Lee,

Years ago when we all drove Allegro's and Cortina's we drove round on 145 tyres, or if you had an Escort Sport 165. These were narrow and cut down through the snow easily. Also those cars didn't produce a third of the power of a modern car. Wasn't an Allegro 1300 something like 45bhp?

Now we drive round in 140 bhp vehicles on 255 tyres, nearly double the width of those old ones. These don't cut through but slide on the top of the surface much more, so really are the two era's and vehicles really comparible?

Also tyre technology itself has improved. Back them radial tyres were almost unheard off, but now you try buying a set of crossplies! It's even difficult to get them for old Land Rovers.

I have always been in two minds about the effectivness of WINTER tyres until we went to Switzerland to see the wife's brother last year. The fact that he could drive his Nissan from tarmac onto deep compacted snow with NO noticeable difference, still brake and accelerate normally turned it for me. OK on the Freelander I ran on All Terrain tyres of only 195/80 so they coped admirably, but the Yeti on 255/55's has coped with my journeys to work along unploughed or gritted roads but it has felt "jittery". Therefore I've now got a friend who works for VW to get me some T4 wheels and I will be getting winter tyres.

I think too many people aren't properly looking at them, however. All the ones mentioned on here are not SNOW tyres but WINTER tyres. They are specifically designed for the rubber to work at temps below 7 degrees, when normal tyres start to "harden". They have additional "snipes" in the treads that are better throwing water out, but also provide additional surface to "grip" the road, whatever it comprises off. Yes the skill or experience of a driver can overcome some of the problems, as you have shown, but not everyone has that.

My attitude isn't about what I know I can do, but has the car got the ability to get out of the way QUICKLY of those that prove they haven't got those skills? I think that with winter tyres taking avoiding action might be safer!

Oh, and I didn't think your words were inconsiderate, just forceful!

why do u need winter tyres and wheels on a 4x4?

There are two specific reasons why winter tyres can be a benefit. The first is when increasing speed on cold slippery surfaces, and generally winter tyres are better than normal tyres. The second is braking on those same surfaces, when the Yeti's 4x4 system is no particular advantage, but again winter tyres can provide a significant advantage.

ive only a fwd 1.2 and had no issues driving in snow/ice for last 2 weeks

That's great. Presumably you've had a few instances when the wheels have slipped slightly, and you've had to go a lot slower than you would in more benign conditions. Has the traction control light been flashing? With winter tyres you'd probably be able to go a bit quicker and still slow down safely. The traction control system probably wouldn't trigger as much. I estimate the speed advantage of winter tyres over normal tyres to be in the region of 20-30 mph. That doesn't mean that one can drive like a complete wazzock, but it does mean you can get about more easily, and in some cases keep on going when otherwise you might not.

That's the visible aspects covered but there are benefits that aren't so obvious, mainly being that when the roads are cold and slippery, such as after a heavy frost, you have a greater margin of safety. That margin of safety is really all about attitude; if it's not for you then fine, but many people taking part in the BriSkoda fora ask about the best tyres for various circumstances such as for the summer (normally the default case), when it is rainy, or perhaps for going to a track-day. This, then, is only an extension of the same idea, that of picking tyres that work better in the conditions people think they are likely to encounter.

Edited 16 December, 201015 yr by AnotherGareth