I know its not advised but is anyone doing this?

I have seen AA vehicles and other cars running snow chains just on the front tyres so what's the difference?

The speeds will just be the same, surely the winter tyres will just help you to not get stuck??

I know its not advised but is anyone doing this?

I have seen AA vehicles and other cars running snow chains just on the front tyres so what's the difference?

The speeds will just be the same, surely the winter tyres will just help you to not get stuck??

Chains are just to get you through the snow. They are for traction and not sideways grip. You cannot use them on snow free roads and they do not help with ice. You can use winter tyres on normal road surfaces at normal speeds (although they will be noisier and wear out faster than ordinary tyres). Winter tyres use a softer rubber which allows them to flex and stay in contact with the road at cold temperatures. You can see the effect on snow - ordinary tyres leave an imprint of the tread pattern whereas the flexing winter tyres break up the snow as they move through. The problem with using winter tyres for traction is that you have different levels of grip front and rear, so there is more chance of the rear breaking away and it may be harder to bring under control. Use four - you need to have a balanced grip on the road.

BTW we have them on one Fabia and the difference is staggering; well worth the cost.

Just come back from frankfurt...the winter tyres looked immense!

Surely we need that law too

Edited 23 December, 201015 yr by RSsimon

I'm currently running 2 while I wait for 2 more to arrive

Seemed fine over the past week.

I'm currently running 2 while I wait for 2 more to arrive

Seemed fine over the past week.

I've got two to fit my golf aswell but not sure whether to take the risk

I've got two winter tyres on steels in the shed. Thinking about putting them on the back of the mongrel to keep the back end under moderate control, but I don't think I can find anywhere near me that is not icy/snowy to be able to jack the car up..... Think I shall just gingerly drive to Dad's tomorrow, and hope that predicted thaw on boxing day materialises.

I've got two to fit my golf aswell but not sure whether to take the risk

Take a look at this video before you decide. I would think that the difference between winter and summer tyres will be far greater than the difference between new and part worn summer tyres.

Everything I've read suggests it's all summer or all winter - never mix the two!

yes, and I'm being very careful on roundabouts! The fabster's going like a little donkey through the worst Northumberland and county durham has to offer. Can't get any winter tyres for the back for love nor money, I'm running toyo snow and ice tyres on the front that I had for the back end of my old mr2 and they're awesome, only thing stopping me is the wiper fuse issue, how annoying is this! If you drive like a prat I dare say 2 winter tyres on the front could get you into trouble but if you're careful it seems ok after all it's a diesel hatchback not a dodge viper.

I bought 2 snow tyres for the front and I used my all out summer tyres on the back. At anything over 5mph the back end would step out. Since I was unable to get 2 more, I bought 2 michellin pilot premacy tyres which are 80% the way to being winter tyres.

Honestly now I can't get the back end out even with the hand brake.

Ah sunny Sacriston, you'll need a skiddoo there! My mate's avensis also wants to go backwards with just front snow tyres on, but the fabia is ok, think with it being shorter of wheelbase and v light over the back helps. Have a great Christmas

Edited 24 December, 201015 yr by dannyw

I bought 2 snow tyres for the front and I used my all out summer tyres on the back. At anything over 5mph the back end would step out. Since I was unable to get 2 more, I bought 2 michellin pilot premacy tyres which are 80% the way to being winter tyres.

Honestly now I can't get the back end out even with the hand brake.

How are they?

The rubber compound and tread pattern is TOTALY different on a proper Winter tyre...That's how they work!!

It's not the best solution to just have 2. However all this along the lines of your car bursting into a raging inferno should you dare mix the two is no more than over the top posting(as is the raging inferno bit before anyone wants to pick a fight as I don't).

Yes there is more chance of the back end breaking away with summer tyres still on the back for obvious reasons. However if you can only afford 2 then get 2 rather than none as they do offer a significant advantage in 'getting the ball rolling' so to speak. After all people shouldn't be hooning around in the snow anyway so just be careful as you normally would.

My mum's Leon Fr only had front snow tyres on last year and I only had one instance of the back end breaking away on a minor snow covered roundabout (managed to catch it). But I was in a bit of a kerfuffle seen as my dad had just had a heart attack and I was having to drive to London to pick him up so wasn't thinking as much as usual.

If you can afford 4 though then of course get 4.

I know that all tyres are made differently but driving within the contraints of your car is good advice for everyone. I totally understand how rubber compounds and tread patterns but I also don't have the £500 for the full 4 tyres. I live on a 1 in 4 hill and need extra grip to make it up to my house.

The tread marks the michellin tyres leave are 80% as deep and clean as my winter tyres.

Using 2 winter tyres and 2 racing slick style tyres is not good but let's make this clear, your in control if the car and you set it up for yourself and don't have to justify yourself to anyone.

People that should justify themselves are the people who call the AA out because they are stuck. The AA have reported that around half the call outs are to people with illegally bald tyres.

The AA have reported that around half the call outs are to people with illegally bald tyres.

The main reason people get stuck!!! that and sitting there smashing the accelerator through the floor!

Just sold my Octavia Vrs and swapped the Winter fronts for the standard summers - forgot how bad it was!!!

Get 4 if you can.... 2 x will get you up hills and stop effectively however you can get caught out when ypou drivew to the capability of the winters and the rears break away - you have to be quick to catch the slide!!!

I have two Octavia 16" alloys with 205 Avon ice tourers for sale as they wont fit my new Furby Vrs..... any takers?

How are they?

The rubber compound and tread pattern is TOTALY different on a proper Winter tyre...That's how they work!!

I agree completely, the only thing these new tyres currently will have in their favour is that they are new! I have them on my B5 4Motion Passat and they are not good - see "www.mytryes.com" and check the independant tests for Primacy and Exalto - okay the Exalto is worse and yes that is why I now have steelies and Alpin on my wifes Polo, but Primacy, I've now noticed, don't do well in snow/ice either - but they and Exalto are branded as SUMMER tyres - so no surprise there I suppose. For the past year or so, the place where I buy Exalto make that clear before I agree to buy them (warm weather use only).