Winter Wheels fitted

[S90]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

.

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

Given it was tyre specialist who fitted them, and they could have easily talked me into buying 4 I very much doubt there is any bravery or stupidity involved. The rear wheels have zero drive, I don't drive normally in snow and have never had a n accident in snow or ice because of my driving. I need a bit of extra grip on the front to get up the hill outside the house.

The specialist told me that winter tyres only need to be fitted to drive wheels and that the fitting of them to non driven wheels has little effect. Sorry but I would rather accept their advice!

Having driven on recent ice on a back road the front felt a lot more grippy, the rear felt no different.

[MaDProFF]

Give it time S90

[MaDProFF]

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

You see, MaDProFF, if you genuinely know you will get home then the conditions cannot be that bad. There are times here in the Highlands I wouldn't have got home on tracks.

You do seem to have a view that you are immune to conditions if on winter tyres.

Try telling that to the drivers of 100's cars you see parked on the side of the road abandoned sometimes.

OFC it is only a drift that will stop you, but then get a shovel out, most do not even carry that in the boot, or a rope etc.

I agree I do not live in the highlands, but then I also prefer to stop quicker in cold conditions in the dry than you would driving on 4 bricks of summer tyres, Winter tyres are not all about snow.

There is a the fact that if you do not need to go out in the winter in your car, then do not bother, but some of us do have to venture out at 4 in the morning.

[I Feel Old]

Originally Posted by S90

The specialist told me that winter tyres only need to be fitted to drive wheels and that the fitting of them to non driven wheels has little effect. Sorry but I would rather accept their advice!

Dear oh dear.

Simply consider the front gripping and the back not, physics determines the car will want to change ends.

There really is no specialist knowledge required here.

Crucially the point missed is that it is NOT all about traction on the drive axle.

It IS about the friction between tyre and road on ALL 4 wheels.

If you won't believe us over your 'specialist', how about Michelin??

https://www.michelin.co.uk/winter/ho...yres-do-i-need

[MaDProFF]

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

Dear oh dear.

Simply consider the front gripping and the back not, physics determines the car will want to change ends.

There really is no specialist knowledge required here.

Crucially the point missed is that it is NOT all about traction on the drive axle.

It IS about the friction between tyre and road on ALL 4 wheels.

If you won't believe us over your 'specialist', how about Michelin??

https://www.michelin.co.uk/winter/ho...yres-do-i-need

Oh Dear I feel Old, but if Winter tyres are such a waste of time and you think they do not make a difference, or grip better? I am surprised you posted this post. lol

[I Feel Old]

MaDProFF, I think we will have to agree to disagree. Getting home with winter tyres has a slightly greater likelihood. However given the difference between being stuck with summer and winter I consider the difference of not getting home so insignificantly minuscule as it not being a consideration on whether to have winter tyres.

S90 is demonstrating very well how we all, me included, have a tendency to argue the case for the choices we make. Even when the evidence demonstrates otherwise.

So far the snow hasn't arrived here, but there's time.

On the positive side, at least we can see the risks of having different grip levels across axles.

On that note; S90, for the sake of any loved ones who may unsuspectingly get in the car with you this winter, please investigate this further.

[I Feel Old]

Originally Posted by MaDProFF

Oh Dear I feel Old, but if Winter tyres are such a waste of time and you think they do not make a difference, or grip better? I am surprised you posted this post. lol

Now where exactly did I say they were a waste of time???

I am questioning whether the benefits are sufficient to justify fitting them, particularly in the south of England.

That's rather naughty of you MaDProFF and again weakens your argument.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by S90

Given it was tyre specialist who fitted them, and they could have easily talked me into buying 4 I very much doubt there is any bravery or stupidity involved. The rear wheels have zero drive, I don't drive normally in snow and have never had a n accident in snow or ice because of my driving. I need a bit of extra grip on the front to get up the hill outside the house.

The specialist told me that winter tyres only need to be fitted to drive wheels and that the fitting of them to non driven wheels has little effect. Sorry but I would rather accept their advice!

Having driven on recent ice on a back road the front felt a lot more grippy, the rear felt no different.

Maybe he is a rally driver, turn into the round about, loads of grip on the front, bit of opposite lock.

LOL!!!

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

Now where exactly did I say they were a waste of time???

I am questioning whether the benefits are sufficient to justify fitting them, particularly in the south of England.

That's rather naughty of you MaDProFF and again weakens your argument.

For me running winter tyres enables me to drive on snow and slush like a summer day, totally transforms.

[Wizzpop]

I am of simple mind! Winter tyres are manufactured with a tread that disperses water quicker, and improves traction in snow and mud, compared to normal or summer tyres. They are also made with a rubber that is softer and is more flexible in temperatures below 10C. Therefore they will give better adhesion in the winter months.
The debate is whether they are worth the expense. Here on the south coast maybe not, although I did have them on my V40. I used them over 5 winters, and they still have nearly 7mm of tread, but my mileage these days is low.
However, if I was having to travel a lot over the winter months, especially in the early morning or late at night, I could justify the expense and it would extend the time before having to replace the summer tyres.