If you fit winter tyre then which one you will buy? (assuming you'll keep them all year round and won't revert to summer tyres during summer)
How do all season tyres compare with winter tyres?
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What do you mean by 'all season tyres'?
Our VW Transporter has Goodyear Vector tyres (M&S heavy load tyres) which work well in all conditions but are a bit on the noisy side, due I think to the block tread and the load rating. I've got Michelin Pilot Alpins (winter tyres) which work well in all weather, and are quieter than normal tyres with it.
Different tyres perform differently, and I think rather than ask how all season tyres compare with winter tyres, you need to know which brands you are comparing.
Auto Express (or rather their German affiliate) did a very good comparison test recently.
Of course whatever you might choose, current 'availability' is the spanner in the works.
Last edited by: Boxsterboy on Thu 2 Dec 10 at 09:56
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>> What do you mean by 'all season tyres'?
Tyres that are better in winter compared to summer tyres and no/little compromise on dry/wet road.
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This give a comparison of different makes and types of tyre. www.viking.co.uk/tyre.asp
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Lots of information available via Google. For example ........ www.ctyres.co.uk/tyre_info/tyre_type.html
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I don't think we need proper winter tyres for the UK. There's models of tyre designed exactly for our climate -- mostly cold and wet for 6 months, with some snow and some slush.
Nokian WR G2 - These are the ones to beat, these were previously on the golf a couple of years ago and before, also still run these on the 7 series. You could run these throughout a scottish summer without issue, not sure about a southern summer though maybe too hot. I used them during the summer when my summer wheels went for refurb.
There is a Van / 4x4 version of the WR new for this year.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-18 - i've these on the Golf, fitted last year and can't fault them for anything. Wear is pretty decent too. Even at that i think i'll stick to Nokians in future.
All seasons i tried (pirelli, i think American imports? Scorpion or something was the model) were rotten, not just a bit rotten, rotten in every situation. Maybe other all seasons are better but i don't think they're comparable to cold weather tyres in snow.
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Winter tyres is a personal choice but should be made a law just as it is in some of the european countries, Britain is too slack when it comes to the weather and were not prepared so they say, Winter tyres would have got many of the rwd moving.
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I've got some 285/75-16 Cooper ST with studs for sale if you're interested.
www.blocket.se/alvsborg/Vinterdack_dubbade_285_75_16_for_Toyota__Mits_31000419.htm?ca=16&w=1
Might be a bit of a long way for collection though!
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>>There is a Van / 4x4 version of the WR new for this year.
I have them (WR G2 SUV) on my Subaru Outback - not rated with the very best on snow according to some tests but very well suited to the UK type of winter (down south) with sporadic snow, slush and lots of rain. They've been very good and secure on the small amount of snow we've had in Berkshire and West Surrey over the last few days but I don't know how much of that is down to the all wheel drive.
I spent quite some time checking out the various tyre tests and weighing up what I thought was important and there's plenty of info out there and then loads of owner first hand experiences.
Been looking for winter tyres for my father's car - pointless exercise, everybody's sold out!
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>>>Been looking for winter tyres for my father's car - pointless exercise, everybody's sold out!
Ahh not quite. As I was helpfully reminded the other day Mytyres are based in Germany so no major stock issues. www.mytyres.co.uk/Tyres.html Confusingly they divide theirs into all-season, winter and cold weather but there's loads of choice and info on the website.
As Hawkeye commented the other day prices have mostly crept up £10+ a tyre at all outlets. UK places I phoned had sold all but the obscure sizes/brands so I've given Mytyres a go.
My initial choice of brand was the Hankook Icebear W440 but I didn't find anyone with them in our sizes including Mytyres so I researched an alternative.
After careful reading I decided on an all-seasons type* with the hope they can stay on all year.
*Not a copout all-seasons variant though... these are approved for European winter use and have the mountain/snowflake symbol.
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>> ... so I researched an alternative.
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>> After careful reading I decided on an all-seasons type* with the hope they can stay
>> on all year.
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Go on Fenlander, spill the beans!
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You'll be the first to know H. But for now I do really want to wait until they arrive in case an alternative brand has to be accepted.
It's only fair the eventual slating of my choice is accurately directed.
Last edited by: Fenlander on Thu 2 Dec 10 at 14:28
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I was going to go with Vredestein Quatrac3 after some recommendations from the people here. I didn't want to go down the summer and winter swaps I have with my car as a solution for my wife's car.
I then read some tests and went for Hankook Optimo 4S
www.tyrepress.com/News/1/22/17614.html
So far so good even with the handicap as some might put it of an EGS gearbox.
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Just curious.
I've been a bit cavalier with my selection, relying heavily on the reasoning that the cheapest, nastiest tyre with a snowflake on it MUST be better than the Michelin Energys. I've also ignored recommendations to fit 4, believing that it won't make the slightest difference unless you drive sideways the whole time and learned snow skills in Finland.
Mrs H is chuffed to bits and I have cleared my brownie points overdraft and might even be in credit.
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I had to spend the money.
Tyres that were on were down to 1.8mm, winter tyres have to have min. 4mm.
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>> Tyres that were on were down to 1.8mm, winter tyres have to have min. 4mm.
....but not in the UK, where winter tyres have no special rules unlike Austria, Germany etc. Winter tyres are, I believe, subject to the normal 1.8mm rule. Most winter tyres (or more accurately, all the ones I've had fitted) have wear bars at 4mm and 2mm, to show compliance with the law as winter and generic tyres respectively.
With the UK weather, there are still benefits to be had on winter tyres even when below the 4mm mark.
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Mike H, whats your Prelude like in snow?
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Vredestein Wintrac's on the pick up, can't fault them, Nokian NGR2's on the MB, they too were excellent, front heavy RWD coupe going places FWD's couldn't move.
Neither were lucky dip though i did my research and had a shortlist of several, then kept an eye on several websites i use, eventually both sets became available during the summer season at bargain prices so i grabbed them.
I would in retrospect have bought Vredestein Quatrac 3 all seasons for both vehicles, but 3/4 years ago they weren't available in higher speed ratings or my sizes, funnily enough they're still not despite being listed together with others they can't supply on certain sites.
Vred Quatrac 2 all seasons as fitted to my daughters 106 have turned out to be excellent and the first set lasted roughly 45k hard thrashed miles with rotation, now replaced by the same.
Be lucky to have a choice of anything good at all now and prices are through the roof, this has been the case since last winter, i imagine tyre makers learned from car makers about having too much stock when the recession hit and limit availablity....the days of super bargains in quality new cars and tyres is over.
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I drove a 1986 Prelude automatic through Glenshee with a few inches of fresh snow on the ground - was wearing 185/70x13s, probably Colway remould tyres - managed fine (but it only weighed 1000kg which surely helps.
I also managed to drive a 1989 300ZX manual up to Ben Lawyers in the snow past abandoned Golfs/Escorts wearing 215/60x15s - Goodyear Venturas on that (an early V-groove type tyre designed for rain).
Current Forester on Yoko Geosquealers is munching through the snow with barely a hiccup (apart from when I drove into a cul-de-sac with >12" snow - had to get the spade out when I bogged into a drift.
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>>> Goodyear Venturas on that (an early V-groove type tyre designed for rain).
They were my all time favourite *summer* tyre. At the time we ran them were towing a horse trailer with a front wheel drive car on/off wet grass and they were almost as good as a proper off road tyre. Excellent soft ride on town manholes etc too.
www.kolesomag.ru/images/products/Goodyear_Eagle_Ventura.jpg
Wish they still made them.
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>> Mike H, whats your Prelude like in snow?
No idea, I'll let you know when I get one :-)
I have a Saab 9-5 Aero estate automatic, at 420Nm with more torque than most diesels. Also has ESP fitted. The ESP rarely cuts in, the traction control part occasionally although I use winter mode (pulls away in 3rd rather than the usual 2nd) when the roads haven't been cleared. I have only recently had Continental TS380s fitted on the front, so I can't comment on their performance yet. But just to clarify, we do live in Austria where snow is expected and even the little single track road that we live on in a small village will be ploughed at least once a day. Except when there is a very big dumping over a short period of time, most of the roads aren't a problem, although the ice tends to build up over the winter!
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No idea, I'll let you know when I get one :-)
Ha ha, I must be thinking of a different poster, apologies.
Edit - I know, it was Mike Hannon!
Last edited by: corax on Fri 3 Dec 10 at 10:21
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Do the dealers sell any car in UK which comes with winter tyres as standard?
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If I've interpreted this correctly, summer tyres are (currently) fitted as standard on all passenger vehicles in the UK. However, Ford are planning to offer Pirelli winter tyres as an option. tinyurl.com/2uymvxt
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I would think some cars come with M+S tyres. Maybe the Panda 4x4? I know that's probably not a winter tyre grade though.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 3 Dec 10 at 15:44
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>> Do the dealers sell any car in UK which comes with winter tyres as standard?
Winters? I don't think so, i'd be surprised. All seasons though, yes, also all terrains on some 4x4s.
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Lots of 'real' 4x4s come with M+S tyres as standard. Indeed, my landcruiser did. But they work much better this time of year on winter (snowflake marked) tyres - I've upgraded to General Grabber AT2s which have been working particularly well this winter.
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>> Do the dealers sell any car in UK which comes with winter tyres as standard?
Well i'll say yes with reservation.
Used to deliver quite a few new Fiats, got the odd Panda 4x4 on the load and i noticed that it was fitted with Continental Winter Contact tyres...now that could have been special order but it was reassuring to see that the tyres weren't any old tat.
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Items of interest here, including some stuff on insurance hikes for winter tyre users.
www.tyresafe.org/
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Brilliant service from MyTyres online. Our set of Kleber Quadraxers for Mrs F's C3 arrived today before 9am. I only ordered them Friday morning so 4 days inc the weekend is a very fast delivery from Germany given the weather.
www.klebertyres.co.uk/KleberUK/front/affich.jsp?&lang=EN&codeRubrique=30032005121111#
Anyway seems I'll just be able to get them fitted in time for the thaw :-)
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How practical is it to fit your own tyres in this day and age?
Sensible to leave it to the folks with the expensive equipment or is it feasible to use a manual bead breaker without damaging alloys?
I don't know the full procedure for doing it manually, is it just deflate tyre, manual bead breaker, then tyre levers to get it off? What about putting a new tyre on again?
I guess tyre levers means it's only suitable for steel wheels.
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Not forgetting balancing. Get a someone else to do it.
John
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...How practical is it to fit your own tyres in this day and age?...
Not at all.
You would need a jig to hold the wheel.
Low profile tyres give very little room to manoeuvre the bead over the rim.
Getting the bead of the refitted tyre to seal is difficult without a fast airline, although a lashing strap around the tread can help.
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I would be hugely embarrassed to buy tyres from one place then walk into another and ask for them to be fitted. So I don't! If you've tried it, what's the reaction?
John
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>> I would be hugely embarrassed to buy tyres from one place then walk into another
>> and ask for them to be fitted. So I don't! If you've tried it, what's
>> the reaction?
>> John
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New start up tyre place in the next village. Discussed winter tyres with him but he was too expensive, possibly because of not doing the volume. Told him politely that he was too much and asked if he would fit tyres I had bought elsewhere. No problem; fitted, new valve, balanced on shiny new machine, £10 each. He didn't torque the wheel-nuts though so I did that later.
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Fair enough. I'm always happy to talk to my local garage and (if necessary) I'll even spend a little extra for the service / convenience / trust.
John
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>> Not forgetting balancing.
Buying the weights
and gloop to slop on the rim
and a new valve ?
and high pressure air supply to get the tyre to jump on the rim
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>> Get a someone else to do it.
>> John
>>
I agree . Life is too short and the risk of injury is also waiting:-)
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It's quite possible, but not very practical.
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Fitting your own tyres just not worth the hassle these days.
>>>I would be hugely embarrassed to buy tyres from one place then walk into another and ask for them to be fitted. So I don't! If you've tried it, what's the reaction?
Well it's just another job for the fitter. After all they'll do a puncture or balance if you ask them.
Having said that I gave my local guys a morning to try and source a set of winter tyres through normal suppliers... they found as has already been commented on here that there are almost none available in the UK. So I just said are you OK to fit if I get some from Germany.... they had no problem with this.
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www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/259477/tyre_test.html
I have posted this on another thread but quite a comprehensive test here. The all seasons do remarkably well, though in the "dry" tests it doesnt say how warm it was
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Thanks for the link PR... I hadn't seen that test.
You can get bogged down in the detail but for me the deciding factors are the fact that summer tyres took between 5 & 6 car lengths further than the winter/all season tyre to stop on snow from just 25mph.... and that the winter/all season tyres had between 2 & 3 times the traction on snow.
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Well I had the set of Kleber Quadraxers fitted to Mrs F's C3 this morning (£7.50 per tyre inc valve/balance). Done a few local miles on the way home.
Ride and road noise no different to the original summer tyres (Michelin Energy rear-6mm/Ceat Spider front-2/3mm). Handling fine on wet greasy city by-pass roundabouts.
Winter performance tested on the compacted frozen snow of our long drive... so slippery at the moment you have to be careful not to slide under the car when you get out. Both our cars on their summer tyres would spin their wheels with the slightest throttle while the car remained static.
These Klebers have exceed my expectations by a mile. You can pull away briskly with no spinning on this skiddy drive and brake to a halt feeling a real bite between tyres and snow/ice.
Bought these on a bit of a whim as the C3 needed a new pair on the front anyway but I'm a complete convert in just a few hours.
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Good to hear FL - have seen a pair on ebay the right size for the Picasso at a reasonable price. Just need to check the speed rating, and that the insurer-with-the-trunk does not take a dim view of fitting winter tyres, and we're away!
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You don't muck about FL do you, and cheers for the quick report of the new boots.
There's bound to be a minimal bit of scrubbing/bedding over the coming few weeks so 'things can only get better' to quote a bunch of swi...politicians.
Thanks also to PR for the latest tyre test link, as said above the stopping distance for the summer tyre should convince even our sceptics...;)
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Which! appear to be a little sceptical or at the best, slow, to pick up the benefits other than snow. conversation.which.co.uk/transport-travel/winter-tyres-not-worth-the-money/ A frankly shoddy article and defensive follow-up.
IMHO Which! have received a justified kicking for poor research/knowledge through the responses on their "Conversation" link.
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"Thanks for the link PR... I hadn't seen that test. "
Thanks from me as well. It is always interesting to see a report that actually compares winter tyres, a summer tyre, and an all season tyre on snow, wet roads, and dry roads.
It would have been better if they had reported the temperatures that they did the wet and dry road tests on.
It would have been better still if they had
a) done a slush test as well - so we can see how much better these Nokian slush tyres are, and
b) done tests on wet and dry roads at both 5° and 20° - or some such temperatures, so we can see the extent to which winter tyres are better than and worse than summer tyres in their respective seasons.
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>>>Been looking for winter tyres for my father's car - pointless exercise, everybody's sold out!
>>>Ahh not quite. As I was helpfully reminded the other day Mytyres are based in Germany so no major stock issues. www.mytyres.co.uk/Tyres.html Confusingly they divide theirs into all-season, winter and cold weather but there's loads of choice and info on the website.
Yes, I've used them a few times, very positive experiences. So I've kept on trying them a couple of times a day and today they have Hankook Icebear tyres in his size (235/55/17) available - its just that at £261.70 each I think they're being a bit optimistic. I seem to recall they were around £130 when I looked but bought Nokians for my 225/60/17s in September.
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What winter tyre? - Boxsterboy
