Winter Tyre Test Video

Ultrasonic

scotsman4th wrote: »

Oh come on, they've probably more chance of losing their lives getting to their front door in the morning than losing it in a crash caused by not having winter tyres on.

I was deliberately being flippant, but the argument was as dumb as deciding whether or not to buy winter tyres based on the excess on an insurance policy. Avoiding crashes really isn't just a question of preventing a bit of damage to car bodywork! Plus of course the total financial cost of a claim would end up being rather larger than the excess, due to increased future premiums.

Ultrasonic

OddballJamie wrote: »

The money will be saved when you realise your 'summer' tyres are lasting twice as long.

Whether this part of the economic argument works does depend to some extent on a car's annual mileage. If tyres end up needing to be changed on age rather than wear, winter tyres will still cost more even without the cost of the extra wheels and possible storage fee.This probably isn't he case for most drivers, but it is a consideration.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

I had my first experience of 4x4 after 20 years of driving last winter on standard tyres and it was phenomenal compared to any F/RWD car I have owned. (And this was just a 4motion Sharan)

Roads that have previously been impassable due to gradient or camber were a complete doddle. Even just having all 4 wheels engine breaking made essential journeys safer (well as safe as can be expected).

I would never switch or choose my car for this reason only, but at my change just after xmas I will be seriously considering Quattro/ X Drive vs their 2WD stable mates. I don't have the space or inclination to buy duplicate wheels and tyres.

(The guy testing was being a bell end anyway... Does he actually expect me to believe that he was making a serious effort to maintain traction when he's saying the wheel speed is an indicates 85+ mph??)

Iceweasel

lovesgshp wrote: »

Compulsory here in Italy to have winter tyres or chains carried in the car between certain dates.

Went back to the UK for a holiday some years back and found it quite amusing how many UK drivers were stuck in the snow, but then, there is no legislation for tyres or chains there.

If you travel to the continent in the winter months, then these are some of the requirements.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html

I totally agree with this. I make several extensive trips in Europe at various times of the year going as far as Greece so I've seen at first hand how other folks have to deal with bad weather.

The European countries that have frequent snow require 'Winter Equipment' (that means winter tyres fitted or chains carried) according to the calendar - usually from November till March.

This means that in Austria or Croatia for example you need to have winter tyres to go down the shops on a sunny day in December. No option - you must have winter tyres or lay your car up for the winter - some folks do just that.

Italy has different rules according to the regions so the Dolomites are different from Calabria for example.

Other countries - Germany for example - say that Winter Equipment must be fitted in snow and ice conditions.

That means that a trip to the shops on a sunny day in winter on your summer tyres is OK. The downside is of course that you can't use your car when the temperature falls below 3 degrees C or if there is a dusting of snow.

We in the UK have no rules at all - so when we get a measly centimetre of snow the roads grind to a halt.

That's when the TV news crews rush out to find an expensive 'luxury' car (like a M-Benz or a BMW) with high speed summer tyres (they have a different rubber compound these days) which go hard once the temp goes below around 7 degrees - so have lost their flexibility as well as having inappropriate sipes/tread-grooving for snow.

I bought a set of the top of the range, state of the art winter/snow tyres - Continental TS830 P - 225/45 17" for £480 - other brands are available, as they say on TV so they are not as expensive as some folks like to make out.

I bought a set of re-furbished alloy wheels for £350 so I have a summer and a winter set up, for around £800

I change them over when the clocks change. Without them I couldn't travel in Europe at will, and in the UK I'd lose money by not getting to work, or missing meetings.

I'm not for one moment saying that everyone should do what I do - just be aware that snow does not necessarily mean that we should have chaos in the UK several times a year with increasing frequency. Climate change?

To half of Europe, winter tyres are just something that they all need, if they are to travel in the winter.

Just like buying Wellington Boots for your kids. You wouldn't send them off to school in the snow wearing beach flip-flops - would you? Even if they say they manage fine and they have no need of wellies?

Jamie_Carter

Ultrasonic wrote: »

All probably true but I'm not quite sure what point you are trying to make?

It was in answer to your post.

Strider590

Iceweasel wrote: »

I totally agree with this. I make several extensive trips in Europe at various times of the year going as far as Greece so I've seen at first hand how other folks have to deal with bad weather

Don't need to go THAT far......

I was in the peak district early this year, snow everywhere...... Off on the hills/fields it was at least 6inches of snow, but the roads? completely clear!!! Even the small back roads and many private driveways (leading to a hand full of homes). Barely any 4x4's to be seen!

Elsewhere we have a combination of foolish drivers who think that 4x4 is always the answer and money grabbing local councils that would rather buy big fancy cars for themselves, than spend money on making the roads safe during the winter months.