Quote:
Originally Posted by leenineplus
Just for information or wheel tyre help.
I went out in the snow last week and very disappointed with the XC60 AWD. I have never had a 4x4 before and thought this time it would help with the bad snow and winters I get being 1200ft above sea level. How wrong I was.
The grip is shi-e and skidding everywhere.
I have run winter tyres on cars for 15 years around here and never had a problem like I have in the Volvo. I always wondered why I overtook 4x4 cars going up hills, around corners and never struggled .
My theory is now correct. Its all in the tyres. Do not waste your money getting a 4x4. Just get a front 2 wheel drive car and get a set of spare wheels with winter tyres. A 4x4 is only worth getting for going off road and up bad tracks.
A pointless vehicle really for my use as I don't drive across fields or on dirt tracks. Steep hills I do yes but this Volvo couldn't even handle them in the snow. I parked the car up and used our Zafira and Pug RCZ which have winter tyres and wheels on.
I'm now looking at either getting a set of 16" steel wheels with 215/65/16 tyres or a set of 18/19/20" wheels with winter tyres on for between Dec to April like I do with my other cars we run on winter tyres. Tyreleader and mytyres do all the steel and alloy wheels with a great range of winter tyres.
Anyone else run winter tyres or have a view?
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As you infer it's not the AWD - it's the blurry wheels AND tyres.
There was a time when cars were shod with 60 or even 70% profile tyres - and the car / Land Rover went everywhere.
I've had XC70's for years, but the last two came with 18" wheels and tyres with no sipes - so useless in the snow and not very grippy in the wet as well as a very uncomfortable ride over 'our' potholed roads.
SO I've gone back to 16" wheels and the Pirellis that Volvo used to supply. Good enough for moderate snow - that we never get here Darn Sarf.
I also grabbed a set of 16"s with proper snow tyres from a gentlemen in darkest Glasgow - 'cos they were a good price! They have more sipes and FWIW feel more sure footed in icy conditions that the other 16" set.
I'll use them again when global warming ends.
I've no experience of slim wheels with winter tyres, apart from both being very expensive (if you don't get any real weather), I doubt if they'll be as effective as a high profile tyre. Look at real snow capable vehicles and the wheels that they have - lots of rubber.
Mines an XC70 - much loved in Canada where they have real weather - so I don't know whether 16" are an option. I bought a set of 16" for an older model, fitted hub rings (? term) and use them in all weathers. Don't give a **** what the look like - just want any wheel to do its job....