Just picked up a copy of AutoExpress to have a read of this winter tyre test, particularly as the Nokian I'm using for winter is featured. Of the winter tyres tested it comes out bottom of the heap :S although I've no complaints regard it's winter performance.

Interesting to see they also compared a summer and an all season tyre, the latter managing to hold it's own with the winter options in all but snow braking and wet tests.

Results as follows and availability for the Yeti;

Winter

1. Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ - 100%

(205/55 R16 only)

2. Conti WinterContact TS830 - 99.7%

(Limited size information on manufactures site but 205/55 R16 are on mytyres)

3. Dunlop Winter Sport 3D - 98.9%

(205/55 R16, 215/60 R16 & 225/50 R17)

4. Verdestein Snowtrac 3 - 98.6%

(205/55 R16 but incorrect load index for all but 1.2TSI manual))

5. Pirelli Sottozero Winter 210 serie II - 97.1%

(205/55 R16, 215/60 R16 & 225/50 R17)

6. Nokian WR G2 - 96.7

(205/55 R16, 215/60 R16 & 225/50 R17)

All Season

7. Verdestein Quatrac 3 - 95.1

(215/60 R16 only)

Summer

8. Conti PremiumContact 2 - 76.4

Factory fit for 215/60 R16 on the Yeti 'E' and 'S'

Regards,

TP

Very relevant timing on behalf of AE. I wonder where the Avon Ice would have sat?

I'll enquire of Buyrite tyres, a local, respected supplier to see where they stand on this at present. Last year when I asked them I gained the impression that WT's were very much a minority issue with very short supply on almost all WT's and I postponed fitment.....and eventually the sun came out and the impetus was lost.

Are the Yeti sizes particularly unusual compared to most? What's for sure is the size TP chose offers the greatest choice at better prices.

TP....Do you have the ear of anyone in the BS Admin. to ask if all this useful stuff can be lumped together?

Edited 29 October, 201015 yr by oldstan

Very relevant timing on behalf of AE. I wonder where the Avon Ice would have sat?

I'll enquire of Buyrite tyres, a local, respected supplier to see where they stand on this at present. Last year when I asked them I gained the impression that WT's were very much a minority issue with very short supply on almost all WT's and I postponed fitment.....and eventually the sun came out and the impetus was lost.

Are the Yeti sizes particularly unusual compared to most? What's for sure is the size TP chose offers the greatest choice at better prices.

TP....Do you have the ear of anyone in the BS Admin. to ask if all this useful stuff can be lumped together?

I have Avon Ice Touring ST on my Yeti. They were on my Passat last winter and after summer tyres I couldn't believe the difference.

John

I thought the Wet braking, Wet handling, Aquaplaning, Wet cornering results were interesting at 7 degrees C. The summer tyre did well in all but the Aqua curve test.

I was pleased that the Conti also did well in rolling resistance and produced the least cabin (road) noise, someone said the Conti's were noisy on this forum.

Now I've been unlucky with mytryes.co.uk catching them on a day when they tried out British efficiency in sympathy. Three of the wheels/Conti tyres arrived in 3 working days, the fourth disappeared (I know why, it's because two different tracking numbers were allocated to the same wheel and tyre) As the courier only had a record of three, no problem. They have allocated a new order number for the missing item, but keep saying tyres in the plural, so might even end up with some spares :-)

Edited 31 October, 201015 yr by jeep

I have Avon Ice Touring ST on my Yeti. They were on my Passat last winter and after summer tyres I couldn't believe the difference.

John

What months of the year do you have them on...or are they a permanent fitting? and was the difference you noted...general cold weather (below 7 degrees maybe) or specifically ice and snow, or, if you did have them on all year round, did you feel they were as good as summer tyres, in the summer?

The Goodyear Ultragrip are available in the right Yeti Size

Edited 29 October, 201015 yr by Agerbundsen

I wonder if you've spotted the typo error in their report?

On the first page, they state they tested tyres on a Golf which are 205/55 15. There is no other mention in the report of the size.

However If you look at Mytyres or even the tyre manufacturers websites, not one of them make them in that size. Mytyres only stock 2 tyres (Toyo and Fulda), and that's it, (plus 1 Maxxis all-season). I think they mean 205/55 16.

The Goodyear Ultragrip are available in the right Yeti Size

But which Ultragrip...and where...(The Plumbers list above does say the "U/G 7" is only in the alternative size 205 55 R16 as opposed to the standard 215 60 R16) a quick look only shows Pneus Online... but that was just a quick look.

The TyreMen site only shows the standard Yeti 16" size with Vreds. & Wintrac Extreme XL......

And the standard Yeti 17" size with Hankook and Yoko...

Not a huge choice.

I keep coming back the possible situation where you've damaged one and can't readily get another and so lean towards finding a 'popular' one....if there is such a thing.

There is a nagging doubt about fitting alternative sizes with the resultant difference of about 5% difference in the overall diameter...as is the case with The Plumbers's tyres - which, according to the table suggests about 4mph inaccuracy at 70mph....plus any other potential speedo inaccuracy. (I haven't got the brains to work out whether the alternative size gives you better or worse mpg).

Edited 29 October, 201015 yr by oldstan

As noted on another thread, my wife's Fiat Panda Cross was delivered with Conti Winter Contacts, which performed superbly well in last winter's horrors (albeit on 15 inch wheels).

But which Ultragrip...and where...(The Plumbers list above does say the "U/G 7" is only in the alternative size 205 55 R16 as opposed to the standard 215 60 R16) a quick look only shows Pneus Online... but that was just a quick look.

Oldstan,

The Goodyear Eagle Ultragrip are on my Yeti - size in 215/60 R15 H 94 XL. They were delivered with the car by the dealer, who replaced the standard Conti summer tyres that came on the car from the factory last Decemeber. In spring, when shopping for summer tyres, the dealer still had to original tyres in stock and offered them at a very favorable price on new alloys.

I have found more tyres that fit the Yeti by reviewing the various wholesale offerings with my local mechanic than I have perusing the websites on the net - where they do seem to be rare in the Yeti sizes.

The Goodyear Ultragrip are available in the right Yeti Size

Thanks,

took my information from the manufactures own web site. Not very accurate then Bad show Goodyear

Regards,

TP

Continental are no better.

Mike

particularly as the Nokian I'm using for winter is featured. Of the winter tyres tested it comes out bottom of the heap :S although I've no complaints regard it's winter performance.

From looking at various test results I've concluded that many tyres do better than others in limited ranges of sizes, so it might be more useful to look for test results, (typically from Germany), for tyre sizes close to your intended size.

My second conclusion is that as far as the premium brands are concerned, there probably isn't a huge difference in the various aspects of performance, with them all being significantly better than the equivalent summer tyres in adverse wintery conditions. However it may be that some are more targetted towards use on ice, others on snow, and others in cold wet conditions, so it is partly a case of considering the conditions you'll be likely to meet and choosing a tyre accordingly.

I've been surprised by the various test results for premium all season tyres, apparently doing almost as well as winter tyres in wintery conditions and at the same time almost as well as summer tyres in summery conditions. This appears to make them a good alternative to swapping wheels and/or tyres twice a year for those who don't have the space for a second set or can't be bothered faffing about. We're trying this out on one of our cars this year.

Like oldstan I'm concerned about what happens if a tyre gets unrepairably damaged during the winter. For the car with all season tyres, the spare has the same tyre. For the car with winter and summer tyres, we now have a spare mostly worn tyre on a spare wheel and a second spare mostly worn tyre, both of which were used from new on that car.

Thanks for all the above replies....most informative.

What months of the year do you have them on...or are they a permanent fitting? and was the difference you noted...general cold weather (below 7 degrees maybe) or specifically ice and snow, or, if you did have them on all year round, did you feel they were as good as summer tyres, in the summer?

I bought a set of steel wheels in 16x7 inch size. I ran these on the Passat from early Jnauary to end of March then replaced the original alloys/tyres (Dunlop SP).

I'm using the same wheels/tyres on the Yeti and have just put them on.

The difference I noted last year was that I had the Avons fitted during the snow that was coming down in January in advance of a ski holiday In Austria. I went out on local roads that were still snow/ice covered and found I could still steer and brake. This would have been at temperatures less than 7 degrees.

I have been using winter tyres for many years as I have been driving out to the Alps and although originally recommended, it is now a legal requirement to have winter tyres in part sof Europe beyween November and March.

It does mean that you either have to have tyres swapped from one set of wheels or alternatively acquire a second set of wheels and have somewhere to store your alternative set. I have room in my garage for both my other set and my son's.

Regarding My Tyres, I've just bought a set of 185/55-15 Nankang SV-2 for Son's Rover 25 TD. £210 including the cost of fitting. I ordered them last Saturday and they are on his car today. I think £55 per tyre is good and I have used Nankangs before on a Honda FRV some years ago and again found them to be OK.

John

I have been using winter tyres for many years as I have been driving out to the Alps and although originally recommended, it is now a legal requirement to have winter tyres in part sof Europe beyween November and March.

Is this accurate? I've read that's it's a legal requirement but having just returned from the Swiss alps in the car, my understanding from some locals was that it wasn't a legal requirement but you would be held accountable (and fined) if your car was not suitably equipped and caused an accident??

Oh and generation 4 haldex + winter tyres is really quite formidable!!

I hesitate to post again about winter tyres, but it is forming a part of my decision making and ponderings before going further down the route of ordering a new SM and progress is being made!

Is there any reason why I haven't seen mention of the 205 / 60 / 16 ?

It would seem that it is a considerably more popular tyre than some other alternatives and reference to the calculator shows there's a very small deviation from Skoda's own sizes. I also noted when using the calculator that even Skoda's own two standard sizes don't match up exactly.

The size I refer to seems to benefit from prices about 30% less than some alternative sizes and also expand choice of makes.....ie. Conti Winter Contact TS 830P @ £106 . The Goodyear Ultragrips, Vreds. Snowtracs, plus all the other frequently mentioned makes and models are there at considerably less dosh.

Please don't tell me I'm missing something here.... :-)

If you delay your order much longer you won't be needing winter tyres this season

If you delay your order much longer you won't be needing winter tyres this season

Given that I've been quoted a minimum six months wait, I'm looking towards the following winter, not this one....

Is this accurate? I've read that's it's a legal requirement but having just returned from the Swiss alps in the car, my understanding from some locals was that it wasn't a legal requirement but you would be held accountable (and fined) if your car was not suitably equipped and caused an accident??

Oh and generation 4 haldex + winter tyres is really quite formidable!!

I think there's a good deal of uncertainty over this but the people I've been staying with in Austria for the last few years told me that two years ago, there was new legislation (possible only in Austria) that required winter tyres to be fitted.

In Switzerland and parts of Germany, it is my understanding that although you don't need to have winter tyres by law, if as a result of snow or icy roads traffic is held up by a vehicle that is not fitted with appropriate(i.e. winter) tyres then fines will ensue. Thus it would appear that while there is no legal requirement as such, if you haven't got them, you may still sustain a fine.

Fundamentally however if in a UK registered vehicle and struggling because of summer tyres, the driver will be easy game to the police.

Note the following copied from the AA's website (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html):

Snow Chains and Winter Tyres - Requirements in the main winter resorts

In any country the driver is responsible for equipping and controlling his vehicle correctly. Drivers may be liable to a fine if they impede the normal flow of traffic or cause an accident as a consequence of not adapting their vehicle (tyres/snow chains) to suit the prevailing weather and road conditions.

Road conditions in winter in many resorts will be much more severe than anything encountered in the UK - we only recommend driving in extreme winter conditions if the driver is confident and the vehicle suitably equipped.

Winter tyre and snow chain requirements

The information in the table below applies to vehicles not exceeding 3500kg only.

This chart shows only specific winter requirements and should be read in conjunction with the general compulsory equipment chart and the general touring tips for the country of interest.

Tyre tread

Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. Where winter tyres are fitted a minimum tread depth of 3mm is required in most countries (the Czech Republic now requires 4mm). For other tyres, while the legal minimum is 1.6mm the AA recommends at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring, and certainly no less than 2mm.

Country/Winter tyres/Snow chains(5)

Andorra / R / C

Austria / C(1) / C(7)

Finland / M(3) / P

France / – / C

Germany / R(4) / C

Great Britain / – / P

Italy/ R(4) / C(8)

Norway / R / C

Sweden /C (6) / R

Switzerland / R(2) / C

key

P = Permitted

R = Recommended

M = Mandatory

C = Compulsory. Chains should be carried and used as dictated by local signs or road conditions. Reduced speed limits may apply.

notes

(1) - All vehicles driving on snow covered roads must have winter tyres (or all-season tyres marked M&S/mud and snow) during the winter season (from 1 November to 15 April) and if roads have a covering of snow, slush or ice outside these dates. Tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 4mm.

Theoretically snow chains on summer tyres can be used as an alternative to winter tyres where the entire road is heavily covered with snow and no damage to the road is caused by the snow chains. In practice though, because road conditions and the weather cannot be predicted, use of winter tyres is effectively compulsory.

(2) - Snow tyres are not compulsory but vehicles not equipped to travel through snow and which impede traffic are liable to a fine.

(3) - From 1 December to the end of February unless otherwise indicated by road signs. Tyres must be marked M&S on the sidewall. Spiked tyres may be used from 1 November to the first monday after Easter.

(4) - As the weather cannot be predicted and because snow chains may not be used in slushy/icy conditions it is recommended that visitors fit winter tyres to their vehicle. Winter tyres (or 'all year' tyres) must bear the mark M&S or the snowflake symbol on the side wall.

(5) - Snow chains must be fitted on at least two drive wheels. In any country snow chains may only be used where there's sufficient snow covering to avoid any possibility of damage to the road surface. A fine may be imposed if damage is caused.

(6) - Winter tyres, marked M+S (with or without spikes), with a tread depth of at least 3mm are compulsory from 1 December until 31 March for Swedish registered vehicles and trailers and also for foreign registered vehicles.

(7) - Must be carried – and used when advised by local signs.

Edited 31 October, 201015 yr by jst_at_home

Hope its OK to drag this forward again - I have been away and missed it. Still it remains topical, I guess. I thought the article was very interesting - I don't know if results were affected by what appeared to be part 'hosting' on the part of Conti. All the above thread is fascinating and I think this is such an important subject. As said elsewhere, I have Cont's - as they where what my dealer could get in standard Yeti size and I wanted to keep the alloys on. I solved the issue about what happens if one gets damaged by getting five - and I will keep one - not on a rim - but in case it's needed. I am hoping that, by keeping always one in reserve, I will be OK.

Its clear from what TP says that Nokians work great, and, you know, the kind of testing they were able to do is not very scientific. For instance, I am putting 225/50 Conti's on - they may well be very much poorer than narrower, or smaller diameter ones, with bigger profile ratio. One thing I think we can be confident about though - in appropriate conditions all winter tyres are an important improvement.

One thing I think we can be confident about though - in appropriate conditions all winter tyres are an important improvement.

Looking across all the winter and all-season tyre tests I could find suggests almost any winter tyre is better in the cold, wet and slush than a wide summer tyre.

Problem for me is that the "best" winter tyres will set me back £500 a set plus £180 for the 16 inch wheels, which, at the moment isn't on.

So, do I not bother, or do I go for a cheaper winter tyre that's not "the best"?

I know I could save on the wheels by going for a 17 inch size and use the alloys, but the narrower the tyre the better, but its better to have a wide winter tyre than a wide summer tyre.

I don't get the Yeti for a while yet, so time to chew over the options.

I think the biggest argument is that I don't want to lose too much braking performance in dry conditions, I'd really like the best of both world's, good wet and dry brake performance.

If its deep snow and ice I won't be going out! (Retired)

Fred

Looking across all the winter and all-season tyre tests I could find suggests almost any winter tyre is better in the cold, wet and slush than a wide summer tyre.

Problem for me is that the "best" winter tyres will set me back £500 a set plus £180 for the 16 inch wheels, which, at the moment isn't on.

So, do I not bother, or do I go for a cheaper winter tyre that's not "the best"?

I know I could save on the wheels by going for a 17 inch size and use the alloys, but the narrower the tyre the better, but its better to have a wide winter tyre than a wide summer tyre.

I don't get the Yeti for a while yet, so time to chew over the options.

I think the biggest argument is that I don't want to lose too much braking performance in dry conditions, I'd really like the best of both world's, good wet and dry brake performance.

If its deep snow and ice I won't be going out! (Retired)

Fred

That all sounds very familiar!

If I was you I'd check out Viking Snowtech 2's. Developed and made by Continental in Sweden - compound apparently the same as one of their best wintercontacts and a tread pattern that is almost identicle apart from an additional centre groove. Friends on Canada put me onto them as they rate them VERY highly and I can now confirm the Yeti is pretty unstoppable with them on, even in 12 inches of snow!

£400 plus postage from mytires already mounted on 16" steelies.

Handling and braking are exceptional imo also!

At three figure speeds on the autobahn the car is planted and directable just like it was still on summer tyres too!

Edited 3 November, 201015 yr by FocusZtec

£400 plus postage from mytires already mounted on 16" steelies.

Ah! So your steel wheels are not Skoda ones? The wheels and tyres came from Mytyres? I've wondered what these wheels would look like and they look exactly like Skoda wheels to me! Or are they? Do they have Skoda part numbers? Or are they generic steel wheels?

Ah! So your steel wheels are not Skoda ones? The wheels and tyres came from Mytyres? I've wondered what these wheels would look like and they look exactly like Skoda wheels to me! Or are they? Do they have Skoda part numbers? Or are they generic steel wheels?

Didnt check for a part number tbh but they are "Skoda approved" according to Mytyres before I ordered. Insurance company had no issue with them coming from a source other than Skoda either. (and its Skoda Insurance!)