All,
I've been considering winter tyres lately, but not really found anything conclusive on the internet saying that they are better. The are lots of tests for sure, the winter tyre are always great, but none (that i can find) state explicity what type of [b]normal[/b] tyre they're comparing the winter tyre to. Unless explicitly stated i assume that the normal tyre they're comparing the winter tyres to is the worst performing brand of normal tyre with it's tread on the legal minimum depth....
If i could lay my hands on a test between a [b]normal[/b] tyre, eg a Michelen EA3 tyre that was stated as being in the same wear state as the winter tyres tested, i'd have a lot more faith in the results.
Any idea where i can find this information? or similarly convincing evidence that winter tyres are better than a good quality [b]normal[/b] tyre?
TIA
Mark
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Sorry its in German
www.autobild.de/test/reifen/
They are not only good in snow but because of their softer compound are better in cold and wet conditions.They are compulsory in Germany and other EU states I have fitted four Winter Conti's on my Mondeo at a cost of 412euros.
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there was a short Article in the Autoexpress maybe 3 - 4 weeks ago, Where a tester changed his tyres on his RAV4 for winter tyres. I think the article said that the winter tyres gave more road noise but better wet and snow grip. There were pictures of the tyres and the winter tyre had more cross patterns then the Summer tyre, which woudl make you think it would be more noisy.
S.
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My conti winter tyres to my suprise are quieter than the pirelli normal tyres they replaced.
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In the Autoexpress article the brand was kept the same, so were comparable. But you're right there is
significant variations in road noise from different makes of Tyres and from another earlier autoexpress article where they were ranked (Summer tyres) Continental were one of the quieter makes. But that said were the winter contis louder than the summer contis? - that would be interesting to know...as well as knowing if the softer winter compound wears away significantly faster in the Summer...
thanks
S.
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Thanks for the link Andy, that's just what i was looking for, it looks like the tyre comparisons are done with a good normal tyre, i was a bit too pesimistic. But you know how these things can go in the automotive indutry, eg car stereo power outputs and performance enhancing modifications power claims, to name but two...
Saltrampen: It's well understood and accepted that winter tyre wear faster than normal tryes, period, there are plenty of tyre tests that compare the wear rate of different types of winter tyres.
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If you are in an area where you expect snow over the winter months, you will find the difference in grip amazing with snow tyres. After several years of also thinking about it, last year I bought some Michelin Alpin ( normally have Michelin Primacys fitted) when we went on our ski hols. Chains stayed in boot when previously I definately would have needed them.
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Hi Mark,
As I've said before I use Vredestein Quatrac 2 all season tyres. These do not have a very aggressive tread pattern but the rubber is said to give extra grip below 7°C. They come with 10mm of tread and I wear them out (to 3mm) in around 14000miles, the same mileage as a summer tyre. They are quiet and give good grip in a little bit of snow which is all I expect on occasion in the Peak District. They are not priced badly either and 195/65 x 15 V cost around £73 from ATS. Cheaper than the OE Michelin Pilot Primacy.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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my preference is Nokian W .it is an exellent all weather tyre and especially good on the slushy stuff which we are more likely to see than proper snow ,fitted a full set last December and 18k later they are not yet half worn for comparison they are 195/60 x 15 and were £40 + vat
I have tried vredestein snow tyres previously but found them to be a bit rounded on the edges for good cornering on poor conditions but am speaking about extreme weather as I am often out in conditions when most people are seeking shelter
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Don't forget that winter tyres have a maximum working temperature (can't remember what it is) and in a mild winter it could potentially be illegal to use them at certain times
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Please don't confuse what might have been said by manufacturers 25 years ago about the old M & S tyres with the performance of today's cold weather tyres which can be used all the year round if so desired, albeit the softer compounds might make some wear more quickly. The UK does not have legislation covering this, although you have to watch out for the speed rating on tyres classed as M & S and any individual manufacturer recommendations, but some countries do make winter or cold weather tyres compulsory in certain areas. For information from a partial source but still interesting, take a look at tinyurl.com/yctlts
I ran Pirelli cold weather tyres all year round on a small hatchback and they wore no differently in 15000 miles than the previous 'normal' tyres. Nokian market one of their 'winter' tyres as an all-year round tyre. I don't use their winter tyres but have found their head office in Finland quick to answer e-mail questions on other tyre matters if anyone wishes to contact them through their website.
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A test by a Swiss motoring organisation a few years ago concluded that ordinary radials were just as good in all but the deepest snow.
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Don't forget that winter tyres have a maximum working temperature (can't remember what it is) and in a mild winter it could potentially be illegal to use them at certain times.
Sorry, but I don't agree with that statement. - {Reply amended & toned down to make less hostile - DD}
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A test by a Swiss motoring organisation a few years ago concluded that ordinary radials were just as good in all but the deepest snow.
Winter tyres are not just for snow but for cold and wet weather and also invaluable in freezing rain conditions and whether I like them or not they are compulsory now in Germany and all the tests including those I posted a link to prove the opposite.When you purchase tyres in Germany the spec sheet is available to look at and compare something I have never seen in the UK where people seem to buy mostly on the look of the tread pattern.
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Only repeating what an online tyre retailer advised when I enquired about winter tyres approx 3 years ago.
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this is last years discussion on the topic.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=36775
btw mods ; There are too many markxxx's - How do I change my name ?
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btw mods ; There are too many markxxx's - How do I change my name ?
Click on "My Settings" (just under where you log in / out) then click on the tab "Forum Options" and change the text in the 'forum identity' box. Then click on "save changes" & then "close"
DD.
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>> Don't forget that winter tyres have a maximum working temperature (can't remember what it is) and in a mild winter it could potentially be illegal to use them at certain times. Sorry, but I don't agree with that statement. - {Reply amended & toned down to make less hostile - DD}
I didn't see the original answer but feel oblliged to point out that there is absolutely no *legal* problem in using winter tyres in summer, never mind in a 'mild winter'. There's no non-legal problem either, save that they may wear out a little quicker.
There's a bit of a misunderstanding about winter tyres because it's generally said that they work best at 7C or less. The fact is that at 7C and under, they work better than summer tyres. This does not mean that winter tyres are no good at higher temperatures.
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The rubber in summer compund tyres freezes.
I'm in Switzerland and put my car's winter shoes on last month. What a grip difference with cheap winters over conti summers!
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