if people knew how to drive in the snow they wouldnt need winter tyres,in all the winters I have lived through the only car I had a problem with was a triumph 2000,all other cars have driven fine in the snow

I wouldn't bother fitting a winter tyre on the spare since the chances of a puncture are low. If I had a flat, I would use an ordinary spare on the rear wheels of my fwd car to get me to a garage that could fix the flat. Yes, safety would be compromised a bit, but driving more slowly on this combination would surely be safer than driving on summer tyres.

Having said that, I have a space saver spare on one of my cars, winter tyres are readily available to fit it. It was a little more difficult to get winter tyres in the standard size!

I have just discovered this petition regarding winter tyres.

epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/15929

I don't agree with the idea of making the use of winter tyres compulsory across the UK, but signing might result in better publicity.

I do think lesser measures can be taken to encourage their use by drivers who have little choice but to drive in snowy and icy conditions. This might include an increased insurance excess for anyone making a claim for an accident that occurred during wintry conditions whilst summer tyres were fitted to the vehicle.

Edited by tim-cumbria on 02/11/2011 at 06:41

(Duplicate post)

Edited by Avant on 02/11/2011 at 21:57

I'm ready to fit my winter tyres, got a spare set of 2nd alloys. I'm doing this all on a tight budget, so so I need 5 rather than 4, (I have a spare tyre) as if I had a space saver tyre and should I get a flat I'm sure I'd not not have the option of a winter tyre? BC

You need a spare which can go on either side of the car. Most snow tyres have a directional tread pattern and when fitted to a wheel can only go on the side in which they will rotate in the correct direction. Never use a directional tyre on the wrong side! The tread pattern when rotating correctly will push water out and away from the tyre, but rotating the wrong way 'round, water will be pushed to the centre of the tread, causing the tyre to aquaplane (with possible fatal consequences!).