Small cars in winter query.....

Iceweasel

The folks who say that they have managed fine in the snow up until now with ordinary tyres are probably right - they may well have.

The thing is they haven't had to swerve or brake hard to avoid someone else - who is NOT managing. Yet!

When they do they will quickly find they are not managing either.

Rolandtheroadie

Iceweasel wrote: »

The folks who say that they have managed fine in the snow up until now with ordinary tyres are probably right - they may well have.

The thing is they haven't had to swerve or brake hard to avoid someone else - who is NOT managing. Yet!

When they do they will quickly find they are not managing either.

They've never had to swerve or brake hard because they've never put themselves in the position where they have to.

neilmcl

scotsman4th wrote: »

They've never had to swerve or brake hard because they've never put themselves in the position where they have to.

Sometimes you just can't avoid the unexpected irrespective of how "careful" you are so best to be ready for any eventuality.

bestpud

Iceweasel wrote: »

The folks who say that they have managed fine in the snow up until now with ordinary tyres are probably right - they may well have.

The thing is they haven't had to swerve or brake hard to avoid someone else - who is NOT managing. Yet!

When they do they will quickly find they are not managing either.

I have had no problems whatsoever, so feel no need to buy another set of tyres and have the expense of finding somewhere to store them over summer etc.

The potential benefit doesn't outweigh the faff and cost for me.

Iceweasel

bestpud wrote: »

I have had no problems whatsoever, so feel no need to buy another set of tyres and have the expense of finding somewhere to store them over summer etc.

The potential benefit doesn't outweigh the faff and cost for me.

That's exactly what I meant in my post about some folks having had no problems whatsoever.

You may well do - one day.

Then you may well come to understand what the faff and cost is all about.

The folks with bent cars do.

I hope you never find out - and that you continue to be lucky, and think that winter tyres bring no benefit.

I prefer to be as prepared as possible for unexpected hazards and the necessary avoiding action.

Some people need no convincing - for others nothing will convince them.

Rolandtheroadie

Iceweasel wrote: »

That's exactly what I meant in my post about some folks having had no problems whatsoever.

You may well do - one day.

Then you may well come to understand what the faff and cost is all about.

The folks with bent cars do.

I hope you never find out - and that you continue to be lucky, and think that winter tyres bring no benefit.

I prefer to be as prepared as possible for unexpected hazards and the necessary avoiding action.

Some people need no convincing - for others nothing will convince them.

Nobody's saying winter tyres arnt better than normal tyres in winter conditions, we're saying we can adjust our driving to compensate for the conditions and have no need for winter tyres.

MrsE_2

Iceweasel wrote: »

No - it's not being top heavy - once again it's the tyres.

Many/most of the bigger luxury 4X4s - RangeRover, BMW, M-Benz have high-speed, road-going tyres and therefore are no better in the snow than other cars. They were never designed to be off-road vehicles with go-anywhere capability.

The mere fact that they are 4X4 does not mean they are good in snow at all.

My rear wheel drive BMW 3 series with winter tyres will go places where my daughter's 4X4 BMW X5 with normal tyres gets stuck very easily.

My drive has a slope & a hump just before you exit. In bad snow you will struggle to get a car off it - really struggle.

My 4x4 doesn't struggle. In Surrey we have had a couple of awful winters the past few years, my car hasn't let me down once or got stuck. I usually have to go 3 miles in the morning to reach a gritted road.

Iceweasel

scotsman4th wrote: »

Nobody's saying winter tyres arnt better than normal tyres in winter conditions, we're saying we can adjust our driving to compensate for the conditions and have no need for winter tyres.

Yes - I know that's what you are saying.

I used to think that too.

Just like the folks who have never had a house-fire say they take care and follow all the safety rules - so they have no need of a Fire Extinguisher.

I'm going to shut up now, and hope that you can continue to think the way you are thinking now, for as long as possible.

Good luck.

Rolandtheroadie

Iceweasel wrote: »

Yes - I know that's what you are saying.

I used to think that too.

Just like the folks who have never had a house-fire say they take care and follow all the safety rules - so they have no need of a Fire Extinguisher.

I'm going to shut up now, and hope that you can continue to think the way you are thinking now, for as long as possible.

Good luck.

I'm going to shut up now too (nearly).

You've got a fire extinguisher? I've got a hose.

I used to think that a fire extinguisher was enough.

I hope you can continue to think the way you think as well, for as long as possible.

Good Luck

alastairq

I know from my experience with snow tyres but.......does anyone buy 'winter' tyres and simply use them all year round?

What differences are displayed between summer tyres in summer, and winter tyres in summer?

[I will assume you all comply with the Law, Highway Code, etc when driving.....so don't want any heroics at 95 mph,ta!]