Winter tyres fitted

[Archdog]

I have just bought a (nearly) new V90 Cross Country which has the usual summer tyres. As it has done less than 5000 miles I want to keep them on at least for this winter, although I will probably change to Cross Climates when they are worn.
What i want to ask is, in the event of significant snow should I use the off road drivers mode (for the benefit of Hill Descent Control?) or just trust the 'normal' Comfort mode?

[gaby]

You would best leave the car in the gagage and not risk other people's lives.

[Mugglebeard]

Originally Posted by gaby

You would best leave the car in the gagage and not risk other people's lives.

A curious comment. I think that the V90CC should be competent enough, with suitably cautious driving, to manage a Midlands winter. I picked mine up this afternoon and I am expecting it to manage a typical English winter.

[ulstrup]

Originally Posted by Mugglebeard

A curious comment. I think that the V90CC should be competent enough, with suitably cautious driving, to manage a Midlands winter. I picked mine up this afternoon and I am expecting it to manage a typical English winter.

there is a reason why Germany, Denmark and I believe Belgium and Holland has made winter tires compulsory.

- below 7°c the summer tires gum become harder thus less grip. sub 0 your grip is less than 50% of what it is above 7°
-stopping distance below 7° on wet surface is much shorter with proper winter tires
- on snow the handling and the stopping distance are not comparable.

you will probably manage a typical English winter, if it's not too snowy, with your summer tires but you will be much safer with winter tires..

[gaby]

Originally Posted by Mugglebeard

A curious comment. I think that the V90CC should be competent enough, with suitably cautious driving, to manage a Midlands winter. I picked mine up this afternoon and I am expecting it to manage a typical English winter.

My response was probably a bit harsh, but I feel there is something wrong to spend so much money on a car and not invest
in tyres adapted to all possible situations. I doubt that temperatures in your area will never become quite low, so what will you
do when you are on location and snow falls? You will drive home. The chance that this will lead to an accident is small, but
there is an inverse correlation between the likelihood of something to happen and the consequences of it.
The saved cost of not having bought is probably lost a number of times if the car hits somthing, let alone if it hits a person.
Having an AWD car may be misleading, it doesn't help the car to stop.

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by gaby

Having an AWD car may be misleading, it doesn't help the car to stop.

Very true. I'm tired of trying to explain to people that an AWD car on summer tyres is no better (and much worse for handling and braking) than a FWD car with winter tyres fitted.

[jmot]

whats scary about winter tyres is how quickly you stop versus the toolbag in the x5 behind you who thinks he's invincible on a slippy morning

[NewV90Owner]

I have a V90 CC on 19s.

Can anyone recommend reasonably cheap winter wheels/tyres? The Volvo ones will be very expensive.

Could anyone recommend good winter tyres for my 19 inch wheels? The size is 235/50 R19

Thanks

[neon]

Originally Posted by jmot

whats scary about winter tyres is how quickly you stop versus the toolbag in the x5 behind you who thinks he's invincible on a slippy morning

I find a lot of drivers today are just not winter wise as we have had so many mild winters and the roads are being gritted much more. Also many more cars are automatic. The slightest bit of untreated ice or snow and there are incidents everywhere as drivers do not or cannot adapt their driving style to the conditions.

[familymangreg]

Originally Posted by jmot

whats scary about winter tyres is how quickly you stop versus the toolbag in the x5 behind you who thinks he's invincible on a slippy morning

Oh yes! X5's and snow/ice just do not get on. The great fat rear wheels just don't dig in at all. We had an A6 quattro with 255 all round and an X5 with 275 front and 315 year. The A6 avant without winter tyres amazed me at the snow covered lanes it would climb (even to the point we ripped off the under tray as it powered through such deep snow). The X5 wouldn't even get to the bottom of the hill.

:wq