Ever tried winters?

Uhh no I can drive on standard flip flops don't need hob nail boots as they are not really required in our sultry conditions, now if I lived in Sweden it may be different

winter tyres are cheaper than a bent alloy wheel or a buckled wing or cracked bumper, also i spend many times more on fuel than on tyres every year

 

i don't care if you don't buy them but please stay at home when its snowy or frosty so i don't have to follow you at 10mph

winter tyres are cheaper than a bent alloy wheel or a buckled wing or cracked bumper, also i spend many times more on fuel than on tyres every year

i don't care if you don't buy them but please stay at home when its snowy or frosty so i don't have to follow you at 10mph

Its all in the control in the uk we don't really require winters, we get snow sticking once every 10 years so why go to the expense, if it's bad I will park in the drive and not venture simples, in a couple of hours it will be clear anyway, I've never bent an alloy as I stay on the black stuff not ride the kerbs

Edited 30 September, 201510 yr by seboni121

Uhh no I can drive on standard flip flops don't need hob nail boots as they are not really required in our sultry conditions, now if I lived in Sweden it may be different

In the same way i could technically ride my bike with plastic tyres on and i wouldnt know what i was missing out on unless i rode on rubber.

here's my experience of winter tyres

 

My 140hp front wheel drive TDI Ibiza had them on when i purchased it in March of last year.

I took them off as it was already warming up and I (rightly or wrongly) didn't want to run them through the summer with increased wear levels.

They've remained in the garage rafters ever since.

 

I replaced them with a pair of Accelera Alphas which were at the time the cheapest tyre in the required size Camskill offered (£35 each)

I only bought these to match the ones the dealer had already put on the rears so he could advertise "new tyres".

Yes they may be sh1te but at least i'd have consistently poor performance from all 4 corners.

 

I ran them through the summer autumn and winter and........it was the warmest winter we've ever had.

I didn't see a flake of snow down here in Gloucestershire.

As such the Alphas were no crapper in winter than they had been in summer (which is pretty crap if there's been a shower of rain)

 

There is certainly a noticeable performance difference between them and something like the Pirelli P Zero Neros and Uniroyal Rainsports I ran on the Fabias previously.

I'd imagine that there'd be a similar difference in performance between "normal" and winters in cold/bad weather

 

However i'm pretty sure this:

 

Hell there's even a pretty unanimous agreement around this forum on the subject of buying good quality summer tyres over Ditchfinders. With many of the same arguments as with winter tyres (car control & safety vs cost). Yet, I can't recall any instances of someone saying 'Nah, I don't need RainSports. Waste of the £20 more it would have cost me for a full set. I'll stick to my Linglongs and just drive carefully in the rain.'

 

Is the most sensible thing said so far,

Even if i have thought that final sentence exactly word for word

Have we reached a consensus then? Put winters on if it makes you feel better despite there being no legislation to require it but don't be surprised if you can't get to work because the roads are blocked by those with summer tyres or who are just incapable of driving in the conditions.

What about keeping a set of chains in the boot? Best of both worlds?

Sent from my XT1039 using Tapatalk 2

A lot of tension in some posts but here is my bit.

I have been driving cars and riding motorbikes for 30 years now in all weather and I live in Sheffield so it can get cold and we have lots of hills.

30 years ago we used to get a lot of snow that used to hang around for weeks and that was every year.

Driving around in RWD cars was never much of a problem because the councils used to look after the roads and they were properly gritted in time.

Over the following 10-15 years we had less and less snowfall and it got a bit warmer so the councils cut down on the gritting.

Over the last 15 years it is almost non existant and they now grit after the snow has fallen and only major roads,

 

Older cars didnt really have the high peformance low profile tyres we are all now used to.

 

For the past 13 years I have driven on average 40-50,000 miles a year and around 5 years ago I started using winter tyres.

Are they better in the colder wetter weather IMO yes they are. Yes i could still do the same driving on summer tyres but the car feels so much safer with the winters.

It steers better and brakes better on icey roads and much better in the snow. On cold dry roads I also think the maks a difference.

 

If you do a lot of miles and can afford them I would recommend them and I am sure you wont look back.

I believe it would benefit a lot of drivers who have little or no experience in very bad weather.

 

There are many drivers out there who don't even clean their windows of frost in a morning never mind snow and that far worse IMO.

Edited 30 September, 201510 yr by ruffday

 

This whole topic is bizarre.

 

You don't see this kind of hate against people who buy bicycle helmets, spec optional airbags on their cars etc and these things (or their absence) don't even affect others.

 

 

If you don't think there's hate against people who buy bicycle helmets then you've not been on a cycling forum, to say it's a contentious issue is an understatement.

 

I'm not really bothered whether people use winter tyres or not, it's entirely their choice but some posts come across as quite judgmental about those that choose not to use winter tyres and I find that attitude a bit irritating (I'd rarely heard of winter tyres before then here it seems in the view of some you're crazy not to use them) although I'm not on many car forums.  I have never run winter tyres and no plans to either not because I take pleasure in closing the road for everyone but more simply because I rarely use my car anyway particularly over winter as I use a bike for most of my transport.  Plus I wouldn't want to waste the snow on my car as the few precious days of snow we get are most certainly for fat biking.

 

John

I live in the "snow"donia and I'm 54 driving these roads for nearly 30 years and never had winters and never had any issues

What is a snowdonian winter like?

@Cbj:

Im not one of the 7 degress wintertyres brigade. I run summertyres until the snow comes.

I know you have a very different climate down there and many, if not most, dont need wintertyres.

The part I find hard to get, are those who venture out on summers when its snowing.

And when it is snow, its probably 0 degress or something around there? That is most slippery conditions you can get.

The colder the better traction, at least with winters.

Ive driven my share of winter roads with summertyres. And it sucks. No traction, little steering and you to drop anchor if you wanna stop somewhat fast.

What is a snowdonian winter like?

@Cbj:

Im not one of the 7 degress wintertyres brigade. I run summertyres until the snow comes.

I know you have a very different climate down there and many, if not most, dont need wintertyres.

The part I find hard to get, are those who venture out on summers when its snowing.

And when it is snow, its probably 0 degress or something around there? That is most slippery conditions you can get.

The colder the better traction, at least with winters.

Ive driven my share of winter roads with summertyres. And it sucks. No traction, little steering and you to drop anchor if you wanna stop somewhat fast.[/quote

snowy snowdonia

What is a snowdonian winter like?

@Cbj:

Im not one of the 7 degress wintertyres brigade. I run summertyres until the snow comes.

I know you have a very different climate down there and many, if not most, dont need wintertyres.

The part I find hard to get, are those who venture out on summers when its snowing.

And when it is snow, its probably 0 degress or something around there? That is most slippery conditions you can get.

The colder the better traction, at least with winters.

Ive driven my share of winter roads with summertyres. And it sucks. No traction, little steering and you to drop anchor if you wanna stop somewhat fast.

We can get a couple of feet of snow one year and unable to move around, the problem is there is no real facility to change all tyres compulsory by the government so it's really impossible to keep the roads clear of cars shod with summers, if it was legislation that on the 1 October to the 1 March that all cars had winters on it would be safer but this will not happen

I just wondered, whether anyone had considered that a lot of people, may simply be unable to afford an entire second set of tires? 

Edited 1 October, 201510 yr by Ramsey2510

Yes that was considered, just read the thread

If you can afford the initial outlay.....It must be remembered, and not everyone gets this: Once you swap, your summer tyres are not getting used for 4 months or a little longer

Tyre socks.

 

I can afford tyre socks. Must get tyre socks

I personally wouldn't mind if we followed Germany and other European countries where winter tyres are mandatory.

While you're using your winter tyres your summer tyres are sat in the dry not getting worn so in the long run it doesn't cost you much more. Very convenient too if you have a separate set of winter wheel pre-fitted with the tyres like most people do in Europe.

Phil

I only do 4,000 miles a year - I don't 'need' a car (I get the train to work and all necessary amenities are within walking distance) - if the roads are icy or covered by a snowfall I simply don't venture out in the car - for me winter tyres would be an unnecessary and pointless hassle.

Problem with tyre socks is that you can only use them on snow (like chains) so on a journey I used to have into work of 12 miles  would have to stop and take them off when I got nearer town and then put them back on again later.  Bit of a faff.  Winter tyres kept me moving on one notorious stretch of road that was always bad with ice.  Many cars came off there most years and I don't know why as it was so well known for being bad and most of them that came off were local enough or drove it often enough to know that.

 

Where I lived was on a hill and when it did snow we couldn't get the car out at all and winter tyres would not have made any difference as the car's sump would have been snow ploughing!  I would often overtake 4 x 4 s on the way to work as they were crawling along at a snails pace on the icy bit and my car gripped because of winter tyres.  I am a convert because of that time but as I don't need them at the moment because my circumstances and location have changed I shall stick with the newish tyres I have for now.  Once they have worn I shall replace them with all weather ones because they will be better in the winter on frozen roads and I don't need the ultimate grip for summer because I drive on roads and not race tracks where that extra few percent would improve my lap time.

 

Real world driving influencing the decisions I make for my circumstances.  At that time I did purchase a cheap spare set of alloys for my Volvo V50 and fit them with said winter tyres.  I ran them for two years and it was a PITA changing them and storing them in that time so another reason why I would go the all seasons route in future.  In fact the Volvo has long gone and I still have the winter tyres still with tread sat on the alloys in a corner of the drive because I haven't got around to advertising them.  Notice no criticism of anyone who chooses a different solution because they think differently.

I only do 4,000 miles a year - I don't 'need' a car (I get the train to work and all necessary amenities are within walking distance) - if the roads are icy or covered by a snowfall I simply don't venture out in the car - for me winter tyres would be an unnecessary and pointless hassle.

I agree with you, swapping between two sets doesn't make much sense in your situation, however you could use winters all year around or fit all seasons instead.

I live in the "snow"donia and I'm 54 driving these roads for nearly 30 years and never had winters and never had any issues

 

 

I've never needed the seatbelts, ABS, ESP or airbags fitted to most of my cars - never had any issues.

 

What about keeping a set of chains in the boot? Best of both worlds?

 

I like it, to wrap around the neck of the plonker in front blocking the road slithering around on his summers, right?

 

No, seriously, to tow them out of the way!?

 

 

Just kidding, chains or socks, just don't do what this kid did, spot the deliberate mistake...

 

Yes that was considered, just read the thread

If you can afford the initial outlay.....It must be remembered, and not everyone gets this: Once you swap, your summer tyres are not getting used for 4 months or a little longer

 

I have read the thread, and yes it was mentioned previously but, has not been considered, clearly. 

 

I'm just slightly shocked that many people are adamant that winter tyres should be mandatory, without considering that many people may not have the means or resources to use them. The outlay for a full set of winter tyres, is high, and many, if not most, simply can not afford it. Regardless of the argument for or against them. It's not an options for many. 

 

I hate to prod a hornets nets, that's been stirred up enough already, but forcing people to spend several hundred pounds, in what is essentially the lead up to Christmas, an expensive time as it is, just for the sake of tyres, which depending on circumstance and context, may or may not help, especially when many struggle financially as it is, is a bit absurd. 

 

I understand that, once you have a set, you replace them no more often then you would with one set, but the fact still remains, most do not finance for the initial outlay, or due to circumstance, can't justify it. 

I think the biggest problem with this thread and subject is the perception that people who don't use winter tyres think that normal tyres perform better than winter tyres, that's not true anymore than normal tyres perform better than slicks/semi slicks in the dry but how many of the winter tyre evangelists put semi slicks on there car in the summer or on a hot day?

Those that have made the desicion that they need winter tyres deserve a pat on the back, you have made a desicion that you need so you got them Others including myself have decided that they don't need them I'm lucky that I live in the south and we don't really see extreme weather therefore I see them as a luxury that I can do without. The rs3's that I have a perfectly suitable and have done me very well since I've started to use them. Never got stuck and never caused an accident .

I don't use winters, never have, and probably never will due to storage space and cost. I don't understand why they have such a cult following and people get so upset when other folk say they don't need them in their opinion. The whole it's cheaper than a bent alloy etc is a non argument as people who drive too fast for the conditions/get caught out by black ice will still slide on winter tyres. I do see they do provide a bit of extra grip on snow/ice but it isn't the be all and end all. Many a car with winter tyres still get stuck and crash. At the end of the day if they were such a magnificent thing that prevented anyone getting stuck (I love the comments about how people on winter tyres drive past smugly in their 2WD cars when all the 4WD are stuck in the snow) or accidents then the police fire and ambulance would fit them to their cars and since highly rural counties in the hills don't, then obviously the cost of fitting outweighs any safety gain and repair costs.

Once all the major manufactures start making all seasons and they become popular then I'll think about firing them but I won't be putting some cheap didchfinder manufactures tyres on my vehicles just because they have a snowflake printed on them.

I didn't use them, till i did, now I love them... mostly as tyres have gone over 150 width... Days of old skinny tyres meant more pressure, now it's just not so. I don't use them for the snow grip as such, more the rain/sleet crossover, as wet grip and water shedding is just so much better. Aqua planing on the M6 and snow sliding on the M69 isn't fun! However the upgrade then leaves you open to being rear ended by someone who hasn't... as I was in summer because I had better brakes than the 6 cars behind and I didn't even stomp on them  Or worse you follow someone who has them into conditions not suitable, but really that's where Darwin takes over.

 

Winters should not be mandatory, but all weather in non summer should be considered or become, for our climate as it's evolving to become much more flash rain. Given how most folk drive that's not a compromise that will make a difference and still only mean one set needed. Summer I've run road legal 'damp track' tyres and just being very very careful on wet days.

 

That said nothing short of studs will help on a A road in scotland at 5am before the gritters have been out except a mkI eyeball and small brass things.

I don't understand why they have such a cult following and people get so upset when other folk say they don't need them in their opinion.

 

I don't use winters, never have

 

Those two points are related. How many people do you see on here who have tried them and gone back? The difference is absolutely massive. I would never again go through winter conditions without them. I would sooner run winter tyres all year around (which isn't a big deal any more with modern tyres).

 

Once all the major manufactures start making all seasons and they become popular then I'll think about firing them but I won't be putting some cheap didchfinder manufactures tyres on my vehicles just because they have a snowflake printed on them.

GoodYear Vector 4 Seasons

Michelin CrossClimates

Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason

Bridgestone Weather Control

Dunlop SP4 All Seasons

 

Five out of the Big Six not good enough?

 

Onto other good brands:

Nokian WeatherProof

Vredestein Quatrac

Uniroyal Allseasonexpert

Kleber Quadraxer

 

Most of these have been available for years already and many are on updated versions (Quatracs for example are up to version 5 now).

 

Next time you need four new tyres, try them. You will be impressed. Noone is saying you must keep two different sets. Noone is saying you can race around on snow as if it was a dry day, but it really makes driving around in winter much more relaxing and easier.

I didn't use them, till i did, now I love them... mostly as tyres have gone over 150 width... Days of old skinny tyres meant more pressure, now it's just not so. I don't use them for the snow grip as such, more the rain/sleet crossover, as wet grip and water shedding is just so much better. Aqua planing on the M6 and snow sliding on the M69 isn't fun! However the upgrade then leaves you open to being rear ended by someone who hasn't... as I was in summer because I had better brakes than the 6 cars behind and I didn't even stomp on them  Or worse you follow someone who has them into conditions not suitable, but really that's where Darwin takes over.

 

Winters should not be mandatory, but all weather in non summer should be considered or become, for our climate as it's evolving to become much more flash rain. Given how most folk drive that's not a compromise that will make a difference and still only mean one set needed. Summer I've run road legal 'damp track' tyres and just being very very careful on wet days.

 

That said nothing short of studs will help on a A road in scotland at 5am before the gritters have been out except a mkI eyeball and small brass things.

 

AGREE.....................

 

I do "defensive driving", I basically treat everyone else as a muppet & create as safe an area/bubble around my car when I drive. Since I have had winter tyres I have had several near misses, mainly because the other person has summers & no control whatsoever over their car.........

 

Snow socks...................don't just no...........I was parked at Cairngorm Mtn Ski cark park, busy weekend, at lunch time some dozy women had driven up from the central belt in a FWD Peugeot Coupe & was trying to reverse it into the bay opposite me which was slightly more uphill of me. FAIL...........then proceeded to get out & try to fit snow socks to the car & realised she needed to drive forwards into the socks as she could not go backwards due to no grip. So she tried to drive forwards & ended up sliding uncontrolled at a low speed, straight for my car..........!!!! I ran around & braced my hands on her bonnet & managed to stop her hitting my car. Several people managed to push her back into the parking bay & the socks were just useless. I have also passed people on them & I would say you are better driving slower or not driving!

 

As for black ice, studded will win every time, several of the maintenance crews for Cairngorm Mtn fit studded on their cars over winter, only way up in morning, or ski-do.........BUT I tried out my winters on a straight clear quite back road which was covered in black ice......doing 45-50mph, hit the brakes, car slowed fine, ABS did not trip until late on so below 20mph, & control was fine...car behaved as if is was just a damp day...........well impressed.

 

BTW I only do a few thousand miles every year, but I still feel the need for the best in safety, like I said in an earlier post having put a car on it's roof at 30mph in a 60mph zone in winter with summers on...........