
It's just getting them now. Not much availability! When Micheldever say they are struggling I wonder what hope there is of securing a set.
There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
According to my handbook winters should be changed when they reach 4mm tread depth.There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
Edited by Nickellarse on Friday 10th December 14:32
m4rk said:
Nickellarse said:
It's just getting them now. Not much availability! When Micheldever say they are struggling I wonder what hope there is of securing a set.
There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
According to my handbook winters should be changed when they reach 4mm tread depth.There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
Edited by Nickellarse on Friday 10th December 14:32
m4rk said:
Nickellarse said:
It's just getting them now. Not much availability! When Micheldever say they are struggling I wonder what hope there is of securing a set.
There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
According to my handbook winters should be changed when they reach 4mm tread depth.There is availability on eBay, but I just don't think the mm left really qualifies them as winter tyres. Given that new tyres seem to have about 10-12mm from what I can see on various sites, 4-5 just doesn't seem enough. It would appear that depth is everything with winter tyres.
Edited by Nickellarse on Friday 10th December 14:32
Ok just to stop me from exploding I'm going to lay out the facts as I understand them. I'm not a tyre expert, but I have spent a lot of time in Norway and am aware of their laws, their standard of driving, their driving conditions and their winter tyre usage.
1.) Winter tyres are better on snow, compacted snow, ice, and in conditions below 7 degrees C. To the point where you can drive relatively normally and not slide off of the road in the snow.
2.) Studs are the best for ice but are the worst for dry roads. Norweigans are allowed nylon studs on the roads, and some people have removable sets for winter tyres. Most people in Oslo and places like that don't use them, despite the snow getting quite heavy. They just don't need them.
3.)Summer tyres are crap in snow.
So, what people need to get through their heads is that winter tyres are NOT studded tyres although you can get studded winter tyres. Winter tyres DO make a huge difference in cold, wet, icy and snowy conditions. All season tyres are generally crap in the cold and crap in the warm.
It seems there is a lot of nonsense posted about winter tyres. They are as good as people say they are, and they are a sensible alternative to sliding about on summer tyres crashing into things. Good driving helps but will not give you the same level of safety as winter tyres do by a long way. I'd rather see crap drivers on winter tyres in snowy conditons than I would see a reasonable proportion of 'good' drivers on summer tyres in snow. Of course winter tyres do not make you indestructable, it is still possible to slide with winter tyres so the best solution all round is to have good drivers on winter tyres.
The nay sayers are wrong. As much as they believe it is a conspiracy to get people to buy more tyres it isn't. It is the law in Norway to put them on your car in October and remove them in April. The only downside is you have to buy another set of rims to keep your winter tyres on (although that isn't strictly necessary) and of course storage. You don't spend any more in tyres over time because you don't wear your summer tyres in the winter and vice versa.
1.) Winter tyres are better on snow, compacted snow, ice, and in conditions below 7 degrees C. To the point where you can drive relatively normally and not slide off of the road in the snow.
2.) Studs are the best for ice but are the worst for dry roads. Norweigans are allowed nylon studs on the roads, and some people have removable sets for winter tyres. Most people in Oslo and places like that don't use them, despite the snow getting quite heavy. They just don't need them.
3.)Summer tyres are crap in snow.
So, what people need to get through their heads is that winter tyres are NOT studded tyres although you can get studded winter tyres. Winter tyres DO make a huge difference in cold, wet, icy and snowy conditions. All season tyres are generally crap in the cold and crap in the warm.
It seems there is a lot of nonsense posted about winter tyres. They are as good as people say they are, and they are a sensible alternative to sliding about on summer tyres crashing into things. Good driving helps but will not give you the same level of safety as winter tyres do by a long way. I'd rather see crap drivers on winter tyres in snowy conditons than I would see a reasonable proportion of 'good' drivers on summer tyres in snow. Of course winter tyres do not make you indestructable, it is still possible to slide with winter tyres so the best solution all round is to have good drivers on winter tyres.
The nay sayers are wrong. As much as they believe it is a conspiracy to get people to buy more tyres it isn't. It is the law in Norway to put them on your car in October and remove them in April. The only downside is you have to buy another set of rims to keep your winter tyres on (although that isn't strictly necessary) and of course storage. You don't spend any more in tyres over time because you don't wear your summer tyres in the winter and vice versa.
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