In the UK I know very few people who use winter tyres. They seem to be becoming more popular but people don't realise how pointless they are. Winter here for the most part is just wet and cold. We rarely see snow so having tyres designed to deal with it is really pointless IMO.

I grew up near Glasgow where snow is more regular than down in the south where I live now. True enough people here see 2 flakes of snow panic and stay at home or abandon their cars in the middle of the road. When I was growing up, before this winter tyre thing was popular, people just got on with it. Drive carefully according to the conditions, the cars moving on the road keeps the snow clear from it anyway

We are talking about winter tyres NOT snow tyres.  Winter tyres give better grip than summers below 7C, especially in the wet.  Do a Google search for comparison tests.  One test even showed that good winter tyres are better than cheap standard tyres even at higher temperatures (test was at 15C, I think), so imagine the difference at low temperatures.  I will continue to fit my winter tyres each year when the temperature drops.  Even with winter tyres fitted I avoid driving on snow when possible (I am definitely risk averse) as no point being able to stop if the car behind can't.

We are talking about winter tyres NOT snow tyres.  Winter tyres give better grip than summers below 7C, especially in the wet.  Do a Google search for comparison tests.  One test even showed that good winter tyres are better than cheap standard tyres even at higher temperatures (test was at 15C, I think), so imagine the difference at low temperatures.  I will continue to fit my winter tyres each year when the temperature drops.  Even with winter tyres fitted I avoid driving on snow when possible (I am definitely risk averse) as no point being able to stop if the car behind can't.

 

that's what always worries me about my winter tyres, the other people who will have trouble stopping when I do. 

I just took mine off last weekend. I tend to run winter tyres from October to the end of May, basically for as long as we have frosty mornings

Running my Continental winters done over the summer, they were down to 4mm or so anyway.

I do not notice any difference, in handling or MPG, but with so little tread left, they  are approaching "slick" status, i.e.  no "wiggly" high tread blocks to sqqirm about, AND got stickier rubber to boot!

Cheers

M

Many thanks for the contributions. Does anyone know how I can check the compatability of my Father's Passat wheels & tyres with my Octavia?

there's a web site called will they fit which should be able to do that for you

Did the URL get moderated out? I've just found www.wheel-size.com. It's a US site but I presume (risky) it applies to UK/EU. It suggests that the wheel requirements for Passat and Octavia are almost identical. 205/55/16, bolt pattern 5x112, thread size M14 x 1.5, centre bore 57.1 all the same. The one difference is the 'positive offset' which is 35 mm on the Octy and 45mm on the Passat. I'm not technical so I have no idea whether that will pose a problem or not.

Sorry. Mis read. Will they fit .com