Winter tyres. Discuss.

[j2 lot]

I've read on the net some British insurance companies do NOT pay out if you have an accident with winter tyres......... which could be BS, but worth checking the policy before changing the tyres.

Have heard lots of discussion on this on the radio - many of the big insurers class winter tyres as modification from standard and will not pay out or will refuse to insure non standard spec.

RAC were in discussion with major insurers but they advised to check with individual companies as some were refusing to budge on it apparently.

[campbell]

I am thinking of writing to Skoda to ask them which winter tyre brands they approve.

I am also thinking of writing to the insurers to ask them which non-winter tyre brands they approve. Am I no longer allowed to make a reasoned consumer choice?! What a pile of sh!te.

[MacK]

Another factor is that even a 4x4 will not get you anywhere if you do not have the correct tyres on.

A neighbour of mine had a Ford Explorer pickup truck which had 4x4 (with big rims and road tyres) and he was slipping around on the snow a couple of weeks back - so much so that we spent 1.5 hours trying to get his into his driveway. Must admit that it was the worst 4 wheel drive system I have seen.

Do you mean Ranger pick-up, or is it an Amercian Explorer?
Either way, had he selected 4 wheel drive? Most pick-ups are selectable 4 wheel drive and normally run in rear wheel drive. I've seen someone stuck before in a Toyota hi-lux spinning away the rear wheels.

[douglasgdmw]

Another factor is that even a 4x4 will not get you anywhere if you do not have the correct tyres on.

A neighbour of mine had a Ford Explorer pickup truck which had 4x4 (with big rims and road tyres) and he was slipping around on the snow a couple of weeks back - so much so that we spent 1.5 hours trying to get his into his driveway. Must admit that it was the worst 4 wheel drive system I have seen.

Do you mean Ranger pick-up, or is it an Amercian Explorer?
Either way, had he selected 4 wheel drive? Most pick-ups are selectable 4 wheel drive and normally run in rear wheel drive. I've seen someone stuck before in a Toyota hi-lux spinning away the rear wheels.

It was an Canadian Ford Explorer (probably the same as the American with less bullsh*t). We tried with both low and high ratio 4 wheel drive - but just one tyre was spining away happily with all the others static.

I had the Evo pulling me up a hill last year on just 1 wheel with traction so I could not believe how crude the Ford system was.

Cheers
George

[colintinto]

I picked up a set of alloys for my XC90 for £300 on eBay - came with 'winter' tyres, but 2 were done and the other 2 were low (Which I knew before I bought, but still a good price for just the wheels).

I got a full set of Vredestein Wintracs for £440, and got them fitted the day before the snow came.

Very impressed with them, however I haven't driven the Volvo with road tyres on snow, so I don't really have anything to compare to.

We do live a bit 'rural', but we have a farmer next door with a Manitou who keeps the road to the main road clear, so it's not too bad getting in and out.

The main reason I wanted winter tyres was for safety. Most 4x4 cars I've driven (except a 911 turbo) have been good at getting going even in the worst conditions, but it gives you a false sense of security, which gets blown away as you understeer into a snow bank, or take much, much longer to stop than you were expecting. The fact that the Volvo tips the scales at something like 2.5 tons is going to make that even worse, so I thought I'd give myself a better chance of avoiding other incidents (or shall we say muppets?) on the snowy roads.

In fresh snow, they are superb. Hard packed snow, superb. Plenty grip, will stop fairly well, and cornering is pretty good too. In slush, you get a fair bit of movement. On ice, seem ok, but I'm generally very careful anyway. They also seem very good at cutting through standing water, but then any decent tyre should be.

Colin

[rossybee]

sorry just off topic

it would be an RS6? 4 wheel drive

Staying briefly off topic...no it wouldn't, far too thirsty for your man in the street like me...however on reflection the vRS would be provided with the Audi 4x4 gubbins I wonder why they don't do that already...

yes but your taking Carlsberg - they really dont have a budget? thats the whole point is it not?

I'm with you on this Scotty.

I've only ever owned 2 4wd cars - Integrale & RS6 - both were excellent in the snow (up to the ground clearance being an issue), both on summer tyres - the RS6 only ever wore Pirelli PZero Rosso 255/35 19s and TC off was amazing fun

The 'grale was more chuckable due to its size & no lekky interventions, plus manual box, but it was that long ago it's a very distant memory (sold 14yrs ago IIRC)

If Skoda had a 4x4 vRS it'd be the Haldex system á la Golf/A3

[Rich H]

Winter tyres on the Porker here, mostly because it's the sensible car (4 seats and a boot!) but no snow to speak of round here.
I'm tempted to call the ins co: but they are the right size for the wheels and used in the correct conditions so I see no problem.
They are lower speed rated than mfr's recommended but they I'd be travelling illegally before that was a problem anyway!

They haev been used in very cold and icy conditions an I'm impressed so far...

[GregR]

With the very greatest of respect, all of this "Winter Tyres," and, "Armageddon for the NE,"following a light dusting of snow is becoming almost as tedious as the "What Car should I buy next" stuff from DDtB.

Its not like its a massive outlay to get a set of steel rims shod with some winter rubber, so if you think it will make a difference, go for it! Personally, our humble 4x4 scoobie on relatively new 'premium budget' tyres has not had any problem driving through snowdrifts from Oban to Dumfries over the last 14 days. Everyone's different, be that the way they drive or the car they drive or the tyres on it. You'll not get a 'balanced' view.

[PartTimer]

I first encountered winter tyres 20 years ago when living in Germany. Everyone had them and could not believe that I had never heard of them. In my opinion, they are invaluable and should be compulsory - even if you are restricted to 180kph for the winter months. Since then, I have never run a car over winter without them. Grip is transformed in cold, wet and snow. Get yourself a set of second hand steel wheels to fit them on and you don't even have to make a trip to Kwikfit twice a year. You also don't care about marks when fitting chains over steel wheels when conditions get really bad. Or about sliding into the odd kerb. Madness not to. PT

[Shug]

With the very greatest of respect, all of this "Winter Tyres," and, "Armageddon for the NE,"following a light dusting of snow is becoming almost as tedious as the "What Car should I buy next" stuff from DDtB.

Its not like its a massive outlay to get a set of steel rims shod with some winter rubber, so if you think it will make a difference, go for it! Personally, our humble 4x4 scoobie on relatively new 'premium budget' tyres has not had any problem driving through snowdrifts from Oban to Dumfries over the last 14 days. Everyone's different, be that the way they drive or the car they drive or the tyres on it. You'll not get a 'balanced' view.

You can always read something else mate

TBH, there's not much else to talk about on here at this time of year and I, for one, have found the threads with actual reports of what the weather is actually doing in places valuable.

With you on the tyres thing though - if you feel you need them, buy them, if you've not had a problem and don't see the need, don't. What info is to be disseminated on them has been done so several times over on these threads.

[campbell]

Hi Greg,

This thread was intended to do what it seems to be doing (in the main) and tease out some reasoned, non-emotional debate about a relevant automotive topic.

The Armageddon thread was perhaps a bit of fun but hey we are here to do that aren't we?

I've enjoyed the flexibility that SE offers in terms of topics, interests, friendships etc etc - I can't really do the FF side of the community, or the driving hero stuff, so the blethers I engage in are my way of taking part I suppose. If people don't read or respond to them, I'm sure I'll soon stop

Anyway, you got me thinking. As it happens I am getting grief from her indoors about how much time I seem to spend "socialising" in a virtual manner with friends here these days, and I have actually found myself wondering if it's time I took a break from SE.

cheers

Campbell

[Mikie711]

You might not think there is any mileage in discussing a particular subject but others might. You are talking of spend a sizable wedge on something that will only be used for maybe 3 months of the year. It can be good to get other peoples opinions.

It's no different than all the threads about which is better, 048's or 888's which pretty much everyone has an opinion on.

Like you said Shug "You can always read something else mate "

[Mr Momo]

New tyres arrived last night and just had them fitted onto the front wheels of Darth.

What a transformation. Even drove down the snow covered uncleared lane (3-4 inches of fresh snow) to my garage with the normal tyres without a hitch.

They look like this. Despite the 205 profile, the tread cuts through the snow.

http://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth ... 2709;image

[GregR]

You might not think there is any mileage in discussing a particular subject but others might. You are talking of spend a sizable wedge on something that will only be used for maybe 3 months of the year. It can be good to get other peoples opinions.

It's no different than all the threads about which is better, 048's or 888's which pretty much everyone has an opinion on.

Like you said Shug "You can always read something else mate "

Absolutely, but your right to discuss things ought not to impinge upon my right to discuss your discussions

Anyway, you got me thinking. As it happens I am getting grief from her indoors about how much time I seem to spend "socialising" in a virtual manner with friends here these days, and I have actually found myself wondering if it's time I took a break from SE.

cheers

Campbell

Of FFS - grow a spine Campbell

[Mikie711]

You might not think there is any mileage in discussing a particular subject but others might. You are talking of spend a sizable wedge on something that will only be used for maybe 3 months of the year. It can be good to get other peoples opinions.

It's no different than all the threads about which is better, 048's or 888's which pretty much everyone has an opinion on.

Like you said Shug "You can always read something else mate "

Absolutely, but your right to discuss things ought not to impinge upon my right to discuss your discussions

Anyway, you got me thinking. As it happens I am getting grief from her indoors about how much time I seem to spend "socialising" in a virtual manner with friends here these days, and I have actually found myself wondering if it's time I took a break from SE.

cheers

Campbell

Of FFS - grow a spine Campbell