S90 FWD Traction in Ice/Snow

[Wizzpop]

Originally Posted by skippyfox

All the 4X4 tech in the world is no good to you, unless you have the right rubber for winter conditions

And remembering the laws of physics. A spinning wheel has less grip than a stationary one. Low engine revs, second or even third gear (manual box required) gentle on the clutch to stop wheelspin, and you can get up gentle slopes with any good tyre.

[Davebbass]

Originally Posted by deepsix

Shouldn't have to look back, not many will be following you anyway unless they're on winters too

Haha true! I'm not as fussed about the getting going, though it is nice! But stopping and going round corners safely interests me more. I still employ proper snow driving techniques, as winter tyres help massively but they're still limited by physics. I see people with winter tyres fall into the same trap 4x4 drivers do, they assume they're invincible. Once you're unstuck, you're going to have a job getting it back... you'll just get it back a bit sooner on winters.

[Bashy]

I always put winter (S&M) on the front at the very least, they make the world of difference, and will pass many a gridlock due to summer tyre drivers. I wouldnt go for All season though, they must be Winter (S&M) tyres.

I also carry a set of snow chains too but not needed them since that bad snow in 2010 i think it was...

PSi dont recommend using all year round cause the compound is not suited to anything but cold, snow or mud grip. At the very least, make sure to get rain grip C anything higher and even dry traction will be pants, on my last 1.9 DCI Laguna, i had Pirelli Winters on, anything other than snow, grip was pants, setting off from a standstill at a roundabout in the summer (bone dry) it would still spin some, rain pants, snow and mud, excellent lol, i just modified my driving to suit.

[Davebbass]

I'd sooner have no winter tyres at all than only on the front. Even on a front drive car, there's plenty of research (along with basic physics) to show that having poor grip on the rear of a front drive car and still be pretty catastrophic. All well and good being able to go, but stopping can become tetchy and steering gives you a very tail happy car. Problem is, those getting CrossClimates are happy with them just on the drive wheels until it's too late.

I know a guy who's got winter tyres just on the back of his rear drive car... can't wait to see what in the snow. It'll go, but won't stop or steer!

I'm in the same camp that it must be M/S tyres though, 4 seasons don't appeal to me in the slightest. Cost wise, it's a tiny difference anyway so as long as I'm willing to store tyres, I'm happy with having two sets.

[Bashy]

Originally Posted by Davebbass

I'd sooner have no winter tyres at all than only on the front. Even on a front drive car, there's plenty of research (along with basic physics) to show that having poor grip on the rear of a front drive car and still be pretty catastrophic. All well and good being able to go, but stopping can become tetchy and steering gives you a very tail happy car. Problem is, those getting CrossClimates are happy with them just on the drive wheels until it's too late.

I know a guy who's got winter tyres just on the back of his rear drive car... can't wait to see what in the snow. It'll go, but won't stop or steer!

I'm in the same camp that it must be M/S tyres though, 4 seasons don't appeal to me in the slightest. Cost wise, it's a tiny difference anyway so as long as I'm willing to store tyres, I'm happy with having two sets.

work fine for me, its down to how you drive, stupid mistakes like hard cornering etc then yeah, youre gonna have issues, if youre steady eddie, then you have no issues, if you have summer on and i have winter just on the fronts, i know whos getting home and who aint

as for just on the rear, thats plain crazy talk

[Bendolfc]

Winters on just the fronts sounds like an accident waiting to happen as the back steps out.

Wonder what your insurance company would make of that.

[kdst5]

Suggest everyone has a look at this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKtnczk8Mxk if they have not already. But in summary it seems a all season tyre is a good compromise for those of us in the south of England who may get snow a few days of a year and in winter where the temperature fluctuate wildly. As you go further north where it is generally colder and more likely to snow then there is an argument for fitting winter tyres in winter.

[Davebbass]

Originally Posted by Bashy

work fine for me, its down to how you drive, stupid mistakes like hard cornering etc then yeah, youre gonna have issues, if youre steady eddie, then you have no issues, if you have summer on and i have winter just on the fronts, i know whos getting home and who aint

Until someone cuts you up and you have to brake hard, goodbye back end.

I'd rather get home on foot than potentially total the car... I have proper winters all round without fail anyway.

[Bashy]

Ok, look at it this way, do you fit chains to all 4 wheels on a FWD car or? and back to you guys......

[Ringthane]

Ah, winter tyre thread. How I’ve missed you.

Don’t kick it all off, before I’ve come back with the popcorn.