Winter Tyre Q

Christian

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This may sound a silly Q but here it comes(sorry): if I have 265 35 18 rears and 245 40 18 fronts can I have all 4 in same size for winter? This is only for 2 weeks.

Many thanks.
 

John Laidlaw

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Not silly at all!
I run a ‘square’ set up for winter on winter tyres which is a much better option than the staggered summer configuration. Check your handbook which will list the options for your model just to be sure you don’t fall foul of your insurers.
I suspect it will say 245 40 18 all round
 

Blobcat

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Have a look inside your fuel filler cap, all the sizes for your car will be listed. The smallest and narrowest make the best winters
 

keefysher

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Maybe he's going skiing in Europe for two weeks and won't get far without them?

hire a set of chains ;):rolleyes: unless going to somewhere where winter tyres are compulsory o_O

In some places you have to carry chains, but you may not actually need them, as roads are cleared quick smart in ski regions
 
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Christian

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It's compulsory when you drive abroad and yes I am going skiing next week. Cannot wait !

So I can get a full set of 245 40 18 ? Will drive within limits anyway.
 

keefysher

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It's compulsory when you drive abroad and yes I am going skiing next week. Cannot wait !

So I can get a full set of 245 40 18 ? Will drive within limits anyway.

Where are you going? Not everywhere is compulsory for winter tyres, see the above posted links.
 
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Christian

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keefysher

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French Alps.

Hire a set of chains. France is not a country where compulsory winter tyres are required, but you must carry chains, even if you don't need to fit them. There will be 'aire de chainage' signs where you pull in to fit them if conditions dictate. The Police will not let you proceed without them fitted. If you look like you don't know what you are doing they may stop you from proceeding, especially if its a bad storm.

The signs look like this:
aire de chainage signs

This hire place is in Tonbridge, so not far from you:
https://www.snowchains.com/hire-snow-chains

Some resorts require you to fit them before you enter the resort.
 
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Christian

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I have chains.
Need tyres now :)
 

keefysher

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I have chains.
Need tyres now :)

You won't need tyres if you have decent tread on your summer tyres, believe me.

Val Thorens weather forecast is here:
https://www.metcheck.com/WEATHER/16days.asp?zipcode=Val+Thorens&locationID=67201&lat=46&lon=6.3#

Weekends are peak transfer times so there will likely be massive queues up to resort, especially this weekend and the one twixt Xmas & New Year, so you won't be driving very quickly in traffic. The roads will be kept clear due to the volume of traffic.

To give context. I have had cause to use chains 3 times in nearly 40 years of driving to the Alps in winter. Once due to a coach getting stuck and polishing snow to ice, in 1990 on my way up to Val Thorens near the top. Once to get out of Les Brevieres (further on than Val Thorens) due to the car and village being buried in fresh snow of 1m deep overnight before we left for home in 2005. In 2011 at Val Claret to get into resort as the entrance had been turned to ice from volume of traffic on transfer saturday, for all of 50mts. All on summer tyres.
 

JBell

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The co I work for have a villa and we're all going for 2 weeks :)

Nice, love it there, spent 28 weeks across the resorts mostly in Meribel
 

McDonald

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Have a great trip Christian, whatever kind of tyres you're riding. I, for one, am envious.
 

sonic

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I run 245/45/17 all around winter tyres 6 months of the year. Summers are 245/40/18 & 265/35/18.
No problems at all, on a E350CDI. I certainly would not drive down there on summer tyres.
 

moosehead

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Winter tyres are the way to go. We spend a lot of time in the French Alps and the roads where we are a definite no-go with summer tyres. My W203 is a nightmare with the slightest covering of snow. With winters it saves an awful lot of faffing around with chains especially in a blizzard or at night. Mine has the staggered set up but I've gone for the manufacturers recommendation of 225/45 17s all round.
 

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