Winter Tyre Poll

[wimorrison]

I completely agree that the design of tyres today is the root cause of the problem.

The tyres are now made to have a low rolling resitsance to give better fuel consumption, they are designed for faster speeds and the compounds are much more complex than they were - plus as you say the width of tyres is greater meaning less load per square inch (or millimetre if you have metricated yourself )

All I know is that in the few years that I have had winter tyres (been on for 4 weeks now) I have found them to be invaluable.

[Lookas]

Originally Posted by Citizen.Agfa

With all due respect, bollox!

As the main point about a winter tyre is the way it retains flexibility in cold conditions then it should be obvious that the construction of the tyre is from softer materials, ergo you will still get excellent grip in the dry, in summer; unfortunately this is allied to truly appalling levels of tyre wear!

Citizen "Vredestein Snowtrac 3" Agfa.

Exactly.

I've been driving on winter tyres for the last 4 years (60k) without changing for summer ones only because I don't have a storage for them. This winter I'm putting new set.
Grip and handling in winter is so much superior to normal summer tyres, still you need a skills to drive in snowy condition!
In many many europeans countries (Germany) winter tyres are mandatory - for a reason!

[id5]

I had the joy of the M1 over the end of last week and yesterday in the heavy wet conditions that the UK is experiencing.

I had to slow down but not because of the rain but because I ended up being the fastest car and more likely to get a speeding ticket. The other drivers were obviously struggling with the standing water, both ponding and cross the road surface.

The winter tyre made it feel just like a light rainy day with steering wheel feedback telling you that you are going through water but the tyres staying glued to the road surface, no twitching or any feelings of insecurity.

That experience alone has confirmed to me that I need to get winter tyres for both mine and my wife’s car.

[volvorocks]

We have winter tyres, although since deciding to try them (just 2 seasons now) there has been no snow...!!!!......just rain.

Maybe if I fit extra specialist rain tyres........then it may stop raining......

Regards

[Brodick]

Winter tyres are for the winter tempratures aswell as the weather.
yes they are of assistance in the snow but they are of greater assistance at when the temp drops below 7oC. be it on seemingly dry roads, tcv roads, icey roads Winter tyres are the way to go.

Not yet fully convinced about using them in the summer, higher temps etc.
to me that would have a bad on the rubber, excessive wear, fuel economy etc

[ThomasXC60]

Statistically all us 4x4 drivers are more dangerous and cause more accidents in the snow, most people jump in their 4x4s and think they're invincible because they/we can get going when others can't, yet what's more important is steering and stopping, once under was there is no advantage of having 4WD, in fact we're heavier, have more inertia so greater stopping distances than say a mini, what makes the difference is the contact we have with the road - as Pirelli once said 'Power is nothing without control' - so winter tyres for me, we rarely have to do an emergency stop but the correct tyres could be the difference between an injury and a fatality.

Those who say winter tyres are just as good as summer tyres in the summer need to go and talk to a tyre manufacturer as they'll know more than you which is why they have different products. Winter tyres have far less rubber in contact with the road, the more rubber that touches the road the more grip, the extra tread makes it move about more too so reduces grip even more.

[Mountain Goat]

I had a set of Nokian WR G2's fitted a couple of weeks ago on the last day of the snow round my way. I managed to find a compacted snow & ice covered road nearby for a quick test. They seemed pretty good but not long enough for a conclusive test.
We've had another 2-3 inches of snow here overnight, so I've been out this morning looking for the most challenging hills and roads I could find.
Compared to my previous setup of Conti Contact UHP (front) and Pirelli PZero Rosso (rear), it's like night and day. I've been deliberately driving in the uncleared snow, not the cleared tracks from other cars and the control is amazing. Sure I can still get it to break away if I push it, but braking even down hill is so much safer. The tyres will skid a bit but soon find grip, whereas previously the slide would be completely uncontrollable.
It's pretty hilly round my way, and venturing out in these conditions would not have been a fun choice on the previous setup. I'll be going out this afternoon for further testing

[Pandamedic]

it's the 1st of April and my winter tyres are still on

[155mph]

Mine too - since November!

[christiaan]

Same here