FabSwingers.com forum: Cold weather tyres

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I try an preach to people about cold weather tyres - most of central Europe have them by law in certain months but in the UK we're so far behind.

If you ever try them back to back with Summer tyres in these conditions you'd be a convert...

And they are designed for COLD temps, not just snow so they work better below 7*c and deep standing water, slimy leaves etc.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yonks ago we had winter and summer tyres, nowadays, and since we have had mostly mild winters, people can get away with all year round tyres.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I agree to some extent because modern tyre technology means they perform better in cold temps.

In fact after trying them in the Highlands in 18" of real snow I found you can get ALL SEASON TYRES with the M + S symbol.

Imagine a block of butter left in a fridge overnight- this is what happens to tyres - they go hard and have no traction, or more importantly under braking hardly any adheasion so this is why people slide out of control.

Manufacturers pick a compound according amongst other things the temperature band they expect them to operate in - in the UK on average I'd say -5*c to +20*c covers most days.

Like I said as a nation most people don't give a shit, the simply look at the cheapest option.

As an MOT tester in a previous life I'd despair when someone would bring in an Audi A4 convertible say (1860kg on the scales

then fit cheapo Chinese tyres for £45 and would why it drove like shit....

I know most will ignore me but answer this - which is safer?

Summer tyres in Winter or

Winter tyres in Summer??

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Last winter was our first ever without a four wheel drive, the Range Rover was sulking after splitting its fuel tank, so I had a pair of very expensive winter tyres put on the Connect, they are very good in the wet as they have cleats that throw the water and grip the road and are lasting very well with another Mot just passed.

So, to answer your question, winter tyres all year round for us.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've always had a spare set of wheels with winter tyres on and a set of snow chains in case it gets real bad.

I think most people would be highly surprised how far a two wheel drive will go with the right tyres, certainly enough for 95% of the population anyhow.

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By *am123Man
over a year ago

essex chelmsford

if you can notice the difference in winter and summer tyres then you are driving too fast for the road conditions anyway

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"if you can notice the difference in winter and summer tyres then you are driving too fast for the road conditions anyway

"
..

No the right tyres don't just actually grip more but conversely your breaking is vastly improved (especially snow chains) your actually better off than a 4x4 with road tyres on

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sometimes having a four wheel drive isn't much help either, getting stuck on the M25 in the snow because a lorry has jack knifed is a bit of a bugger.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't need them. I walk if it gets really bad. Pain in the arse but least i can laugh at everyone else skidding around at 5mph.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't need them. I walk if it gets really bad. Pain in the arse but least i can laugh at everyone else skidding around at 5mph. "
.

Lol that's typical British mentality. If you prepare for the conditions you can quite safely drive at 30-40-50 mph . if you actually fitted studded tyres and can rely on 4inchs of snow coverage, you can drive like it's summer the grip is unbelievably good

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't need them. I walk if it gets really bad. Pain in the arse but least i can laugh at everyone else skidding around at 5mph. .

And where I'm I meant to keep those tyres? I have no storage and it doesn't stop anyone else from skidding in to you.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't need them. I walk if it gets really bad. Pain in the arse but least i can laugh at everyone else skidding around at 5mph. .

And where I'm I meant to keep those tyres? I have no storage and it doesn't stop anyone else from skidding in to you. "
.

Well fair play if you struggle for room, at least you do the sensible thing and walk, the amount of tits in bmws out with a pair of slick tyres on and wearing heeled shoes (both sexes), the only thought they had was putting a nice pair of leather driving gloves on... And then they have the audacity to moan about the council who haven't gritted their road

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's snowing bad where we are and I've got perelli P zeros on my car, did rather well to be honest but I tend not to drive when it's bad snow

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Four wheel drive owners often feel invincible in the snow and ice and yes they get more traction however all cars have four wheel breaking and due to the extra weight of a four wheel drive they often take more distance to stop especially if fitted with low profile road tyres.

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By *ig1gaz1Man
over a year ago

bradford

if anything its alot of people that dont know how to drive when snow is around never had a 4x4 but had rear wheel drive and front wheel drive

ive seen often enough where people gun there engine by over excelerating and wheel spinning the tires and all they do is turn the snow into ice and get no where

there was a meeting at a place i was the only one out of 20 that showed up in inches thick of snow and still got back home a bit slower mind you

also been driving on 5" of hard pack snow it was kinda fun mounting up that snow bank with just a normal car

however i must admit i do play in the snow with a car and think nothin of it ive had a few bumps while playing and think what the hell i dont care as long as nobody is hurt but ive never hit another car

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Last winter was our first ever without a four wheel drive, the Range Rover was sulking after splitting its fuel tank, so I had a pair of very expensive winter tyres put on the Connect, they are very good in the wet as they have cleats that throw the water and grip the road and are lasting very well with another Mot just passed.

So, to answer your question, winter tyres all year round for us.

Having winter tyres on throughout the summer is just as bad as summer tyres on throughout the winter.

Portia

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Four wheel drive owners often feel invincible in the snow and ice and yes they get more traction however all cars have four wheel breaking and due to the extra weight of a four wheel drive they often take more distance to stop especially if fitted with low profile road tyres. "

True. I never forgot the time I had a 4WD tailgating me during a blizzard whilst driving pass a school during letout time...

Portia

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By *osieWoman
over a year ago

Wembley

"I try an preach to people about cold weather tyres - most of central Europe have them by law in certain months but in the UK we're so far behind.

If you ever try them back to back with Summer tyres in these conditions you'd be a convert...

And they are designed for COLD temps, not just snow so they work better below 7*c and deep standing water, slimy leaves etc."

We must fit snow tyres or all weather tyres in snow, black ice or slush. And yes, we fine foreigners too! It is 40 Euros and one point on your driving licence

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By *eMontresMan
over a year ago

Halesowen

2 cars, 2wd for every day, 4wd for towing and snow. I love the Jeep when there's snow

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I love you guys

It's so frustrating talking to customers who simply want the car to pass an MOT or whatever as cheaply as possible rather than get the right tyres for the job and not have a false economy.

As an aside I've found most people simply don't want to know and I'm not trying to seem condescending or a smart arse.

(like when I pointed out to a woman with a 330d who said 'BMW's aren't very good in the snow' that it stood for Bavarian Motor Works, like you know near the Alps....

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