Anbody getting winter tyres

Just to clarify a few points on here.

Summer tyres work best with temperatures above 7 deg C

Winter tyres work best with Temps below 7 deg c

The real actual outlay for winter tyres is only the set of wheels they go on (£135 from ebay) as whilst they are on - you are extending the life of your summer tyres by not using them. So the real cost is just the additional wheels that you wouldnt have had.

Upsides of winters - much better grip in the cold - wet, dry, icy or snow.

Downsides - they wear much quicker when its warmer - so as soon as the temp gets above about 7 deg c average swap them back.

This is quite clearly a marketing video - but gives an idea of the differences

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wTg0l3_wI&NR=1

I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks for my BMW. Its hilarious seeing all these 4*4 owners thinking they're invulnerable on summer tyres, then shooting past them in my rear wheel drive BMW whilst they are struggling.

And as to insurance companies - yes. Mine (and most) only want you to tell them when you do it. As long as you keep to the manufactturers standard (sizes and ratings) everything will be fine.
 
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mxfun said:
Have any of you who fitted snow or non standard tyres informed your insurance company .
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See this artical I fit winter tyre sizes as recommended by the manufacturer in my car handbook (in fact same size as summer tyres)
 
barneyrubble said:
The real actual outlay for winter tyres is only the set of wheels they go on (£135 from ebay) as whilst they are on - you are extending the life of your summer tyres by not using them. So the real cost is just the additional wheels that you wouldnt have had.
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sure, over time youre right the costs would be better however the initial outlay for 4 wheels and 4 tyres plus fitting (plus tracking, depending) isnt cheap.

its not something that everyone can afford.

plus not everyone has storage for 4 wheels that arent in use, im sure the OH wouldnt like them in the corner of the lounge.. :suspect:
 
neil_g said:
plus not everyone has storage for 4 wheels that arent in use, im sure the OH wouldnt like them in the corner of the lounge.. :suspect:
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You could stick a rubber plant in the hole in the middle and tell her it's leaked? :thinking:
 
neil_g said:
sure, over time youre right the costs would be better however the initial outlay for 4 wheels and 4 tyres plus fitting (plus tracking, depending) isnt cheap.

its not something that everyone can afford.

plus not everyone has storage for 4 wheels that arent in use, im sure the OH wouldnt like them in the corner of the lounge.. :suspect:
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It all depends on how much you want/need them.

The reality is that you can do it in stages like I did. I bought the alloys, then the tyres when I could afford them, and then got them fitted. Fitting and balancing was £10 a tyre.

Photography is an expensive hobby, and whilst there are those that do it on a shoestring, there's not that many on here thatcould not afford to spend £75 a month over 4 months to improve their winter safety.

As for storage, many garages will do it for £40 a year, some include swapping them round for yo for that price.
 
I've got a set that have been on my 530 Touring for the last couple of winters, and they'll be going on my M5 soon. The difference they make is staggering. Worth every penny IMO.
 
Ditto, winter tyres on my Focus (2.0 Tdi) last year, best purchase I ever made. Insurance Co told last year will do so again this year.
KwikFit bagged my summer tyres last year so no storage issues, no problem getting the summer ones back on earlier this year, winter's are going on 31/10 due to too high mid-day temperatures at present and planning on going to Wales next weekend so they wouldnt like the day time temps. I have driven them when temp was 14c and they were fine but dont fancy a long trip with them on at that temp before winter really starts. Staying at home isnt an option for me, self employed on customer site means 55 mile trip (each way - daily) to work, mostly MWay but a bit of country roads too which were fun last year, plus we're on an Industial site which gets no grit etc during winter, lots of people couldnt get offsite at times last year, I could - easily. Drove round lots of 4x4's on summer tyres.
Well worth the expense.

Matt
 
I considered doing this last year but luckily we only had one bad bout of snow/ice here.

My old focus wasn't too bad, tyre size of 195/60/15 weren't to bad in the snow but I've just bought a newer focus, it has the titanium alloys and the tyre size is 225/40/18 which I don't think will be particularly great on the white stuff!

To compound (pardon the pun) the dilemma about winter tyres, I've just stuck 4 brand new uniroyal on so funds are a little depleted right now.

May get some snow socks that Asda are doing for £35 at the mo, although I would rather not run on the newly refurbished alloys this winter........
 
Snowsocks are great for getting you out of a problem, but shouldnt be used once you get on a main road thats gritted. So basically, you put them on - get yourelf out of trouble, take them off.

Added to which, whilst doing this on one side of the car there could be traffic rushing by on icy roads less than a foot away.

Also, with larger alloys, you may struggle getting the snowsocks on and off with limited arch clearance.

Plus, whilst i would be happy doing this, I share the car with my Mrs, and she wouldnt do it - especially with the kids in the car.

So in summary, they'll get you out of trouble but are a bit of hassle.
 
barneyrubble said:
Snowsocks are great for getting you out of a problem, but shouldnt be used once you get on a main road thats gritted. So basically, you put them on - get yourelf out of trouble, take them off.

Added to which, whilst doing this on one side of the car there could be traffic rushing by on icy roads less than a foot away.

Also, with larger alloys, you may struggle getting the snowsocks on and off with limited arch clearance.

Plus, whilst i would be happy doing this, I share the car with my Mrs, and she wouldnt do it - especially with the kids in the car.

So in summary, they'll get you out of trouble but are a bit of hassle.
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TBH these are the same thoughts as I'm having, the only difference being the it's unlikely the missus would drive it and there wouldn't be any kids involved.

Finances are non-existent after purchasing the car and spending nearly £500 on new tyres (the ones on there when I bought it consisted of Nexens on the rear, a Marshall on the f/n/s and a "zeeteck" on the f/o/s which I couldn't even find on google :gag: )

I'm thinking that in the first instance socks would get me out of trouble, if the roads are that bad I'll work from home and if the winter does get as bad as people are saying then I'll sell a kidney and get some steelies and winter tyres :lol:
 
Russ77 said:
TBH these are the same thoughts as I'm having, the only difference being the it's unlikely the missus would drive it and there wouldn't be any kids involved.

Finances are non-existent after purchasing the car and spending nearly £500 on new tyres (the ones on there when I bought it consisted of Nexens on the rear, a Marshall on the f/n/s and a "zeeteck" on the f/o/s which I couldn't even find on google :gag: )

I'm thinking that in the first instance socks would get me out of trouble, if the roads are that bad I'll work from home and if the winter does get as bad as people are saying then I'll sell a kidney and get some steelies and winter tyres :lol:
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Sounds like a plan. Just spend a little whenever you can on getting set up for next winter. Alloys from ebay are cheap, secondhand winter tyres from ebay are reasonable (make sure you get 5mm+). You could get the whole setup pretty reasonably when you can afford it.
 
barneyrubble said:
Sounds like a plan. Just spend a little whenever you can on getting set up for next winter. Alloys from ebay are cheap, secondhand winter tyres from ebay are reasonable (make sure you get 5mm+). You could get the whole setup pretty reasonably when you can afford it.
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Yeah, might have to visit the money tree :lol:

I looked on blackcircles the other day and the cheapest winter tyre/wheel set up thye did worked out to around £100 per corner but will definitely give eBay a look ;)
 
I've got a set ready to go on my 1 series. I bought a set of 16" BMW steel wheels from ebay for £50 and a set of Nankang Snow SV2 tyres from mytyres.co.uk
I got pretty stuck last year and now I've moved out of the city there will be less gritted roads so I think they're really important for me. Speaking to other 1series owners they are definitely worth it as they give better traction when temp is less than 7deg; they last longer than summers when it's cold; when you using the winters your summers aren't getting used so there isn't actually any additional cost involved other than the extra set of wheels which shouldn't significantly depreciate.
 
Being a bit thick here! why do you need a new set of wheels to run winter tyres? Can't you just have the winter tyres put on the current wheels and store the normal tyres? I

I've got Mini cooper and last year managed okay with normal run flats apart from one day I just couldn't get up the access road to my house but neither could anyone else! However they were brand new tyres last year so just wondering whether its worth considering putting winter tyres on as my company isn't very helpful when it comes to snow days!
 
Blackwijet said:
Being a bit thick here! why do you need a new set of wheels to run winter tyres? Can't you just have the winter tyres put on the current wheels and store the normal tyres? I

I've got Mini cooper and last year managed okay with normal run flats apart from one day I just couldn't get up the access road to my house but neither could anyone else! However they were brand new tyres last year so just wondering whether its worth considering putting winter tyres on as my company isn't very helpful when it comes to snow days!
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You could do - but wiuth runflats being harder walled they're not as good in the snow anyway. Also, you run the risk of having some tyre monkey damage your alloys when swapping the tyres over.

Plus - you need to get someone else to do it - if you have 2 sets you can be done in an hour yourself.
 
Blackwijet said:
Being a bit thick here! why do you need a new set of wheels to run winter tyres? Can't you just have the winter tyres put on the current wheels and store the normal tyres? I

I've got Mini cooper and last year managed okay with normal run flats apart from one day I just couldn't get up the access road to my house but neither could anyone else! However they were brand new tyres last year so just wondering whether its worth considering putting winter tyres on as my company isn't very helpful when it comes to snow days!
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There's a 2 fold reason....... Wide, low profile tyres are next to useless in the snow/ice, you need a narrow, high profile tyre with different tread design in snow.

So really you need different wheel/tyre combo to make it worthwhile.

The second reason is that using a different set of wheels protects your "decent" alloys from the salt that's put on the road in the winter and if you bounce off the occasional kurb on steel wheels it's no big deal ;)
 
I just use my van in the snow. Never gets stuck on its (summer) 175R14 van tyres.
 
Reading this thread, it seems a good idea to get a spare set of wheels and then get winter tyres on them. Also thinking, as I drive a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which doesn't have a spare wheel, it would be useful for the rest of the year to have a spare wheel handy.

Anyone got any particular guidance when it comes to buying these wheels, on ebay, or elsewhere?

Thanks,

John
 
johnnypanic said:
Reading this thread, it seems a good idea to get a spare set of wheels and then get winter tyres on them. Also thinking, as I drive a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which doesn't have a spare wheel, it would be useful for the rest of the year to have a spare wheel handy.

Anyone got any particular guidance when it comes to buying these wheels, on ebay, or elsewhere?

Thanks,

John
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If you're changing tyre size, you need to get a wheel/tyre combo that has a similar circumference to the original. For instance my current tyre size is 225/40/18, I would need to get something like a 205/55/16 or 195/60/15 to keep my speedo from massively over/under reading ( http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html )

You would also need to make sure the wheels have the correct stud pattern (usually 4 or 5 stud) and offset which is whether the part of the wheel that attaches to the hub is nearer to the front/rear edge of the wheel. If the offset is wrong the wheels could stick too far our and if you can look down from above the wheel arch and see tyre tread then the car's an MOT failure/unroadworthy so this is quite important ;)

Tyre-wise I'd take a look on somewhere like www.tyrereviews.co.uk to see which tyres people recommend (pretty much all tyres can be found on here not just winter ones)
 
Also, if fitting smaller diameter wheels you need to make sure the wheel actually clears the brake callipers...
 
onomatopoeia said:
Also, if fitting smaller diameter wheels you need to make sure the wheel actually clears the brake callipers...
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Cracking point!!!

I was thinking of dropping to a 14" wheel for winter but that might just scupper my plans :lol:
 
nilagin said:
I only got stuck in the snow once last year, snow was right upto the side skirts on my car, took 5 minutes to get snow socks on front tyres, drive out of snow, snow socks off again and I was away. My tyres are Conti Contact Sport 3 225/40x18 so I was amazed at how good they were in the snow, never slid once. I even managed 40-50mph in falling snow on the outside lane of the M25 where everyone else feared to drive, at times the offside was driving through snow and the near side just wet road and there was still no loss of traction. So no I won't be getting winter tyres, I'll just keep the snow socks in the boot should I ever need them.
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+1 for snow socks, I usually buy a "winter hack" for driving in the winter as well, winter tyres are all well and good, but it doesnt stop some so-and-so sliding into you and denting your pride and joy.

so rather than spend the £4-500+ on winter tyres and rims, I just buy a cheap car to do me through the winter, then sell again in the spring when I get my P+J out the garage.
 
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onomatopoeia said:
I just use my van in the snow. Never gets stuck on its (summer) 175R14 van tyres.
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That's what my work van has and it's pants in the snow ,luckly I've never been stuck up till now ,the rears are needing to be replace after 46,230mls
 
mxfun said:
That's what my work van has and it's pants in the snow ,luckly I've never been stuck up till now ,the rears are needing to be replace after 46,230mls
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Mine is 4wd and rear-engined, with a crawler gear ;)

Suprised a police officer last winter as I did a hill start on snow to drive past her while she was trying to close the road as being impassable :naughty:.
 
The dealership where i work is pushing them hard this year. You ought to know that as far as price goes we are retailing them at the same price as summer tyres basically because they cost the same from tyre suppliers. So if anyone is getting stupidly high prices then you are being ripped off. That said dont expect any discount because demand is high and supply not so.
 
Lynton said:
yeah , we were setting up things today for influx of flood damage calls etc.........

to all the car guys..........

my current tyres are 205/45/15 - were on it when i got it......

closest I can find are 195/65/15..... i am assuming too much profile difference there. Is 195 an issue for rim width? should i consider?
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D'oh! Make that 195/45/15's..........
 
Having read this thread, I do have a question...
I can see why Snow Socks work brilliantly on front wheel drive.
But would they help on my (cough) BMW 520d Touring?

It is the worst car I've ever owned for driving on snow; embarrassed me hugely last winter when I failed to get to the start of a day out with the TP Welsh Loonies.
As already pointed out, stupid wide low profile run flat tyres with no weight on them pushing 2 1/3 tonnes of car.
I was joking with the Welsh Loonies last weekend; if we have another meet in the snow then I'll fill the back with sacks of coal before I set out.

If Snow Socks will work on my car then it would be worth carry a set, just in case I meet similar conditions this winter.
 
DuncanDisorderly said:
Having read this thread, I do have a question...
I can see why Snow Socks work brilliantly on front wheel drive.
But would they help on my (cough) BMW 520d Touring?

It is the worst car I've ever owned for driving on snow; embarrassed me hugely last winter when I failed to get to the start of a day out with the TP Welsh Loonies.
As already pointed out, stupid wide low profile run flat tyres with no weight on them pushing 2 1/3 tonnes of car.
I was joking with the Welsh Loonies last weekend; if we have another meet in the snow then I'll fill the back with sacks of coal before I set out.

If Snow Socks will work on my car then it would be worth carry a set, just in case I meet similar conditions this winter.
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They'll work on the rear wheels if you're stuck but it all depends if you want to get out again when you reach the Tarmac , I bet loads think I'm not going out there again and rip them to shreds

When empty my truck is hopeless in the wet and snow is just a joke but these winter tyres have much more grip when moving off in the wet

It might be worth considering a set of winter tyres on a rwd BMW
 
Having been in the tyre industry for 20+ years the fact is you get what you pay for with tyres.

If you buy cheap far eastern imports you will not get the performance of a Michelin/Conti etc. Neither will you get the mileage or wet/dry weather performance.

If you want grip you will lose mileage - fact...whether that be from a softer/less dense tread area, or a 'chunky' water clearing pattern.

Narrower tyres work better in adverse conditions as they 'cut' through water/mud/snow - look at WRC cars.

Wide low profile tyres are fine in the dry but unless they have an efficient tread pattern are seriously compromised in bad weather and will catch the unwary out.

The market for Winter tyres has never been particularly great in the Uk with the exception of Scotland - if you drive to the conditions everyday tyres (usually designated M&S - not the high street clothes shop), are fine for most winter weather.

Check the condition of your tyres at least weekly and maintain them at the recommended pressure - don't be tempted to run them at lower pressures as they will not work as intended to clear water/snow and will wear out quicker than they should - the vast majority of tyre 'blow-outs" are caused by tyres overheating due to poor maintenance and or punctures.

Do not buy second hand tyres - it's a false economy and think about it - it's not second hand because someone has become fed up with it.....unlike cameras!

And a final word -

Fitting winter tyres does not mean you will not get stuck if you drive like an idiot!:cuckoo:
 
Russ77 said:
If you're changing tyre size, you need to get a wheel/tyre combo that has a similar circumference to the original. For instance my current tyre size is 225/40/18, I would need to get something like a 205/55/16 or 195/60/15 to keep my speedo from massively over/under reading ( http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html )

You would also need to make sure the wheels have the correct stud pattern (usually 4 or 5 stud) and offset which is whether the part of the wheel that attaches to the hub is nearer to the front/rear edge of the wheel. If the offset is wrong the wheels could stick too far our and if you can look down from above the wheel arch and see tyre tread then the car's an MOT failure/unroadworthy so this is quite important ;)

Tyre-wise I'd take a look on somewhere like www.tyrereviews.co.uk to see which tyres people recommend (pretty much all tyres can be found on here not just winter ones)
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:plusone:

Although tyres protruding outside the wheel arch may not in itself get you a fail - it's more likely a consideration of the tyre fouling the bodywork when steering or when the suspension is at full deflection for example when carrying 5 adults.

Do they have yearly MOTs in Eire?
 
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Ive got a 350z which is a 3.5v6 rear wheel drive, meaning high power, rear wheels and no weight in the back, plus wide tyres and in the snow its an absolute nightmare!! Last year i put 6 bags of aand in the boot but still had problems, ive got snow socks ans they help for a short distance get me out quickly type thing but you wear them out very quickly if driven off snow :s winter tyres are expensive, ie £600 for all 4 type of thing so not an easy option..
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
What the hell do you drive, that's barely a rubber skin over a wheel! (It's what was on my old Nova!)
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A 2005 punto diesel.. it had those tyres on when I got it.... and on fiat alloys, not some aftermarket stuff..........

4 matching yokohama somethings........ fitted 31/12/2009 and still shedloads of tread left......
 
The worst problem I encountered around here last time it snowed was all the traffic. It took me an hour to do less than a mile. I dumped the car in a side street, walked home and went back and got it a few hours later when all the traffic had disappeared, driving was no problem on 235/35/19 "summer" tyres.

I just worked from home rather than even attempt driving 30 miles each way.

I changed jobs earlier this year (much closer to home now) and can't work from home, if we get it bad I'll walk to work - it'll be quicker than driving I reckon..
 
cyclamens said:
Do not buy second hand tyres - it's a false economy and think about it - it's not second hand because someone has become fed up with it.....unlike cameras!
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I bought these secondhand because I wasn't paying £700 to see if they made a difference, these are bought in bulk from Switzerland and most have 6mm of tread on them, apparently they change them at 5mm over there but nobody waits for 5mm like nobody waits for 1.6mm here
 
Got stuck in my drive last year, at 6am it took me 2 hours to get out. I decided then to get new tires and will be doing the same again this week.

I will also be parking on the road and not in my drive. Worst thing for me was going offshore for 2 weeks at a time and coming home to a car 2 feet under snow everytime.
 
cyclamens said:
:plusone:

Although tyres protruding outside the wheel arch may not in itself get you a fail - it's more likely a consideration of the tyre fouling the bodywork when steering or when the suspension is at full deflection for example when carrying 5 adults.

Do they have yearly MOTs in Eire?
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Tyres protruding outside th ebodywork is more likely to get you pulled over by the police, not only is it unroadworthy, it is also illegal.
 
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