Winter Wheels fitted

[Marley Don]

I have 20" wheels on my XC90 and looked into winters 2 years ago, it was big bucks and I just couldn't justify the spend. In the end, I went for all season tyres and they've been bob on, even in some serious snow and ice last winter.

After 22K miles I am just about to replace them with something similar. I reckon they have another couple of thousand miles in them but I always like to change nice and early.

I know they will never be in the same league as a winter tyre, but some of newer all-season tyres on the market offer a pretty good compromise for UK winter roads.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

I'm confused about the apparent conclusion in this thread that winter tyres are a necessity and that no one can possibly make it through a winter without them.

How did we all get on before this modern trend to change tyres twice a year?
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The cynic in me can't help but think there's a very heavy dose of marketing behind the fashion.

You have a point. I only bother with them on the pickup and although lve had them on a car in the past. The amount of snow and the frequency just doesn’t justify them over most of the UK. With low clearance cars, all season tyres will get you everywhere it is sensible to travel. Travelling to Northern Europe or the Alps in winter is another matter.

[MaDProFF]

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

I'm confused about the apparent conclusion in this thread that winter tyres are a necessity and that no one can possibly make it through a winter without them.

How did we all get on before this modern trend to change tyres twice a year?

The cynic in me can't help but think there's a very heavy dose of marketing behind the fashion.

Like some others have stated and also I disagree a little on your statement, it was a lot easier back in the 70 / 80's to drive on oem tyres in snow and ice etc. they were thinner higher walled and chunkier thread pattern compared to wheels and tyres these days. and I know a few people who got caught out on black ice back in the day.

Chuck a couple bags of cement in the boot and you sorted, there was also a lot less cars to hit when you slid all over the place, and generally going slower when you ended up in the hedge.

Winter tyres are night and day in snow and ice compared to summer tyres.

[JamesN7]

Originally Posted by S90

Yes, it’s front wheel drive, why would I waste fitting winter tyres to non driven wheels??

Lol. Do you not have corners where you are?

Currently waiting for my (4) winter wheels and tyres to arrive at the dealership...

J

[Haldex]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Winter tyres were always pretty common on mainland Europe but as you rightly point out we kind of resisted in the UK.

Exactly. Even compulsory between mid Nov and mid April in quite a few countries.

[I Feel Old]

I don't disagree that winter tyres give more grip, I believe all who have told me so. It's the assertion that they are essential I question.

I do wonder at people living in London and Hemel Hempstead having a sort of winter tyre fitting ritual.

I'm sure I would notice a difference and I'll concede it may even be sufficient difference to convert me and begin my own ritual.

However, you'll need to come up with better arguments than this...

Originally Posted by Deman77

That means everyone who is on the appropriate tyres has to wait for you going at lower speed, breaking sooner and pulling away slowly or even being stuck on uphill.

Deman, do you have a driving licence yet?

[gaby]

Originally Posted by JamesN7

Lol. Do you not have corners where you are?

If a car has only winters on the front, perhaps steering isn't needed on roundabouts.

[foggyjames]

Moderator hat on...

Originally Posted by S90

Stop being a dick!

No, you stop. That's two such posts in quick succession. Read number one in the rules. No more insults, please. Thank you.

Moderator hat off...

Putting winter tyres on the front axle only? That's somewhere between brave and stupid.

I'm willing to say that as I found myself in a similar situation recently, albeit unexpectedly. When I bought my current stop-gap (after the D4 blew up), it had four ditchfinders on it. I later replaced the tired fronts with some Goodyears. Despite having stability control, I nearly span the thing a couple of times. The massive grip imbalance was lethal. I quickly bought another pair.

Also, if you're questioning whether or not winter tyres have value, just watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atayHQYqA3g

You're right that we didn't need them years ago, but the "standard" tyres of the day were not like "standard" (i.e. summer compound) tyres are today. The default used to be something closer to all-seasons.

Some years ago I had to move my V70R (FWD, but with traction control and an LSD) and a 1980 345 off a slightly sloping snow-covered drive. The V70R was wearing new Eagle F1s, and needed pushing off the drive. The 345 was wearing something pretty ancient, and drove off like there was no snow on the ground at all. "Normal" tyres have changed.

cheers

James

[ergonomist]

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

I don't disagree that winter tyres give more grip, I believe all who have told me so. It's the assertion that they are essential I question.

I do wonder at people living in London and Hemel Hempstead having a sort of winter tyre fitting ritual.

I'm sure I would notice a difference and I'll concede it may even be sufficient difference to convert me and begin my own ritual.

However, you'll need to come up with better arguments than this...


Deman, do you have a driving licence yet?

As with many things, it's not always black-and-white.

Do winter tyres give better grip in cold weather? Yes. If money were no object would it be sensible to fit winter tyres to UK-based cars? Yes. But reality is more nuanced.

If you expect to drive in snow (eg travel to the Alps etc or based in rural Scotland) then winter tyres are probably a given. I bought a set for a previous car in advance of driving to Austria one winter and was 'converted'. If you're based in the South-East of England, and can afford to leave the car at home in poor weather - maybe not worth it. But those are the 'extremes'. Is it worthwhile for other owners? Depends on many things. Winter tyres provide better grip/braking distances etc at temps below 7 degrees. But I've not noticed much difference between summer and winter tyres on wet roads in the UK - because I've not driven at the limit/needed emergency braking (although the difference when there has been snow and ice is remarkable). That doesn't mean I'm not pleased to have the winter tyres on the car though. You're not illegal on summer tyres in those conditions, but it's your call how much you value optimum braking etc. If you expect to keep your car long enough to have to change a set of tyres at least once then having winter tyres becomes more cost-neutral and hence the benefits tend to outweigh the cost. I'm in that position and hence feel that all I've done is bring forward the cost of tyre replacement, not increased it.

All of which means that it would be foolish to make winter tyres mandatory in the UK (although doubtless the tyre industry would love that). But even for those who don't drive to the mountains each winter, many of them might benefit from having winter tyres. It's really just an extension of the argument about whether to go for premium tyres because of their better wet-weather grip or opt for cheap budget tyres 'because they do almost as well and I don't thrash the car', or whatever. Ultimately it's your call, but I am one of those 'converts' to winter tyres, who will fit them as the temperature drops below 7 degrees, and will continue to drive according to the conditions but with increased confidence.

So - it's your call, but I will continue to fit winter tyres each year (and buy a new set when I replace the car). I certainly feel more confident when it's icy than I would otherwise. Oh - and I have a set of four winter wheels

[XCeed]

Of all the 30 odd million cars on the roads, I wonder how many get fitted with winter tyres every year. Very few, I suspect. Most drivers get by just fine without, simply driving much more sensibly when necessary - an approach alien to many. That’s not to say that winter tyres are not better - it’s just that they are by no means essential, as is the case with so many driving aids/fads. I have driven for nearly 50 years (in winters that really WERE winters) and never had an accident in any conditions. I did swallow the hype and used winter tyres for three winters not so long ago, but really couldn’t see much difference! It might be worthwhile if we had more snow in this country, but as so many people point out they know they won’t see any snow once they have put on their tyres.