4WD on summer tyres vs 2WD on winter tyres.

buglawton

The last time I encountered genuinely difficult winter weather the snow had turned to ice and new snow was falling on top. The entire town turned into a gridlock. Cars couldn't even ascend a gentle slope.

No amount of 4WD, winter tyres et al helped any vehicle to move one iota faster as everyone was in a gridlock. It took me 30 mins to cover 500 metres, do a U turn and get back into my work car park. Then took a train home.

motorguy

Tarambor wrote: »

Which part of the country doesn't warrant winter tyres? They provide benefit below 7C, Surrey was covered in snow today.

I would say 90% of the UK's population dont have weather conditions that warrant winter tyres.

However, if someone cant adjust their speed and braking distance to the prevailing driving conditions then yes they'd probably be better getting winter tyres, just in case.

I think i saw signficant snow one day in the last year where we live (N Ireland) and where i work (Manchester) on a day that i had to travel, and i still got home just fine.

neilmcl

motorguy wrote: »

I would say 90% of the UK's population dont have weather conditions that warrant winter tyres.

However, if someone cant adjust their speed and braking distance to the prevailing driving conditions then yes they'd probably be better getting winter tyres, just in case.

I think i saw signficant snow one day in the last year where we live (N Ireland) and where i work (Manchester) on a day that i had to travel, and i still got home just fine.

To be fair and as Tarambor stated the benefit of winter tyres is not just apparent in snowy conditions, anything below 7C and they come into their own, particularly in the wet.

NBLondon

Tarambor wrote: »

Put some summer tyres on this winter when its got a bit snowy, slushy and icy. I think you'll be shocked at the difference. You'll find plenty of situations where the extra care you normally take is nowhere near enough on summer tyres.

Quite possibly.... but what would be the benefit of having summer tyres on in the summer? Does it save enough in fuel consumption to justify the cost of acquiring, storing and changing winters? For the driving I do - probably not. For higher-mileage users, maybe.

force_ten

motorguy wrote: »

I would say 90% of the UK's population dont have weather conditions that warrant winter tyres.

what do you consider to be conditions that would warrant winter tyres, it seems to me that you and many others believe that winter tyres are only for use when it snows

Iceweasel

It looks like that what I said previously has not sunk in - or perhaps has not been believed.

I had a LandRover, specifically to ensure that i could get to work in the Wintertime in NE Scotland where the temperature can be below 5 degree for weeks on end.

Frost, snow and no guarantee that the roads will be gritted in the early morning.

I was a Winter tyre 'refuser' who was convinced that with my drivinbg skills and ability they were a waste of time - until I was eventually persuaded to try a set.

Unbelievable, is all I can say about the difference they made to the rear-wheel drive car - a BMW - which as everyone know is 'rubbish in the snow'.

So I sold the LandRover as I no longer had any use for it.

Those who have never experienced Winter tyres really have no idea of the difference.

motorguy

neilmcl wrote: »

To be fair and as Tarambor stated the benefit of winter tyres is not just apparent in snowy conditions, anything below 7C and they come into their own, particularly in the wet.

And what does "coming in to their own" mean to your average driver in an average car?

What does that mean for your average Golf or Focus driver?

Should people not be allowing for greater stopping distance anyway, reading the road ahead, taking it a little easier when its cold and wet?

And what happens when the temp is above 7 degrees? Summer tyres have the advantage again. And bearing in mind we're hitting December in a week or so, the weather outlook for where i live is say for the next week 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 12, 8, 7 degrees....

motorguy

Iceweasel wrote: »

It looks like that what I said previously has not sunk in - or perhaps has not been believed.

I had a LandRover, specifically to ensure that i could get to work in the Wintertime in NE Scotland where the temperature can be below 5 degree for weeks on end.

Frost, snow and no guarantee that the roads will be gritted in the early morning.

I was a Winter tyre 'refuser' who was convinced that with my drivinbg skills and ability they were a waste of time - until I was eventually persuaded to try a set.

Unbelievable, is all I can say about the difference they made to the rear-wheel drive car - a BMW - which as everyone know is 'rubbish in the snow'.

So I sold the LandRover as I no longer had any use for it.

Those who have never experienced Winter tyres really have no idea of the difference.

And as i said, if you live somewhere like that, by all means - no doubt a great idea.

For the 90% of the rest of the UK, not so much.

Begsey

Any recommendations on brands of winter tyres?
Not looking to pay £160 a corner (googled top 10 the other day), but also not looking to buy ditch finders.
26 years without them, without issue, but going for the bib and braces approach this year.

neilmcl

motorguy wrote: »

And what does "coming in to their own" mean to your average driver in an average car?

What does that mean for your average Golf or Focus driver?

Should people not be allowing for greater stopping distance anyway, reading the road ahead, taking it a little easier when its cold and wet?

And what happens when the temp is above 7 degrees? Summer tyres have the advantage again. And bearing in mind we're hitting December in a week or so, the weather outlook for where i live is say for the next week 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 12, 8, 7 degrees....

Just taking those temperatures first, those would be the maximum temperatures in your area, during the busier peak times on the road the actual road temps will be much lower.

Over the past week since the temps have dropped I've definitely noticed the roads to be a lot more "greasier" and I've seen my traction control coming on more than usual. I'm not on my winters at the moment but I know they would cope a lot better than my current tyres. Yes, I agree I'm not falling off the road at the moment but I know if I was in a situation where I suddenly needed the best from my tyres I think I'd prefer to be in the tyres that are more suitable to the conditions.

TBH, this comes up on this forum every year and tbh it gets a bit boring so I'll leave it at that, all I'm going to add is echo what Iceweasel has already said, if you haven't tried winter tyres then you really don't know what you're missing.