Chaos this morning in Yokshire. Stuck cars everywhere - I took the scenic route. Up a stupidly steep icy road to the top of Ned Hill Road near Queensbury (403m, 1322ft) OS ref SE077311.

Only other vehicle to make it was an 'off road enthusiast' with ropes, huge chunky tyres, winch etc on a 20 year old Land Rover. We chatted about the chaos below and then left. I got back onto my warm leather seats and he zipped up his parka and scrapped the ice of the inside of his windows! Even more amusing to see 'school run mum' in her Range Rover Sport on 21inch wheels just spinning them at the bottom (but she was safely going nowhere and returned to the main road, otherwise I would have helped).

What the pic doesn't show is I nearly broke my neck slipping on the ice taking the picture! I used the off road button and had a few slippy moments up the steep part. Plenty of tracks showing most other vehicles failed the incline.

Still annoying that the main road was closed due to the fact that 99% of the vehicles haven't invested in winter tyres. But at least I wasn't stuck in traffic for 2+ hours.

Yeti on Ice

I love how these mummies in their Range Rovers and Audi 4x4s with rediculously wide low profile rubber think they can go anywhere because they have 4x4 and their husbands said they could...... to then get stuck at the bottom of a hill!!! AND then to be overtaken up the hill by someone in a Vauxhall Nova with winter tyres on. Bless. Or a Yeti of course.

Absolute carnage on pretty much every route from Calderdale to Bradford today Deputy. It looked like Caderdale had gritted, but Bradford hadn't, and since the border runs pretty much along the top of a Pennine ridge ... I first tried to go in over Oxenhope, but was turned round by the police because the road was blocked by a crash on the ice. Diverted via Pecket Well/Midgeley before finding another jam Illingworth/Bradshaw way. A629 towards Keighley (intending to drop down through Thornton) - standstill. Wiggled through to the main Queensbury Road - ditto. Final effort the low road through Shelf, but that was chokker too. Gave up and came home. Now I had absolutely no trouble on any of the icy steep hills, Betty just kept on going on the Vector 4 Seasons ... if only there were no other bu**ers out there I'd have been fine.

I have an issue, Because my car is a company lease car, we are only allowed to fit manufacturer recommended tyres. They do not allow winter tyres. Will they every make it compulsory to fit winter tyres in the UK?

I have an issue, Because my car is a company lease car, we are only allowed to fit manufacturer recommended tyres. They do not allow winter tyres. Will they every make it compulsory to fit winter tyres in the UK?

Same here mate. "Sooner the better"

I have an issue, Because my car is a company lease car, we are only allowed to fit manufacturer recommended tyres. They do not allow winter tyres. Will they every make it compulsory to fit winter tyres in the UK?

But the manufacturer does recommend that you fit winter tyres. See the 2011 Yeti handbook, p. 204, or the 2010 handbook, p. 220. Maybe your leasing company needs to be challenged as to why it is ignoring the manufacturer's recommendations instead of following them as it claims? Perhaps you could point out to them that if they persist in this stance, they could be held to share liability for any accident that can be attributed partly or wholly to loss of grip.

All very well fitting winter tries IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT.!!!!!

My wife and I both work part time and stick to a budget, we can't afford the 'luxury' of splashing out on winter tyres believe me.

I've invested in snow chains, they will do better anyway, but can't be used constantly, only to get out of a fix.

But the manufacturer does recommend that you fit winter tyres. See the 2011 Yeti handbook, p. 204, or the 2010 handbook, p. 220. Maybe your leasing company needs to be challenged as to why it is ignoring the manufacturer's recommendations instead of following them as it claims? Perhaps you could point out to them that if they persist in this stance, they could be held to share liability for any accident that can be attributed partly or wholly to loss of grip.

I too am in this situation with a company lease car.

Unfotunately, unless the contract specifically includes the fitting of winter tyres then the lease companies will not do it due to the extra costs involved. I tried to get this done years ago and ended up with my company buying a set of chains as the next best thing.

What is in the handbook is irrelevant, its a recommendation only. Until it is law, very unlikely in this country despite the advantages, that will be the situation and if it does change then the lease prices will simply go up to allow for the cost.

I too am in this situation with a company lease car.

Unfotunately, unless the contract specifically includes the fitting of winter tyres then the lease companies will not do it due to the extra costs involved. I tried to get this done years ago and ended up with my company buying a set of chains as the next best thing.

What is in the handbook is irrelevant, its a recommendation only. Until it is law, very unlikely in this country despite the advantages, that will be the situation and if it does change then the lease prices will simply go up to allow for the cost.

What you say makes complete sense: the leasing company refuses to fit winter tyres on cost and contractual grounds, which they are fully entitled to do, unenlightened though it is. What didn't make sense was the earlier claim that they refused on grounds of winter tyres not being recommended by the manufacturer: that would leave them in a shaky position.

You've got Vredestine's on - you can go anywhere there is Snow - Used them last winter on my Superb 4x4 estate - back on for this year - I same situation as you last year, only big knobbly tyre'd beasts were going where the seemingly normal estate car was! - It's an excellent feeling! - i had a Kia Sorento the year before on BFG All-Terrains, and it was good, but was no where near as sure-footed as the Skoda on the Vred's.

A neighbor has a RR Vogue, which was useless last year!

Al.

Yes it's definitely in there!!

There it is......

And another....

Wow I never new manchester was so hilly lol....

Where did you take the pics....?

You've got Vredestine's on - you can go anywhere there is Snow - Used them last winter on my Superb 4x4 estate - back on for this year - I same situation as you last year, only big knobbly tyre'd beasts were going where the seemingly normal estate car was! - It's an excellent feeling! - i had a Kia Sorento the year before on BFG All-Terrains, and it was good, but was no where near as sure-footed as the Skoda on the Vred's.

A neighbor has a RR Vogue, which was useless last year!

Al.

Hahah, I saw many Range Rovers stuck last year. I had my old Landcruiser on BFG Mud Terrains and it was unstoppable. Evem managed to pull a partly loaded 7.5ton truck up a hill. Just locked the centre diff and away it went, I think once I had to lock the rear on a really icey hilly bit, but on the snow it was great!

I am pretty sure that in the next 3 years winter tyres will be compulsary for some vehicles in the UK. Like maybe taxis, private hire, delivery vans etc initially and then everyone else soon after.

Where did you take the pics....?

Drumochter on the A9 just before Dalwhinnie. Some nice hills around there. Not too sure if Manchester would be so good.....

Ahh bonnie scotland, im heading up to the lecht and aviemore just after xmas. I dont know wether to buy snowsocks or winter tyres for the greenline. I wish it was four wheel drive lol....

Ahh bonnie scotland, im heading up to the lecht and aviemore just after xmas. I dont know wether to buy snowsocks or winter tyres for the greenline. I wish it was four wheel drive lol....

If you're going where the real winter is - buy winter tyres. That and some nice chains maybe. It is realy worth every penny.

And the look on the before mentioned stuck, pimped out Landies' owners' faces ... Priceless

Ahh bonnie scotland, im heading up to the lecht and aviemore just after xmas. I dont know wether to buy snowsocks or winter tyres for the greenline. I wish it was four wheel drive lol....

Two wheel drive will be fine. They keep the A9 pretty clear unless it's really foul & then they shut it :( :(

The snow road to the Cairngorm slopes again is usually kept pretty well. If it's dodgy then you'll be in a long line back to Glenmore. If so the Glenmore cafe does a mean all day breakfast.

The Lecht........hmmmmmmmm

Don't bother with snow socks but winter tyres would be a good idea.

Thanks fellas i think il try and locate some decent winter tyres any suggestions.?

I cant wait for a haggis n egg roll before i fly down the slopes. Whats wrong with the lecht thats were i learnt the art of crashing....ha ha.....

I started with reading a few tests (e.g. ADAC winter tyre test) and ended with Conti TS830s.

Conti TS830s.

Me too

Whats wrong with the lecht thats were i learnt the art of crashing....ha ha.....

Just not my kind of place. Don't like the road for a start.......... :no:

Edited 11 December, 201114 yr by Breckie

I'm desparate to get involved in this thread but after 8 months I'm still waiting for the car and we don't have any snow on the West coast of Cumbria

I've got Vreds

I'm desparate to get involved in this thread but after 8 months I'm still waiting for the car and we don't have any snow on the West coast of Cumbria

I've got Vreds

I love that - one of the best "I haven't got a Yeti posts yet(i)"

And another....

I recognised the cottage !

My folks live in Aviemore, hence this was a regular route in all weathers, although I never remember my dad having snow tyres on his car when we were young , but we used to get everywhere (I always though my dad was "Roger Clark" and used to buy him Cossack for Christmas - he did introduce me to all the famous rally drivers over the years the Scottish Rally was based in his hotel).

Nice alloys - they really suit the car. Can you tell me what they are ?

Edited 11 December, 201114 yr by Silly Old Hector

I recognised the cottage !

My folks live in Aviemore, hence this was a regular route in all weathers, although I never remember my dad having snow tyres on his car when we were young , but we used to get everywhere (I always though my dad was "Roger Clark" and used to buy him Cossack for Christmas - he did introduce me to all the famous rally drivers over the years the Scottish Rally was based in his hotel).

Nice alloys - they really suit the car. Can you tell me what they are ?

Balsporran Cottages. They were derelict for a few years but they were "done up" a few years ago & offer B. & B. No idea what it's like mind you.

I love Aviemore or perhaps correctly I love the Aviemore area. The Cairngorms are a great playground but Aviemore itself seems never to be quite sure what it's aiming for. I thought of retiring up there as I love it so much. Couldn't afford the price however of the house in Kincraig that I liked.

The Scottish Rally now there was an event. Did your dad have a hotel in Grantown? Used to do a bit of stage rallying but it got too expensive.

Finally the rims are Dezent F from Mytyres.

Drumochter on the A9 just before Dalwhinnie. Some nice hills around there. Not too sure if Manchester would be so good.....

How spooky is that??

I have stayed in that house in the background!

It's a BnB and very nice it is too.

It is indeed balsporran cottage, owned by nick and his wife.

The grub is excellent and the rooms are quite nice too.

I believe it was originally two railwaymans cottages but the whole house is as one now.