Finally decided to take my winter tyres off today. I normally do it the weekend the clocks go forward but it was still freezing cold, and snowing most days that week!

One thing I noticed, when preparing the winter tyres for their aestivation (look it up), was that the rears seemed to have a lot more grit and gravel in the tread grooves & sipes than the fronts. Is this to be expected - and if so, why?

I also noticed that the steelies, once washed, are looking decidedly weary - lots of little paint blemishes looking like corrosion spots starting up all over the place. Any suggestions for a treatment that might stop them deteriorating so quickly?

Hi,

it's quite normal for the rears to pick up stones and the front much less so. Think it has something to do with the greater turning loads applied to the front tyres opening the groves/sipes a little more, thus allowing the stones to be ejected, hence some of the peppering down the sides of the car.

Again the VAG steel rims are not well protected against corrosion (applies to about all manufactures), as the rims are as far as they are concerned hidden behind trim covers. With mine I give the tyre/rims a good wash down, check for damage, remove stones and give the tyres a coating of autoglym rubber care and the rims a clean with a cheap polish/wax to try slow the corrosion process.

TP

Yep, my Winters were coming off today but it's pouring down here (good for the fields and live stock) but my garage is full of stuff (rubbish) and I don't know whether I can be bothered to do it in the rain!

Finally decided to take my winter tyres off today. I normally do it the weekend the clocks go forward but it was still freezing cold, and snowing most days that week!

One thing I noticed, when preparing the winter tyres for their aestivation (look it up), was that the rears seemed to have a lot more grit and gravel in the tread grooves & sipes than the fronts. Is this to be expected - and if so, why?

I also noticed that the steelies, once washed, are looking decidedly weary - lots of little paint blemishes looking like corrosion spots starting up all over the place. Any suggestions for a treatment that might stop them deteriorating so quickly?

Try spraying the wheels with Armoral wheel protectant before you put them on in the Autumn. I used it on my new steel wheels when I put on the winter boots last October and when I changed back to summers this spring the wheels washed up like new and there was no corrosion to be seen. Obviously the backs were dirtier than the fronts (protected by Rif trims) but I was surprised how easily and quickly they cleaned up.

A mate has a Lambretta rustoration, ie 40/50yr old original finish with all the blemishes you would expect. He swears by Ankor wax to cover the pre-existing rust and missing paint.

Probably not quite as harsh a working envioronment as Yeti wheels, but feels ok, and seems to work for him.

Just changed back to summers so summer tyres and a brand-new Unicorn re-map to road test :rofl:

Summer tyres back on both cars today, pretty time consuming, check pressures on 8 tyres and inflate as necessary, change over 8 times, set up pressure washer to clean steel rims and wheel trims and then put everything away.

Edited 15 April, 201313 yr by servicepoint

Winter wheels been off nearly two weeks but the lower grill 'scarf' was removed today, after noticing the oil holding in the high 90's for the first time this year.

TP

Took Wiily John in to have steel winter rims and tyres replaced wih original alloy 'summer' tyres so it will probably snow nex wee!!

Whist both sets of tyres were 215 60 R16 I have noticed that the 'road' noise has appeared to have increased quite considerably.

Are winter tyres normally quieter than original fits or is it me being hyper sensitive and irrational?

I should add that this is the first year I have had winer tyres.

Took Wiily John in to have steel winter rims and tyres replaced wih original alloy 'summer' tyres so it will probably snow nex wee!

Hi Shanco

Have you found any great advantage with your 1.2 with winters fitted ?(what make have you got)

Considering buying some for next winter if it is worth it ?

Hi Shanco

Have you found any great advantage with your 1.2 with winters fitted ?(what make have you got)

Considering buying some for next winter if it is worth it ?

By the time that I bought them the snow had disipated so I'm no authority on their potential efficiency. However it was comforting to know that at sub zero temperatures they would be more 'pliable' and have greater breaking capabilities.

IMO they were a worthwhile investment. The make I fitted was Jinyo.

Cheers, Shanco

Took off the Nokians today-fine ride and handling and saw me through the coldest March in 50 years, an average over the month of 2.5c.

Snow is far from the main purpose for winter tyres.

Back onto the o/e Dunlops which have to see me through until my L&K arrives.

Winter wheels been off nearly two weeks but the lower grill 'scarf' was removed today, after noticing the oil holding in the high 90's for the first time this year.

TP

Should take mine off, got so use to it forgot that there is a hole under it

Hi Shanco

Have you found any great advantage with your 1.2 with winters fitted ?(what make have you got)

Considering buying some for next winter if it is worth it ?

I have a 1.2 Tsi DSG fitted with Nokian G3's over the winter. Best I can say is that the car drove perfectly over snow and whatever we had this winter - cold and wet as well as several snow falls. No slip sliding at all, clean takeaways, no problems cornering or stopping. I am convinced and, of course, once you have made the investment in an extra set of wheels there is no additional cost because you only wear the set of tyres you are riding on at the time.

Changed back to the Summers yesterday. Getting older - found it quite hard work - I'm sure those wheels are getting heavier. Thanks a million for those people on here who told us about those long bolts to aid wheel location. SHMBO took one look afterwards and announced that she much preferred the look of the black steel wheels. Big confession but I am inclined to agree with her !!!

Switched mine last Saturday and treated Kevin to a brand new set of Ultrac Sessantas, even though the 'old' set has 3-4,000 miles left in them still (sold them on the forum to a member who wanted some 'track day tyres').

I get my local tyre dealer to do the switching for me; sooo much easier. If I'm just doing a straight swap, as I will do in November, they get to earn 4 x wheel balancing out of it, plus a 'drink' for the fitter.

Winters off yesterday. £20 to the tyre fitters which is a bargain as far as I am concerned - getting too old to be humping those heavy wheels around. Always mark which corner the wheels come off so they go back on with hopefully no need for balancing etc. I also keep a note of the mileage at the changes to see how much I get from each set - sad and boring probably!

My Falken winters 215/60 x16" are all showing 7.5mm after 2 winters of 3500 miles each winter moved front to back. Don't know what they started from though.:0( 8.5mm ? Pirelli P Zero 4mm and 3.5 mm after 3 summers moving from front to back and mileage total 21.500.miles

So don't worry summers - you are not the only one.

Have you found any great advantage with your 1.2 with winters fitted ?

The video linked from this post is informative when pondering the advantages of winter tyres (on 2WD in this case) vs normal tyres (on 4WD) in winter conditions. The braking test is particularly relevant since, as the presenter points out, both cars are "no wheel drive" when braking.

Oh, and thanks to TP and Expatman for the advice about protecting my winter steelies, I will certainly look in to those options.

Edited 16 April, 201313 yr by ejstubbs

I've driven (on snow) AWD on summers and FWD with winters. No contest, I'd take any (F/R/A) wheel drive on winters in a heartbeat.

Mine came off on Friday and I bought a new car yesterday! Before you ask going back to "school" in sept so needed to release some funds.

If anyone is interested in a set of 16" verdestein extremes with about 2000 miles on then please PM with e reasonable offer, ideally buyer collects from central London but I am flexible.

Hi Shanco

Have you found any great advantage with your 1.2 with winters fitted ?(what make have you got)

Considering buying some for next winter if it is worth it ?

I've got vredestein wintrac extremes on my 1.2. The advantage on the 1.2 is the same as on any car. Improved grip, better braking and cornering. We've had plenty ice and snow between October and April. Never had a problem in that time. Took them off yesterday but the rain and cooler conditions are back today (typical)

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I took my winters off yesterday, then treated Beastie to its first wash of the year courtesy of the local hand car wash, the rubber mats came out and the carpet mats went in. Knowing my luck it will be really wet and cold next week!

I'd quite forgotten how nice Beastie looks when clean. Must get some pictures taken.

Winters came off last week.... I'd forgotten how much heavier the steering is on the standard P Zero Rossos, and how well the winters on 16" rims absorb road shocks. Mind you, it's a delight to have the more positive feeling steering back.

Even though I sprayed the steelies silver, they have suffered a bit over the winter and are showing signs of corrosion around the very edges. Otherwise they have stood up well to all the salt, and were an absolute doddle to clean compared with the standard fit alloys. Some you win, some you loose!

And having just listened to the forecast for next week MIKEP, yes, the cold weather is about to return, or at least it will in the northern counties!

And having just listened to the forecast for next week MIKEP, yes, the cold weather is about to return, or at least it will in the northern counties!

NOOOOOOOOO! I skinned my knuckles with the standard jack, so the summer tyres are staying on no matter what.........