Should we be using winter tyres in the UK?

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Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

But if you have a Subaru, surely you'd get by without resorting to winter tyres where you are.

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Got a co-worker with a Subaru Justy, since it first snowed she took the bus every day.

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Originally Posted by ioan

You sure are one fast walker if you can keep up with a car, be it with snow chains.

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oh all right, ski then, downhill :p

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Originally Posted by donKey jote

oh all right, ski then, downhill :p

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Now that certainly beats a car with snow chains, especially on the slopes! :D ;)

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Originally Posted by ioan

Got a co-worker with a Subaru Justy, since it first snowed she took the bus every day.

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I suppose it all depends on where you live and the conditions and terrain there, and above all the ability of the driver to handle ice and snow conditions.

We had a grader driver in Island Bend who had an old Beetle, yet was able to drive up to Perisher Valley at night to The Man from Snowy River pub. This entailed going up a steep icy road to Renix Gap and then on snow and ice to Perisher. Without chains!!

However, those in the city would be well advised to take public transport if convenient. You can be a champion rally driver, won stages at the Monte, and yet if you are stuck in traffic, it is possible you could be involved in a multi car accident through absolutely no fault of your own.

It all depends on the circumstances and the driving experience.

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Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

I suppose it all depends on where you live and the conditions and terrain there, and above all the ability of the driver to handle ice and snow conditions.

We had a grader driver in Island Bend who had an old Beetle, yet was able to drive up to Perisher Valley at night to The Man from Snowy River pub. This entailed going up a steep icy road to Renix Gap and then on snow and ice to Perisher. Without chains!!

However, those in the city would be well advised to take public transport if convenient. You can be a champion rally driver, won stages at the Monte, and yet if you are stuck in traffic, it is possible you could be involved in a multi car accident through absolutely no fault of your own.

It all depends on the circumstances and the driving experience.

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The reason your beetle driving friend was able to drive his car was the tyres were narrow and older tyres had better tread designs for snow. SO basically they weren't like moden summer tyres and were probably more like winter tyres......

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Originally Posted by Daniel

The reason your beetle driving friend was able to drive his car was the tyres were narrow and older tyres had better tread designs for snow. SO basically they weren't like moden summer tyres and were probably more like winter tyres......

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Don't think so - they were nearly bald. He was the grader operator on snow clearing and just knew how to drive in those conditions.

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Originally Posted by Daniel

The reason your beetle driving friend was able to drive his car was the tyres were narrow and older tyres had better tread designs for snow. SO basically they weren't like moden summer tyres and were probably more like winter tyres......

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Factors to keep in mind:
(Having driven OLD (like 57-62) Beetles in plenty snow in USA and Sweden)
Yes, probably max 155 x 15 real snow tires
Weight hung behind the wheel center line---weight x lever= effectively more
gearing
and of course bhp and torque numbers very nearly in the negative range.

In other words, with a badly asthmatic motor with maybe 7.2 comp the day it was born, and going downhill after that, so nearly zero hp or ft/lbs with skinny tires and weight over the drive wheels of course it can go---if that's what you want to call it---in snow...


Now if you want to talk about the car the the Beetle wished it was but could never be, with a decent motor, but also with modern steering, brakes and a very stiff bodyshell, a car that even into the mid 70s could beat anything in the world on snow, well then we can talk.
But Beetle, naw best not think too much.

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Originally Posted by janvanvurpa

Factors to keep in mind:
(Having driven OLD (like 57-62) Beetles in plenty snow in USA and Sweden)
Yes, probably max 155 x 15 real snow tires
Weight hung behind the wheel center line---weight x lever= effectively more
gearing
and of course bhp and torque numbers very nearly in the negative range.

In other words, with a badly asthmatic motor with maybe 7.2 comp the day it was born, and going downhill after that, so nearly zero hp or ft/lbs with skinny tires and weight over the drive wheels of course it can go---if that's what you want to call it---in snow...


Now if you want to talk about the car the the Beetle wished it was but could never be, with a decent motor, but also with modern steering, brakes and a very stiff bodyshell, a car that even into the mid 70s could beat anything in the world on snow, well then we can talk.
But Beetle, naw best not think too much.

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Not quite sure why I didn't mention the whole rear engined rwd car thing as well.

There was some "controversy" this week about winter tyres being classed as a modification and the society of motor manufacturers and traders as well as the insurance industry have come out and said that this is not the case and winter tyres will/shouldn't increase your premium.

http://www.smmt.co.uk/articles/artic...rticleid=22819

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Originally Posted by Daniel

There was some "controversy" this week about winter tyres being classed as a modification and the society of motor manufacturers and traders as well as the insurance industry have come out and said that this is not the case and winter tyres will/shouldn't increase your premium.

http://www.smmt.co.uk/articles/artic...rticleid=22819

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I don't see why they would be. For most cars you're free to change your tyres to whatever brand etc you feel like. Winter tyres should be no different.

I think there is still a lot of confusion over winter tyres and what they are. Including among insurance companies (particularly insurance company call centre operatives) who just tick the "modified" box and the premium automatically shoots up.

You've even had the Transport Minister confusing winter tyres with studded tyres, which should be a resigning matter IMO!