didn't somebody post a vid of two Yeti's on an ice rink comparing winters and summers on an ice rink? Can't seem to find it.

This one?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/winter-tyres-vs-four-wheel-drive

Its all down to risk v the chances of such bad weather.

We have what, 1 or 2 days a year where there may be enough snow fall for a standard tyre not to cope, and in many cases they can with enough tread and without the foot to floor = more grip mentality. You then have poor infrastructure to grit and clear roads as well as an inability & legal requirement of people to help clear side roads and paths as there is in parts of the world that get sustained snowfall and sheet ice for MONTHS of the year EVERY year.

Until this happens in the UK, uptake of winters wont happen, driving standards in snow wont improve, so there isnt a need or desire for insurers to reward for winters.

And until such time as we get such sustained weather in southern and central England I personally dont see a need to invest in them.

Its all down to risk v the chances of such bad weather.

We have what, 1 or 2 days a year where there may be enough snow fall for a standard tyre not to cope, and in many cases they can with enough tread and without the foot to floor = more grip mentality. You then have poor infrastructure to grit and clear roads as well as an inability & legal requirement of people to help clear side roads and paths as there is in parts of the world that get sustained snowfall and sheet ice for MONTHS of the year EVERY year.

Until this happens in the UK, uptake of winters wont happen, driving standards in snow wont improve, so there isnt a need or desire for insurers to reward for winters.

And until such time as we get such sustained weather in southern and central England I personally dont see a need to invest in them.

I quite agree that if there's no snow/ice where you live then there's little need for winter tyres. This however is entirely different to those suggesting that they are ineffective. Also - in the grand scheme of things they don't have to cost that much. Remember that whilst running on winters you're not running the tread down on your regular tyres (I acknowledge that winter tyres will wear quicker in mild / dry weather). In any event the cost may well be lower than your insurance xs.

This one?

http://www.autocar.c...our-wheel-drive

Nope, not that one. As mentioned, the test was on an ice rink. The Yeti's were identical in spec apart from colour and tyre type only. It was posted or liked to on Briskoda last week IIRC.

This one sprung to mind too but don't think I've seen one with Yetis on an ice rink.

Found it!

Excellent. Plain simple truth of the benefits.

Excellent. Plain simple truth of the benefits.

pretty incontravertible IMO

pretty incontravertible IMO

There will still be doubters. Some folk are beyond saving :-)

I quite agree that if there's no snow/ice where you live then there's little need for winter tyres. This however is entirely different to those suggesting that they are ineffective. Also - in the grand scheme of things they don't have to cost that much. Remember that whilst running on winters you're not running the tread down on your regular tyres (I acknowledge that winter tyres will wear quicker in mild / dry weather). In any event the cost may well be lower than your insurance xs.

I dont get this. You're simply extending the life, but not saving anything as you're wearing down 2 sets. So at best you're taking the financial hit on 8 tyres sooner than you would have. You're not saving anything long term.

Winters may reduce the likelihood, but wont remove the risk entirely. Those thinking it will/does are a heightened risk, whereas if they were on standards in bad weather might actually take more care? Be honest anyone who has winters, do you fit them and reduce your speed as well or simply so you can carry on as normal? Most will do the latter I'm certain.

Excess wise some will save, some wont - in my case not as my excess is only £50.

To be fair I made no claim that you'd save simply that it needn't cost that much.

Anything that reduces risk of an accident can only be a good thing in my book.

Appreciate some policies have an xs as low as £50 but those trying to cut costs may have a much higher xs as in order to reduce policy cost.

And I've never heard anyone suggesting that adding winter tyres will remove the risk if a bump.

To be fair I made no claim that you'd save simply that it needn't cost that much.

Anything that reduces risk of an accident can only be a good thing in my book.

Appreciate some policies have an xs as low as £50 but those trying to cut costs may have a much higher xs as in order to reduce policy cost.

And I've never heard anyone suggesting that adding winter tyres will remove the risk if a bump.

Pardon???

So if winter tyres won't reduce the risk of a bump, why would Insurers give a discount for fitting them??

You appear to be misunderstanding the words reduce and remove. Have another read.