Winter Tyres

SHIPSHAPE

k9387 wrote: »

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

Believe it or not, the average temp for last winter was only -1.

I gather winter tyres are not even useful until at -7 or the like.

And how often do we have severe weather like last year anyway?

3 times in the last 50?

I had mid range tyres fitted during the whole of last winter and I got about without a hitch, even on icy roads, one has to adjust their driving to conditions.

If winter tyres were that useful then they would be mandatory, however, we live in the UK, not Lapland.

Load of cobblers.

SHIPSHAPE

k9387 wrote: »

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.

My point is that tyres with excellent rated wet grip would make more sense for a UK driver than winter tyres for the winter period in the UK.

Unless one wants to waste money of course.

k9387

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Believe it or not, the average temp for last winter was only -1.

I gather winter tyres are not even useful until at -7 or the like.

And how often do we have severe weather like last year anyway?

3 times in the last 50?

I had mid range tyres fitted during the whole of last winter and I got about without a hitch, even on icy roads, one has to adjust their driving to conditions.

If winter tyres were that useful then they would be mandatory, however, we live in the UK, not Lapland.

Load of cobblers.

Really?

It is below 7 degrees at which they become more effective, even on dry roads. It is also this compound that makes the difference between winter and all-season tyres.

How often do we have weather like that? November to March every year since measurements were first recorded (with a few exceptions), check out the Central England Temperature at:

http://www.climate-uk.com/provisional.htm

Lum

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Believe it or not, the average temp for last winter was only -1.

I gather winter tyres are not even useful until at -7 or the like.

+7, not -7

Also, since I purchased my winter tyres before the first snowfall, so didn't pay panic buying prices, they are actually cheaper than my main tyres, so as I drive around with improved grip I am also wearing out a cheaper tyre.

I am actually saving money, as well as making my car safer and able to get to places that it otherwise could not reach.

k9387

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

My point is that tyres with excellent rated wet grip would make more sense for a UK driver than winter tyres for the winter period in the UK.

Unless one wants to waste money of course.

Is it really wasting money though? (No).

Those tyres still do the same number of miles each, the fact that I have two pairs on the go at the same time just means they last twice as long (although it isn't a 50:50 split, more like 70:30).

So ultimatley I am spending the same amount of money on the tyres and only a small premium for the rims.

What do I get for this? Much better cold weather driving and probably a saving in money from not crashing (although you still can't do anything about other drivers).

SHIPSHAPE

k9387 wrote: »

Is it really wasting money though?

Those tyres still do the same number of miles each, the fact that I have two pairs on the go at the same time just means the last twice as long (although it isn't a 50:50 split, more like 70:30).

So ultimatley I am spending the same amount of money on the tyres and only a small premium for the rims.

What do I get for this? Much better cold weather driving and probably a saving in money from not crashing (although you still can't do anything about other drivers).

I remember reading an article about winter tyres for UK drivers and the conclusion was what I have said, a mid range tyre with good wet grip are more appropriate for a UK winter, whilst not spending the extra for minimal benefit.

I get through 3 sets of tyres a year and not once has it been suggested I should change to winter tyres in the winter months.

Again, I did not have any problems last winter or, indeed, the previous bad winter.

Why change that record for the sake of it?

Should I construct a brick wall in my garden and replace my wooden fence (which is fine and sturdy) just in case a severe gale may blow my wooden fence down?

k9387

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Should I construct a brick wall in my garden and replace my wooden fence (which is fine and sturdy) just in case a severe gale may blow my wooden fence down?

No, a brick wall will do much more damage to your car when you skid into it, stick with the fence! :rotfl: Joking!

To be honest, do what works for you, I'm not saying you are wrong or trying to convert you...

The topic was on the acquisition of winter tyres and I have always had good experiences with them so thought I would share my experiences and give people a little knowledge and a bit of data (as winter tyres are somewhat of a myth for many over here it seems).

Lum

It does depend where you live. For example if you live in Plymouth which is mostly flat and comparatively warm in the winter, you'll probably be fine.

Come to where I live and take a drive through the unploughed, ungritted, steep, single track lanes of the valleys and you will run into a lot of difficulty.

I remember in 2009 driving at 20mph on a flat straight dual carriageway on summer tyres and changing to 1st gear a little early (my car is a 4WD auto) and ending up sideways across the road with a Nissan Micra a few inches off my driver's door.

I remember well one of the dual carriageways, with the inside lane full of abandoned cars who could not make it up the hill. I remember my GF choosing a route with less steep hills and having to drive up even that hill at a 45 degree angle in her RWD car.

I also remember people returning to their abandoned car in the morning to find it had been broken into and stuff stolen.

Winter 2010/11 I put winter tyres on, and despite worse snow, had no problems at all, apart from nearly getting rear ended by an X5 that was unable to stop as quick as me.

See if you can blag a lift off someone with winter tyres fitted. Even as a passenger the difference is obvious.

k9387

Some interesting results: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wTg0l3_wI Start watching at 1:30

And a nice quick UK example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXnFYS81PMs

grizzly1911

Keep on spending guys just think of the Chancellor raking in all those 20%s.

On the basis the vast majority of people don't bother the risk mitigation is pretty low.

I accept the legal argument for Germany, wondered how they afford to bail out Greece;)