Winter Tyres

[Scottymon]

Money is obviously playing a factor in people's decision to fit the safest tyre for the conditions here, as long as they are consistent and dont travel when there's snow/ice on the ground then it won't endanger others.

After an horrendous accident here a few years ago... No snow on the ground but patches of ice, 4 cyclists were killed in a pack of 12 as a driver crossed lanes out of control wiping them all out, summer tyres in low temps, he wasn't speeding.  On that same stretch of road a little earlier, a colleague fully wintered up didn't even mention the road when he came in to work....

If the guy had winter tyres on, then maybe, just maybe, those 4 souls would still be here.  RIP.

[f1fan]

Nope, I genuinely couldn't tell that the road was icy as there was zero slip, slide or skidding, until I got out the car and slipped over!  

[xjay1337]

Nope, I genuinely couldn't tell that the road was icy as there was zero slip, slide or skidding, until I got out the car and slipped over!  

To be fair then you're probably not the best person to explain how tyre grip is effected by ice and show. It's completely different.

Scotty who's to say the guy isn't on budgets, or whos car wasn't otherwise in bad condition.

[Scottymon]

The guy didn't get prosecuted so everything must have been legal.

Personally, I will do everything in my power to make sure that my vehicle is the safest it can be for the conditions, if that means winter tyres at low temps and when there's a snow/ice risk, then so be it, at least I know I've done what I can to keep myself and others safe; do you not think the same?

[rich83]

On untreated icy roads, which I have a lot of round here, the car grips as if it's dry.

Well that's a lie now isn't it 

 

[f1fan]

Nope, I genuinely couldn't tell that the road was icy as there was zero slip, slide or skidding, until I got out the car and slipped over!  

To be fair then you're probably not the best person to explain how tyre grip is effected by ice and show. It's completely different.

Scotty who's to say the guy isn't on budgets, or whos car wasn't otherwise in bad condition.

That was said in jest....  

I've never claimed to be an expert in tyre design and there are plenty of videos of experiments/tests online if people want to read them .  

All I know from personal experience last year that when I drive to work at 7am on untreated roads when it's 0c outside my summer tyres were very twitchy, you get wheel spin with not much throttle, slide on cornering and slipping under braking.  I changed my wheels over at the weekend and drive the same journey in the same weather conditions the next week and the car doesn't have any of those problems.  It genuinely feels like normal road conditions, obviously I'm not driving very fast as I know it's still icy out!

I think the  point is that if you only drive during the middle of the day when the temperature creeps up then no you don't need winter tyres.  But if you drive to work before 10am when it's below 3 or 4c then you will defintely notice the difference and be a lot safer.

I 100% agree with Scottymon, I'm prepared to spend the money the myself and other road users safer.  

[xjay1337]

The guy didn't get prosecuted so everything must have been legal.

Personally, I will do everything in my power to make sure that my vehicle is the safest it can be for the conditions, if that means winter tyres at low temps and when there's a snow/ice risk, then so be it, at least I know I've done what I can to keep myself and others safe; do you not think the same?

I don't think a tyre can make up for drive skill deficiencies (not saying that you are a crap driver).
Just that a good driver who understands the physics of his car and the surface on his regular quality "summer tyres" will do better than any old idiot who thinks he can drive like he would normally just because he has winter tyres (which is a bigger danger IMHO).

I maintain in the UK you do not NEED winter tyres.

..

oh no mate don't get me wrong I agree on snowy, icey roads snow tyres make a HUGE difference. I ran them the year before last.

However on non-icey roads there is not a large difference.

It's all good.  

[Scottymon]

Depends where you live bud, anything with a bit of elevation your not getting home on the summers, doesn't matter how good a driver we think we all are.   TBH, sometimes it's all a bit academic because clearance becomes an issue too; the GTI makes a good snow plough though.

[Marc-5-GTI]

I live in sunny Cumbria!
My tyres are nearly done for now so will be putting winters on within the next fortnight.. It's a no brainer when I'm buying some new wheels in the new year... May aswell keep the standards with winters on...

[Eccie]

I maintain in the UK you do not NEED winter tyres.

Thats right you don't need them, just as you don't need a warm coat when its freezing outside, however, if you do have one you'll enjoy going out more as your prepared - same with winter tyres.

I know some people take an umbrella out with them in case it rains, its a good precaution - you've prepared well, just in case

It really depends on where you live and what the weathers doing, which we know is very unpredictable in the UK, that said we do get regular frost in the winter

[arris]

Someone was asking me about winter tyres other day.

From what I read tho as I don't commute in my car if it's stupid weather I'll just stay in and save myself the hassle 

[Kiwi]

I'm running these

Goodyear Ultragrip 8 Performance 225/40 R18 92V XL M+S Winter Tyre

[Scottymon]

I'm running these
Goodyear Ultragrip 8 Performance 225/40 R18 92V XL M+S Winter Tyre

I'm going for these on the front this year, I've had Goodyear Ultragrip Performance 2 over past winters and they've been great.

How have you found them?

[Crispo]

I think location plays a big factor, winter in one area can be completely different to another as well as how the council treat the roads during winter times. I live in the South Wales valleys and to get out of my street either way involves going up steep inclines. The mrs uses the car for work so will feel a lot more comfortable knowing she's running on good tyres for her and the car's sake.


Main reason I'm buying winters is the fact I have a nice bit of disposable income, all 4 tyres on my monza's need replacing and it created a good story to the mrs as an excuse to run 2 sets of wheels so I could buy some nicer summer wheels.

[stealthwolf]

Winter tyres are daft....

Which ones did you try, Rich?