Winter Tyres

k9387

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Don't bother, we don't get the severe weather to justify them.

Better off with a tyre that is good in the rain.

I loved it when I came back from Germany (where these are required by law) and had that heavy snowfall (was in Kent), people sliding all over the place with dents, scraped and crashes everywhere. All the abondoned vehicles got anoying though, had to slow down at a few points...

BTW, even winter tyres are still graded all-season - so are fine in all other conditions - they just wont last as long in the summer. Thats why even if the car didn't need to be used in Germany I would still be putting winter tyres on during the months there is any chance of going under 7 degrees in the dry, wet, snow or ice.

k9387

mikey72 wrote: »

Non standard wheels and tyres are one of those things insurers want to know about, so they can load you for being safer.
Mine are standard tyres on a second set of standard rims, so hopefully no problem when I don't tell them.

Any insurance company that charges more or refuses to cover because of winter tyres (on original or aftermarket wheels) is not worth being with (would always check though).

From the AA (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/winter-tyres-in-the-uk.html) you would only have problems if the wheels are not within spec (just like any other car part - you can buy aftermarket replacement to same spec, it doesn't have to be original). Since something like the Q5 can take from 17 to 20 as standard it is within spec.

Most wheels, such as the ones I bought, are approved for that exact vehicle anyway.

problemcashback

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Don't bother, we don't get the severe weather to justify them.

Better off with a tyre that is good in the rain.

not what all of the experts are saying

k9387

Must have gone to Spain for Christmas last year, I remember this:

anotherbaldrick

Do not forget to tell your insurance company that you are fitting winter tyres even if you are not changing wheel size. It may sound stupid beyond credibility but if you do not and are involved in an accident you may find your insurance void. If you do not believe me give your insurer a ring and just ask what the consequence of changing is.

vikingaero

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Do not forget to tell your insurance company that you are fitting winter tyres even if you are not changing wheel size. It may sound stupid beyond credibility but if you do not and are involved in an accident you may find your insurance void. If you do not believe me give your insurer a ring and just ask what the consequence of changing is.

After last winters debacle with call centre agents charging for winter tyres as modifications the ABI issued guidelines to insurers\;

The ABI said providing tyres are fitted by a reputable garage, and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, motorists should not be charged a higher premium.


"The confusion may be through call centres, where that information is not getting through," says Malcolm Tarling, of the ABI.


"The fitting of winter tyres should not affect the risk," he insists.
If anyone is told they do in fact have to pay more when they fit those tyres, they are advised to contact their insurance company's head office directly.

ventureuk

Four quality branded winter tyres being fitted tomorrow with the Kwik Fit ( I know I know but the local one is ok) 25% reduction.

Although I've got snow socks, which are excellent, the deal at Kwik fit for my fat tyred big hp Swede estate was a no brainer. At least £200 less than anywhere else for a similar tyre.

I drove very quickly in standard production cars on 1m thick ice, tarmac, packed and fresh snow in the Arctic at -10 to -35 earlier this year. I can hand on heart say that difference between everyday tyres and winter tyres can be likened to the difference between your old 21" tv and a new 50" with Sky hd.

A UK car should be shod with tyres suitable for Central European Climate with a M+S marker, Nordic tyres are not needed here.

You wouldn't go out for a walk in winter wearing a pair of running shoes you'd wear sturdy boots so why not the car.

mikey72

k9387 wrote: »

Any insurance company that charges more or refuses to cover because of winter tyres (on original or aftermarket wheels) is not worth being with (would always check though).

From the AA (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/winter-tyres-in-the-uk.html) you would only have problems if the wheels are not within spec (just like any other car part - you can buy aftermarket replacement to same spec, it doesn't have to be original). Since something like the Q5 can take from 17 to 20 as standard it is within spec.

Most wheels, such as the ones I bought, are approved for that exact vehicle anyway.

I was just going off the fact you said they were a different size wheel, on an aftermarket rim. Any aftermarket rim is a mod that must be declared normally.
(Winter or summer tyres should make no difference.)

Lum

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Don't bother, we don't get the severe weather to justify them.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/276202/-20C-to-hit-Britain

The_Daily_Express wrote:

-20C TO HIT BRITAIN

BRITAIN is braced for an Arctic blast which will bring record low temperatures within weeks, forecasters said last night.

The prediction of a bitterly cold spell with biting winds came as councils declared they have fully prepared for a big freeze by stockpiling thousands of tons of extra grit.

The mountain of salt could be dug into very soon as forecasters say Britain is likely to be hit by temperatures as low as minus 20C – perhaps even lower – and widespread heavy snow as early as the start of next month.

Parts of the country already saw the first snow of the winter this week, with two inches falling in the Cairngorms in Scotland.

James Madden, long-range forecaster for Exacta Weather

And weathermen say temperatures could plunge significantly below freezing point in a matter of weeks in many areas.

James Madden, long-range forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: “I expect the most frequent and heavy snowfalls to occur across many parts of the UK during November, December, and January.

There could also be frequent and significant snow across northern regions and Scotland throughout this winter.

“I also expect November, December, January, and Feb!ruary to feature largely below average temperatures across many parts of the UK. It is likely that temperature and snowfall records will be broken,” he said.

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Better off with a tyre that is good in the rain.

Any decent winter tyre will also be good in the rain, and on cold dry days. You seem to be thinking of pure snow tyres such as the Nokian Hakkapeliitta.

k9387

mikey72 wrote: »

I was just going off the fact you said they were a different size wheel, on an aftermarket rim. Any aftermarket rim is a mod that must be declared normally.
(Winter or summer tyres should make no difference.)

True, always best to check.

Depends on the company and their definition of 'modification'. Can best performance, value and/or spec based. Some don't even cover factory fitted extras as they class them as 'modifications'.

Some of the big companys are the worst for this.