Either "Turanza" translates as "winter killer from the far east" or the Fabia is just plain Sh*te in the snow. (probably both) I have lots and lots of experience in much worse weather than this, but the combination of Fabia II and 195 55 Bridgestones is by far the worst setup I've ever experienced. ABS 100% of the time - is it me or is the ABS setup far too aggressively - anyway ABS does absolutely nothing on snow / ice except remove any semblance of stopping ability.

You might like to research that statement about 'ABS'...therefore, as you asked, I guess it's you perhaps not understanding fully how and what ABS does, and just how effective it is in the wet, dry or snow/ice. It's a life saver. We go here every year on the forum when the first snow and ice appears. In spite of reading the car mags about how good it is, watching the Youtube videos on how good it is, and seeing all this proof, it's still rubbish according to some.

All I'm saying is it right that I can't apply even the slightest pressure on my brakes without ABS taking over completely? Its well known that soft snow is the one scenario that ABS does not work well - it extends braking distances many fold. Today I twice on level fresh snow could not brake at all from less than 10mph, ABS cut in constantly and extended stopping distance to over 50mtrs.

You can preach all you want EM about mpg and whatever, but I have almost 40 years of experience and have experienced conditions that make today look like a walk in the park many times. The setup I have on this Fabia is downright dangerous - I am sure other cars I have driven require a minimum effort on the pedal to trigger ABS so leaving that featherlight touch on the brakes at the disposal of the driver.

In gravel, sand and deep snow, ABS tends to increase braking distances. On these surfaces, locked wheels dig in and stop the vehicle more quickly. ABS prevents this from occurring. Some ABS calibrations reduce this problem by slowing the cycling time, thus letting the wheels repeatedly briefly lock and unlock. Some vehicle manufacturers provide an "off-road" button to turn ABS function off. The primary benefit of ABS on such surfaces is to increase the ability of the driver to maintain control of the car rather than go into a skid — though loss of control remains more likely on soft surfaces like gravel or slippery surfaces like snow or ice. On a very slippery surface such as sheet ice or gravel, it is possible to lock multiple wheels at once, and this can defeat ABS (which relies on comparing all four wheels, and detecting individual wheels skidding). Availability of ABS relieves most drivers from learning threshold braking.

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by xman

Wife's Fabia II FL is running on 205/45 R16 Conti Premium Contact 2 and driven with due care for the conditions and use of gears instead of brakes, the car has managed so far. This is also the case for our Furby I on very cheap Chinese M+S 165/70 R14 tyres. Have snowsocks in both cars as a just in case thing.

Regards,

TP

I'm not sure who that quote came from but it's only partially true in some conditions. In 99% of cases ABS will stop you quicker than a non ABS car as was shown by 'Top Gear' last year when they tested several vehicles in soft snow going down a hill at speed, some using ABS, some with it turned off and with the driver using Kadence Braking. ALL vehicles with the ABS turned on stopped much much faster than those that didn't have it, even in deeper loose snow. There are numerous videos on the net showing the same in light and heavy snow. However, I digress, if your ABS comes on at the slightest attempt to brake then the roads must be very slippery and you have misjudged the amount of braking pressure. Or your ABS is faulty, although I've never known anyone have a fault that would do what you are describing although that's not to say a fault of that kind couldn't exist. Normally if a sensor fails the ABS won't work at all. It only measures when your wheel/s lock and releases the pressure and then reapplies it within a split second. The ABS pump rarely fails. I've been driving in two winters now in my Skoda and my ABS comes on rarely even when driving in the torrid conditions we've had lately. When it has come on it has proven really useful.

Well today was ridiculous, never experienced such total lack of braking. The ABS was working - cycling 4 or 5 times a second - but the car was not stopping. I didn't observe any other cars having the slightest problem.

I'm inclined to think (from prejudice) that its the sh*tty Bridgestones that are to blame.

Well today was ridiculous, never experienced such total lack of braking. The ABS was working - cycling 4 or 5 times a second - but the car was not stopping. I didn't observe any other cars having the slightest problem.

I'm inclined to think (from prejudice) that its the sh*tty Bridgestones that are to blame.

The ABS is indeed very sensitive. I've just been out in mine in about 4" of snow and you only have to caress the pedal to bring on the abs. As far as I'm aware ABS is put on to cars and recognised by every Road Safety Body because it is a great boost to car braking and control as it allows the braking effect to pulsate and therefore help avoid sideways skids as well as reducing the braking distances.However I believe it is recognised ABS is not as effective in snow and was never designed to be. Traction control is what is effective when ice and snow is on the road but even this has its limitations. As for the tyres. Bridgestones are good tyres but why do you expect them to perform as snow or winter tyres? if you want that you must swap your tyres for the corerect ones in winter or use snow blankets, chains etc.Its the difference between wearing your best brogues or your wellies, or would you equally blame your brogues for not being as dry or effective as wellies in the snow?

I never have any problems with Contintental Premium or Sport contacts - even at -23 deg C. They are my tyre of choice and will replace these rubbish Bridgestones.

I'm not asking for winter tyre performance - just something that can stop a car travelling at 8 mph without sliding through every traffic light.

My daughter has been commenting that she experienced several problems with frequent ABS operating over the last 2-3 days - could be an ABS issue.

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by xman

Nothing wrong with the ABS, the Bridgestones are just no good in snow. Mine are no better than the Toyo T1-R's I had on my last car, and they are renowned for being cr@p in the snow. I thought the Bridgestones might be better, but they aren't.

I am managing with care.

Well today was ridiculous, never experienced such total lack of braking. The ABS was working - cycling 4 or 5 times a second - but the car was not stopping. I didn't observe any other cars having the slightest problem.

I'm inclined to think (from prejudice) that its the sh*tty Bridgestones that are to blame.

It will be the tyres. They're just not designed for winter conditions: after all, ABS will only trigger if the wheel locks.

It will be the tyres. They're just not designed for winter conditions: after all, ABS will only trigger if the wheel locks.

I dont think that true, I think its triggered by a difference in wheel rotational speed, not necessarily a locked wheel. I recall reading another thread I think here someone had abs issues after changing tyres, when going round corners (maybe due to differing tyre diameters).

UK spec tyres are "all season" tyres, if I lived in Scotland, the Pennines or the Welsh hills I'd expect to need winter tyres, but not someone in the midlands. Or maybe all those other cars this morning were on winter tyres...

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by xman

Must be something else because my FL II is running those tyres in that size and I had no problem at all with them before I got snowed in completely. Snow now above axle height!

My pre FL fabia ran 205 45 16s and was not as good in the snow. Very impressed with the EDL and traction control compared to TC systems I had before, allows a little slip.

If you are skidding like that your abs is either gone or you are driving too fast for the conditions.

Must be something else because my FL II is running those tyres in that size and I had no problem at all with them before I got snowed in completely. Snow now above axle height!

My pre FL fabia ran 205 45 16s and was not as good in the snow. Very impressed with the EDL and traction control compared to TC systems I had before, allows a little slip.

If you are skidding like that your abs is either gone or you are driving too fast for the conditions.

Wife's been out in some pretty poor weather this afternoon on the way back from work (country lanes ) and the ESP + has apparently been earning it's additional cost; kept her on the straight and narrow a few times

TP

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by The Plumber

Mine was quite willing to slide around on compacted snow, not so bad in fresher stuff. I have to drive up a ramp to get to my parking area, so I'm having to keep it clear as I did last year.

Either "Turanza" translates as "winter killer from the far east" or the Fabia is just plain Sh*te in the snow. (probably both) I have lots and lots of experience in much worse weather than this, but the combination of Fabia II and 195 55 Bridgestones is by far the worst setup I've ever experienced. ABS 100% of the time - is it me or is the ABS setup far too aggressively - anyway ABS does absolutely nothing on snow / ice except remove any semblance of stopping ability.

Well those tyres dont get good snow ratings. Here is one site http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/summer-tyre.html

Just click the brand arrow to put them alphabetically. We in the UK do not get all season tyres. They really are just summer tyres. The tread patterning is a giveaway. A proper all season tyre looks very different. Winter tyres even more so by the Sipes in the tread. In the UK we do not just get 'all season tyres'. Thats a myth.

I wont be home for over a week so wont get to try my new Duragrips out. They supposedly rate well in snow for a summer tyre.

You of course know all this but : wider profile tyres are worse in snow. You need narrow tyres..........sort of like a Greenline

My old 1.2 HTP was average in snow. No better or worse than any other average car. I nearly made it home in last years snow but came a cropper when I tried to get over the South Downs. Nobody else made it over either. A kindly pub landlord filled me with beer and gave me a bed for the night. Actually one car made it over, a 2CV. Annoying to say the least.

A lot of European countries make winter tyres mandatory. Massive difference in grip apparently. Its just expensive and time consuming to keep changing them. May end up law here eventually. Is it worth it ? Jurys out.

'ABS' 'Anything But Snow'

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by raisbeck

alot of bridgestone tyres ( I know the RE040's on my fiat do) say "do not use in temperatures below 0 celcius" its not the tyres fault, its a summer tyre. winter tyres are the answer

I simply would not expect any tyre other than a dual purpose or full winter tyre to perform in the arctic weather we are having just now. I'm lucky as being retired I do not have to use my car if it's bad. If I was commuting I would want to fit Winter tyres but agree this is an expensive option and not possible for some. Drive safely, cut the speed and keep the right foot gentle whether accellerating or braking. Then only go out if absolutely necessary. Take care you guys

UK spec tyres are "all season" tyres

WRONG !

Virtually all tyres sold, either on new vehicles or as replacements, in the UK are Summer tyres,

There are a handful of 'all-season' tyres available - Vredstein Quatrac 3 being a popular one, Goodyear do an all season too.

Just check www.mytyres.co.uk website to see what your ER300s are classed as. I can tell you from experience Bridgestone Re050s don;t work in 2 " of fresh snow, but i don't expect a summer performance tyre too, in the same way i don;t expect my winter Nokians to pull 1g cornering in the height of summer.

Some Dunlops have warnings on them not to be used on cold weather, yet Toyota and others continue to fit them on new cars.

The sad thing is, some of those really cheap far east tyres are probably very inferior in compound and tread design, but because they are soft and have lots of grooves they work reasonably well in uk winter weather !

Either "Turanza" translates as "winter killer from the far east" or the Fabia is just plain Sh*te in the snow. (probably both) I have lots and lots of experience in much worse weather than this, but the combination of Fabia II and 195 55 Bridgestones is by far the worst setup I've ever experienced. ABS 100% of the time - is it me or is the ABS setup far too aggressively - anyway ABS does absolutely nothing on snow / ice except remove any semblance of stopping ability.

i have turanza's as my summer tyre and did use it last year in the snow. It wasn't bad.

my only advice is get some winter tyres. They should make using winter tyres a legal requirement as it would prevent a lot of hold ups, accidents down to stupid driving in bad weather.

Used to be we were advised to reduce tyre pressures in snow. This was said to have a similar effect of winter tyres and give more grip. I haven't seen anyone suggesting this and wonder if anyone has tried it? Obviously it can only be used as a tempory measure and full pressure must be restored once snow has gone.

One of my neighbours dropped his tyre pressure to get out and seemed to work for him.

After my post yesterday I got my car well and truly stuck this evening. ER300s are rubbish! or more likely it is my driving.

Tried to drive on 6" deep compacted snow and managed to not carry enough momentum to get up a small hill after slowing to avoid a rogue pedestrian.

Thanks to some very kind neighbours got pushed up the hill, Fabia bodywork is tougher than I thought, six pairs of hands on the boot and not a mark in sight!

Have now ordered some snow socks.....and if they don' work its winter tyres.

One of my neighbours dropped his tyre pressure to get out and seemed to work for him.

After my post yesterday I got my car well and truly stuck this evening. ER300s are rubbish! or more likely it is my driving.

Tried to drive on 6" deep compacted snow and managed to not carry enough momentum to get up a small hill after slowing to avoid a rogue pedestrian.

Thanks to some very kind neighbours got pushed up the hill, Fabia bodywork is tougher than I thought, six pairs of hands on the boot and not a mark in sight!

Have now ordered some snow socks.....and if they don' work its winter tyres.

Reckon winter tyres are going to be like hens teeth if this weather continues. There must have been 10 cars and vans stuck on our crescent alone today plus neither the milkman or posty have made it. Can't imagine they are all on ER300's..

I had these tyres on until 6 months ago and replaced them with a make called Lassa. They have been spot on and I have not noticed any difference from the bridgestones.

Living on Tyneside we have had some of the worst snow so far and I have never been stuck once. I dont know if the tyres are anything to do with this but what a car in the snow

Edited 1 December, 201015 yr by Hearny

Wife's Fabia II FL is running on 205/45 R16 Conti Premium Contact 2 and driven with due care for the conditions and use of gears instead of brakes, the car has managed so far. This is also the case for our Furby I on very cheap Chinese M+S 165/70 R14 tyres. Have snowsocks in both cars as a just in case thing.

Regards,

TP

Now the snow has compacted on the minor roads the poor old ESP is working overtime trying to keep the Furby II going in the right direction. Having run the prevoius Yeti on winters I've decided it's safer to drop the OEM sports tyres and I've ordered some winter wheels from mytyres in 165/70 R14 as this size works well on our older Mk I and fits the II as well.

Regards,

TP

The winter tyres really make a huge difference have put Nokian WRG2 on the fabia on 15" alloys not had abs, esp or traction control kick in once despite having roads which keep getting covered over from the 18" of snow we have has in the last day :S.