Winter Tyres 2011

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Thu 9 Jun 2011 09:47
Winter Tyres 2011 - the_bandit

Unwilling to see my car off the road for a third successive winter I have finally completed my purchase of winter tyres.

No doubt we will experience a series of mild winters now!!

I've spent the last couple of months sourcing alloys, TPMS sensors and rubber without experiencing companies taking advantage of prevailing weather conditions or having supply issues.

Anybody else as paranoid as me and doing/done the same?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 11:04
Winter Tyres 2011 - captain chaos

I considered it but decided to spend a couple of months in Portugal instead :)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 11:35
Winter Tyres 2011 - gordonbennet

It's not paranoid thinking at all, once you've spent a winter on proper tyres you'll be convinced.

I've been on them for several years now, but if i wasn't already kitted out i'd buy quality proper all season tyres as straight permanent replacements...though again, summer purchase is sensible.

CC's solution is far better, some serious wonga in that geezer's hip pocket..;)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 11:57
Winter Tyres 2011 - captain chaos

I wish!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 12:07
Winter Tyres 2011 - turbo11

Very sensible, although it depends on what car you drive,where you live and where you travel. Some roads become impassable not due to the snow, but the other dozy's blocking the roads with their stuck cars. We live in a fairly rural area. My wifes car, with new Uniroyal Rain Expert tyres was superb during the last snow we had, mine with low profile performance wheels and tyres was woeful. Having last year, not been able to get to work four days due to the snow ( had to take it as annual leave!), I have purchased Pirelli Sottozero winters and wheels. There were many story's told at work of rear wheel drive vehicles stuck on their driveways or at the bottom of local hills, whist being passed with ease by some other vehicles. Lighter front wheel drive vehicles with winters work very well, especially if the suspension set up is suitable.

Of course now I have gone to the expense of purchasing the winters, it will no doubt be the mildest ,snow free winter on record!.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 12:13
Winter Tyres 2011 - madf

Lots of winter snow here in deepest darkest North Staffordshire Moorlands . Whenever it snows a lot, roads become impassable due to stuck cars/lorries so winter tyres are a waste of money...

Now if I lived in Aberdeenshire...

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 12:16
Winter Tyres 2011 - dieseldogg
I could & would cite the example of a BMW passing a Land Rover Defender uphill.
The Defender had "spun out" despite 4WD because it was on "slicks", yer man in the BMW had winter tyres on.
Simples.
I would put a FWD car on winter tyres well ahead of a 4WD on normal tyres.
If nothing else the winter tyres will allow one control & stopping power, in these respects a fancy 4WD on non winter tyres......hmmmmmmm.
Cheers
M
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 12:25
Winter Tyres 2011 - Bobbin Threadbare

This is a sensible precaution - you can't predict that we will/won't have the same kind of winter so kitting the car out is a totally reasonable thing to do.

Winter before last, I struggled far less to get to work in my little old Focus than my colleague with the Range Rover. I can't even remember what tyres the Focus had now - something for wet weather.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 15:15
Winter Tyres 2011 - TTToommy

I've just bought (via the electric interweb) and had fitted locally some Vredstein All-season tyres on my 2nd car a Zafira

(my main cars a BMW convertible so thats no ruddy use if theres any snow and ice and one apparently cannot get all season run flats anywhere (winter ones are availible but space/cost/hassle dictatesa NO

- I just don't know whether I want a cold rotten winter to justify the costs of the all seasons as the tyres didn't really need replacing soon or a mild one :-)

PS my cousins Skoda managed to get to work last winter (and felt safe) whilst her boss in a Discovery hAD Issues and finally slid off the same road

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 12 Jun 2011 16:17
Winter Tyres 2011 - the_bandit

I live in Central Scotland and work a three shift system so I travel at several different times of the day. Not turning up for work means someone else must so I can't just take a holiday etc..

I managed to equip the Wife's car in early December last year with new steels and winter tyres and immediately noticed the difference but I won't have as easy access to this car from now on so must prepare mine.

Had a look around for any Winter 2011 forecasts today. Appreciate they are just that, forecasts, but on Exactaweather they say the following:

"Based on the natural factors that I have covered and in terms of how I calculate solar activity into my forecasts, it would be adequate to suggest prolonged periods of well below average temperatures and widespread heavy snowfall throughout this winter. This will result in the fourth bad winter in succession for the UK, and will prove to be the worst of them all. I now fully expect records to be broken, with the Highlands of Scotland being once again particularly hard hit."

Note that Exactaweather also called the previous bad Winters' correctly !

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 16:43
Winter Tyres 2011 - KB.

What was a real eye opener to me was when, last year, in winter, I parked (my then) new Hyundai i10 (with standard Kumho tyres) on a grass verge on Dartmoor. Literally just a few yards off the road. It was on the most negligible of inclines, sloping ever so slightly, away from the road and we left it there and went for a, well wrapped up, walk. On our return it was cold enough for a frost to have formed on the grass......no snow or ice, just frost. And it really, really didn't want to play.....it was a real struggle to get a grip. It was getting dark and when we eventually did get off the grass, I swore I'd do something about it.

I now don't have the Hyundai but do have 4 new Dunlop winters on a spare set of steel wheels for my present 2WD Yeti.

Once bitten.....

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 9 Jun 2011 21:11
Winter Tyres 2011 - Red Baron

I went out and bought winter tyres in January 2009 - Vredestain Snowtrac 3 in a fairly narrow 195/60/15 size. Superb. Loads of life left in them. And as I've got them on old alloys, I can fit them to the car anytime.

It was quite a joy to overtake other cars on country roads, all far more expensive than mine.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 12 Jun 2011 12:05
Winter Tyres 2011 - RT

What was a real eye opener to me was when, last year, in winter, I parked (my then) new Hyundai i10 (with standard Kumho tyres) on a grass verge on Dartmoor.

That's down to the Kumho tyres, not the lack of winter specification - the Kumho All-season tyres on my Santa Fe seem to lack grip in all conditions.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 12 Jun 2011 17:19
Winter Tyres 2011 - KB.

I'll never be able to confirm that, if I had a different make of summer tyre fitted, then I'd have got off the grass easily, or not. The thought had certainly crossed my mind that maybe the Kumho weren't actually helping.....but even so, I've listened to enough on the topic to convince me that I'd prefer to fit proper winter tyres (as opposed to All Season's) and that by so doing I'll have done all I reasonably can.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 13 Jun 2011 01:25
Winter Tyres 2011 - rogue-trooper

My Santa Fe still on the tyres it came with, aren't too bad and don't seem to lack grip. However, come the time to change them, I might go for something like Goodrich long Trails. Think that they might be more suitable for me than the All Terrains. Having said that, will do proper research close to the time.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 22 Aug 2011 17:45
Winter Tyres 2011 - Rory2000

I have already pre ordered my winter tyres online here: www.performancealloys.com/Winter-Tyres.aspx as last year was a complete mess for me, I ended up getting a lift to and from work with a neighbour who got his from this company, hence he had no problems due to fitting winter tyres. My rear wheel drive 3 series bmw went no where! Well worth the investment. there is some good videos on that site as well answering most of my questions.... lets hope its not as bad as last year, but from what i read online in regards to long range forecasts they say it will be the same or worse., but hey it is a forecast after all :)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 22 Aug 2011 18:35
Winter Tyres 2011 - John Boy

This isn't about snow, but reading this topic has reminded me that, many years ago, I went to some kind of off-road event on what, I think, was a military vehicle testing ground near Bagshott in Surrey. I seem to remember that anyone could leave the car park and have a drive round. Anyway, 2 particular vehicles were particularly impressive in the way they romped over the mud. One was a Ford Y (the £100 Ford 8) and the other was a 2CV.

Edited by John Boy on 22/08/2011 at 18:36

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 22 Aug 2011 22:39
Winter Tyres 2011 - Avant

Both of those had very narrow tyres, which will have helped.

I too am thinking about winter tyres, but both of the local tyre sellers I've asked say they won't have them in till September. And then by November they'll have sold out.

Typical British 'don't want to sell' attitude. When I find one that does, I'll let you all know who they are..

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 22 Aug 2011 23:16
Winter Tyres 2011 - KB.

Hello Avant. Just slipping in quietly and briefly to ask if you've tried ATS Euromaster for your winter tyres. They supplied mine (see above) in May and had a choice at the time. Pleased with their service and prices. Presumably you've tried Camskill, Tyremen and My Tyres. If you persevere with a search of Briskoda's site there's absolutely loads of well informed threads on there about W/T's (the Yeti section, certainly). Mine are on Skoda 16" steel rims and stored during the summer. Vredstein, Continental, Goodyear, Nokian and Dunlop often get mentioned. And you've probably seen the Auto Express Winter Tyre Comparison. (Google the above - I have the link to AE but not sure it's allowed on here).

On the site I just mentioned there are bods who have just bought W/T's so there are some about. Good luck and good wishes.

PS. If this link is permitted, it'll show all the Winter Tyre threads on the BS site........(Obviously, snip it if it's not allowed).

"site: briskoda.net winter tyres"

Edited by KB. on 22/08/2011 at 23:29

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 17:53
Winter Tyres 2011 - jc2

I've driven both-cross country in the Y was excellent-ground clearance and 450x17 tyres.The 2CV was one of the best cars on snow and ice I've ever driven-it was on 135x15 Firestones.It seemed that Firestone and Michelin were the only two makes still available in that size and the Firestones were significantly cheaper.

Edited by jc2 on 05/10/2011 at 17:57

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 23 Aug 2011 01:03
Winter Tyres 2011 - Smileyman

No, it is not being paranoid, it is being practical, planning for difficult conditions.

Two winters ago I got stuck on ice doing a 3 point turn at the end of a cul-de-sac close to home - had to be pushed by a passerby. So last winter I did similar to you and in December found myself driving on snowy roads in Kent as well as in falling snow on the autoroute in France. I've no idea how my car would have performed with my summer tyres, but the Nokian's I selected just drove and braked as usual, never getting stuck or skidding. I've got them in the garage ready for this winter - the long range forecast predicts I'll be needing them too.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 23 Aug 2011 11:51
Winter Tyres 2011 - 56chevy

I have a spare set of alloys with TPMS valves - I had Pirelli Scorpion 4x4 tyres fitted to them last year as it was all I could get (car is a Jag XJ - RWD and very light @ back) - they are M+S marked. By the time I had sorted it all out the snow was really gone so I dunno if they will work, but they must be a better bet than the "rubber band" tyres on my (larger diameter) standard alloys.

Edited by 56chevy on 23/08/2011 at 11:52

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Sep 2011 17:22
Winter Tyres 2011 - OssettTyreHouse

We've experienced a lot of interest regarding winter tyres so I dont think its being paranoid its just being smart

Although a lot of our customers are opting for steel wheels instead of alloy incase they scratch them and because they're cheaper

Apparently the winters not supposed to be as bad this year, but never trust the weatherman ha

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Sep 2011 17:50
Winter Tyres 2011 - oldtoffee

Apparently the winters not supposed to be as bad this year, but never trust the weatherman ha

I know what you mean! I look to exactaweather.com (as they tend to get it right and the Met Office wrong) and their forecast is for a hard winter, very cold and very snowy. Brrrrr!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Sep 2011 17:55
Winter Tyres 2011 - OssettTyreHouse

I know what you mean! I look to exactaweather.com (as they tend to get it right and the Met Office wrong) and their forecast is for a hard winter, very cold and very snowy. Brrrrr!

Im just happy I have a FWD car and a PROPER 4x4 (landrover defender 90) so hopefully the hills of Yorkshire will be easy to conquer...
Met office is probably the worst site ive ever been on. Last winter it said no clouds no nothing and we got a week of solid snow pretty much, talk about being caught short

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Sep 2011 19:15
Winter Tyres 2011 - unthrottled

The problem with British weather forecasting is that the Met office think that we're too thick to understand percentages. So instead of saying "there's going to be a 70% chance of light rain over Lincolnshire', they say 'westerly winds will bring rain fall to Lincolnshire' and look stupid when the prediction turns out to be wrong!

American weather forecasters make heavy use of percentages to ameliorate the 'certainty' problem.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Sep 2011 11:14
Winter Tyres 2011 - rexmedorum

What's the best way of getting winter tyres? I see companies offer them fully fitted. ALl nice and well but I'd have to get some local gareg to swap them over after the winter? I'm tempted by wheel + tyre packages but I'm not sure I have the space to store them :(

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Sep 2011 12:03
Winter Tyres 2011 - gordonbennet

What's the best way of getting winter tyres?

For people in your situation snowflake marked quality all season tyres are the best compromise, fit them as permanent replacements.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Sep 2011 17:24
Winter Tyres 2011 - GroovyMucker

I think I need them too. Last year it was a bit unpleasant in Durham and Cleveland.

So I've done some research. My car's usual tyres are 215 50 R17 with 5 wheel-nuts.

Online calculator suggests the appropriate replacement is 215 55 R16, with a set of steel wheels.

As long as the steel wheels have 5 holes in them for the nuts and bolts (see how clueless I am?) then is that it? Can it be that easy?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Sep 2011 18:28
Winter Tyres 2011 - gordonbennet
As long as the steel wheels have 5 holes in them for the nuts and bolts (see how clueless I am?) then is that it? Can it be that easy?

No it isn't that easy, the wheels need the correct PCD and offset to suit the car they are going on.

Couple of useful sites to explain things....loads more probably better, abnd 'Carbibles' is a mine of information if you want to find it.

www.carlsalter.com/wheel_fitments.html

www.nice-wheels.co.uk/pcdandoffset.html

Hope those come up ok.

If you can source some spare used wheels for your particular car then that's probably the best and cheapest course, but do check if you go smaller diameter that they clear the brake calipers etc, you model might have bigger brakes.
Secondly the insurance might regard a change of size as a modification and charge you a premium.

If you go steel wheels get the bolts too.


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Sep 2011 18:45
Winter Tyres 2011 - GroovyMucker

Thanks, GordonBennet.

I checked on car bibles re the circumference, and that looks okay.

I used mytyres to suggest an appropriate replacement wheel but I'm a bit cautious about buying online and I hadn't thought of the PCD and offset questions. Mytyres indicates the PCD for the steel wheel - is there an easy way of ascertaining the PCD for the original, apart from measuring? I'm not sure I could trust my use of a ruler ...

Edited: looks like the replacement is correct from Toyota online club thing - mine's a 2007 Avensis. Thanks for help.

Edited by GroovyMucker on 03/09/2011 at 18:54

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Sep 2011 19:39
Winter Tyres 2011 - gordonbennet

You're very welcome GroovyMucker, not as i've really done much.

I know the recommendation is to go narrower tread, smaller wheel and increase the aspect ratio, and i wouldn't argue with that, however...

I've run two sets of winter tyres, one is a set of 215 or 225 section 40 aspect for my MB, the other was a set of 265 section for my pick up which is now sold.

In both cases the tyres perform very well, astonishingly well in the very wide 4x4 size, how much better they would be if i'd narrower i couldn't really say.

All i'm saying is that if you wanted to find a set of used alloys for your Avensis in the same size as you run currently you'll be astounded at how good the grip will be on the right tyres, it's not written in stone that you have to go smaller.

Good luck with your search whatever you decide.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Sep 2011 20:49
Winter Tyres 2011 - GroovyMucker

Thanks again.

I used mytyres and went through their wizard, which suggested what I've finally ordered.

Looking forward to seeing how good they are. SWMBO's Focus is much improved, I'm told (I stranded myself in it twice last winter - red face).

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 05:45
Winter Tyres 2011 - NVH

Very helpful link, gb.

I am having to source tyres (possibly Hankook) + rims separately, as the C5 tourer combinations are a bit tricky.

As I drive in Europe in the winter, including Germany, and have done for many years,I just rechecked the 2010 German law and fines for non-compliance, and advice on the Conti and Fulda websites.

German law: Straßenverkehrsordnung (§ 2 Abs. 3 a StVO).You need appropriate tyres AND winter screenwash.

Tyremakers advice: Fulda-M&S tyres minimum required; Conti recommend winter tyres with snowflake symbol.

No specific dates for fitment, but snow and ice demand "appropriate tyres".

Fine: 40 Euro driving on wrong tyres: 80 Euros for hindering traffic flow etc (optional "take-a-walk" directive from any cop). No fine for summer tyres on a parked car!

Summary:based on the logical German approach: you need approved tyres which grip and brake safely in snow and icy conditions. Full winter tyres for long-term low temperatures; M&S if not.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 12:28
Winter Tyres 2011 - xam

As I live in Germany and drive approx 40K Km a year, I leave my M&S on all the year round,

Sometimes in the Summer we get torrential downpours which leaves your tyres inappropriate for the (temporary) conditions, and as speeds on Autobahns are somewhat faster than the UK. I believe that maximising the grip in all conditions is more beneficial than the better fuel figures the normal tyres give you.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 13 Sep 2011 17:07
Winter Tyres 2011 - rexmedorum

I also prefer proper winter tyres plus I don't wnat to bin my summer tyres (which have plenty to go)

Does anybody know anything about tyre hotels? I keep reading about it but where can I find them?

Alternatively is there a reasonable way to store the tyres (with or without wheels) in my garden (haven't got a garage)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 13 Sep 2011 23:27
Winter Tyres 2011 - Avant

As King of the Medes you should have room in your sumptuous Persian palace!

If you search for 'garden storage' on the Homebase site there are various alternatives which would keep the weather out, even a small toolshed.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 14 Sep 2011 00:34
Winter Tyres 2011 - jamie745

Mate of mine bought one of them mini outdoor toolshed things to keep his outdoor sports equipment in.

Somebody nicked it.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 27 Oct 2011 17:00
Winter Tyres 2011 - TeeCee

Most of the chain tyre and exhaust centres will do storage.

If you have sensibly sized wheels on your car you can save the cost of a second set. The tyre swap on the existing wheels only adds a little to the storage charges and it takes several years (often longer than you own the car) before owning a set of additional wheels makes sense. You'd be amazed at the difference in price between 8x tyre fitting price per wheel and winter/summer tyre storage including two full swaps as a bundled deal. Worth shopping around. That's how it works on the continent anyway and I'd have thought that the UK chains should be up to speed by now.

Of course if you have "bling wheels" that's not an option.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 14 Sep 2011 03:26
Winter Tyres 2011 - ianhad2

I have been driving since I was 20 in Yorkshire. I just use good tyres. Goodyear Hydragrips al year round.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 16 Sep 2011 15:13
Winter Tyres 2011 - Slightlyfatdirector
Af
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 17:24
Winter Tyres 2011 - inet

It is starting to get cold and I see that several online sites are starting to ramp up their winter tyres campaigns.

Will wait on for some deals prior to going in to making a buying decision.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 18:07
Winter Tyres 2011 - Bobbin Threadbare

I have been keeping an eye on this thread as I would like to put some winter tyres on my Mazda 6; I'll be having to commute 80 miles round trip to Kendal every day until Feb - I am not exactly worried but I am certainly concerned about the impending snow. I just have no idea what to get.....there's a lot of choice and I am not very clued up on tyres. Has anyone else done this for a similar car to mine? I'm not sure whether to get a whole set of wheels (steels instead of alloys + winter tyres). Having said that, I slithered about fairly safely in a Focus with no ABS and regular tyres 2 years ago. What to do...?!!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 21:25
Winter Tyres 2011 - SteveLee

Just stick a set of all-season tyres on - they will be fine and no need to have two sets of wheels or keep changing tyres. My choice would be Vredestein Quatrac 2 (very good, reasonable price) or Vredestein Quatrac 3 (very, very good - but priced accordingly.)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 22:17
Winter Tyres 2011 - KB.

Bobbin, living where you do, if I needed to get about, as opposed to staying indoors till it cleared up, I'd say you had two choices. Ist - steel wheels from either Ebay or, preferably, from the main dealer. Then fit proper, M and S (mud and slush) PLUS the 'Snow' symbol marked tyres from one of the acknowledged manufacturers. Second choice is All Seasons tyres. These you fit in place of your regular tyres and leave them on all year. Again you want tyres marked with the same symbols i.e. M&S and the 'Snow' symbol. No jokes about Marks and Spencer either! The latter suggestion saves having the spare set of winter wheels and tyres in storage during the summer and vice versa the summer wheels and tyres in the winter, of course. The All Seasons won't perform quite as well as the Winters during the thick of it and also won't brake QUITE as well as summer tyres in the summer - they're a compromise. But one which many fully accept. Price isn't a huge difference between Summer, Winter and All Season and if you have winters on, you're not wearing your summers out.

I have Winters (Dunlop) on steel wheels on one and All Seasons(Goodyear) on the other.

Search online (HJ included) for further info. and sites selling Winters and All Seasons.

The names to look for in Winters are (possibly in order of choice judging by tests and popular opinion) might be....Dunlop 3D, Goodyear Ultragrip, Continental WinterContact TS 830/810/800, Vredestein Snowtrac3, Michelin Alpin, Pirelli Sottozero, Nokian WRG2 .

For All Seasons, a couple spring to mind - Goodyear Vector 4Seasons, Vredestein Quatrac 3....both marked M&S +Snow.

Look at dealers like Mytyres, Oponeo (who I used for my Goodyears), Camskill, Tyremen (use Google). Or tyre dealers like ATS etc

Remember you have to keep to either the same tyre size OR the same ...(in practice just very similar - within say 5 percent difference)...... rolling circumference (to keep your speedo reading the same). There are online tyre calculators to help you (or ring Camskill and they'll tell you. If you do 'resize' you need to have narrower width with a higher profile [or height, as you might say] (the tyre sites with the calculators explain this). Not vice versa.

I can't mention other sites but if you Googled something like 'winter tyres forum' you'll get taken to places that will explain all.

On the other hand, you hibernate.

Sorry for long post. By the way, speaking of which, where is he?.....it's eerily civiilzed in here....

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 5 Oct 2011 22:57
Winter Tyres 2011 - Bobbin Threadbare

Marks and Spencer tyres it is then. Do I get a chocolate pudding and a bottle of wine I've never heard of with those..?! ;-P

Thank you both very much; I will do a bit of research but the all-seasons may well be worth it. I've heard good stuff about this Vredestein make.

Hibernation is not an option unfortunately :-(

You mean Jamie? He's not a tyre aficionado so unless he posts a massive missive for the sake of it, he won't do it on this thread..! I want to know where unthrottled has gone; he usually has good advice.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 6 Oct 2011 16:07
Winter Tyres 2011 - Slightlyfatdirector
A
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 7 Oct 2011 09:29
Winter Tyres 2011 - Mutton Geoff

I've posted previously about my success with winter tyres last year. Half the problem in snow/ice is that many cars (inc my 2WD Audi A4 Avant) are fitted with wide low profile tyres. The Conti tyres have wider than usual tread patterns too.

I bought a set of 15" steel wheels from Audi for £38 each and fitted a set of Conti Winter Contacts at the appropriate profile to match the original circumference (using one of the online guides and the Audi sales brochure for the original model range). Also told my insurer (LV) who noted it with no premium hike.

The difference was amazing. In 35 years of driving all manner of cars and 4x4's, the fitment of these winter tyres had more effect on the grip than anything else I'd experienced.

Forget the gravitation towards 4x4, I'd try a set of winter tyres first. If you don't like them, you can always sell them as a job lot on Ebay before the last snowflake melts.

Many people don't understand winter tyres (think low temp compound rather than studs/tread patterns) and many don't appreciate that all cars have 4 wheel braking so a 4x4 only helps get you going, it won't help when stopping. The winter tyres got top marks in this respect and we toured the Cotswolds last Christmas in complete confidence.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Oct 2011 12:27
Winter Tyres 2011 - Laird Lugton

I wouldn't wait to long.

Last month I ordered up a set of Continental Winter Contacts for my Polo. £450 on steel wheels from mytyres. Today I've just checked and they're now £650.......

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 8 Oct 2011 22:20
Winter Tyres 2011 - the_bandit

Well the tyres are now on!

Overnight / Early morning temps where I am are now 7 or 8 deg C and most of my driving is at these times just now.

Roll on Winter!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link