Should we be using winter tyres in the UK?

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26th November 2010, 11:40
Daniel

Don't take up all that much room tbh. Ours go in the shed. Failing that they could go in a corner of a Garden or some tyre places operate tyre hotels.
26th November 2010, 12:13
Eki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

I'd like winter three but it's the praticalties that put me off! What do you do with your summer tyres in the winter and vice versa.

You could stack them up, cover the stack with a cloth and use it as a round table/footstool.
26th November 2010, 12:55
Mark

Ah so.
26th November 2010, 14:54
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Ah so.

I guess it all depends how inconvenient it is for you to store them. If you're going to be stepping around or over a stack of tyres every day of the year then that's pretty stupid but if they go in a corner of the backyard under a cover or in a small shed then IMHO it's worth it. Tyre hotels are also an option, apparently Kwik fit are doing it? -> http://www.tyrepress.com/News/busine.../28/20480.html

Would I trust Kwik ****up with a nice set of alloys though? I think not!!!!

Gotta love driving in the snow :D

http://oi56.tinypic.com/50jfcl.jpg
26th November 2010, 15:08
MrJan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

I guess it all depends how inconvenient it is for you to store them. If you're going to be stepping around or over a stack of tyres every day of the year then that's pretty stupid but if they go in a corner of the backyard under a cover or in a small shed then IMHO it's worth it. Tyre hotels are also an option, apparently Kwik fit are doing it? -> http://www.tyrepress.com/News/busine.../28/20480.html

Would I trust Kwik ****up with a nice set of alloys though? I think not!!!!

Gotta love driving in the snow :D

http://oi56.tinypic.com/50jfcl.jpg

Bet the bloke in the Bimmer had the most fun on the way to work though, RWD is the way forward (or sideways) :D
26th November 2010, 15:09
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Jan Yeo

Bet the bloke in the Bimmer had the most fun on the way to work though, RWD is the way forward (or sideways) :D

Well luckily/notsoluckily the snow came when a lot of people were already in work but I bet he had a fun trip back home :D
26th November 2010, 16:09
Bob Riebe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

I guess they don't sell an All season tire in the UK? They are a tire that isn't a great summer performer, but ok, and in winter they can be ok, not great in snow. I live in a winter climate, but find with traffic being what it is when it snows, I don't get up to any high rate of speed anyhow, and have gotten by with All Seasons. I SHOULD have Winter tires if I did any commuting, but most of my work week the car isn't going anywhere, it is sitting. Also, in Southern Ontario where I am, the snow removal and salt trucks have the roads to bare pavement in about 12 hours after a snow on all major routes.

IN the UK, I would think you would wear out winter tires on the pavement for the amount of snow you get, but since I am not there, I cannot comment. I just know in Quebec, it is law to have Winter tires...and I suspect it will be law here too. Because god knows some people cannot drive on dry pavement, but somehow passing laws that fit everyone will allow the pol's to think they have done all they can. I have been driving 25 years, and I have never left the road in the winter. Got stuck a few times yes...but that was in drives or parking lots. So take it from someone who LIVES in a winter clime, winter tires are a great asset, but for one or two snows a year; I would get by with an all season tire if it was available.

All season tires are NOT snow or even winter tyres, they are designed to handle wet/damp weather better than standard tyres and that is all.
Here tire sellers do not EVER tell anyone that all-season tyres are good for winter, in any manner.

I finally after many years, partly due to very mild winters, bought true snow tyres and it was a difference of day and night.
I have fifteen inch wheels and am considering getting sixteen inch so I can put on light truck snow tyres, which are better than the average car snow tyre.

Now Blizzak, there is nothing else, period, as good as Blizzak for severe winter weather, told to me by a Goodyear tyre salesman.

I have also considered, they are expensive, in getting bias-ply snow tires again as here when we have heavy snow, if one runs them five pounds or so under inflated, are fantastic for driving through heavy snow. They have a tread pattern more similar to a tractor tire than car tire.
Thirty years ago when the normal Minn. winter was what most consider extreme conditions, I carried a set of true chain in the trunk for emergency use, and did use them at times.
26th November 2010, 16:17
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

All season tires are NOT snow or even winter tyres, they are designed to handle wet/damp weather better than standard tyres and that is all.
Here tire sellers do not EVER tell anyone that all-season tyres are good for winter, in any manner.

I finally after many years, partly due to very mild winters, bought true snow tyres and it was a difference of day and night.
I have fifteen inch wheels and am considering getting sixteen inch so I can put on light truck snow tyres, which are better than the average car snow tyre.

Now Blizzak, there is nothing else, period, as good as Blizzak for severe winter weather, told to me by a Goodyear tyre salesman.

I have also considered, they are expensive, in getting bias-ply snow tires again as here when we have heavy snow, if one runs them five pounds or so under inflated, are fantastic for driving through heavy snow. They have a tread pattern more similar to a tractor tire than car tire.
Thirty years ago when the normal Minn. winter was what most consider extreme conditions, I carried a set of true chain in the trunk for emergency use, and did use them at times.

Finally we agree on something bob :p

Blizzak's are good and do well in the tests but there are a number of tyres which also test very well and are up there too. But it depends what you get over there in the USA as to whether the competition is any good I guess :) Strangely enough Goodyear Ultragrip 7+'s are very good so your Goodyear salesman is underselling the potential of his product :)
26th November 2010, 16:32
janneppi

According to the latest test from Tekniikan Mualima, Goodyear's ultra grips won their test, followed by Continentals and Nokian's. Blizzak Nordics were fifth, having good straight line grip on snow and ice, not so good driving charasteritcs in wet and dry tarmac.
Not that I care about non studded tyres. :)

In the same test they also had studded tyres and the straigth line braking distances between tyres are quite big.
best studdeds at 50 kph were around 50-52 m, worst (Chinese whatnotts) at 70-72m
best non studdeds were around 68-70m and worst (Kenda Icetec)around 85m

I did a brake test few days ago, full brake at 50 kph on icy snow. I was a bit surprised to see how long the stopping distance was, about 65 meters.
26th November 2010, 16:35
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by janneppi

According to the latest test from Tekniikan Mualima, Goodyear's ultra grips won their test, followed by Continentals and Nokian's. Blizzak Nordics were fifth, having good straight line grip on snow and ice, not so good driving charasteritcs in wet and dry tarmac.
Not that I care about non studded tyres. :)

I did a brake test few days ago, full brake at 50 kph on icy snow. I was a bit surprised to see how long the stopping distance was, about 65 meters.

I'd love to drive on studs one day just to feel what it's like :)

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