the automatic car that loves to dance on ice

The_Turner

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Its an old thread but seasonal..i may have commented previously? Autos in Ice? ften useless. Friend has anAuto SLK and she wont drive it in snow/ice as it is uncontrollable. I have a mk3 20 year old golf and it is perfectly possible to drive fast down a straight road in snow/ice,brake suddenly,,and well,,it just stops...( for test purposes only)

You have a car you can drive fast and stop on ice?

I see why you've kept it 20 years.

colino

I wonder about the real economics of winter tyres though. I live in Central Scotland and we have our unfair share of snow and ice and live in a hilly, semi-rural village. Last year there were only three days when driving was a no-no (Big automatic cars with normal tyres) but on checking with blackcircles the cheapest branded winter tyre for the cars were £206 and £228 each respectively.
I think I'll stick to the rubber thats on them.

sunshinetours

colino wrote: »

I wonder about the real economics of winter tyres though. I live in Central Scotland and we have our unfair share of snow and ice and live in a hilly, semi-rural village. Last year there were only three days when driving was a no-no (Big automatic cars with normal tyres) but on checking with blackcircles the cheapest branded winter tyre for the cars were £206 and £228 each respectively.
I think I'll stick to the rubber thats on them.

My winters are cheaper as wheels will be 17" rather than 19". In theory I am saving money on tyres if they are cheaper as for 4 months of the year or so I'll be running cheaper rubber

Downsides are potentially storage of second set (own shed/garage or dealer if lucky) and initial outlay on tyres (not lifetime cost) and cost of second set of wheels 9ebay or other second hand ones often can be sourced).
Other downside is the majoprity of Uk driver swho don't have them fitted and who won't stop in time if you did have to stick the anchors on

Plus as this is MSE - you don't buy your winter tyres in December! The prices would have bneen cheaper in August/September

Gloomendoom

colino wrote: »

I wonder about the real economics of winter tyres though. I live in Central Scotland and we have our unfair share of snow and ice and live in a hilly, semi-rural village. Last year there were only three days when driving was a no-no (Big automatic cars with normal tyres) but on checking with blackcircles the cheapest branded winter tyre for the cars were £206 and £228 each respectively.
I think I'll stick to the rubber thats on them.

That's why I run all weather tyres year round.

Actually, it wasn't by choice, that's what the manufacturer fits as standard.

Mr_Toad

sunshinetours wrote: »

Its a wonder Germany manages to function with all those Mercs and BMW's in their harsher winters than ours......... oh yes they fit winter tyres - must be a coincidence......;)

I lost count of the number of Merc's and fellow BMW's I drove round in the heavy (for us) snow last year with looks of astonishment from some. Winter tyres absolutely transform powerful RWD cars. They are ever more necessary as tyres become lower profile and larger which is about the worst set up for winter conditions.

Driver education is of course at least as important

In the worst of last years snow I came across a stuck BMW that was struggling to get up a hill. She had snow chains fitted. Unfortunately they were on the front wheels!

Priceless.