Winter Tyres

lovesgshp

Have all weather tyres on our 4x4 Pajero. Through the deep snow in Feb this year, they were great. Citroen has Pirelli Winter tyres, but never bother to change for summer, as not used for high mileage.
Law here, that you have to have winter tyres or chains in the car during certain dates. Fines are high and spot checks are frequent!!

SG27

Can't wait to put my winter tyres on. Had great fun in the snow last winter. I'm a big fan of them but unless driving is essential for you whatever the weather I'd say they were a luxury rather than a necessity. Especially for the amount of snow we get.

Netwizard

Probably wont bother. Always do think about it, but I live 2 miles from work, mainly on main roads, so i guess i'm lucky in that respect.

Even commuting in the snow when I had the Honda S2000, it was no problem with some uniroyal rainsports on. They were great in the snow.

Now in a Volvo 940 just for work and back, and again, I've managed the last few winters in it. RWD never seems to give me any problems, but its all about smooth and gentle inputs, combined with momentum if goings up any inclines.

Having winter tyres is all well and good, and I very much appreciate the benefits of them, but if the road is blocked by everyone else using crappy summer remould's, then you won't be going anywhere, no matter how good your tyres are

I think I'm right in saying that in Europe, winter tyres during the winter season is compulsory, and works well. The same might be of use here, because if everyone used them, we would all keep moving!

Can't remember whereabouts online I saw it now but last winter, there was a picture of a BMW 1 series, fitted with snow chains on the front wheels! I think this sums up the intelligence of the general public when it comes to snowy conditions

missile

Having missed a few days work the year before, I bought winter tyres and wheel package last year and as luck would have it we got very little snow.

I guess it depends on your situation, i.e. can you afford to stay at home.

What price do you put on your safety?

marlot

Netwizard wrote: »

Having winter tyres is all well and good, and I very much appreciate the benefits of them, but if the road is blocked by everyone else using crappy summer remould's, then you won't be going anywhere, no matter how good your tyres are

Everyone seems to say that. But there aren't many people out and I just drive around them! And you have the option to use the side roads and avoid the masses.

I do some volunteer work in a 4x4 rescue and we get busy in the snow ferrying nurses and patients who need treatment. I normally use my 4x4, but have been known to turn out in my wife's Honda Jazz with winter tyres.

baby_frogmella

When buying a set of 4 tyres, Do NOT, i repeat do NOT buy tyres (premium or budget) from UK...they can be bought far cheaper from European online retailers even after delivery charges to UK - delivery is within the week. I usually buy them from https://www.reifen.com/en , Germany's largest online tyre retailer.

For winter tyres, i highly recommend Vredestein Wintrac Extreme's which can be bought for £90 each (delivered) from reifen - in UK your local tyre shop will sell this for as much as £140 each!!! I had them fitted last year and they were amazing in the snow in the Scottish Highlands. Couldn't be arrsed taking them them off in the summer and they were only slightly inferior than my summer continentals for summer use, whilst trouncing the Continental in winter use. And only 2mm wear after doing 12k
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Wintrac-Xtreme.htm

NeverEnough

Remember winter tyres are not just for snow- they make a big difference on wet, icy, cold roads when temps are consistently below 7C. I have run Vredestein Wintracs for years and have never been stuck in advserse weather when other vehciles have been slipping and sliding all over. This is the third year I am using the same set- this past season I didn't even bother to change back to my summer wheels- and I would recommend them to anyone wanting a good winter tyre.

If you do not want to order from Europe, then Tyremen are the most like
Y to have stock as Camskills generally offer bestcprice but never have stock of the Vredies. I would also recommend buying now before prices rocket again for the winter.

shammyjack

I put these on my Yaris Verso last year http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/goodyear-ultra-grip-8-175-65-r14-82-t

They totally transformed the car in wet and snow . Waiting on steel rims to go back on at the first sign of snow or sub zero temperatures.

Delivery took just 2 days from Poland . Well recommended !

Tobster86

shammyjack wrote: »

I put these on my Yaris Verso last year http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/goodyear-ultra-grip-8-175-65-r14-82-t

They totally transformed the car in wet and snow . Waiting on steel rims to go back on at the first sign of snow or sub zero temperatures.

Delivery took just 2 days from Poland . Well recommended !

They supply Dębica tyres ('opony') which come highly recommended from my other halfs family in Poland. They're a subdivision of Good Year but generally about half the price.


Winter tyres generally; I think you have to consider if your mileage and location justifies it. I had a set for my 40 mile commute across rural North Yorkshire but they're a waste of time now I'm two miles from work in Worcestershire.


[Edit] And they're pronounced 'den-bee-tsa' not 'debicker'!

Also highly worth considering is a set on snow chains; given that UK winters tend to be weeks on end of rainy, mild nonsense with the occasional week of severe snow. Sets of chains start at £30 (much cheaper than two winter tyres) and take about 5min to fit once you know what you're doing. They made my old front wheel drive Audi 80 get up an icy hill that a Suzuki Vitara on summer tyres couldn't!

anotherbaldrick

Tobster86 wrote: »

Also highly worth considering is a set on snow chains; given that UK winters tend to be weeks on end of rainy, mild nonsense with the occasional week of severe snow. Sets of chains start at £30 (much cheaper than two winter tyres) and take about 5min to fit once you know what you're doing. They made my old front wheel drive Audi 80 get up an icy hill that a Suzuki Vitara on summer tyres couldn't!

trouble with snow chains is that you can't use them on cleared roads so if you come off the iced up road onto a salted one you have to stop and take the chains off and put them in the boot, but they are now caked with ice and black road slime and you have to get your hands up the back of the wheels to unhook them and you end up with your hands and coat cuffs filthy.