What are YOU doing to ensure safe driving in snow/ice

vaio

Lum wrote: »

Well after a bit of research I think I'm going to go with the Nokia WR G2, just not sure which size to go for

My summer wheels run 225/50/16, and the car alignment is set up for these but I can also fit 205/55/16. My winter wheels are a 7" width and I'm not sure if my summer wheels are 7" or 7.5"

The 205's are a fair bit cheaper as they are 94H wheras the 225s are 96V, my car only actually needs 91H anyway

The questions are: will 225 fit on my 7" rims, will going to 205 !!!!!! up my alignment and given I'm buying proper snow tyres, is it better to go wider or narrower?

I’m sure the answer will be on the web somewhere but my gut feel is 205 is a bit narrow for a 7 inch wheel so I’d go with the 225s.

I run winter tyres on my S4 and they are 225/40/17 on 7½ inch wheels which is the same combination as the summer ones

somech

vaio wrote: »

I’m sure the answer will be on the web somewhere but my gut feel is 205 is a bit narrow for a 7 inch wheel so I’d go with the 225s.

I run winter tyres on my S4 and they are 225/40/17 on 7½ inch wheels which is the same combination as the summer ones

for snow skinny tyres are best, yes a 205 will fit on a 7 inch wheel, but go with whatever gives an equal rolling diameter

Lum

Both of those sizes give the same rolling diameter 205/55/16 is 632mm and 225/50/16 is 631mm, so no worries there. I was just worried that 225 may be too big for a 7" rim

Also National tyres in Cardiff have offered me 4 Nokia WR G2s in 225/50/16 for £65 each including fitting and VAT. MyTyres want £97 each just to post the damn things too me. For comparison I pay over £100 each for my summer tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3)

The other two major tyre chains around here couldn't supply them. Also last time I was at this particular branch of National they actually used a torque wrench to put the wheels back on.

somech

all of this is presuming of course that we actually get any snow this winter.

Lum

Winter tyres aren't snow tyres, though they are better in the snow.

Might get a set of chains as well though.

knowloads

Best option for ice and snow, travel at 3am when all the 'commuters' are in bed. Great fun and very safe. LEARN TO DRIVE then the weather is not as problematic. Snow chains are illegal in the UK. As are studded tyres, and anyhow, we onky get 2-3 days a year usually.

Inactive

somech wrote: »

all of this is presuming of course that we actually get any snow this winter.

Very true, there will be some red faces if we don't.:)

I recall some years ago my Brother owning an ex-London Taxi, now that really would go anywhere in snow or ice, he even pulled a Land Rover out of a ditch bottom with it.

The tyres were well worn standard ones.

vaio

Another GSD3 fan here…

I’ve had a little mooch on the web and 205 seems to be on the limit with 7 inch wheels, so I’d go for the 225s.

If you are thinking about chains, double check there is clearance tyre/suspension, on mine there is only about 5mm between tyre and upright so chains would be a non starter. Having said that I do Germany and France every year in the winter, both to places where they have serious proper snow and I’ve never had a problem with just winter tyres & Audi 4WD.

flyingscotno1

Inactive wrote: »

Very true, there will be some red faces if we don't.:)

I recall some years ago my Brother owning an ex-London Taxi, now that really would go anywhere in snow or ice, he even pulled a Land Rover out of a ditch bottom with it.

The tyres were well worn standard ones.

Well. I've not encountered any just yet, but have had icy weather and hail.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3189851/Snow-way-back-as-blizzards-block-roads.html

knowloads wrote: »

Best option for ice and snow, travel at 3am when all the 'commuters' are in bed. Great fun and very safe. LEARN TO DRIVE then the weather is not as problematic. Snow chains are illegal in the UK. As are studded tyres, and anyhow, we onky get 2-3 days a year usually.

This came up last year during the snow and it was stated that snow chains and studded tyres are legal, but it is against the highways act to cause damage to the pavement. Therefore the number of situations they can be used are mainly reserved to the remote highlands of Scotland.

Inactive

If that is what the Sun call " Heavy Snow ", I would hate to see what they call real snow.:D