Need a "normal" car for icy hill next winter.

alanrowell

ramellous1 wrote: »

I have noticed the cars that get up are "snub nose" types like clios, focuss etc which must have more weight on the front wheels.

My Clio has problems doing a 3 point turn as it can't get up the camber on the street. Guess I'll need to obtain some old carpet

Quinny_2

My 406 HDi has not got stuck at all over the last 2 weeks.

Wiped the smile off one of my neighbours faces the other day, as he was bragging that his 4wd Frontera was the best car he's ever had, until he saw me leaving the street in the same snowfall.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

littleredhen wrote: »

thanks pgilc have tried to source winter tyres but my local garage can't get any - can order online but will need one of us to take a day off to accept delivery - dh going to scrap yard at weekend i hope

So order some snow chains or snow socks.

ramellous1

mikey72 wrote: »

What tyres are on the Zafira, mines poor on hills, on Michelin Energys.

They are called Admiral - Powermax. They are real budget cheapies. My mate has a tyre shop and these are about 25 quid each. They are made by Kumho.

rsvtoddy

As said above - for snow the cars with thinner tyres are far better. The latest fashion for wide, low profile tyres on modern cars is the worst thing for snowy roads.

I put 185 section winter tyres on to replace the 205 section tyres that are fitted as standard - made a massive difference.

roswell

keep the car get some snow tyres, any 2 wheel drive car with good snow tyres is better than 4x4`s on slicks ;-)

Mutton_Geoff

Snow chains are a poor option for the UK as they can't be used as soon as you reach tarmac (ie most trunk roads).

Skinny winter tyres are the option. Any decent tyre place is going to have them in stock, but if you change the rims/tyre size on your car fitting these, don't forget to tell your insurer. Your car handbook may contain advice on the size recommended for winter use.

Brands like Audi have an option for winter tyres/wheels on their European websites, it's just us Brits think one set of tyres work all year round. Another misconception is that 4WD vehicles are safer/better in the snow and I expect sales enquiries have shot up, however, 4WD is just that, four wheel drive. To stop you need 4 wheel brakes and all cars have that facility. A 4WD doesn't stop any better than a 2WD one.

Control on ice and snow is about putting down traction and being able to steer & stop. Skinny winter tyres are more help than the vogue for large 4WD vehicles as others have mentioned.

Hintza

Petree wrote: »

the fiat panda 4x4 is more versatile than a mountain goat!

The normal Panda does pretty well too. The boss hasn't got stuck yet and she laeves home before 6am. Two cars got stuck in the lane hours after she left (no more snow).

mikey72

neil1965 wrote: »

Would agree with the above posts about choice of tyres. used to have a renault 4 van with kleber mud and snow tyres ( for running around a farm). would go anywhere! Would advise seeing what size wheels you could get from a scrappyard ( the narrower the better) and then get some mud and snow tyres to fit Not sure if kleber still make the mud and snow tyre. but vredestein do a good snow tyre think its called the snowtrack. sure there are lots of other makes though.

regards Neil.

Snowtrac 3 is their winter tyre, but an allweather tyre Quatrac 2 is supposed to be good.
I might try them when (if) the Michelins wear out.

Kazipoo

I have a golf and in Leeds we have had snow on the ground since the week before Christmas.... I have been out in all weathers and not encountered any problems whatsoever, I am sooooo chuffed with myself, especially when I saw one of them BMW chunky munkeys getting stuck and sliding on the very slight hill coming out of the supermarket on Christmas eve.... hilarious!!!