I'm impressed...

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by simonjedrake

A friend in an X5 4x4 has had so much trouble recently in the snow, but then he does have Summer Tyres thinking that all he needed was 4x4...........

Yup, I was kind of similar, although was aware of the limitations of summers, although wasn't expecting the P Zeros to be so bad...!!

Regards

[Qatar kid]

Originally Posted by Lippy r design

Hi guys, I am currently running Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D on my XC60, we have had about 3 inches of snow here in Holland where I currently live, the main roads are cleared but the housing estate roads are untouched. Although we supposedly live in the flat area there is a nice hill to drive up to go to work which isn't cleared, the XC is 2wd and I can say I am mightely impressed, no problems at all, i Can't say this for the Range Rover I passed which was stuck. I am off to Bavaria Skiing for a week on Sunday and i think this will be the real test, fingers crossed, mind I have my snow chains just in case. When i return I will let you know how i got on.

The Ranger must have been either a) driven by a moron or b) on stupid big blingy wheels and low profile tyres. I've had both and a RR on standard size wheels and tyres in 3 inches of snow on an incline without any system failures, just wouldn't get stuck in my actual experience, and I'm not bigging up me, just the vehicles capabilities, and the fact the L30 I had 03 plate had M/S tyres as standard.

[Lippy r design]

All I can say is the underneath was frozen and 3 inches fresh snow on top, no idea what tyres he had, again no idea if he had mechanical problems, but he was still stuck. Probably something to do with the way these crazy Dutch Barstewards drive.

[John Steed]

Some interesting/ useful comments here. Having done around 300 miles in the snow from Sat-Mon over a variety of roads in Berks and Wilts (ranging from clear motorways to icy minor roads/ hills), I have to say the performance of my D5 AWD XC60 with standard P Zeros was pretty good. I have slid more on icy roads in a LWB Land Rover with off-road tyres! I think it boils down to what you want/ expect from the car. If you really need regular off-road capability you need off-road tyres, but the P Zeros seem fine for most purposes, including moderately muddy fields and occasional snow. The ABS cuts in very quickly, but was stopping me in a straight line on packed ice with no trouble. I would bow to anyone's superior knowledge, but I'm not sure that winter tyres (rather than off-road tyres) would be any less vulnerable to clogged treads in snow and ice, which is when the control vanishes; AWD doesn't necessarily help then.

No one has mentioned snow chains or socks. Has anyone used them over the past few days? If so, how effective are they?

[Lippy r design]

I have a set of chains ready to go just in case when in Bavaria, I used them on my Nissan car whilst there last year, and they where great, hopefully I won't need them this year but who knows.

[carlh]

Late to this thread, but bought car last week - came with Conti Cross Contact (4mm tread) - I've been across black ice and 6 inches of snow and it has performed brilliantly. Soft foot and 2nd gear out and on slopes and it has not failed once. Careful does it, works for me.

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by Lippy r design

I have a set of chains ready to go just in case when in Bavaria, I used them on my Nissan car whilst there last year, and they where great, hopefully I won't need them this year but who knows.

Be VERY careful with the chains as they must be front and top chains only. If you use chains that go down the rear of the wheels you will wreck your car.

Volvo state very clearly that you must use approved backless chains for this reason.

Hopefully this will save you and others from large bills

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by John Steed

Some interesting/ useful comments here. Having done around 300 miles in the snow from Sat-Mon over a variety of roads in Berks and Wilts (ranging from clear motorways to icy minor roads/ hills), I have to say the performance of my D5 AWD XC60 with standard P Zeros was pretty good. I have slid more on icy roads in a LWB Land Rover with off-road tyres! I think it boils down to what you want/ expect from the car. If you really need regular off-road capability you need off-road tyres, but the P Zeros seem fine for most purposes, including moderately muddy fields and occasional snow. The ABS cuts in very quickly, but was stopping me in a straight line on packed ice with no trouble. I would bow to anyone's superior knowledge, but I'm not sure that winter tyres (rather than off-road tyres) would be any less vulnerable to clogged treads in snow and ice, which is when the control vanishes; AWD doesn't necessarily help then.

No one has mentioned snow chains or socks. Has anyone used them over the past few days? If so, how effective are they?

Have you looked at this thread?

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=171239

Seems that most people would disagree with you

[John Steed]

Yes, I've seen that. I can only stand by my own experience, though. The XC60 is by far the most sure-footed car I have ever driven; not up to a "real" Land Rover for extensive cross-country work, but it doesn't pretend to be.

[richy2]

I was more than happy with the Pirelli's last winter, as noted it depends how you drive and what you expect from them, generally speaking I had zero drama with them, they also performed well all summer in wet, grassy and muddy fields. As good as a winter tyre in a direct comparison in the weather today no put perfectly adequate imho. Drive badly with them and they of course won't be as forgiving as driving badly on winter tyres 😉