XC60 AWD & 2WD Tyres & Winter - Page 4

polsesnabb · Oct 17th, 2011, 20:24

@Rich17:
I am happy to respond to your questions. I will not go in to the matter of spikes, as that is an intence debate upp here, but of no relevance to you guys. I will tell you a couple of things about winter tyres, though we reffer to them as spikeless winter tyres. You see, there are more differences than just the spikes.

As I said, shifting to winters is something "everybody" do, and it has allways been that way. When a few people dont´t change to winters it is allways a monetary issue, nobody does it because it is a good idea.

The difference between summer tyres and winters, is that summer tyres have a harder rubber mix, that makes them perfect in summer temperatures. Winters have a soft rubber mix, and you can easilly feel the difference if you try to pry the different tyres with your fingers. Of course, the pattern of the two tyres are different too, but the softer rubber is the most important. One can easily understand why these tyres have better grip on ice and snow, once feeling them...

Winter tyres are not magic, but they feel that way if you ever get to compare them. They wear more than a summer tyre on tarmac due to the softer rubber, and almost not at all when driving on snow and ice (less friction). Keep in mind that we spend 5-6 months per year on winters, but in total only one of these on actual snow and ice (large, regional differences). As for the rest of the winter, roads are bare and often wet. Still, the extra wear of winter tyres is not something generally concidered an issue. Once you have them, they will generally last at least for 3, or up to 5 seasons anyway. After this thime, their rubber has gotten so hard that it is recommended to change them regardless of wear (will you keep the XC60 that long?).

Winter tyres are at their best in the snow. When driving on a bare road, they will give somewhat less stability, longer braking distance and less cornering performance than a summer tyre, but these are peanuts compared to the incredible difference on snow and ice. That said, ice is a difficult surface, and you will skid regardless of tyres. But on winters you will be SO much more in control. This video sums it up pretty good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s It shows that winters are at least twice better than summers on ice. I didn´t find any videos showing similar testing on snow, but I assure you that then the difference is 10 times bigger!

Of course, it must be taken in to concideration, that winters perform worse than summers on a bare, wet road. Check this Norwegian video. The car starts off on good summers, and the second on winters. Temperature 6 centigrades, speed 50 mph. http://www.langangen.com/index.php?o...303&Itemid=263 Yes, winters stop later on the wet road, but if you compare the speeds of the cars in the two videos, and remember what your physics teacher said about stopping distance and speed, you realize that winters wil be of greater importance under extreme conditions, than summers will be on bare, wet roads.

Finally, I must mention that winters are bad in summer teperatures (15-20 C and above). Then the soft rubber becomes "jelly", and you find yourself driving under your personal winter conditions again.

darbs · Oct 17th, 2011, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by polsesnabb

Of course, it must be taken in to concideration, that winters perform worse than summers on a bare, wet road. Check this Norwegian video. The car starts off on good summers, and the second on winters. Temperature 6 centigrades, speed 50 mph

very interesting. all the evidence i've seen points to the contrary i.e. at temps under 7oC winters are better than summers on all surfaces except dry. maybe the temp has to be lower than 6 for winters to be better on a wet road.

that said, i know results vary brand to brand, and even within the same brand one season's tyres will buck the trend of most other brands.

XC60MY12 · Oct 18th, 2011, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbg

Volvo are now getting in on the act and will store your summer tyres ( for a fee )

http://www.volvocars.com/uk/sales-se...ter-Tyres.aspx

Not any more according to my dealer today.

Brodick · Oct 18th, 2011, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC60Fan

Not any more according to my dealer today.

Maybe your dealer should check their facts Or maybe time to change dealer

http://www.volvocars.com/uk/top/abou...spx?itemid=122

XC60MY12 · Oct 18th, 2011, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodick

Maybe your dealer should check their facts Or maybe time to change dealer

http://www.volvocars.com/uk/top/abou...spx?itemid=122

Thanks Brodick

I've forwarded the link and await a response.

volvorocks · Oct 24th, 2011, 18:49

Anybody driven with winter tyres in warmer weather and found the steering isnt as sharp,that the car wanders a bit at speed and the steering feels as though it is coated in "syrup"? Every thing feels a bit "blancmangey" (cant think of a better way to describe it)

Also the feeling that the car is running on underinflated tyres and everything is soft (probably due to the softer compound I suppose)

XC60MY12 · Oct 24th, 2011, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brodick

Maybe your dealer should check their facts Or maybe time to change dealer

http://www.volvocars.com/uk/top/abou...spx?itemid=122

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC60Fan

Thanks Brodick

I've forwarded the link and await a response.

Hi all, I've now had a response from Taggarts. They want £1800 for 4 x 18" alloys fitted with winter tyres. Yes £1800!! They maintain that storage is up to individual dealers and that Volvo are not offering it nationwide because there was not much take-up. Wonder why!

Brodick · Oct 24th, 2011, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvorocks

Anybody driven with winter tyres in warmer weather and found the steering isnt as sharp,that the car wanders a bit at speed and the steering feels as though it is coated in "syrup"? Every thing feels a bit "blancmangey" (cant think of a better way to describe it)

Also the feeling that the car is running on underinflated tyres and everything is soft (probably due to the softer compound I suppose)

No I have not driven with them in warmer weather but am not surprised by what you say. I would assume itis similar to running summer tyres in the winter at low , low tempratures.

My winter tyres are still sitting in my garage just waiting for me to make the change.

Brodick · Oct 24th, 2011, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC60Fan

Hi all, I've now had a response from Taggarts. They want £1800 for 4 x 18" alloys fitted with winter tyres. Yes £1800!! They maintain that storage is up to individual dealers and that Volvo are not offering it nationwide because there was not much take-up. Wonder why!

It may be the case that Volvo can't make their dealers store the tyres. especially if they have smaller premises. I haven't asked my dealer. I am going to get them to swop my tyres over but I will bring my summer tyres home and store them myself

Teejay1 · Oct 24th, 2011, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC60Fan

Hi all, I've now had a response from Taggarts. They want £1800 for 4 x 18" alloys fitted with winter tyres. Yes £1800!! They maintain that storage is up to individual dealers and that Volvo are not offering it nationwide because there was not much take-up. Wonder why!

I paid 1300 for 4 Segin wheels with Continental tyres last year 1800 seems a lot.

Oct 17th, 2011, 20:24	#31
polsesnabb Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2021 10:04 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Luxembourg	@Rich17: I am happy to respond to your questions. I will not go in to the matter of spikes, as that is an intence debate upp here, but of no relevance to you guys. I will tell you a couple of things about winter tyres, though we reffer to them as spikeless winter tyres. You see, there are more differences than just the spikes. As I said, shifting to winters is something "everybody" do, and it has allways been that way. When a few people dont´t change to winters it is allways a monetary issue, nobody does it because it is a good idea. The difference between summer tyres and winters, is that summer tyres have a harder rubber mix, that makes them perfect in summer temperatures. Winters have a soft rubber mix, and you can easilly feel the difference if you try to pry the different tyres with your fingers. Of course, the pattern of the two tyres are different too, but the softer rubber is the most important. One can easily understand why these tyres have better grip on ice and snow, once feeling them... Winter tyres are not magic, but they feel that way if you ever get to compare them. They wear more than a summer tyre on tarmac due to the softer rubber, and almost not at all when driving on snow and ice (less friction). Keep in mind that we spend 5-6 months per year on winters, but in total only one of these on actual snow and ice (large, regional differences). As for the rest of the winter, roads are bare and often wet. Still, the extra wear of winter tyres is not something generally concidered an issue. Once you have them, they will generally last at least for 3, or up to 5 seasons anyway. After this thime, their rubber has gotten so hard that it is recommended to change them regardless of wear (will you keep the XC60 that long?). Winter tyres are at their best in the snow. When driving on a bare road, they will give somewhat less stability, longer braking distance and less cornering performance than a summer tyre, but these are peanuts compared to the incredible difference on snow and ice. That said, ice is a difficult surface, and you will skid regardless of tyres. But on winters you will be SO much more in control. This video sums it up pretty good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s It shows that winters are at least twice better than summers on ice. I didn´t find any videos showing similar testing on snow, but I assure you that then the difference is 10 times bigger! Of course, it must be taken in to concideration, that winters perform worse than summers on a bare, wet road. Check this Norwegian video. The car starts off on good summers, and the second on winters. Temperature 6 centigrades, speed 50 mph. http://www.langangen.com/index.php?o...303&Itemid=263 Yes, winters stop later on the wet road, but if you compare the speeds of the cars in the two videos, and remember what your physics teacher said about stopping distance and speed, you realize that winters wil be of greater importance under extreme conditions, than summers will be on bare, wet roads. Finally, I must mention that winters are bad in summer teperatures (15-20 C and above). Then the soft rubber becomes "jelly", and you find yourself driving under your personal winter conditions again. Last edited by polsesnabb; Oct 17th, 2011 at 20:30.

Oct 24th, 2011, 18:49	#36
volvorocks Rodney Last Online: Aug 4th, 2016 05:02 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: On The Street	Anybody driven with winter tyres in warmer weather and found the steering isnt as sharp,that the car wanders a bit at speed and the steering feels as though it is coated in "syrup"? Every thing feels a bit "blancmangey" (cant think of a better way to describe it) Also the feeling that the car is running on underinflated tyres and everything is soft (probably due to the softer compound I suppose)

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