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