Should we be using winter tyres in the UK?

:crazy:

One of the reasons for mandating winter tires in Québec was to reduce insurance premiums!

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Apparently on Radio 2 they were saying that some insurance companies are classing it as a modification and want to charge some people extra. What a lot of thieving barstuds. When a car is given an insurance group it is given it on the basis of its specification as the manufacturer has specified.

For instance on the 500 Abarth there is an SS pack which gives better brakes, lower suspension and a healthy increase in power. Insurers can not charge you any extra for this as this is part of the specification of the car. This I am 110% sure of.

Mine lists winter tyres as part of the specification. I've put winter tyres on and if any insurance company wants to try and get more money off me because I've taken steps to make myself and other road users safer then they're SOL.

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Insurance companies over here are not offering up a break for winter tires. They maybe should, but driver attitude, training and intelligence makes the difference I think in Winter driving...

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Originally Posted by Daniel

Also, comparison between winter tyres and summer tyres

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product...2/verdict.html

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Winter tyres scored between 100-96.7 all seasons got 95.1 and summers got 76.4. Pretty bloody clear if you ask me. Also quite telling was that the summer tyres took 60 seconds longer on a 100 second lap in the snow.

From das AA -> http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...in-the-uk.html[/QUOTE]

Winter tires scored 100 to 96.7 and then 95.1 for the All Seasons.....and summer tires way back at 76.4? As I figured...winter tires ARE better in the snow..but marginally.

Driver skill, education and experience with snow make a HUGE difference.

We have too many people driving around this part of the world in SUV's who I will see in the ditch WITH winter tires.......

As for storing winter tires/summer tires, I would be SOL unless I put them at my folks place. This apartment hasn't the room for two sets of tires, or even a TIRE......

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Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

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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As I pointed out...you can get around with a less than ideal car and setup for the conditions if you are good at it. That said, winter tires are never a bad idea in the winter.....just don't have the tire cops going around writing fines......there is enough stupid laws on the books in society that cannot be enforced now...

Daniel you should be using slicks and driving in the right lane, taking EKI to the airport :)

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Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

As I figured...winter tires ARE better in the snow..but marginally.

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Compared to all weather tyres yes, but like I said.... very few people here in the UK have all weather tyres and more new cars come with summer tyres which are not good in the snow ;)

Winter tyres feature on The One Show now.
Should be on iPlayer soon.

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Originally Posted by Mark

Winter tyres feature on The One Show now.
Should be on iPlayer soon.

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Cheers Mark :)

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Originally Posted by henners88

Its been solid ice here for over two weeks now, and if you drive with due care and attention, standard tyres are fine. Just reduce your speed and respect the conditions. :)

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I'm going to guess that Oxfordshire isn't very hilly then :p :

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Originally Posted by Drew

I'm going to guess that Oxfordshire isn't very hilly then :p :

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Rather. It's amazing how people just seem to miss the point. It's like bald tyres, if you drive carefully enough bald tyres won't be an issue but is it smart to drive around on bald tyres? Uh no

There's more snow that I can remember in my life here this year ... And I'm having a blast driving :bounce: