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Author Topic: When to put winter wheels on?  (Read 12268 times)

Offline Weston

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When to put winter wheels on?
« on: October 31, 2011, 12:54:33 pm »
This year is the first time I've had winter tyres. They're on the wheels & ready to go on whenever. When is the right time to start using them? My understanding is that 6C is the magic number at which summer tyres are ineffective.
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Offline Hedge

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2011, 12:55:10 pm »
Just before it snows.  :laugh:
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Offline Weston

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2011, 01:03:41 pm »
Quote from: Hedge on October 31, 2011, 12:55:10 pm
Just before it snows.  :laugh:

Cheers Ian...but when is it goin to snow  :laugh:
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Offline ub7rm

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2011, 01:45:19 pm »
I put mine on a week or so ago when the temp dropped below 4 deg C.  I think its something silly like 15 deg C just now.

Just before the snow is the best advice.  :signLOL:
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Offline G-Lader

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2011, 02:53:35 pm »
I've put mine on my own car and put the winter wheels on the wife's Golf last week...... Both look 5hit with them on...... :booty:
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Offline Horatio

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2011, 02:56:21 pm »
 :worthless:
Quote from: G-Lader on October 31, 2011, 02:53:35 pm
I've put mine on my own car and put the winter wheels on the wife's Golf last week...... Both look 5hit with them on...... :booty:
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Offline skard

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2011, 02:59:51 pm »
I put mine on the Golf and also her indoors Pug at the weekend. I have bare steelies on the Golf, I cannot bear the thought of wheel trims!

Last year it started snowing one day about 3pm and got dark quickly - I had to rush and put them on. Good job I did as that snow got heavier and didn't stop for a week!

Would rather have them on a tad early.

If there is anyone from the north east, I'll give you a headsup when it snows in Consett so you know it's coming  :laugh:
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Offline rob172cup

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2011, 04:55:28 pm »
I have a snow car !! a 2000 subaru legacy, it cost 400 quid and is brilliant ive had it 2 years now and has never had anything go wrong with it, its got a big boot for the dogs and 4 wheels drive for the snow i havent had to spend a penny on it. Perfect and much better than snow tyres trust me, it never got stuck at all last year and i really did test it, with tax and insurance it costs me 500 quid a year to keep on the road. Its the best thing i have done is buy that car, the only down side is the mpg at a steady 22
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Offline nc35

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2011, 05:17:15 pm »
The optimal temp is 7c below this winter tyres work best above summer.

Waiting a few more weeks to fit mine.  Hopefully the snow from the USA doesn't catch me out  :signLOL:
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Offline stealthwolf

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2011, 05:22:05 pm »
+1 for waiting until temps are below 7*C. Mine haven't arrived yet though  :fighting:
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Offline LouCyffer

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2011, 05:26:49 pm »
Optimal temperatures depend on the manufacturer's specifications. For general guidance, 7 celcius is the magic point. Below this, 'normal' rubber tends to become harder. In effect this reduces grip, as the blocks move around less, so generate less heat. Also tyre rubber that is harder loses its ability to conform to the road surface, which also reduces grip.

Winter tyres work fine above 7C, but not as well as 'all season' or 'summer' hoops. Is essence you won't trash your winter tyres by using them in warmer conditions, but bear in mind their wear rate will increase.

Generally I wait until I see regular frosts in the morning, or that old cheerful sight of the first gritter of winter. Then it's wheels & tyres swapped.
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Offline Horatio

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2011, 05:34:17 pm »
Snow report,as it happens!

Snowing in the NG8 postal code apparently!  :scared:

http://uksnowmap.com/
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Offline nc35

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2011, 05:34:42 pm »
Already had gritters out round here
Bet they run out before the white stuff arrives  :signLOL:

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Offline ub7rm

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2011, 05:46:55 pm »
We had frost and the gritters were out in force a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday, 2 days before the beginning of November, I had to cut the grass and some of the plants in the garden are still flowering.  Its been really mild the last week or so.  Haven't had to scrape any frost of the windows yet - and I'm in the North East of Scotland....  Crazy weather.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2011, 06:06:29 pm by ub7rm »
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Offline Tfsi_Mike

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Re: When to put winter wheels on?
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2011, 06:12:54 pm »
Fitting mine Wednesday, would wait a bit longer but definitely won't have time 101 things going on as usual
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