Winter Tyres

[Turkish]

For Roy and Turkish -

This is exactly my point, so many other variables that factor in with driving, which makes winter tyres look rather insignificant now to me.

I appreciate what you're saying. I'm not on a crusade to make people fit winter tyres, it's just a shame europeans seem better educated than ourselves.

IIRC winters drop 20% off your braking distance in snow and about 13 in the cold/wet. No matter how cautious any of us our that extra margin and grip/ability to change direction is pretty handy when conditions are poor and we're sharing the road with a bunch of complete weapons who may do something stupid in front of or while traveling towards us.

 

[Martin_172]

totally agree with that but at the same time look at the difference between ditch finders and top spec tyres in the summer and especially in the rain, just means you need to take an extra bit of care. id say the same goes for winter tyres.

infact id say there would probably be more benefit making everyone use decent all year tyres rather than winter tyres just in the winter.

i remember when i was 17/18 loads of guys i knew were running on the cheapest tyres you could buy, and obviously their driving played the biggest part in it, but had they been running decent tyres so many crashes and stupid bumps could have been avoided, and thats just in the rain!

 

[welshname]

Won't be spending the money on them. I've only been driving for circa 2 years so I'm not exactly the best driver in the world and last year I managed the 4 miles to and from work each day and to and from the pub most nights with no issues. If I lived somewhere where the snow was insane then maybe, but it's a bit excessive for most people because it's really not necessary if you just drive sensibly.

 

[drsmith]

Winter tires are awesome If you can afford them, especially if you are expecting some heavy consistent snow and don't live in a particularly accessible area. Having said that, snow tires on a 2wd are not going to have a huge impact. 4wd awd etc for sure, night and day! However, just get yourself a set of snow chains and leave them in the boot, you can whip them on and off as you please and if snow chains can't help you out, you shouldn't be driving.

I live somewhere that snows consistently so as soon as winter comes its off with the all seasons and on with the Blizzacks. Makes a huge difference on heavy snow, nothing other than chains and studded tires help in ice though. People here have the notion that 4wd helps you stop and brake, they kind of forget its a major advantage when overcoming inertia and getting moving, physics takes over for the braking haha.

 

[Munson]

They do make a massive difference with 2WD.

 

[Stava]

I can't believe there is yet another thread on this.

 

[Ollie82.]

It's quite baffling how people on here actually overlook the considerable advantages of winter tyres, dismiss them and claim all you have to do is 'take more care' and 'drive to the conditions' on summer tyres.
That's perfectly doable but its rather re assuring knowing you have on tyres that are fit for purpose when it's 3 degrees and soaking wet or on an untreated road, in the snow at 2am.

And that's just the main advantages. I don't know about anyone else but as soon as the roads start being salted my 'summer' driving style is put to bed for the winter, which then makes the need for that summer tyre performance I.e s**t to a blanket traction on a nice dry road,irrelevant.
So then taking off those same tyres and using another set makes common sense. Why scrabble around on unfit tyres for 4 months?

 

[Munson]

I can't believe there is yet another thread on this.

If you're not interested then don't contribute.

 

[Rob]

I won't be buying them. Despite recognising the advantages, I just don't care enough to spend £240+

 

[Munson]

They're the same price as summer tyres though. So once you have them it doesn't cost any more to run your car at all really.

I do actually understand why people are reluctant to get them, but sssssrsly, once you've experienced them, you'd never go back.

 

[Daniel]

It's quite baffling how people on here actually overlook the considerable advantages of winter tyres, dismiss them and claim all you have to do is 'take more care' and 'drive to the conditions' on summer tyres.
That's perfectly doable but its rather re assuring knowing you have on tyres that are fit for purpose when it's 3 degrees and soaking wet or on an untreated road, in the snow at 2am.

And that's just the main advantages. I don't know about anyone else but as soon as the roads start being salted my 'summer' driving style is put to bed for the winter, which then makes the need for that summer tyre performance I.e s**t to a blanket traction on a nice dry road,irrelevant.
So then taking off those same tyres and using another set makes common sense. Why scrabble around on unfit tyres for 4 months?

Why are you so baffled if you know its perfectly doable? :S

 

[Munson]

TBF it's not perfectly doable if you need to drive up an incline on compacted snow and ice.

 

[Daniel]

Don't go out then.

(I'm going, I need to get ready for work)

 

[Rob]

They're the same price as summer tyres though. So once you have them it doesn't cost any more to run your car at all really.

I do actually understand why people are reluctant to get them, but sssssrsly, once you've experienced them, you'd never go back.

But it's not, because I'd have to pay £50 to have them changed over every year?

Plus, I'd have to keep a set of tyres somewhere.

 

[richy22]

Blimey PMT??

 

[Munson]

PMT?

 

[Munson]

But it's not, because I'd have to pay £50 to have them changed over every year?

Plus, I'd have to keep a set of tyres somewhere.

Very true, although lets be honest, if you can't afford to change a set of tyres over, you shouldn't really have a car. Good point about storage. Helps if you have access to a garage or a large shed.

 

[richy22]

Premenstrual Tension

 

[DanielJames]

Nope, budgets on the front, summer tyres on the rear.

If it snows and I can't get to work so be it

 

[cliobritt]

Ive spent a lot of time in norway and they make an amzing difference, even on pure packed snow.

 

[Cookie]

Roy, I'm assuming you have somewhere to store your summer wheels when they aren't in use? I don't

 

[jon_r]

I've got a brand new set of 4 sitting in the garage waiting to go on. I spent 14 hours in the car last year because of the snow and I'm making every effort to ensure that doesn't happen again!

 

[Englebert]

I can't believe there is yet another thread on this.

My reason for starting the thread was to see if perceptions had changed since last winter, tbf.

 

[Gally]

I do love the 4wd owners driving 2cm off your bumper piling down roads at double the speed limit. I never realised they could defy the laws of physics. Well played.

We fixed more jeeps last year than cars.

Winter tyres are win but they are a lot of hassle for me. I'd also need another set of 17's to fit the tyres to as any smaller and they won't clear the front brakes.

 

[Englebert]

Yeah, that is an issue. Fortunately with my Smart i bought steel wheels (cost barely anything) and bought the winters very cheaply as they are only 15". I also have a garage to store my normal wheels.

I guess it depends how desperately you need to get to work. If your customers are local, then you are all affected by the snow so its not worth going in anyway. Unfortunately last year i'd take 3hrs getting into work only to phone a client up on the other side of London who would say they had nothing!

 

[Cookie]

I get a train to work, and if there ends up being too much snow the train doesn't go anywhere anyway

It's amusing watching everyone else struggle with the weather though

 

[Munson]

TBF you don't actually need another set of rims. I just get my tyres swapped over onto the OEMs.

 

[Gally]

Indeed mate, of course i'd rather have steelies. Ganster lean.

Also i'm due a set of new tyres anyway so i'd actually have to spend around £800 for 2 sets. I got to work and back okay last year. And the year before actually.

 

[Munson]

Yeah well I can jerk off without lube but it's not as good.

 

[Herr Flick]

Snow socks for my vans and winter tyres for the l200. Getting them fitted tomorrow.

I don't need a car so it was technically a unecessary purchase but it should be a huge improvement over the dunlops I have at the moment.

 

[richy22]

Just AT's would of done on the L200

 

[Stava]

My reason for starting the thread was to see if perceptions had changed since last winter, tbf.

If you looked in the right section, you would have seen about 6 threads on this. It's the same people having the same conversation.

Thread summary..

They are better, but not everyone will spend the money on them.

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

In my opinion its a waste of money, this country is so ill prepared for snow its actually embarrassing.

Never had an issue over the last 2 winters (which seemed to be the worst in terms of snow/ice) So instead ill just buy the same tyres i buy all the time and get on with it.

 

[koi]

I bought a set of 15's with the intention of putting some Winter tyres on them, however will just put some decent normal ones on instead. Managed to get stranded a few times last year but for the sake of a couple of days I don't see the point.

 

[Herr Flick]

Just AT's would of done on the L200

They are all terrain but I just called them winter tyres for some reason.

 

[gashead1105]

AO48s for me - so probably won't move much till April! Need to buy some jump leads...

Won't bother with the wife's astra either. Winter tyres make no difference to my commute, I get the train and one flake of snow basically brings the system grinding to a halt.

 

[Cookson]

It's not even going to snow.

End thread

 

[Chris_786]

I've got winter tyres, they have been superb. 100% happy with my purchase and will buy them again regardless for any car I own in the future.
Couldnt of been without them on my last two trips to Scottish highlands.

Just refurb'd my winter wheels and they will be going on today

 

[Englebert]

That looks awesome...

 

[Turkish]

In my opinion its a waste of money, this country is so ill prepared for snow its actually embarrassing.

Interesting two statements there. The country is poorly prepared yet you are doing nothing to prepare. Just playing devils advocate here btw.