Winter Tyres WTF Is That All About?

[Frontstep]

Were talking wicks tup north not bulbs.

 

[pipmk]

Bulbs?
Just be sure to tail gate a car or lorry going in the right direction and you'll not need to use them

Not to mention the nice man with the flashing blue light to help you see the way to the station. He might even put you up for the night free,they will charge later.

 

[L John]

Right, got me winter tyres on.
Never got stuck before and only ever had summer tyres but got a deal that was too good to miss on an alloy and winter tyre set.
Bring it on.

Found this quite impressive. RWD and winter tyres VS 4WD and summer tyres on snow but you never know if it's a set up.
Worn summers?
4 wheel drive not engaged?

Still sitting on the fence but more than happy to be giving them a try.

 

[MEMERC]

I noticed of late a growing number of posts regarding winter tyre choice/size/wheel etc, OK if you live in the Alpine regions of the European ski resorts I understand the need for snow biting tread with iron spikes for permafrost conditions, but here in the UK why would you bother, if we're lucky we might get two inches of snow every 10 years for a few days these days councils have got their act together the salt trucks are out in force, the ice and snow is gone in a few hours.

I know that in certain parts of Europe it is a requirement of law that they change to winter spec rubber, but here in the UK with all our global warming who needs them?

Answers on a postcard please

Oh come on if you were responsible for selling as many tyres as is possible wouldn't you be tempted to dream up any devious way of doing so?
It's about selling tyres and more tyres and conning the public who are thick enough to fall for it, and more fool them. Note to self: buy more shares in Dunlop etc.

 

[jetjockey]

C'mon MEMERC.

You must be joking. It's the same as anaesthetic right. It's all smoke and mirrors. I've heard it all now!

I use winter tyres and the tyre compound is totally different to summer tyres.
Winter tyres work. Winter tyres are not specifically for driving in Snow, they are mainly for driving in the cold and the wet but also work up to a point in snow. For heavy snow there are snow chains.

How do you think this helps sell extra tyres? It doesn't.
I can't run 8 tyres on my car, only 4. When the winter tyres are on then the summer tyres are unused in my garage at home so I'm getting twice the mileage (give or take).

I purchased four genuine Mercedes alloys complete with tyres on FleaBay for £200. The tyres had 6.5 to 7mm tread. I ran the tyres down to their legal limit during the summer after the originals reached the end of thier life. Whilst the spare set were in use I had the original alloys refurbished, revalved, balanced, and new winter tyres fitted. In Otober the spare set were removed from my car and the originals refitted complete with winter tyres. The difference is quite noticeable in wet and cold weather.

The cost? Nothing! The tyres on the spare alloys were worth more than I paid. The spare alloys (almost mint) were less than free. The new winter tyres were no more than a new set of summer tyres.

I can only assume that those quoting £1500+ to fit winter tyres are not using common sense, and that those condemning winter tyres have not tried them.
As for the chap with a BMW with winter tyres who took sick leave when it snowed....... So what? I wouldn't go out in the snow unless I absolutely had to, with or without winter tyres. Takeing the p**s out of the guy tells more about yourself than his winter tyres.

 

[epervier]

Have you bothered to look at the date of my post and the reply you're answering?

 

[Crazycarb]

Well, as this has been dug up again, does anybody remember "Town & country" tyres from the 60's 70's? (really thick tread) I had a set on a Ford thames van. No changing around in those days.

 

[47p2]

e snow chains.

When the winter tyres are on then the summer tyres are unused in my garage at home so I'm getting twice the mileage (give or take).

So how does this work?

 

[V6Matty]

mileage vs time maybe, he thinks he replaces them less?

 

[Ricardo_e220]

Well, as this has been dug up again, does anybody remember "Town & country" tyres from the 60's 70's? (really thick tread) I had a set on a Ford thames van. No changing around in those days.

Yup! Avons if I remember correctly, my dad had them fitted with metal studs... They were almost unstoppable, I ended up with them finally soon after I passed my test on my granddads Volvo... Drifttastic and great tinkling sound
Edit these were the fellas we had

 

[jetjockey]

Yup, I was aware of the date, found the thread whilst browsing? And your point?

Re twice the mileage, you know exactly what I mean.

One set of tires gets me 15k miles (to pluck a figure out of the air) so two sets get me 30K miles. It's hardly rocket science folks.
The reason I mention this is that the general assertion is that winter tyres are an "extra" cost which ultimately they are not.

If you want to go buying spare sets of Alloys costing £1000+ then that's up to you, but they can be found on Ebay for a fraction of that cost. All that is required is a bit of patience. Over the years I have sourced several sets of Michelins on EBay with 7mm tread and in Mint condition, often on alloys and have never paid more than £220. Those alloys go straight to the scrap merchant which gets me back £50+ immediately. I always check the manufacturing dates to ensure I'm not buying crap. I can only just remember the last pair of new tyres I purchased retail (winter tyres excepted). Winter tyres on EBay are a slightly different proposition as they are usually being sold with 4mm of tread. this changes the equation completely of course and is not worthwhile. I usually change my tyres at an absolute minimum of 3mm, sometimes 4.

Once again, the compound used on winter tyres is different to that of standard summer tyres. Having handled the tyres during fitting I was surprised at the difference. The winter Michelins were much more pliable and were almost sticky to the touch. I cannot vouch for the purpose made all season tyres as I have not tried them but they sound an interesting proposition.
Standard winter tyres are not made for driving around in heavy snow, this is the same incorrect assumption that comes up every year. Many people call them snow tyres which they are not! For those conditions you need snow chains, spikes and preferably properly implemented 4 wheel drive. I notice that many of the detractors make statements like "yeah, my mate had winter tyres and when we had 6ft of snow last winter he couldn't get his car out of the street".
And your point is???
As for the guy who suggested buying an old Landrover for use In snow, best of luck. If you think the cost of purchase, insurance, tax, storage, etc is worthwhile then go for it. I would suggest the cheaper option might be to stay home for a few days.
Winter conditions on the other hand, with temps approaching zero, torrential rain, slush and light snow are far more prevalent and justify the use of winter tyres for many months of the year in the UK.


Winter tyres are just that, for use in the winter. The more supple compound and specialised tread pattern give better grip at lower temperatures and clear water better. In light snow they will also give better grip but they are not a miracle cure, common sense should dictate that. I fail to understand the mentality of those knocking these winter tyres. I suppose they are the same guys that knocked windscreen additive until their wash bottles froze?

If you can't be bothered to try a proven technology, tried and tested by several independent authorities, then fine, but to make the statement that these things are a waste of time beggars belief. The argument that it only snows in the UK for two days of the year is both incorrect and invalid when used as a reason for not fitting winter tyres.

 

[SL63 Mark]

I leave the SL at home and take the landy. Simples.

 

[KennyN]

If the roads are that bad , which they haven't been in a few years , I will leave the CLS and either take the wifes Scenic or the daughters Clio as neither of them have the first idea about driving in snow / ice and would be more of a hazard than the conditions themselves.

If it is really bad I will just walk the two miles to work

Kenny

 

[V6Matty]

considering putting winters on mine now, just seen a set of alloys the same as mine on ebay for £250 but may put a cheeky offer in, just need to find 4 winter tyres now, not sure if i want new ones, may pop past a part used place and see if they have any that aren't old but have a good 5mm+ of tread left. I do mainly motorway miles nowaday but going up and over the M62 could be fun it the weather really does turn bad.

 

[jetjockey]

I've tried the M62 in the summer and that frightened me! :!:

Purely as an aside, I used to own an old Pug 205, and also a couple of Renault 5's, over the period of a few years. They were second cars to be used by friends who flew in from abroad for visits and for myself if the the Merc was jacked up whilst I was changing ball joints or front springs. :?

If it snowed the Merc stayed on the drive. The little Pug or the Renaults with their narrow little wheels used to run rings around the "fancier" cars in the snow.
Anything with big wide alloys was generally stuck or sliding all over the place.
There is no substitute for a drover but the little wheeled cars seem a decent alternative.

Also, my W211 E320 aquaplaned at the hint of a puddle on Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone and Pirelli. It has nearly killed me twice and has required a change of underwear more than once! I assume that it is down to the wide tyres fitted. It will be interesting to find out what happens on the Alpin p5 now fitted for the winter. I will report back. So far they have been great but no standing water encountered yet. That will be the acid test!

 

[Ricardo_e220]

considering putting winters on mine now, just seen a set of alloys the same as mine on ebay for £250 but may put a cheeky offer in, just need to find 4 winter tyres now, not sure if i want new ones, may pop past a part used place and see if they have any that aren't old but have a good 5mm+ of tread left. I do mainly motorway miles nowaday but going up and over the M62 could be fun it the weather really does turn bad.

Just a note that at 5mm you should be changing winters ( or run them down in the summer) they have 2 sets of wear bars, at 1.6mm and 4-5mm as the little sipes(cuts that grip) wear away after this and the tyres clear snow less effectively. The part worms are often those coming from the likeso f Germany etc

 

[V6Matty]

Just a note that at 5mm you should be changing winters ( or run them down in the summer) they have 2 sets of wear bars, at 1.6mm and 4-5mm as the little sipes(cuts that grip) wear away after this and the tyres clear snow less effectively. The part worms are often those coming from the likeso f Germany etc

Thanks Ricardo, learn something new everyday. I'll talk to the local mechanic and see if he can point me in the right direction, he used to work at a place that had the contract to repair all the national grid motors, they used to throw away anything that had less than 6mm of tread or were over a year old. don;t think he needed to pay for tyres for years lol.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Yup, I was aware of the date, found the thread whilst browsing? And your point?

Re twice the mileage, you know exactly what I mean.

One set of tires gets me 15k miles (to pluck a figure out of the air) so two sets get me 30K miles. It's hardly rocket science folks.
The reason I mention this is that the general assertion is that winter tyres are an "extra" cost which ultimately they are not.

If you want to go buying spare sets of Alloys costing £1000+ then that's up to you, but they can be found on Ebay for a fraction of that cost. All that is required is a bit of patience. Over the years I have sourced several sets of Michelins on EBay with 7mm tread and in Mint condition, often on alloys and have never paid more than £220. Those alloys go straight to the scrap merchant which gets me back £50+ immediately. I always check the manufacturing dates to ensure I'm not buying crap. I can only just remember the last pair of new tyres I purchased retail (winter tyres excepted). Winter tyres on EBay are a slightly different proposition as they are usually being sold with 4mm of tread. this changes the equation completely of course and is not worthwhile. I usually change my tyres at an absolute minimum of 3mm, sometimes 4.

Once again, the compound used on winter tyres is different to that of standard summer tyres. Having handled the tyres during fitting I was surprised at the difference. The winter Michelins were much more pliable and were almost sticky to the touch. I cannot vouch for the purpose made all season tyres as I have not tried them but they sound an interesting proposition.
Standard winter tyres are not made for driving around in heavy snow, this is the same incorrect assumption that comes up every year. Many people call them snow tyres which they are not! For those conditions you need snow chains, spikes and preferably properly implemented 4 wheel drive. I notice that many of the detractors make statements like "yeah, my mate had winter tyres and when we had 6ft of snow last winter he couldn't get his car out of the street".
And your point is???
As for the guy who suggested buying an old Landrover for use In snow, best of luck. If you think the cost of purchase, insurance, tax, storage, etc is worthwhile then go for it. I would suggest the cheaper option might be to stay home for a few days.
Winter conditions on the other hand, with temps approaching zero, torrential rain, slush and light snow are far more prevalent and justify the use of winter tyres for many months of the year in the UK.


Winter tyres are just that, for use in the winter. The more supple compound and specialised tread pattern give better grip at lower temperatures and clear water better. In light snow they will also give better grip but they are not a miracle cure, common sense should dictate that. I fail to understand the mentality of those knocking these winter tyres. I suppose they are the same guys that knocked windscreen additive until their wash bottles froze?

If you can't be bothered to try a proven technology, tried and tested by several independent authorities, then fine, but to make the statement that these things are a waste of time beggars belief. The argument that it only snows in the UK for two days of the year is both incorrect and invalid when used as a reason for not fitting winter tyres.

I think this is a great summary of the upsides of winter tyres. Years back I would drive in the North of Scotland in ALL weathers with summer tyres, but the important difference is that my cars in those days would have been a Ford Escort or similar, front drive and normal 'skinny' tyres. Inevitably I had some scary moments in the slushy wet cold weather.
Now I drive a low profiled wide and big tyre and I couldn't believe the extra confidence and sure footedness I got when I changes to winters, now I wouldn't be without them, and yes, after the initial investment you just break even with tyre use over a year......