Make a donation

Author Topic: Winter Tyres - When to fit?  (Read 3610 times)

Offline mad_pete

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 1
  • Posts: 347
Re: Winter Tyres - When to fit?
« Reply #30 on: November 23, 2012, 10:47:48 am »
Remember it's a sliding scale.  At 7 degrees a summer tyre and winter tyre of equal quality will be the same (roughly).  The natural rubber in the summer tyre is starting to literally have a hard time of it.  As you move down this difference becomes more pronounced but 3 -5 degrees either side probably doesn't really matter. (winters at the higher temp or summers at a lower) In the dry I'd be surprised if the summer tyre ever really struggles.   In the cold and wet the winter tyre works better buying you extra meters of stopping distance and in the snow and ice the extra edges of the winter tread pattern make a big difference.   I'm thinking about putting some on my merc in the next 2 weeks. That way I have an excuse not to take the GTI out in the horrible salty snow. :-)

Offline Lone_Par

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 12
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 618
    • Lone_Pars MK5 Diamond Black GTI
Re: Winter Tyres - When to fit?
« Reply #31 on: November 24, 2012, 08:47:44 am »
Mine were fitted 3 weeks ago but I'm in Aberdeenshire -so a bit closer to the North Pole..... However it's been fairly mild since fitting!!!

The mornings are consistently below 5 now so not long till I'm snowed in again!?!

Offline rdfcpete

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 98
  • -Receive: 52
  • Posts: 2567
    • Email
Re: Winter Tyres - When to fit?
« Reply #32 on: November 24, 2012, 11:58:40 am »
Guys that have fitted, do you run on standard PSI figures (32-36PSI depending on preference)?

Thanks.
Pete


RNS-E LED 2012 | Aux-In | AP Coilovers |  Hawk HPS Pads | Revo Stage 1+
Previous: OEM+ 2006 MK5 Golf GTI 2.0T FSI Steel Grey 3 Door

Offline Leonard

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 3
  • Posts: 177
    • Email
Re: Winter Tyres - When to fit?
« Reply #33 on: November 24, 2012, 12:26:39 pm »
I find the harder the better 36/37 psi as the blocks are squidgy enough as is.

Then no doubt you would experience better snow performance with a few psi less if the weather changed for the worst..

Offline Lone_Par

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 12
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 618
    • Lone_Pars MK5 Diamond Black GTI
Re: Winter Tyres - When to fit?
« Reply #34 on: November 24, 2012, 04:03:24 pm »
Guys that have fitted, do you run on standard PSI figures (32-36PSI depending on preference)?

Thanks.

Yes - when they were fitted the guys left them at 32. I've got them at 34 then will just see what the weather brings.

Offline gizmo68

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 1
  • -Receive: 7
  • Posts: 155
  • We're here for a good time, not a long time
Re: Winter Tyres - When to fit?
« Reply #35 on: November 24, 2012, 04:16:40 pm »
Guys that have fitted, do you run on standard PSI figures (32-36PSI depending on preference)?

Thanks.

Most if not all winter tyre manufacturers recommend you run  them 0.2 Bar higher than non winter tyres
VCDS HEX-NET & VCP owner (covers all VAG cars)
(PM me if you require VCDS or VCP coding or scanning in Kent)

Offline DFish

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 6
  • -Receive: 14
  • Posts: 368
Re: Winter Tyres - When to fit?
« Reply #36 on: November 24, 2012, 04:39:01 pm »
Best to check with the manufacturer about the pressures. I'm waiting to get one of my winters back so they can be fitted.

Fish