Too soon for winter tyres...?

bms1972

The day before the first snow (in my area) last year, I finally had winters fitted to my RWD car - having spent a few weeks trying to find a reasonably priced set after realising how gripless my car was on its runflat tyres in even normal frosts. The next day I was driving easily through 4-6 inches of fresh snow and over packed ice as many other cars were abandoned.

The same day I had the tyres fitted, a colleague in a similar RWD car wearing summer runflats was gliding brakeless into the back of another car in the first snow in his area, he was caught out absolutely by the lack of grip.

The timing was pure luck and it's easy to fit winters at the right time if you have them on a spare set of wheels in the garage.

Winters might be less than ideal above 7 degrees, but they will not result in you having an accident except at the most extreme limits of tyre performance. Summer tyres in winter conditions can easily contribute to an accident, without the driver having put them to any extreme beyond venturing out on the road.

It's a simple equation and, just like insurance, it's up to the individual to decide whether winter tyres are right for them. Having now experienced both types of tyres in the "wrong" conditions, I know which is the bigger gamble.

movilogo

Just fit all season tyres and no need to worry about temperature going up or down :-)

ridethelightning

movilogo wrote: »

Just fit all season tyres and no need to worry about temperature going up or down :-)

But if you want the best grip it only takes a small amount of effort to change from summers to winters when the temperature drops. Not a huge problem when it comes to being as safe as possible during the winter and reducing the risk of a serious accident.

Dedicated winter tyres are going to be better during the winter than all seasons, as will summer tyres in the summer.

SG27

It was -2c here this morning and quite Icy too so now I'd say it's time to put them on if you've not already done so.

sunshinetours

bms1972 wrote: »

The day before the first snow (in my area) last year, I finally had winters fitted to my RWD car - having spent a few weeks trying to find a reasonably priced set after realising how gripless my car was on its runflat tyres in even normal frosts. The next day I was driving easily through 4-6 inches of fresh snow and over packed ice as many other cars were abandoned.

The same day I had the tyres fitted, a colleague in a similar RWD car wearing summer runflats was gliding brakeless into the back of another car in the first snow in his area, he was caught out absolutely by the lack of grip.

The timing was pure luck and it's easy to fit winters at the right time if you have them on a spare set of wheels in the garage.

Winters might be less than ideal above 7 degrees, but they will not result in you having an accident except at the most extreme limits of tyre performance. Summer tyres in winter conditions can easily contribute to an accident, without the driver having put them to any extreme beyond venturing out on the road.

It's a simple equation and, just like insurance, it's up to the individual to decide whether winter tyres are right for them. Having now experienced both types of tyres in the "wrong" conditions, I know which is the bigger gamble.

Couldn't agree more with this. It makes a huge difference to some cars. Not sure run flats are the probelm , more like the size and profile and tread pattern of your tyres. My winters on my BM are run flats but my regular tyres are not run flats

Certainly the winters are not in any shape or form dangerous in warmer dry conditions unless maybe you were on the limits. As you say the reverse is however true

neilmcl

One thing I would say about using winters in warmer temperatures is to take it easy and don't perform any excessive maneouvres (excessive braking, cornering or acceleration). You don't want to scrub the all important sips on the tyres which are crucial for grip on the snow/ice when it gets colder.

cyclonebri1

neilmcl wrote: »

I got some that are due to go on next Monday, maybe a bit early still particularly if it starts to warm again, but I need to replace my rears anyway as well as getting a good deal for the tyres.

Some agreement then, said that all along,

ellies_angel

my winter tyes went on at the weekend. I bought cheap steel wheels for them so it's just a case of changing the wheels over so we can do it easily at home

SG27

ellies_angel wrote: »

my winter tyes went on at the weekend. I bought cheap steel wheels for them so it's just a case of changing the wheels over so we can do it easily at home

Where did you get your cheap steel wheels from? Ive had a quick look online and can't seem to find any. It's for a ford Ka.

mikey72

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-KA-Fiesta-Wheels-Tyres-Trims-Nuts-165-65-R13-/220902066885?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Rims_Car_Wheels_ET&hash=item336eca0ac5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Set-5-155-70-13-75T-Tyres-Ford-Fiesta-Rims-/280782317927?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Rims_Car_Wheels_ET&hash=item415fee2967

lots of single or pairs a well.

Sets for ours have cost around £20, and had at least two decent summer tyres I've made use of as a bonus.