Winter Tyre Advice

[rf065]

Anyone who has read my previous posts will know that I have bought a spare set of alloys and fitted winter tyres. Primarily because I did not fancy sliding around with 245/40X17 tyres on rear wheel drive and an automatic gearbox all winter. Since fitting the tyres a few weeks ago and after todays snow, I have now driven on cold dry roads, cold wet roads, icy roads and snow covered roads. Summer tyres below 7 degrees C just cannot compete with this new breed of winter tyre, in my case, Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes & from now on I will always change tyres winter & summer. Below is some advice from TyreSafe, I can honestly agree 100% with everything they say, if you live in a climate below 7 degrees average in winter, give them some thought. Don't just buy 2 for a rear wheel drive car though, your car has to brake and steer as well as move, so all 4 tyres should be changed to be safe.

Russ


Don’t get left out in the cold!
20 December 2007

TyreSafe explains the benefits of cold weather tyres with the publication of a new leaflet.

The incidence of car accidents on wet roads during winter months in the UK leaps by a staggering 267% according to DfT figures. TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, is advising motorists of the importance of ensuring that the tyres on their vehicles are in top condition to stay safe this winter.

TyreSafe is also providing information on a new type of tyre now being made available to drivers in the UK – cold weather tyres. These tyres should not be confused with winter tyres – preferable for use in heavy snow and ice - but have been developed to give improved grip at 7 degrees centigrade or below. At this temperature, the tread compound of standard “summer” tyres – as fitted to the vast majority of cars sold in the UK – begins to harden and provides less grip.

The tread compound used in cold weather tyres contains more natural rubber and thus minimises the hardening effect. As a consequence, this new type of tyre gives extra grip in cold, wet and icy conditions. Drivers will experience significantly shorter stopping distances. Braking tests on icy roads at 20 mph have shown that a car fitted with cold weather tyres will come to a complete stop a full 11 metres sooner than a car fitted with “summer” tyres. In a further test, braking from 62 mph on a wet road in temperatures below 7 degrees centigrade, the car with cold weather tyres will stop 5 metres before the car with standard tyres.

In addition to the safety aspects associated with cold weather tyres, there is also a financial incentive for the average driver. In winter months, the wear on “summer” tyres increases, whereas with cold weather tyres, wear rates can be reduced by up to 20%. As well as this, cold weather tyres are just as quiet and provide just as comfortable a ride as standard tyres.

TyreSafe recommends that UK drivers visit their local fast fit dealer or independent tyre retailer to discuss the option of fitting cold weather tyres for winter months. Cold weather tyres have been developed by most large tyre manufacturers and whilst the market for this type of tyre in the UK is currently small, cold weather tyres are becoming increasingly popular across the rest of Europe.

 

[dolmen]

Good advice...

I recently had some good luck and now have a set of winter wheels and tyres on my C250td. My wife used my car today because of the snow and came home this evening very pleased...in winters past she had abandoned the car because it just sat and span the wheels, even in 'W' mode. Today by driving carefully she could go everywhere she needed through snow, slush etc. I wondered if our driveway would be problem when she came home, but no, she drove right to the door.

Its an additional expense on us motorists but in the interests of safety for ourselves and our cars I think it is money well spent.

Cheers

 

[David Nock]

Tyre Safe say summer tyres wear more in winter than in summer. How so? I would have guessed that hot, dry roads always wore out normal tyres more so than cold wet ones?

 

[rf065]

Tyre Safe say summer tyres wear more in winter than in summer. How so? I would have guessed that hot, dry roads always wore out normal tyres more so than cold wet ones?

Not sure how they work that out, possibly because a summer tyre has less grip on cold roads it will produce more wheel spin perhaps? That would make it wear out quicker.

Russ

 

[television]

I think it is the wrong way around. Winter tyres do not last long in the summer as the compound is softer

 

[type49]

Vredestein are fantastic poor weather tyres. Many new MBs now come with them as a space saver spare. Visit any Subaru/Evo type forum & they all rate them highly (these guys tend to be quite "enthusiastic" drivers, so rely heavily on good tyres).

 

[Rory]

I think it is the wrong way around. Winter tyres do not last long in the summer as the compound is softer

You'd think that, and I did too, but one forum member quoting amazing mileages (40K+, I think) when using winter tyres year round.

One thing to bear in mind though, is that they usually start with 10mm tread depth (vs7-8mm for summer tyres) and they really need at least 4mm to function in snow. In countries where winter tyres are mandatory they don't qualify as winter tyres once worn to 4mm.

 

[Schtum]

Lots more info here

BTW. Auto Express judged the Goodyear Hydragrip as the best tyre. I've used them and rate highly them too.

 

[rf065]

Lots more info here

BTW. Auto Express judged the Goodyear Hydragrip as the best tyre. I've used them and rate highly them too.

As far as I can tell, none of these tyres on test are winter tyres or "cold weather tyres". To qualify as a winter tyre, they will have the snowflake on the mountain symbol on the sidewall to show they are for use in winter conditions. The Goodyear Hydragrip is a summer tyre for wet weather conditions the same as a Uniroyal Rainsport. If you check the road test reports on mytyres, they are absolutely abysmal in snow.

Goodyear http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/goodyear/hydragrip/index.html
compare with Vredestein, http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_winterreifen/vredestein/wintrac_xtreme/index.html

Russ

 

[Schtum]

Yes, the link was intended as general info on the types of tyres available (if you look).

 

[rf065]

Yes, the link was intended as general info on the types of tyres available (if you look).

Yes I did look, it mentions winter tyres are available, but thats about it.
All the tyres tested are summer tyres and this thread was started to inform anyone who was interested about "cold weather tyres" or "winter tyres", but thanks anyway.

Russ

 

[Schtum]

Yes I did look, it mentions winter tyres are available, but thats about it.
All the tyres tested are summer tyres and this thread was started to inform anyone who was interested about "cold weather tyres" or "winter tyres", but thanks anyway.

Russ

Cool. I found the Michelins fitted to my 280 did better than I could have expected, during the brief but very snowy episode we've just had. It is however truly scary going down steep snowy slopes though... All that weight at the front means the car goes where 'it' wants. It's the only time I find myself wishing it was a manual with a proper handbrake. Uphill is not a problem, as the TC is most excellent. I was going uphills that X5's and the like would fear to tread.

 

[rf065]

It is however truly scary going down steep snowy slopes though... All that weight at the front means the car goes where 'it' wants. It's the only time I find myself wishing it was a manual with a proper handbrake.

That should have read, "It's the only time I find myself wishing I had bought 4 winter tyres"

Seriously, my wife can even take the CLK out in ice or snow covered roads without troubling the traction control or ABS, and that is the point of this thread, winter driving is no longer a heart in your mouth experience. It does not need to be expensive either as I reckon the winter tyres being used from December to March will last 4 or 5 years, or more? The summer tyres will have 3 months less use each year, so they will not need replaced as often. The only real expense is buying as set of spare wheels which is a one off payment. A small price to pay to be able to drive in all conditions safely.

Russ