Banking on someone giving you a correct name?

[Gets coat]

I live in Tomatin near the top of Slocht about 1000ft . I have the Octy Scout FL and the last 2 winters which were severe, I have had no problems( I even have a bit of an incline up my road) my tyres are Dunlop Sport and they are OK . Since I don't have to go out to work I cannot justify, or do I need 2 sets of tyres.Having the AWD is probably the reason. So I can understand if I had 2 WD it might be a different story.

P.S I do have snow socks in the boot, but have never had to use them

I agree - I live in the Borders and have a 2.0D 4x4 Octavia which has done so well in both the last snowy cold spells I ended up ferrying other staff to and from home - all on the usual standard tyres - I am wondering whether to get winter ones as the standard ones are getting worn. It is interesting that I could get up slopes many other vehicles got stuck on!

Hey FatblokeVRS. I'm looking for a cheap place that'll supply and fit winter tyres. Would you be able to supply me with the address and tel number of your local kwik fit centre?

Its the one in Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth. I think the bloke I spoke to was Jamie if I remember correctly - 01324 472420.

The prices may be more expensive this year due to anticipated demand but they are well worth a try.

Cheers

Dave

I agree - I live in the Borders and have a 2.0D 4x4 Octavia which has done so well in both the last snowy cold spells I ended up ferrying other staff to and from home - all on the usual standard tyres - I am wondering whether to get winter ones as the standard ones are getting worn. It is interesting that I could get up slopes many other vehicles got stuck on!

I don't live a million miles away from Vince. Winter '09/10 was done on standard rubber, I had no problem in the Scout getting around, never got stuck once. But...... the good lady did nearly have an off from 5 mph. Car stopped, came to a rest, then slid with the camber of the road into the verge (which was thankfully chock full of bodywork caressing snow)

Last year (winter '10/11) I went for winters. Forget the traction advantage in getting going and simply revel in the extra grip, comfort, confidence and calmness with which you corner and brake, snow or not. That is the true worth of winter tyres, and until you've tried it, you will struggle to comprehend.

To begin with the good lady thought I was slightly barking last year, until she had a shot of the car, this year the tyres and wheels for her Grand Scenic are already in the garage, ready and waiting.....

(BTW Plan ahead - Full set of Mk1 Laguna Alloys for £80 off've Gumtree back in May)

Niall

I don't live a million miles away from Vince. Winter '09/10 was done on standard rubber, I had no problem in the Scout getting around, never got stuck once. But...... the good lady did nearly have an off from 5 mph. Car stopped, came to a rest, then slid with the camber of the road into the verge (which was thankfully chock full of bodywork caressing snow)

Last year (winter '10/11) I went for winters. Forget the traction advantage in getting going and simply revel in the extra grip, comfort, confidence and calmness with which you corner and brake, snow or not. That is the true worth of winter tyres, and until you've tried it, you will struggle to comprehend.

To begin with the good lady thought I was slightly barking last year, until she had a shot of the car, this year the tyres and wheels for her Grand Scenic are already in the garage, ready and waiting.....

(BTW Plan ahead - Full set of Mk1 Laguna Alloys for £80 off've Gumtree back in May)

Niall

Niall, spot on. 2WD and AWD cars are equal when it comes to cornering and stopping, we all have AWD braking. I switched to Nokians two years ago when my Octavia could not get in or out of our street on the Bridgestone POtenzas. It was amazing what a difference it made. Those are ready to go on my wife's A3 this winter, and my Yeti had its WIntrac Extremes fitted this morning.

Other sources in the central belt are Farmer Autocare - they are advertising winter tyres heavily in West Lothian papers just now, and Costco in Edinburgh who have a pile of Michelin Alpin's in stock

Might give them a try if I can get some low cost

Lloyd???

Damnned iPad auto correct.

Alloys.

I'm looking at some winters for the Scout for this year, and conveniently (or not) my regular tyres are getting close to the markers.

As its a company car, I would probably have to leave winters on until they are spent. My commute is over the pennines each day, and already noticed the decrease in grip this morning as the frost settled in the hills, so would like to try winters.

So, question is....Has/Does anyone left/leave their winters on all year round..if so, how do they fare mileage wise?

I'm looking at some winters for the Scout for this year, and conveniently (or not) my regular tyres are getting close to the markers.

As its a company car, I would probably have to leave winters on until they are spent. My commute is over the pennines each day, and already noticed the decrease in grip this morning as the frost settled in the hills, so would like to try winters.

So, question is....Has/Does anyone left/leave their winters on all year round..if so, how do they fare mileage wise?

No problem leaving them on all year except for the fact that they'll wear down a lot quicker during the warmer months.

Paul

Sorry if these are daft questions but it's my first time in a 2WD car for about 10 years. Should I put winters on all around or just on the driving wheels?

Also, do I simply have them fitted and then activate the 'winter tyres' option through maxidot and what exactly does this option do?

All round.

What you don't want happening is the rear wheels, fitted with 'summer' tyres, breaking away/loosing traction while the front set is still perfectly within their limit of grip.... ALERT

Maxidot winter tyre mode is really there to warn you that you're on tyres with a possible lower speed rating than 'summer' tyres. So this will then use the 'speed warning' function of Maxidot to sound a speed warning 'bong' and Maxidot message. Should be on P29 of the manual:

Setting for winter tyre speed

Here you can set at which speed a warning signal should sound. These functions are used for e.g on winter tyres with the permissible maximum speed less than the maximum speed of the vehicle ⇒ page 266.

Cheers Steve

I think there is a video on the winter tyres thread that shows what happens if you only put winters on the driving wheels, looks to be worse than leaving summers on all round.

(think it is towards the end of the video with two cars driving round a snow covered circuit)

Been online to Aviva.co.uk my insurers:

You asked:

winter tyres

Our answer:

You can have snow tyres fitted to your car without informing us as it will not affect your premium. Note that this advice only applies to snow tyres and not studded/spiked tyres/snowchains etc.

Hi everyone,

thanks to you all for the varying opinions on the tires/tyres (which is right? :-) )

I appreciate all the advice and will have a think about what course to take,

cheers

Chris.

TYRES

Been online to Aviva.co.uk my insurers:

Nice one, saved me the bother there as they're my insurers too

Nice one, saved me the bother there as they're my insurers too

Interesting they don't insure snow chains unless you tell them.

The AA issued advice on this last year in association with ABI (Association of British Insurers?) when a lot of insurers were trying to rip people off by charging them £30 for notifying a change to winter tyres.

As long as the size and speed rating (which will be lower than summer tyres) match what is approved for your vehicle as stated in your vehicle handbook then you do not need to notify them.

When it does become unclear though is if you change the wheels, especially if to a different size. In theory removing alloys and fitting steels could be seen as a modification! It would have to be a tight insurance company to see it as such though.

If you choose to take off 17" or 18" rims and put 16" or 15" rims on though you should discuss this with your insurance company first.

I will try and find the link.

Edit

It is here.

I can only relate my own experience which is with an Octavia estate which I put winter tyres on last year, the day after snow hit us in Central Scotland. The difference in traction/grip was huge and instantly noticeable, and I didn't have any problems all winter, including being able to take the back roads home on the infamous few days when people were stuck on the M8/M9 due to the weather.

I now feel totally calm and unstressed at the prospect of travelling in cold weather/sleet/snow/freezing rain.

Now, bare in mind where I live. It was under the magic 7 C temperature during my morning/evening commute for probably 5 months of the year. It may not be as necessary living in the sunny South!

The only issue I had was when it had been icy for several weeks and the ruts in the road were high enough to scrape my under tray, at which point I wished I had a Scout or a Yeti

The only issue I had was when it had been icy for several weeks and the ruts in the road were high enough to scrape my under tray, at which point I wished I had a Scout or a Yeti

It wrecked mine. And the one with the flap at the front of one of the arch liners.

I'm putting my winters back on tomorrow - had my first 3.5 degree BONG today so definitely less than the magic 7 degree at morning and evening commute.

Clocks go back next weekend which will make the evening commute even darker and colder!

An extra set of wheels can be acquired relatively cheaply; paid £165 for mine.

ebay is the answer...........bought in the spring £60.00 for a set of 4 Audi wheels.

At the moment kwik fit

Continental Winter Contact TS830 205/55H16 = 428.80 fitted which does not seem to bad.

Put the winter Tyres on the Impreza today and it has a very trick AWD system better than most 4X4's. I have a set for the VRS as well. But I have found to much easier to drive with the correct tyres for the conditions. Doing it a bit early as I don't fancy grovelling around in the cold and snow on the floor.

Put the winter Tyres on the Impreza today and it has a very trick AWD system better than most 4X4's. I have a set for the VRS as well. But I have found to much easier to drive with the correct tyres for the conditions. Doing it a bit early as I don't fancy grovelling around in the cold and snow on the floor.

Another skoda/subaru partnership here.

My other car (now the wifes) is a Forester. I had an impreza before that so 13 years of Subaru's. Agree about the proper AWD system, brilliant in all situations except for at the petrol station. All seasons on the scooby and winters going on the skoda next week.

Edited 20 October, 201114 yr by Web Ferret

You are right about the petrol station I can't even do 300 miles to a tank in the Impreza. But can get 600 out of the Octavia tank. The VRS is great in the snow on its winter boots. I also quite like the slightly softer ride that the 17inch wheels give it to the summer 18inch wheels.