Winter tyres

Herzlos

I have to admit the need for them was quite apparent last night; fairly unexpected snow, so everything was covered. 5 min drive took 30 because every other car struggled with the slight inclines, lots of wheels spinning and cars snaking about. Cleared in the morning though so not the biggest problem in the world.

I had no problems with mine (AWD, Sunny Snowmasters), except being stuck behind a giant queue at every slope and junction, mostly due to something with sporty low profile summer tyres on.

Food for thought; do many people who buy winter tyres ever say they were a waste of time and wouldn't get them again?

force_ten

Herzlos wrote: »

Food for thought; do many people who buy winter tyres ever say they were a waste of time and wouldn't get them again?

not many if any, most of the knockers seem to be people that have never bought them or used them and are condemning them as not required on hearsay

Herzlos

I will certainly be buying a set for any car that's worth more than the tyres are.

loskie

force_ten wrote: »

not many if any, most of the knockers seem to be people that have never bought them or used them and are condemning them as not required on hearsay

I probably started 10 years ago using winter tyres
20000m per year on very rural roads, farm tracks and forest tracks in FWD Diesel Estates.
I have come to the conclusion that good quality all season tyres are better for my needs than full winters. Or just run winter tyres all year round.
Location SW Scotland.
IMHO Vredestein Quatrac's performed better on snow and ice than avon Ice Tourng which are full winters.
So NOT ALL WINTERS ARE THE SAME

Iceweasel

treboeth wrote: »

Are those really your wheels in the first pic?

Impossibly clean and shiny :rotfl:

Please send tips on cleaning asap
But do agree with you

Yes they are my actual wheels - and as force ten has said - my summer wheels are sitting stacked in the corner of the garage in exactly the same condition waiting for their turn to go back on - usually when the clocks change.

So each set gets a proper clean every 6 months.

Wonder Wheels Alloy Cleaner just applied and agitated to work it in with a paint-brush gets 99% of the inner surface crud off. I wrap electricians insulating tape around the metal ferrule part of the brush handle to avoid scratching the alloy surface.

Autoglym Tar remover gets any sticky spots off without any hard rubbing at all.

The outer visible surfaces are very easy to clean every 6 months as they get a regular clean using Autoglym Wheel Cleaner every couple of weeks.

Once you have a set of really clean wheels it's not that difficult to keep them clean. Especially if you polish and seal them - I use Autoglym Super Resin Polish followed by Extra Gloss Protection.

The hardest job I have is when I buy a used car (usually around 2 years old) and have to spend several hours with the Wonder Wheels and the paintbrush to get 2 years of neglected muck off.

But a word of caution - cleaning your car and wheels can be addictive - so much so that some folks have almost given up driving as it gets the car dirty. :rotfl:

The addiction/affliction is called 'Detailing' apparently - it's soon be a recognised medical condition. LOL

kirkofski

Iceweasel wrote: »

Yes they are my actual wheels - and as force ten has said - my summer wheels are sitting stacked in the corner of the garage in exactly the same condition waiting for their turn to go back on - usually when the clocks change.

So each set gets a proper clean every 6 months.

Wonder Wheels Alloy Cleaner just applied and agitated to work it in with a paint-brush gets 99% of the inner surface crud off. I wrap electricians insulating tape around the metal ferrule part of the brush handle to avoid scratching the alloy surface.

Autoglym Tar remover gets any sticky spots off without any hard rubbing at all.

The outer visible surfaces are very easy to clean every 6 months as they get a regular clean using Autoglym Wheel Cleaner every couple of weeks.

Once you have a set of really clean wheels it's not that difficult to keep them clean. Especially if you polish and seal them - I use Autoglym Super Resin Polish followed by Extra Gloss Protection.

The hardest job I have is when I buy a used car (usually around 2 years old) and have to spend several hours with the Wonder Wheels and the paintbrush to get 2 years of neglected muck off.

But a word of caution - cleaning your car and wheels can be addictive - so much so that some folks have almost given up driving as it gets the car dirty. :rotfl:

The addiction/affliction is called 'Detailing' apparently - it's soon be a recognised medical condition. LOL

You sound just like me, I've got a second set of alloys in similar condition inside and out.


Have you tried some hard wax as a protectant after the super resin polish? I'm using Poorboys alloy wheel sealant, it makes brake dust so much easier to shift. Even after 6 months on the car, I find I only need normal car soap/water to clean the wheels inside.

neilmcl

Iceweasel wrote: »

Yes they are my actual wheels - and as force ten has said - my summer wheels are sitting stacked in the corner of the garage in exactly the same condition waiting for their turn to go back on - usually when the clocks change.

So each set gets a proper clean every 6 months.

Wonder Wheels Alloy Cleaner just applied and agitated to work it in with a paint-brush gets 99% of the inner surface crud off. I wrap electricians insulating tape around the metal ferrule part of the brush handle to avoid scratching the alloy surface.

Autoglym Tar remover gets any sticky spots off without any hard rubbing at all.

The outer visible surfaces are very easy to clean every 6 months as they get a regular clean using Autoglym Wheel Cleaner every couple of weeks.

Once you have a set of really clean wheels it's not that difficult to keep them clean. Especially if you polish and seal them - I use Autoglym Super Resin Polish followed by Extra Gloss Protection.

The hardest job I have is when I buy a used car (usually around 2 years old) and have to spend several hours with the Wonder Wheels and the paintbrush to get 2 years of neglected muck off.

But a word of caution - cleaning your car and wheels can be addictive - so much so that some folks have almost given up driving as it gets the car dirty. :rotfl:

The addiction/affliction is called 'Detailing' apparently - it's soon be a recognised medical condition. LOL

I don't use Wonder Wheels any more. If you want a really good cleaner then try either Sonax wheel cleaner or even better Bilt Hamber Auto wheel.

force_ten

kirkofski wrote: »

You sound just like me, I've got a second set of alloys in similar condition inside and out.


Have you tried some hard wax as a protectant after the super resin polish? I'm using Poorboys alloy wheel sealant, it makes brake dust so much easier to shift. Even after 6 months on the car, I find I only need normal car soap/water to clean the wheels inside.

I use collinite insulator wax on mine inside and out and that also makes them a doddle to keep clean

force_ten

neilmcl wrote: »

I don't use Wonder Wheels any more. If you want a really good cleaner then try either Sonax wheel cleaner or even better Bilt Hamber Auto wheel.

I also never use the wonder wheels acid wheel cleaner now

I do still have a supply wonder wheels hot wheels that tescos were selling for £1.70 a pop about 18 months ago and that is quite good but does take a bit more work on heavily soiled wheels

but looking for my next wheel cleaner for when the wonder wheels stock runs out

Iceweasel

force_ten wrote: »

I also never use the wonder wheels acid wheel cleaner now

I do still have a supply wonder wheels hot wheels that tescos were selling for £1.70 a pop about 18 months ago and that is quite good but does take a bit more work on heavily soiled wheels

but looking for my next wheel cleaner for when the wonder wheels stock runs out

Yes it's the WW Hot-Wheels stuff I'm using at the moment - also bought in Tesco or perhaps it was ASDA.

I have the Sonax stuff too.

But the grandson swears by Bilberry - but he hasn't offered to demonstrate it on my wheels - yet.