Latest posts for the topic "Winter Tyre Advice"

Winter Tyre Advice

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:11:17 GMT

OK, sorry if this has been done before, but I could not find anything in a search.

I will be driving to Germany, Austria and possibly Italy this winter. Now as a matter of course, I would need to get some chains. Problem is, my particular set up on my car means I am going to have to purchase another set of wheels to do this (I have an Audi Avant on 18" rims and chains will not fit).

So, I may as well set myself up with a second set of rims complete with winter tyres ready for me to use each winter so that I am ready for the bad weather we now seem to be getting on a regular basis here in the UK.

I am seeking opinions from people who have experience of winter tyres as to which ones you would recommend please.

Currently I am looking at the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D, The Michelin Pilot Alpin or the BF Goodrich G-Force Winter. The BFG has the ability to add studs, has anyone tried these?

Any info welcome. Thanks in advance.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:54:04 GMT

I have the Toyo winter tyre and it's magic.

Also try tyre socks, they're so much easier than bothering with chains and work an absolute treat. (if you're worried carry both)This guy http://www.davidgreenbank.co.uk/ stocks loads of them, is a great help and will post out.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:28:20 GMT

Thanks Dazzler, I am aware of socks and know people who have used them.

They are Ok in certain conditions, but as I have stated, I cannot fit chains to my current wheels, so I need to buy another set of smaller ones. I will simply keep these for winter use with winter tyres fitted permanently.

Socks are certainly very convenient to fit if the conditions suit.

Shame someone cannot make a tyre with retractable studs, that would be brilliant :)

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:39:31 GMT

So, I may as well set myself up with a second set of rims complete with winter tyres ready for me to use each winter so that I am ready for the bad weather we now seem to be getting on a regular basis here in the UK.

This is standard practice here. I have a set of 215/55R17s on alloy rims for summer and a set of 215/60R16s on steel rims for winter (it's very easy to hit a kerb in snowy conditions). Some people fit narrower tyres for better traction in snow.

Every year the Austrian, German and Swiss automobile clubs conduct winter tyre tests in Ulrichen, just up the road from where I live. The results are published in October. Last year's results can be found at the bottom of this page: http://www.adac.de/infotestrat/adac-im-einsatz/motorwelt/Winterreifen-Test.aspx?ComponentId=41827&SourcePageId=8427 .The performance of any particular brand seems to vary a bit according to size, but as you can see, Dunlop and Michelin make some of the best. Not many people use studded tyres (I think they are mainly used in Scandinavia) as there are speed restrictions and in Germany their use is only allowed within 15km of the Austrian border. They are also very noisy.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:52:38 GMT

Hi

I had an Audi with either 18 or 19" alloys. I used a set of Maggi Traks. http://www.maggigroup.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Valxer.woa/wa/page?path=maggi it may be worth looking there before investing in a set of tyres. However, they are expensive, but worked fantastically on our low profile Alloys (R18/235/**).

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:13:01 GMT

Many thanks SwingBeep, I will run that site through a translator when I have a moment free at work :)

Pagey66, interesting. Audi were very specific that there were no products suitable for my car. It is an A4 Avant Quattro (B7 chassis - 07 year) with 235/45/18 tyres on the 18" RS Alloys.

What model were you using those Maggi's on please, I may well contact the company and see what they say.

Although to be honest, I am also quite liking the idea of a second wheel setup for winter, so I can avoid some of the issues we have had here in the UK for the last two winters.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:15:25 GMT

Hi,

Should be no need for snow chains these days. Lived in Norway for three years and never used or even saw a set once. Good winter tyres (without studs) will do the trick. Of course if you know some hidden, remote skiing and need some help clearing the road let us all know.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:23:55 GMT

Hi,

Continental ContiCrossContacts ( might be under a different name this year or newer model ) , Nokian GR2 or Vredstein winter rubber are some of the best about...

Will be fitting a set of Continental winter/snow rubber for this winter here in the UK, as they are designed to perform at temps below +7 degrees C in snow , ice and wet conditions.

All the best

jon.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:30:35 GMT

Mmmmmm if I drive this year I might invest in a pair of winter socks

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:40:13 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:Mmmmmm if I drive this year I might invest in a pair of winter socks

:D :D :D Your a disturbed man Mr Wickham....

:D how are you , hope you are well ?, it's been a while since I've been here

Jon.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:47:36 GMT

jonG wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Mmmmmm if I drive this year I might invest in a pair of winter socks

:D :D :D Your a disturbed man Mr Wickham....

:D how are you , hope you are well ?, it's been a while since I've been here

Jon.

We are all good at this end Jon and I hope you and yours are in fine fettle and looking forward to a fantastic winter :thumbup:

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:34:17 GMT

Mr Q - with decent winter tyres on the quattro you'll probably never need chains (carry them just in case) and definitely don't go near studs!

I ran an Audi on Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes and they were the nuts - never, ever needed chains even in some very slippy and deep snow. They lasted four winters and around 20K miles with a couple of trips to the Alps in each - still had 4mm of tread when I sold the car.

Last winter I left it too late to find Vreds and ended up with Avon Ice Tourings - but was pleasantly surprised at how good they were.

Here's one road we took for lunch...

About 6km further on we parked next to the only other vehicle to have made it up...

:D

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:28:29 GMT

Many thanks Mr A.

Never realised that you drove a piste basher though :shock:

A couple of other people have suggested Vredesteins as well, especially those people I get to deal with who live in Europe.

All I have to decide now is cheapo steel wheels and not worry about any curbing, or go all vain and get a set of cheapish alloys for GBP20 a wheel more.

Thanks to everyone else for comments too.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:35:09 GMT

Far Queue wrote:Many thanks Mr A.

Never realised that you drove a piste basher though :shock:

:lol: :lol: :lol: ROF..etc.....

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:37:48 GMT

Far Queue wrote:Never realised that you drove a piste basher though :shock:

But of course - doesn't every self-respecting ski site admin? I wish... must have a go one day!

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:49:18 GMT

Pagey66 wrote: I had an Audi with either 18 or 19" alloys. I used a set of Maggi Traks. http://www.maggigroup.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Valxer.woa/wa/page?path=maggi it may be worth looking there before investing in a set of tyres. However, they are expensive, but worked fantastically on our low profile Alloys (R18/235/**)

Snow chains shouldn't be regarded as a substitute for winter tyres. At temperatures below 7oC, summer tyres become too hard to provide enough grip for effective traction and braking. Winter tyres are mandatory in Austria and Germany if road conditions so require; as well as being fined, you may also be deemed to be at least partially at fault in the event of an accident.

Although much easier to mount, quick-fit chains don't perform anywhere near as well as ordinary chains especially under braking. They are only loosely attached to the tyres so when you brake they slip round the tyre increasing the stopping distance by up to 30% more than it would be with winter tyres and no chains. (http://www.ktipp.ch/downloadfile/1021130 sorry about the German!).

Admin wrote: still had 4mm of tread when I sold the car.

4mm is the minimum recommended tread depth for a winter tyre.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:27:41 GMT

Austria:
In Austria, the law states that between 1st of November and the 15th of April, a car - that has a maximum weight 3.5 tonnes - can only drive in winter conditions (i.e. snow, ice, slush, etc) as long as winter tyres have been fitted. If an all-season tyre bears the "M + S" mark on the sidewall, these will be considered as an adequate alternative.

If you do not follow these laws, you risk a fine of around Euro5,000 as well as losing your vehicle to the impound lot.

There are also major ramifications to your insurance. If you are in an accident during the winter and you do not have winter tyres fitted to your car, then your policy will be deemed null & void.
You must have chains with you on mountain roads, although many locals don't.

Germany:

Recently, Germany added new rules to their Highway Code. According to the law, motorists must have winter tyres (that bear the M+S symbol) if they are driving on snow, black ice or roads covered in frost.

Switzerland:

There are no specific laws in Switzerland concerning the use of winter tyres. However, in the case of an accident, if a motorist does not have winter tyres fitted to his/her vehicle they have a far greater chance of receive the responsibility of any damage incurred from the collision.

In certain areas there is a requirement to use winter tyres. Road signs are used to indicate to a driver whether or not they are on a road that winter tyres must be fitted.

From Blackcircles website, (not definitively legal)
http://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/winter-tyres/laws-and-legislation
There is a euro map showing where there are compulsory laws.

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:59:22 GMT

Good info Dave.

Even in the UK, where it is not a requirement, I feel that people do not appreciate the benefits of using a winter or all season tyre. They do considerably reduce stopping distances in cold and wet weather, let alone the benefits gained with grip on slush, snow and ice.

A lot of the problems we have encountered over the last few winters could be resolved if more people fitted suitable tyres for the seasons. I think it is hilarious to watch a big 4x4 slide off the road on it's lovely ultra low profile boots :)

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:17:32 GMT

I had to go for new tyres last November, and was offered winter tyres at the same price as normals. I drive a Land Rover, so it is a four wheel drive, with adjustments for hill,snow, mud etc. In last winters snow, the winter tyres still made a significant difference, so I was glad I chose them. Wish I had charged for all the tow-outs last year.

I did have a plan to buy an extra set of summer tyres, so as to make the winter tyres last, but that didn't happen, and winter is upon us........

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:54:43 GMT

I'll be running both the Seat MPV and the Merc on winter tyres come mid November. I did this with the Seat last winter and the difference was immeasurable: suffice to say I didn't have 1 passenger miss a flight, even on 17th December when I passed itro 250 abandoned cars en route to lhr

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:37:42 GMT

Far Queue wrote: I think it is hilarious to watch a big 4x4 slide off the road on it's lovely ultra low profile boots

You don't need to fit low profile tyres to get these things to slide, the all season M+S tyres normally fitted as standard will usually get the job done.
http://www.apa.ca/tire_wintertireratings.asp (see videos at bottom)

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:13:29 GMT

Re:Winter Tyre Advice

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:28:24 GMT

Trencher wrote:

Very interesting indeed!