So today was the first day my little monster had a chance to get out in proper snow since I got it about 20 months ago.  Sure there's been the odd dusting of snow, and a few icy days but not proper blizzard conditions.  Shod with winter tyres and its 4wd I had more confidence I was going to get home safely than in any previous car.   

 

I should say that I've had plenty of experience driving 2wd's in very dodgy winter conditions and whilst I've never gotten stuck, or had any accidents, there were a few days when my backside was chewing the seat cushion as I drove.  Today was a different experience, blizzards blowing snow across minor roads, snow compacted to ice and polished to a mirror finish on larger roads, deep chewed up snow plus drifting blowing over it, steep ungritted hills, but through it all the Yeti never gave me a second of doubt that it could cope, and wouldn't leave me stranded.

 

I'd say about 60% was down to the winter tyres and the rest was down to the extra ground clearance and 4wd of the yeti.  Winter tyres and 4wd are a couple of things which with our erratic winters you sometimes question the wisdom of having.  Usually they are just more expense and give no benefit.

 

Until the day the white stuff really hits the fan, then you're really glad you spent the few quid extra on em.

..good to know! What tryes have you got fitted? Mine are still on the originals, but may look to go the "Winter" tyre route when they do need changing..

Whilst I agree and do have winter tyres on at the moment, they can’t get you past the jackknifed lorry or the cars with normal tyres blocking the road ahead and unable to move.

I had a 10 mile drive to work through the country including a 1in5 hill for nearly 40 years and although I was late getting in once or twice, I never actually missed a shift. The good thing was that I worked 3 shifts and travelled when the road was more or less clear of other traffic.  I think one of the best cars in snow that I had was the original Mini. When it ground to a halt going forwards as the wheel got lifted off the ground, turning round and reversing always got me through. My winter provision was rope stranded and cut into 2 foot lengths, 4 tied through and over each front wheel/tyre. I learned early on that if I tried to use longer lengths and do it all in one piece, it would snap and whip the wires out of my sidelights 😁

Topical - this week i was presented by a lot of water last night on the road  - just out of the water was a Ford Escort with hazards - i needed to get through and took to the road side and the mud /water area at least i could see the surface and she just ploughed through at steady speed ! that ground clearance is important 

On 11/02/2020 at 11:41, kenfowler3966 said:

Whilst I agree and do have winter tyres on at the moment, they can’t get you past the jackknifed lorry or the cars with normal tyres blocking the road ahead and unable to move.

Very true, I had that problem on Monday, lorry spun out and though not properly jackknifed it had successfully slid sideways and blocked the road unable to gain traction on only a slight hill.  .I was however able to turn round and enter the village from a different direction.  I got held up again inside the village by white van man who'd spun out and got it pretty sideways on another hill, but some sturdy locals (plus myself) and careful use of a shovel of grit under his wheels got him unstuck fairly quickly.  You can't really manhandle an artic straight again and push it over a hill though!

On 11/02/2020 at 11:15, Stubod said:

..good to know! What tryes have you got fitted? Mine are still on the originals, but may look to go the "Winter" tyre route when they do need changing..

Hankook i*cept winter 215/60 R16  99H they're pretty good at lower temps, but grip drops off noticeably above about plus 8-9 degrees.  I've not tried all season tyres but may be tempted once these wear down, just to compare how they preform overall. 

 

Whilst they have been great when the snow has been flying, even in Scotland the weather hasn't given predictable sub zero temps and snow for long periods during most years.  This year, so far, the temp has been up and down like a yo-yo and for every day the grip has been better than a summer tyre there has been another day where the temp has been +10-12 and the grip has been poorer.  So part of me is wondering if a tyre like the Michelin Cross Climate + would be the optimum for our winters when combined with the Yeti's 4x4 capability.

I am using dunlop winter sports, and I can't say I have noticed poor grip on warmer days, and it has been up to 15 degrees at least?

I would have thought they would grip even better as soften evenmore when hot, but the wear will be much faster?

 

Any recommendations for non directional winter/all season tyres?

 

I'd rather only carry one spare...

I think you will find all Winter/all Season tyres are directional. I wouldn’t let it worry you about the spare because you will only be using it as an emergency get-you-home. In fact why would you have a full size wheel as a spare? I thought the skinny Yeti spare was designed to fit under the boot floor and is a get-you-home tyres in every respect. Mind you it takes up so much boot space it really is questionable as to whether it’s worth having.

1 hour ago, Expatman said:

I think you will find all Winter/all Season tyres are directional.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 5 all-season tyres are non-directional.

On 24/04/2020 at 00:40, Carlston said:

 

Vredestein Quatrac 5 all-season tyres are non-directional.

Thanks - you learn something every day! They generally have very good reviews as well.