Winter tyres.... do I need them

[r999]

Anyone else had any insurance issues. I remember a couple of winters ago it was raised in the news but I thought the insurance companies had seen sense.

They have, mostly, with only a few recidivists.

This is the information you want. It got its annual update (at my prompting) two days ago: http://www.abi.org.u...ommittment.aspx

Edited 1 November, 2012 by r999

[oldstan]

They have, mostly, with only a few recidivists.

This is the information you want. It got its annual update (at my prompting) two days ago: http://www.abi.org.u...ommittment.aspx

Coincidentally I also reminded them that it was out of date (a couple of weeks ago) but they just told me not to worry about it. ..... around about the time I posted the page on here that you've also posted.

Edited 1 November, 2012 by oldstan

[Truthseeker]

In winter is it better to drive a Yeti with steel wheels and winter tyres or Alloys with "summer " tyres?

Answer: Alloys with "winter" tyres.

Edited 2 November, 2012 by Truthseeker

[Merlinman]

+1

I've never regretted shelling out for a set of Cold Weather tyres.

Now into the third winter with them. Difference in comfort and grip is very noticeable.

A no brainier for me - and we also have Wintracs on SWMBO's car!

[Expatman]

Perhaps the way to look at winter tyres is to consider them as a 'visible' form of Electronic Stability Control! You may not need it, you may not have been aware it operated and saved your life - the same with winter tyres. You might not need them and you might not have been aware that one winter they saved your life without you being aware that without them you would have had a major crash.

The four tyre footprints are your only contact with the road - summer tyres in the winter have far less adhesion than winter tyres. FACT.

[33q]

Local dealer Rainworth -£429.99 for Avon Ice Touring on steels (no Trims)

Trouble is I fancy 215/60 and Uniroyals are £412 for tyres only Hankooks are £456. Camshill are £87 plus carriage plus fitting

[Llanigraham]

summer tyres in the winter have far less adhesion than winter tyres. FACT.

But what happens when you've stopped because you have winter tyres, but the bloke behind you on "SUMMER" tyres doesn't?

I'll get my coat! :giggle: :think:

[Sandy.Rogers]

But what happens when you've stopped because you have winter tyres, but the bloke behind you on "SUMMER" tyres doesn't?

I'll get my coat! :giggle: :think:

Very true G - but at least you shouldn't have to claim off your insurance!

Back to the OP - I've read the first couple of posts and the last one so far in this thread and have the following quick two pennyworth.......

There are many occasions in life where you really don't need something; life jacket, gum shield, Pet Insurance, umbrella etc, etc, the examples are endless and where do you stop? However, there is always a further occasion where you wished you had taken a certain precaution (no sexual inuendos there!) - and this is one of those occasions where it is very much an individual preference and what you're taking into consideration.

Personaaly, I drive about and walk in the Lake District with SWMBO & my (soon to be aged 3 years) Grandson, and I will be switching to Winters this weekend.

[weasley]

I have been following all winter wheel/tyre threads with interest. I have never had or used them. Their popularity has suddenly increased in the last 2-3 years thanks to the unusual winters we had; 5 years ago nobody was talking about them and not many people were selling them (in the UK). In the mean time, 'regular' tyre technology has been improving, so their grip is greater in a wider array of conditions than a few years ago.

To address a couple of points from my POV:

- looks: I actually like the idea of steel wheels; they imbue a certain utilitarian appearance, in keeping with the Yeti's everyman role. The whole idea of using steels is to minimise the cost of damage, should you skid into a kerb, plus if you did clout something with a steel wheel, it will buckle where an alloy one (especially a cold one) will crack. A buckled or bent wheel may get you home (or out of danger) where a cracked alloy will not.

- performance: yes, they offer better grip in colder conditions. No arguing here.

To answer the original question, "do you NEED winter tyres", the answer is "no" or "it depends" - it is certainly not an unqualified "yes". I am thinking about getting them for the Yeti, even though (or maybe because) my wife drives it more than me and it serves as the school run bus. I haven't even contemplated getting them on the B Class... if I can't get to work then I work from home (besides, that goes back to the lease company in a few months).

Like a lot of things, it is about risk vs reward. You can save money by not getting them but pay out on possible damage repair, or you can splash out on them as an insurance and never know if they saved you from having a problem.

Meanwhile I keep looking for the cheapest way to do it safely - I am buying a house right now so every penny counts NOW!

[fabdavrav]

WOW............another big thread on winters..........and jacks..............I'll add my 2p worth..........

AS most people state it's down to personnal choice, where you live, your driving skill level etc.........

I've lived in North Scotland since 1994...........had small FWD cars on "summers"......... got currrent car back in 2001.......and only got winters back in Jan 2010!!!!

So have spent 16yrs driving in bad (good) winters on "summers"...........I have taken 4WD's by supprise.......all down to SKILL.......

BUT!!!!!!............wrote previous car off on Boxing day back in 2000 at 33mph in a 60mph on an A road..........ended upside-down and pointing the wrong way on the road! Due to sliding, correcting slide then passenger side wheels getting traction and yanking wheel out of my hands and dragging car up small embankment causing to flip and land on roof above my head.......

When I got current car it has EDL & ASR........so although the car could still skid it wouldn't just cause the wheel to yank out of my hands.......

Continued driving from 2000 to end of 2009 on "summers"....

December 2009 to Jan 2010 I had to do a trip across Inverness..........THE WORST DAY I have ever had to drive.......total sheet black ice.......trying to slow down for and go around all the bloody roundabouts .................considering the amount of experiance/skill I have (still not perfect).............I sh4t myself!!!

So I got a set of "Winters" fitted to my standard alloys and have never looked back......(except to see the look on the faces of the 4x4 drivers that I overtake because they are still struggling on "summers"............. :rofl: )

YES I live in place where they are more needed, and yes I do visit remote areas to do mountaineering, ski touring, etc.........

Also when summer came I ordered a new set of bigger alloys and fitted wider Toyo tyres.......something I have wanted to do for a while but couldn't justify it........now I could........(I have winters on my alloys...so I need a set of summers and they have to be bigger than my "winters" for better grip) ............

[33q]

But what happens when you've stopped because you have winter tyres, but the bloke behind you on "SUMMER" tyres doesn't?

I'll get my coat! :giggle: :think:

In my case I call upon the services of my wife as she is a Lawyer specialising in Personal Injury

[Truthseeker]

Quote post #59 - "I actually like the idea of steel wheels; they imbue a certain utilitarian appearance, in keeping with the Yeti's everyman role"

OK, so how many here would choose (given the choice at purchase) between steel wheels and alloys, with a reduction in price - be truthful now please (especially those with Elegance models).

[Sporky McGuffin]

I went for steels for my winter wheels because I was more interested in how they work than how they look. If it was steels or Skoda alloys at the same price I'd have had to have had a think, but non-oem alloys pretty much always look naff to me.

[bettysman]

Quote post #59 - "I actually like the idea of steel wheels; they imbue a certain utilitarian appearance, in keeping with the Yeti's everyman role"

OK, so how many here would choose (given the choice at purchase) between steel wheels and alloys, with a reduction in price - be truthful now please (especially those with Elegance models).

I got my genuine new Skoda steel wheels for £80 from a kind member of this forum, so it was an easy choice.

[The Plumber]

Quote post #59 - "I actually like the idea of steel wheels; they imbue a certain utilitarian appearance, in keeping with the Yeti's everyman role"

OK, so how many here would choose (given the choice at purchase) between steel wheels and alloys, with a reduction in price - be truthful now please (especially those with Elegance models).

Would have seriously considered upgrading to 16" steels if Skoda Auto had not helped out with a nice set of Moons

For me a vehicle is a practical piece of kit not a fashion accessory; however I will admit to having ordered my good lady a Monte Carlo, purely based on we both like the look of this particular trim and it's not at all practical for the Wolds

TP

[Llanigraham]

Quote post #59 - "I actually like the idea of steel wheels; they imbue a certain utilitarian appearance, in keeping with the Yeti's everyman role"

OK, so how many here would choose (given the choice at purchase) between steel wheels and alloys, with a reduction in price - be truthful now please (especially those with Elegance models).

Personally I couldn't care less!

A wheel is a wheel; very handy for putting tyres on to and stopping the car scrapping on the road.

Off-road a steel wheel is often better as it can be more resiliant to knocks, and doesn't get damaged so easily. Certainly in the winter I would be concerned about the risk from all the salt on the road, but find the coating of mud, sheep poo, etc on mine seem to give a good protective coating!

[StevieK]

I went for a set of these non-standard Alloys with Hankook W310 Evos on. Seem very good so far:

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/12183/16-grip-silver--skoda---yeti.aspx

Look good too - I'll post a photo shortly....

Storing the summers is a bit of a problem though

[Truthseeker]

I went for a set of these non-standard Alloys with Hankook W310 Evos on. Seem very good so far:

http://www.tyremen.c...oda---yeti.aspx

Look good too - I'll post a photo shortly....

Storing the summers is a bit of a problem though

They work for me.

[Truthseeker]

I got my genuine new Skoda steel wheels for £80 from a kind member of this forum, so it was an easy choice.

The question was - choice at purchase from new (not after the event). Do you put your standard oem SE alloys back on in the summer?

[finebone]

In the end, if you can afford it, it's down to personal choice . However, my personal observations are:

I ran my Yeti on the original tyres and 16" wheels during two of the snowiest winters we have had for a while in my part of Scotland. The performance was unbelievable, especially if the off-road button was pressed. I never got near being stuck even when the snow-plough ran off the road one night. I'm sure that winter tyres would have been even better, but I question the wisdom of going out or continuing in conditions so extreme that I would actually need dedicated winter tyres on my 4x4 Yeti with the off-road button (except in live or death situations)! In any event, the roads would probably be blocked by other vehicles not so well equipped.

Having said all that, I fitted all-seasons (Nokian eNtyres) on the original wheels for last winter. There was not much snow or ice here last winter so not sure how much they help in these conditions. However, not surprisingly, they feel a little less secure in wet conditions, especially in the summer.

So I guess you pay your money and make your choice........

[bettysman]

The question was - choice at purchase from new (not after the event). Do you put your standard oem SE alloys back on in the summer?

Yes because they have "summer" tyres on and I want to save my steel wheels with winter tyres for next year. First time with winter tyres so we'll see how it goes and it will all depend on how many negative comments I get about my car with " cheapo wheels". May sell them and get all weather tyres on the alloys.

Bob

[gobiman]

Just had the steels vs alloys debate (with myself).

Steels cost a bit over £200 for 4. I already have one dolomite alloy. To buy another 3 is £450.

For me, I am prepared to spend £250 to maintain the look.

I quite like the steel "utilitarian" look (like my old army LR) - but only in the snow or where it is a proper working car.

It is my Mother's car and I know she will not like that look at all!

[Llanigraham]

The question was - choice at purchase from new (not after the event). Do you put your standard oem SE alloys back on in the summer?

OK. Personally.

You don't get a choice when you buy a car, it comes with wheels. Now to me whether they are alloy or steel doesn't matter, as long as they are round and I can buy tyres for them easily.

If we had a choice at purchase I would probably choose silver steel wheels.

[33q]

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/1354/21560r16-(99h)-w310-xl.aspx

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/12184/16-wave--skoda---yeti.aspx

This looks good to me.....

I've nearly stopped laughing at Farmer's price.....nearly £760 for Steels/no trims and worse ....BRIDGESTONES!

[domhnall]

I'm no expert on weights and jacks but a Yeti is over 1,300 kg so it is clearly over the limit (either metric or imperial).

I'm sure there is a tolerance/ safety margin built in but personally i wouldn't risk it given the downside could be catastrophic - for you and the car.

My X5 is 2 tonnes and I bought a 3 (US) ton jack which I'm comfortable with. For a Yeti I'd be looking for a minimum 2 ton capability.

You can get them for well under £100. Steel are cheaper, more stable but heavier. Aluminium lighter + easier to transport.

I bought a 2 tonne jack in Aldi a few years ago for £9.99 and it's been lifting my octavias and now yeti each winter and spring ever since.