V70 Wheels/Tyres: Winter Tyres

[Jim314]

It sounds like your 2.4L non-turbo (170 hp?) has the small discs, and the Volvo dealer correctly identified them as such, and correctly determined that the 15" wheels would fit.

I believe that the standard OE wheel for this model is one of the 15" wheels here with 195/65-15 tyres. This would mean that the non-turbo 2.4L 5-cyl models are usually built with the small discs and associated hardware. This is what is on my US spec 2004 V70 2.4L non-turbo.

Perhaps the original purchaser upgraded to 17" wheels as part of the sales agreement or perhaps, if it was in dealer inventory and wasn't attracting interest, the dealer put the 17" wheels on as an eye-catcher.

I can roughly measure the discs on my front wheels by holding a mm ruler across a front wheel and looking through the openings in my 'Saurus' wheels, and what I get is consistent with 286 mm.

Addn in editing

I wonder what steering limiters your vehicle has? See here. If the vehicle originally had the blue color coded ones on and they were not changed for the 225/45-17 tyres, then you would get a tighter turning circle when you mount 195/65-15 tyres. If you have the thicker ones, you could switch for the winter and see if the V70 is changed. Use a torch and examine the lower front insides of the front wheels from the front. It helps to turn the wheels part way to one side.

[Fordy]

I bought Star Performer tyres 18 months ago. They had a good rating, which has now disappeared, which was close to the Vredestein's that were my first choice but were twice the price. They've worked in Greece in the summer, and snow swept UK last winter. I live at a bottom of a hill and watched many BMW's and Mercs try and fail to drive out of the estate when it was covered in snow and ice and the Volvo had no problems.

Same tyre in 195/65/15 are very cheap.

Test here.

[Jim314]

My wife related to me her experience in about 1985 of climbing a long icy hill in our FWD 1981 Pontiac Phoenix. She said she weaved among all the Mercs and BMWs which were spinning wheels slewing sideways. One driver in one of these stared into her eyes with frustration and anger.

I had a conversation a while back with a fan of old RWD Volvos. I defended my FWD V70 on the basis that FWD was much superior on ice. He claimed his old RWD Volvos handled Colorado winters very well if he put sufficient weight in the boot. I cannot remember the weight, but I'd guess it would have to be 200 to 300 lb at least.

I wonder if that would enable these Mercs and BMWs to climb icy hills.

[Bill_56]

I'm told it's even more satisfying to cruise up a snowy/icy hill on winter tyres, past a stranded 4WD 'SUV' on summer tyres. I've seen it claimed that's a common occurrence and I look forwards to it immensely should I ever experience it. The thing is, 2 driven wheels with reasonable grip will always be far superior to 4 driven wheels with hardly any grip at all.

On a more serious note, however, one does have to worry about the fact that whilst the car on winter tyres may be able to stop quickly in a crisis, the vehicle in the rear view mirror, SUV or otherwise, if it's on summer tyres, may not pull up very sharply at all. Just something to bear in mind...

[Voyager03]

Presumably there will be some legal reason in the UK so that you need to change all 4 wheels and tyres even though a fwd car is just dragging the rear wheels around?

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Bill_56

On a more serious note, however, one does have to worry about the fact that whilst the car on winter tyres may be able to stop quickly in a crisis, the vehicle in the rear view mirror, SUV or otherwise, if it's on summer tyres, may not pull up very sharply at all. Just something to bear in mind...

No. If they can't stop in time then they are driving too close. That situation would result in a snow shovel round their temple (joke). Last year I was driving normally up a hill on my winter tyres as a panic stricken lady in an Astra slid across the road towards me, wheels locked. I just sped up a bit and went in front of her as she hit the kerb behind me. You do need to keep your wits about you for other morons who haven't prepared as well as yourself!

[Bill_56]

Originally Posted by Voyager03

Presumably there will be some legal reason in the UK so that you need to change all 4 wheels and tyres even though a fwd car is just dragging the rear wheels around?

A fwd car still relies quite heavily on the adhesion of the back wheels for safe cornering and braking. The imbalance caused by winter tyres at front only sounds like a recipe for disaster to me, which could become apparent at the first bend in the road.

That said I may be wrong, but I don't think there's any legal requirement to fit all 4 wheels. However you ought to get agreement of your insurance company when fitting winter tyres (because they nearly always have a lower speed rating). They may well insist on all 4 wheels.

Incidentally, insurance can be a struggle as most UK call-centre staff will have no idea what winter tyres are. Mine initially tried to charge me a substantial additional premium owing to that lower speed rating and the non-original (steel) wheels. After going through the official complaints procedure the charge was refunded with grovelling apologies, an admission that it had all been a mistake, and a promise that call-centre staff would receive additional training in future.

[S60D5-185]

For anyone wanting to mount a couple of winter tyres i have :-

For sale 2 Metis Alloys 16" 7Jx16x49 with Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response 215/55/16 tyres which have loads of life left in them and have worn evenly.

The wheels are in super condition with VERY minimal marking. One has a mark on the face of the alloy but it is barely noticeable.

These will be ideal to use for mounting winter or Mud and Snow tyres on or as replacements for damaged rims if you are already using Metis Rims

I am looking for £45 each and can post for an additional £10 each. Collection from Durham is more than welcome. 07968272922

[v_matt_v]

I think winter tyres should be an obligation in most of the European countries, including UK. Last year the winter in Scotland was quite severe and I've seen quite a few people trying to force themselves to go uphill on full gas - it doesn't work like that.

I've got 4 winter tyres waiting already. There has been 2010 winter test:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article...-Tyre-Test.htm
You can read about best tyres. I would recommend:
1. Nokian WRG2
2. Dunlop Sport Winter M3
3. Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

These are the ones I've been using and I know them well. I didn't have problems with going uphill on these (if you use the right technique) at all.

By the way winter tyres are not only for snow. They've got more grooves (lamels) which means that they can pump out more water from underneath the tyre giving it a better traction. The best time for winter tyres mid-November till early March.

[Foreigner500]

>>By the way winter tyres are not only for snow.

What are the downsides of winter tyres when its not wet or snowing ? I guess trying to understand how practical it is to drive on them all winter when actually conditions might only be bad 20% of the time.