Winter Tyres?

[jmurray01]

Do you fit them to your car and will you be this year?

I know it is just typical that I'll finally decide to invest in some and it will be the year that we don't get a drop of snow, but with my current job being 15 miles away and over half of that being country roads that won't be gritted I'm not going to take any chances.

Don't get me wrong, the Primera has decent tyres on it just now (Pirelli Cinturatos on the front and two other brands on the rear - all over 6mm treads though) but they are summer tyres and although for the past 7 years we've made do with summers, it has made every journey take twice as long as it should due to taking different routes and driving much slower etc... Plus even altering your driving style you are still taking an unnecessary risk using unsuitable tyres for the conditions.

As a test, last year I got the Focus' front tyres replaced with all-season tyres in November as they needed done and I wanted to see how new all-seasons would cope with snow. As it turned out even the minuscule amount we got caused them to slip and slide. Not good!

For the next couple of months my wages are tied up in getting the damn ABS system fixed and finding out why the engine light is illuminated, but at the end of November I'll purchase these and get them fitted at the start of December which will hopefully be before the bad weather hits (if we even get any, that is).

The added benefit of changing your tyres for winter is that you aren't really out of pocket because as long as you swap back to your summer tyres when winter is gone, you will get full use from both sets of tyres.

[Randoms]

I'm in a similar position/debate - Front tyres are down to 3mm so will need a new set before the winter kicks in.

I swapped my 4x4 pickup for the Focus in March so haven't really bothered with winter/all season tyres before.

So because I got rid of the 4x4 this means -

1. we'll have 8ft of snow this year.

2. I want some added traction on just in case.

I don't have money to burn so buying 2 x sets of tyres & paying to swap them out/store them isn't an option for me.

I'm liking the fact tyre manufacturers are now doing all season tyres that can be left on all year & the 2 brands that are in on my radar are the michelin crossclimate & Nokian weatherproof.

Personally I rate both brands but sort of swaying to the Crossclimate's because there a summer tyre so guessing they'll be a better mix to go with my Continental 2's that still have 6mm on the rear?

[Randoms]

Oh & does anyone know why 215/55/16's seem to be about £10 a corner more than 17's?

[Focu5]

Where I live in on the outskirts of South West London the roads never get icy enough to justify the time/hassle/expense thankfully.

In the twelve years I've been driving there was only one time where it was so bad it caught me out, I turned into a road and it was kerb to kerb sheet ice like an ice rink. My car was slowly spinning 360 whilst it bumped off the kerbs like a pinball down the whole length of the road. Serious brown trouser time. But one incident in twelve years ain't bad.

It snows properly up North though doesn't it? Always looks bad on the news.

[Randoms]

Yeah the weather certainly has its moments up here, that said it's been relatively mild for past few years.

They say (various weather experts) that this year's going to be a bad winter, normally I'd say its all rubbish however now the 4x4's gone it'll be bad!

(S#*t always seems to happen to me)

[jeebowhite]

I cant afford £400 for the tyres, so I just chuck snow socks on the times I cannot manage :p

[Randoms]

I cant afford £400 for the tyres, so I just chuck snow socks on the times I cannot manage :p

I've used those socks a few times and there great to get you moving/onto a main road that's clear.

Problem up here (like most places now I guess) is that the council don't clear the roads due to cost etc.

[theredfox]

or just buy quality second winter tyres all ways plenty for sale running up to winter

[jeebowhite]

True but the outlay can be the problem

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[Dales]

This will be the 1st year I use them. When I bought the Mondeo it had a pair of winter tyres on the front.

Had to take them off as they were a nightmare in the wet. But I have obviously kept them in the garage for the winter coming.

I have a few mates that swear by them. But it gives people false confidence too. people get under this illusion that they have winter tyres on and can go anywhere. driving that we bit faster than they normally would, driving down roads they might have thought before was a bit risky.

Winter tyres will help you out over the winter. But don't over estimate what they can do.

[iantt]

If your putting winter tyres on , put 4 on as 2 on the front is just dangerous, ok you got got grip but as soon as you turn the rear wont have equal grip and soon enough you will be looking the opposite way. Oversteer at its worst.

[Randoms]

If your putting winter tyres on , put 4 on as 2 on the front is just dangerous, ok you got got grip but as soon as you turn the rear wont have equal grip and soon enough you will be looking the opposite way. Oversteer at its worst.

Do you think this would be the same for michelin crossclimate' as there branded summer tyres?

[theredfox]

thought the cross climate where classed as summer/winter rolled into better package than having to change twice a year??

[Randoms]

thought the cross climate where classed as summer/winter rolled into better package than having to change twice a year??

There an all season (more summer derived), well that's what I've read.

[jeebowhite]

They are all round tyres but much better designed to cope in winter than your everyday all season tyres.

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[Randoms]

They are all round tyres but much better designed to cope in winter than your everyday all season tyres.

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

95% sure I'm going to put a pair of these on the front, hopefully I'll benefit from the additional traction if we get some of the white stuff without losing the back end.😯

I like to think I'm a sensible driver & adjust my driving in accordance with weather. (I like my car & lives of my family) 😊

[Randoms]

So I've bit the bullet & bought a pair of Nokian Weatherproof tyres for £83 each from tyreleader (cheapest I could find).

These are Nokian's latest all season tyres & similar to the michelin Crossclimate's.

I've always rated Nokian tyres & hope I don't regret buying them over the Michelin's.

I plan on putting these on in few months time when winter sets in so will update you all then.