I can't argue with most of that. I guess that your first sentence is the most significant - are tyre manufacturers really incapable of producing a satisfactory, economical all-season tyre or do they deliberately design tyres with a view to "encouraging" people to shell out for a winter set?

 

You are absolutely right about minimal wheel (and bodywork) clearance and snow, I have seen quite a few cars unable to move because of inadequate clearance.

who knows.. my Vector 4 seasons cope pretty well. Not far behind full winters ive driven on.. and theyre also wider than the 165 winters of old 

 deliberately design tyres with a view to "encouraging" people to shell out for a winter set?

 

 

 

For me cost isn't a factor. During the ownership period of the car I'd have to buy a 2nd set of tyres so whether I use 2 sets of summers or a set of summer and a set of winters the cost is pretty much the same.

Same here.

 

Winters cost less to run than summers so I don't get the arguments for not using them.

 

Sure, you have to change then over twice a year and store them but it provides a good opportunity to check the suspension and brakes whilst the wheels are off.

 

I don't care if I don't see one flake of snow this season, I bought my winter tyres for use in the lower temperatures and increased rainfall.

Same here.

 

Winters cost less to run than summers so I don't get the arguments for not using them.

 

Sure, you have to change then over twice a year and store them but it provides a good opportunity to check the suspension and brakes whilst the wheels are off.

 

I don't care if I don't see one flake of snow this season, I bought my winter tyres for use in the lower temperatures and increased rainfall.

Exactly!!

The temperature hit an indicated 2.5C this evening - funnily enough the car didn't fall off the road just because I didn't have a set of winter tyres on it.

If I were using the car everyday to commute to work I'd consider winters, but I'm not going through all the palaver of changing the tyres for a few months (and covering roughly 1,200 miles in that period).

Tyre choice has nothing to do with cars 'falling off the road', that'll be the donut behind the wheel.

Tyre choice has nothing to do with cars 'falling off the road', that'll be the donut behind the wheel.

My guess is that the donut would stay on the road much more with proper tyres.

But hey, those who dont provide some great enternainment on YouTube

Edited 29 November, 201510 yr by Gromle

In my experience even with the best tyres money can buy the donut will still find a way to explore the undergrowth.

 

This is why some people manage quite well in winter on summer tyres, whether staying at home or simply slowing down the world won't stop if we ran out of winter tyres.

 

But you are right, using tyres that better match the driving conditions plus driving to those conditions (and therefore not being a donut) will greatly increase your chances of getting home to the family. This is why I prefer to run winter tyres in the winter and summer tyres in the summer.

 

Now if only someone would come up with some spring and autumn tyres I'd be safer all year round 

 

Now if only someone would come up with some spring and autumn tyres I'd be safer all year round 

I got all season Michelin CrossClimate on mine - good enough for u?

Four seasons for the price of one!

So 1C this morning & slush, heavy rain, loads of standing water, several accidents on the roads, some ice...............

 

This evening 10C....................& clear roads

 

 

 

WTF?????.............

 

 

 

I give up............

& some of Tayside still around 2-3 *oC tonight.  the thaw has not hit everywhere yet.

http://trafficscotland.org/weatherstations

Edited 1 December, 201510 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Hit 13.5c on the dash display at 07.30 this morning - really regret not getting steelies and winters for the couple of days I might actually need them ...

Edited 2 December, 201510 yr by Brian69

Brian as i passed your way on Sunday it was 7-8 *oC on the M77, 7*oC through Glasgow in the torrential and to Edinburgh, 

then -2 across the Forth to Perth, and then never above Freezing.

Hot hot hot today.  And maybe several degrees below zero tonight and tomorrow.

Its just a location location thing.

Bait delivered and taken...LOL

Chris, all about the Bottom Feeders really. LOL LOL.

Hi ready just not fitted yet still warmish in Bristol, South West

 

got Hankook Win Icept Evo 205 55 16 91H for VW Passat B6 2.0 TDi 4Motion  

 

 

and Nexen Euro Win 550 195 55 15 85H for Skoda Fabia 1.2 HTP 

 

they are for sale as well need them gone asap need space in shed look in for sale!!!

 

Been very pleased with Nexen last year good tyres, never drive on Hankook yet as bought Passat this year will update later

 

David

Edited 2 December, 201510 yr by Fabia DMG

Weather yo-yo-ing in Yorkshire too from sub-zero to 13 degrees the other morning  :peek:

 

But hey

 

In this varying weather and being very wet - what would u have on?    :sun:

Summer or Winter tyres (or All seasons)?     

On  our MX-5

November to March = 16" OEM Alloys & Winter Tyres

March to November = 17" OEM Alloys & Summer Tyres

 

On our DS4

November to March = 19" OEM Alloys & Winter Tyres

March to November = 19" OEM Alloys & Summer Tyres

Hi ready just not fitted yet still warmish in Bristol, South West

 

got Hankook Win Icept Evo 205 55 16 91H for VW Passat B6 2.0 TDi 4Motion   Passat 4Motion winters.jpg

 

 

and Nexen Euro Win 550 195 55 15 85H for Skoda Fabia 1.2 HTP  Fabka winters.jpg

 

they are for sale as well need them gone asap need space in shed look in for sale!!!

 

Been very pleased with Nexen last year good tyres, never drive on Hankook yet as bought Passat this year will update later

 

David

 

 

If your Passat is currently on 235/45x17's or bigger you will find the speedo will over read quite a bit with 205/55x16's. I've had three Passat's and although VW do recommend 205/55x16's for winter they are slightly smaller diameter than the standard fit tyres, 215/55x16 would keep the speedo accuracy.

 

With 205/55x16's fitted I read 76mph on the speedo for a gps reading of 70mph, with the summer 235/45x17's fitted I read 72mph on the speedo for a 70mph gps.

 

Lee

On  our MX-5

November to March = 16" OEM Alloys & Winter Tyres

March to November = 17" OEM Alloys & Summer Tyres

 

On our DS4

November to March = 19" OEM Alloys & Winter Tyres

March to November = 19" OEM Alloys & Summer Tyres

BIG winter tyres u got there on the DS4, Chris!

No choice Wayne...18" wheels are the only other option and they are too expensive (Due to huge Discs and calipers)

It rides quite well on them TBH

If your Passat is currently on 235/45x17's or bigger you will find the speedo will over read quite a bit with 205/55x16's. I've had three Passat's and although VW do recommend 205/55x16's for winter they are slightly smaller diameter than the standard fit tyres, 215/55x16 would keep the speedo accuracy.

With 205/55x16's fitted I read 76mph on the speedo for a gps reading of 70mph, with the summer 235/45x17's fitted I read 72mph on the speedo for a 70mph gps.

Lee

yep u right there. Found this out my self after buying and doing some resaerch. thanks for info if u have other stuff about Passat's over the years let me know I'm new owner since April '15 and had very bad experience so fare

David

One of the two pairs of Kumho KH18s arrived yesterday.

They seem to be classed as Summer tyres on most the websites although they are clearly not ie they are an Alll Season Tyre, M&S stamped etc.

£33 delivered. V-rated (they are for the S-Type Jaaaag). 205/60-16s. Reviews sound good. Proof of the pudding. The Nexen/Roadstones, (H rated I spotted so looking to change them ASAP) seem fine on the front but a recent fishtail power slide and down to the 3mm of tread where I normally change tyres made for two very good reasons to change plus they are a pure summer tyre me thinks.

Edited 3 December, 201510 yr by lol-lol

yep u right there. Found this out my self after buying and doing some resaerch. thanks for info if u have other stuff about Passat's over the years let me know I'm new owner since April '15 and had very bad experience so fare

David

 

The 2008 on Passat's got major upgrades, common rail engines, new electronics and modified CanBus, revised parking brake etc, etc. All upgrades brought over from the newly introduced CC at the time.

 

Done 160,000 in post 2008 Passat's with no major issues.  The early 2006 Passat I had delevoped engine and parking brake issues but were dealt with in warranty.

 

Lee