Hello All

Has anybody got experience of cold weather tyres ?

As winter approaches, I'm thinking of fitting a set to my wife's car for family safety. Living in god's country we do get our fair share of bad weather up here.

Are they worth it ?
Do they make a noticeable difference ?
Do I need to fit set of four or just a pair to fit to the drive wheels ?
Any particular make to go for ?
Cost ?

Has anyone got any ford wheels for sale to fit a 2010 CMax - I thing they are 108PCD 5 stud.

Thanks

Rob

carnt help with supplying the tyres but i work for Ford parts and could help with a set of steel wheels for you to use for winter

drop me a u2u if you want

alastair

Thanks Alastair

U2U sent.

Rob

I tried winter tyres on the front with Michelin E tyres on the rear ---- a lethal combination I ditched the Michelins and fitted a pair of new budget tyres on the rear and had no problems.

Short answers...

Q's 1,2,3,... YES !
Q4 All if you can afford them. If just the front you increase the risk of oversteer as the back slides; Thats OK if you know what you're doing and/or are careful.
Q5 Not had any compliaints even with cheap ones though premium brands probably last longer.
Q6 How longs a peice of string.

Fitted some for my niece on her C-Max last winter. Previously she either couldn't get off the estate or get home with even the slightest snow on the ground. She never even noticed any snow after.
Fitted some for a taxi driver last year and he made a fortune when no other taxis could run one Friday night.
The annoying thing with them on is you're still at the mercy of all the others blocking the road. Old guy who used to work for us lives on a steep hill and got a call from his daughter/grandkids who due to visit. They were walking 'cos thier X3 was stuck. He went out and got them and drove home zig-zaging through the abandoned 4x4's on the estate... in his Metro!
They're not just for snow/ice either. The softer compound gives better dry grip/braking below just 7c, up to 2m less stopping distance from 30mph.

Only complaint I've had is from one customer, who wasn't happy 'cos he's the only one in his office any time it snows.

Worth it IMO with recent winters we've had ive been saved by having half decent winters.
Even with out snow, the temperature range they work in is much more suitable.

I used winter tyres all round on the mondeo and they were well worth the money as that was a bad winter. Traction was superb - can't remember the make but they were Russian. I ended up using them all year round and they were fine.

Changed cars since and have still so sort out extra wheels

Cheers!

They're well worth it in the run up to proper snow fall as well, even when it's a bit frosty the summer tyres can get a bit unpredictable but a cold tyre will stay flexible and work so much better.

As mentioned, it does then come down to the other idiots on the road, particularly the 4x4 drivers who think they have an easier time. A two wheel drive car on winters will run rings around a 4x4 on summers (or even 'offroad' tyres).

I bought mine a couple of years ago (Goodyear Ultragrip 7), and maybe done a few hundred miles on them? I don't expect to replace them for the life of the car.

[Edited on 16/10/13 by Slimy38]

I think its worth it, but then I run with summer tyres that don't exactly have the best tread pattern for snow, ice, mud, gravel etc...

these were 'interesting' to drive with in the snow....



my 'winter' tires are actually just 'all season' ones (but complete with M+S and snowflake/mountain markings) - they are plenty good enough in the snow and mud - in the bad snow I was out every single day with them and I never got stuck, not even on the untreated roads
(and they worked well in very muddy festival carparks in the summer too )

but they are ideal as an intermediate tyre for the rest of the time when we've cold rubbish weather without the snow, even on a cold dry day they definatly have a little more grip

and they are still quite decent in the warm weather too - so you really could leave them on all year if you liked
(but they could cost you a bit of fuel compared to good summer tyres, but not as much as full winter ones would)

and finally as a bonus you can get these in the better speed ratings too
(mine are V's - most winter tires only come in T or H at best)



these are the ones I use:
http://www.vredestein.com/car-tyres/all-season/quatrac-3/info/


I started out with a pair on the front which was ok, but it was a lot better I got a second pair (I put the half worn ones on the back for driving in the snow)




[Edited on 16/10/2013 by mcerd1]

I binned the low (50) profile tyres on my old v40 last year for a set of higher profile winter tyres, 60 profile.

Car went from something that crashed on pot holes and was noisy to a much quieter ride although handling has suffered, car is now great in poor weather so glad I sacrificed the handling. It's hardly a sports car @120bhp so horses for courses.

Thanks chaps

That's a resounding yes then.

Right, where's the best place to get a set and price please ?

Anyone on here supply them ?

Rob

what size are the ones you've got now ?

that is assuming your sticking to the same size tyres and not getting smaller 'winter wheels' with high profile tyres....

205x55x16s

I know skinnier tyres might be more effective - but would the insurance company get funny about them ? Modification etc...

Depends on your budget, but a quick search here says £125 for a brand new Bridgestone tyre fitted to a new steel rim.

I bought a set here last year, I went for Conti 830's, transformed the van, annoyed a few locals who were struggling to get up our road in their Summer Tyre'd Audi A4/A6 Quattro's, while me in a 2wd van drove past them like it was dry

I just argued a 25% discount with 'just tyres', they agreed to match any internet price so found the cheapest and took my laptop.

Very competitive market

For the last 3 years I have fitted them to both mine and the wifes car for winter and we would not be without them. I have got all of mine from mytyres.co.uk as they have a great choice and for the first winter I got them supplied on steel wheels for not a lot more

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Originally posted by Wheels244
I know skinnier tyres might be more effective - but would the insurance company get funny about them ? Modification etc...

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I put a pair of Quatrac 3 'all season' tyres on the 306 the winder before last winter, leaving summers (firehawks i think) on the rear. And certainly as the temperature dropped before about 5 degrees its was very noticeable that the grip ratio moved forwards significantly. I found this ok, and they did give improved grip, and I then swapped them to the rear over summer to reduced the wear on them.

Cant really comment on the dry-weather wear from a 'normal use' prerogative, but if you mix it with driving offroad like a loon, as soon as you brake traction the lose of rubber is huge, presumably due to the sipes.

Last year I had a set of winter tyres on the 3 series, but cant really comment I hadnt driven it on the summer tyres, and they where 6 years old an quite worn.



Daniel

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Originally posted by dhutch
...but if you mix it with driving offroad like a loon...

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Originally posted by Wheels244
205x55x16s

I know skinnier tyres might be more effective - but would the insurance company get funny about them ? Modification etc...

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WORD OF WARNING

Don't be fooled by tyres just marked M+S as many are just a wider tread. They're not the same as winter tyres.

Proper winter tyres will have either a snowflake or a mountain symbol on them (may ALSO have M+S). They have more silicone in the tread so it stays softer in low temps and a lot of ziz-zag sips in each tread block; It's these grip the snow as the block distorts under load.

For what it would cost for new wheels and winter tyres, I'd consider buying a cheap Discovery or similar for a winter hack!

But then again, I do like a project and expanding the fleet....

Fitted Avon Ice Touring tyres to the SAAB's, the difference was outstanding. The colder they get the stickier they become, brilliant on
ice and snow, wet grip is superb but they don't like it when the temperature is over 10 degrees, gets a bit interesting on long motorway bends at anything over 60

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Originally posted by Charlie_Zetec
For what it would cost for new wheels and winter tyres, I'd consider buying a cheap Discovery or similar for a winter hack!

But then again, I do like a project and expanding the fleet....

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If your interested theres a lot of part worn winter tyres on eBay.
I'm looking for all year round tyres for my RAV , with any tread at all and keep falling over them!

Are we looking for all season tyres, cold weather tyres or winter/snow tyres?
I fitted a set of Pirelli P2500 4season tyres to my Audi last winter and they were brilliant in the snow. They're also great in the wet and OK for the 3 hours of sunshine we get each year.
If you want four season tyres, I can get:
Cheapy ones for £50 each.
Toyo Vario V2+ for £68 each.
Pirelli P2500 4S for £67 each.

Just a quick related question, are there rules on what your tyres have to be rated to speed wise? I've been told more than once that my car must have V rated tyres because it will (theoretically) do 141mph, but it seems a waste of time as the fastest it's ever gone with me driving is 70 (ish) and rarely does more than 40.

On the insurance issue, is changing the wheels to another type of wheel a modification?

Some say that you invalidate your insurance if you fit anything other than original equipment tyres. Most agree that you must fit suitable tyres which would be at least equivalent to the OE ones and this would include have the correct speed and weight rating. However, there have been cases where insurance companies have tried to invalidate claims because of incorrect tyres but unless the tyres contributed or caused the claim, then there is no argument.

Several people were told by there insurance companies last year that it would void thier cover. It was then raised with the insurance ombudsman and the press got involved and the insurance companies backed down.

I'd also question who is claiming tyres speed ratings effect cover. Is it the tyre fitters or your ins'? There's more money to be made on the dearer tyres.

I put a set of winter tyres on my libra last year, made a big difference and would not think of not having them now.
Car was a bit of a handful on normal tyres.What you need to think is that well you have the winter tyres on you are not wearing your normal tyres out so only real cost is for the extra set of rims.
Matty

A couple of years ago I bought a set of 4 Maxsport RB1 road legal rally tyres for the bluebird. Can't praise them enough the grip in all weathers is really amazing especially very heavy rain and deep snow. Performance on pure ice is good too but there I think winter tyres might have the edge, otherwise the rally tyres are loads better. I've dragged double axle trailers loaded with furniture through thick snow no bother which is not bad for a fwd car. I went for the medium hardness which at first seemed quite soft but are lasting just fine with little wear to see.

There is one down side and that is noise, they are really loud, you know that loud droning hum from the engines when you about to land in an airliner when seated in the back of the plane? well that's what they sound just like no joke. Personally I love it! I bought them from Demon Tweeks for about £70 each iirc

Funnily enough I briefly fitted the low profile alloys onto it and the remembered why I didn't like them due to all the poor roads so are just using the rally tyres all year round.



[Edited on 17/10/13 by Mr Whippy]

I think for a snow tyre there are a few things you appear to want.
- For it not to be low profile, or super wide.
- For the rubber to remain soft at low temps.
- For it to have sipes, for packed snow and ice.
- Some larger/wider tread area, for loose snow.
- A driver who knows the limits of the car/tyre.

Everything will have a compromise. But it also appears from the reviews that the cheaper tyres work really very well compared to a summer tyre.

Obviously then if it gets really silly, you move to metal studs. Spending a week in arctic finland I got the opportunity to drive a mk3 golf with studded tyres, in about minus 20, on mixed ice/snow/etc and I have to admit it was pretty dam cool. It was however also very noticeable that you did not have any magic 'warm dry tarmac' like grip. You still head to pull off on a controlled manor, and the fact you could do 100kph down the highway had a very lot to do with the fact it was dead stright, you drove down the middle, and there was a very large run off area of powder snow. And you where keeping you eyes skinned for reindeer! All the roads had three tracks, one each way for the outside wheel, and a central one you shared. Passing trucks was interesting to say the least, I slowed down to about 50kph, they did not.



Daniel

This'll be the wifes Ibizas 3rd year on winter tyres that cost £200 for the set. Went from 205/40/17 to 195/55/15 so paid about £40 for winter alloys also. They make a massive difference and as they're only on for about 3-4months can't see them wearing out anytime soon

All season tyres are a compromise for people who don't have room to store two sets of wheels IMHO. As a previous poster has already said the only extra cost is the second set of rims as you end up not using your summer tyres for 7-8 months of the year

Read the reviews on winter tyres and look at the videos on youtube (search Winter tyres) such as this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wTg0l3_wI they really are THAT much better and have to be driven to be believed

Winter tyres also work better on cold wet roads not just snow and ice.

As long as you stick to a size of tyre/ wheel available for your model of car (have a look in the handbook for all the options) then the insurance companies will give you no trouble as proven by several test cases over the last couple of winters. As an example my Mini Cooper came with 195/55/16 wheels/ tyres but coming up to its first winter I will be buying 175/65/15 winter wheels and tyres to see us safely though the cold and wet conditions.

I have been a winter tyre fan for 3 winters now and will not go back to not having them on my cars. As soon as the average temperature drops to 7-8°C I put them on and they stay on until the weather warms up....for me in Kent that is 4-5 months a year.

Ask yourself this, whats the safety of your wife and children worth?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wTg0l3_wI

^^ I didn't think you lot in kent knew what winter was


my argument for fitting good 'all season' tyres as winter ones is based on the fact that we rarely get a winter bad enough to need full on winter or snow tyres (and the more extreme snow/winter tyres don't have the best grip on the days where the roads are clear)
the decent all season ones are soft enough for the winter temperatures and have just enough of a tread/snipes to deal with the occasional snow and ice

all the winter tyre tests I've seen are based on snow or ice - thats fine for canada/ norway/ finland/etc.... but barring a few weeks every 10 years its just not the weather we have here
the best way to describe the weather we have for most of the winter is dreich - and they don't seem to test for that




back in 2010-11 down in east kent where my GF was living at the time they had 3" on the ground and everything shut down and next to no one went to work.... (no one down there had winter tyres or seamed to know how to drive in snow)
yet we had about 12"+ of snow on the ground for a good couple of weeks or more and not all the roads get ploughed round here... my all season tyres worked fine in this - the biggest issue I had was the lack of ground clearance on the car, in fact the tyres had enough grip that my front bumper has never quite been the same since (plastic bumper vs snow drift at 40mph )

so I reckon my tyres would be fine for most folk in this country, but if I lived out in Mr Whippy's part of the world then I'd probably get some more extreme winter tyres to deal with the snow - they get more than us and more often too

We have had some proper snow in Kent these last 2-3 years I will have you know. Certainly I have seen 10-12 inches on more than one occasion ...and yes it does cause chaos The only time I didn't get to work in this period was because the police turned me back saying 'you won't get through here' to which my reply of 'do you want to watch me' was followed by a courtesy but firm 'you are not trying so do you as are told'!

I have had all season tyres on a Focus and they are not as good in a typical winter as winter tyres IMHO. Also my summer tyres are better in the summer than all season. IF you have the storage space and can afford a second set of rims then two sets of tyres is always better than one with no compromise

Go on get some winter tyres and become a convert

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Originally posted by peter030371
Go on get some winter tyres and become a convert

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Originally posted by peter030371I have had all season tyres on a Focus and they are not as good in a typical winter as winter tyres IMHO

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out of interest which summer / winter / all season tyres have you tried ?

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888R's would be fun in the snow

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Originally posted by peter030371
Goodyear Vector 4season

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