Autosocks

InsideInsurance

Unfortunately have the lowest in the range, the higher spec versions get 20" rear wheels and keep the same size 19" fronts.

OddballJamie

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Out of curiosity, how do you find out the acceptable wheel sizes for a car?

My car's fronts are 255/35/19 and rears 285/30/19 which are the smallest option for new build and would be a none starter for winter tyres even if I wanted to keep that size of wheel as there dont appear to be any made in that size for the rear end

I was fortunate in that they do my model with 16", 17", 18" and 19" from the factory. There are calculators online to get the right tyre size by diameter, also they have to clear the brakes.

Have you tried asking the main dealers whether they have a winter wheel option and finding out the size? I know Audi do this and I imagine many others do too.

Iceweasel

Usually on the driver's door pillar there is a label that gives all the alternative tyre sizes and the tyre pressures.

Don't fit any strange non-listed sizes or your insurance company will likely not be happy.

Ultrasonic

GlynD wrote: »

Why not just use snow chains? More effective I would have thought and certainly wear better.

Are snow chains legal on British roads? I have a vague recollection that they aren't, but I'm certainly not sure.

Gloomendoom

Ultrasonic wrote: »

Are snow chains legal on British roads? I have a vague recollection that they aren't, but I'm certainly not sure.

Yes, they are legal. However, chewing up the surface of the road isn't. Even in snowy conditions, in the UK most journeys will involve travelling on a mix of cleared and uncleared roads. You will get a fair bit of exercise if you try and use them just on snow as GlynD suggests.
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Ultrasonic

forgotmyname wrote: »

In a lab tthere will probably be a measureable difference in mpg. In real life the difference maybe less.

What is actually measured is rolling resistance, which I suspect can be measured fairly accurately. I posted the European Tyre Label numbers (from here) as this in the only estimate of the mpg differences that I have seen. I suspect (but am not certain) that these are calculated rather than measured numbers. They will not be accurate for a wide range of reasons. The biggest probably being that the true impact will vary with how efficient the engine of the vehicle is, with for example there generally being a smaller effect for diesel rather than petrol cars. I'd be very interested in any real data if anyone has any...

forgotmyname wrote:

Never had winter tyres, So i cannot comment on them. I wouldnt mind testing a set like the snow dome video i watched a while back.

But test both in my car with me driving exactly the same.

Cynical me dod wonder if the driver with the winter tyres was just a better driver? Smoother with the clutch/throttle and knew to feather it not just plant it down.

What I'd be interested in, but have never seen, is a comparative test of winter tyres on cold, wet roads (i.e. typical British winter conditions), rather than on snow. I know winter tyres will be better on snow, but the only driving on snow I'm likey to do is driving about 100 m down the road to my house, or about a car park at work (both on the flat). My summer tyres are fine for this.

However you do it there is additional cost to winter tyres, and some actual data to base a decision on how worthwhile they are would be good.