winter tyre test

Before we start i need to say.

Winter Tyres do no mean you can only use them in the snow, they work on any road conditions when then temp drop below 7 celcius.

When ambient temperatures fall below 7C the molecules in tread rubber progressively harden and freeze. This means the tyre is less able to adapt to the contour of the road surface, which in turn reduces grip levels. With winter tyre rubber compounds there is a higher proportion of natural rubber and coupled with extended use of silica technology they minimise the hardening effect at low temperatures allowing the tyre to key into the road surface, resulting in higher grip levels. Together with highly developed multi-sipe treadpatterns, the combination is such that no summer tyre can match. The illustrations in this article show clearly that below 7C, whether the roads are covered in snow, ice or simply damp and wet, winter tyres provide a clear safety advantage.
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http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/techinfo/winter.asp
 
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Winter tyres are only really worth having in sustained below 0c temperatures or when there is lots of snow. Ignore the BS from people who want to SELL YOU SOME TYRES - between 0c and 7c winter and summer tyres offer largely similar performance, over 7c winter tyres offer noticeably degraded performance and under 0c and in snow summer tyres offer noticeably degraded performance.

On a wet road at 5c a set of winter tyres is unlikely to offer noticeably more, if any more, grip than, say, a Michilin Pilot Sport 2, Eagle F1 Assymetric, Vredestien Ultra Sessenta or whatever your high performance tyre of choice is.

Interesting read from another forum:

AutoWeek/Autobild et al (sister magazines to AutoExpress) winter tyre tests, 2007 & 2008 with comparisons to four season tyres and summer tyres. Conclusion in both tests: summer tyres offer signficantly higher safety reserves in dry and wet conditions on cold surfaces; better grip and shorter braking distances at temperatures even at temperatures under 5 degrees C. Sadly, both magazines now charge online for their back catalogue articles.

AutoWeek magazine published the 2008 test (10 winter tyres and 2 four seasons in 225/45/17 with a summer tyre in the same size as reference) in their mag, Dec. 10th.

From the test "As this test too shows again, the summer tyre is head and shoulders above the rest at all test disciplines on dry and wet roads. The myth that a winter tyre performs significantly better than a summer tyre whenever the thermometer indicates under 7 degrees C, is not being supported by our tests. Of course the winter tyre is at a distinct advantage in snow, but let's be honest: how often does it snow in The Netherlands? "
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Right here, right now, we'd all be better off on winter tyres. But for how much longer? You could rush out, buy a set, then in 2 weeks time take them back off and not use them again until 2012. Yea, nice one.
 
Winter tyres are only worth it if you've got a a spare set of rims, a place to store the wheels when not in use, and a need to go out a lot in all weathers, and are prepared to swap the wheels yourself when they are needed.

Otherwise, waste of time in the UK.
 
Dolph said:
Winter tyres are only worth it if you've got a a spare set of rims, a place to store the wheels when not in use, and a need to go out a lot in all weathers, and are prepared to swap the wheels yourself when they are needed.

Otherwise, waste of time in the UK.
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Agreed, most modern cars (with good TC) can cope with all weather tyres if the driver takes adequate care. Older cars I think benefit more, as it is rare you are driving on sheet ice like the test.

My 205 with plate diff has been remarkably good on 912's

:D
 
Having actually run winter tyres from Oct 2006 through to Jan 2007 I found that from the start they far out performed the GSD3s they replaced as soon as they were put on. Even through Dec and early Jan i was really impressed with the grip levels they gave and would even compare them to be near enough as grippy as the GSD3s were in the summer.
 
I think a second hand set of skinny steel wheels with a set on winter tyres makes a lot of sense if you have the space to store them and could be used for several years.

On another note, O/P are you simple in the head? You're from Bucks you are!....and your point is?
 
[TW]Fox;15690818 said:
Winter tyres are only really worth having in sustained below 0c temperatures or when there is lots of snow. Ignore the BS from people who want to SELL YOU SOME TYRES - between 0c and 7c winter and summer tyres offer largely similar performance, over 7c winter tyres offer noticeably degraded performance and under 0c and in snow summer tyres offer noticeably degraded performance.

On a wet road at 5c a set of winter tyres is unlikely to offer noticeably more, if any more, grip than, say, a Michilin Pilot Sport 2, Eagle F1 Assymetric, Vredestien Ultra Sessenta or whatever your high performance tyre of choice is.
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I have to disagree. Winter tyres do perform better in wet conditions between 0C and 7C. I know I have them. This is due to considerably greater quantity of water dispersion grooves and softer compound.
 
aproctor said:
I think a second hand set of skinny steel wheels with a set on winter tyres makes a lot of sense if you have the space to store them and could be used for several years.
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why is everyone obsessed with skinny steel wheels?
i have 225/45 R17 winter tyres and they're amazing
granted, i have 4wd but skinny isn't the be all and end all
 
mjt said:
why is everyone obsessed with skinny steel wheels?
i have 225/45 R17 winter tyres and they're amazing
granted, i have 4wd but skinny isn't the be all and end all
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It's a widely held belief but it's nonsense. My 275/45 20 winter tyres work fine :)
 
I must also disagree with what some of fox has said, while I agree winter tyres in this country are largely a waste of money for the majority of cars on the road (small tyred front wheel drive cars). The difference winter tyres make on an S2000 is night and day, the car goes from being undriveable currently, to having almost no issues at all!

Well worth it for certain cars, but like what has been said already, you would need another set of rims to make it worthwhile in reality
 
Lord-Jaffa said:
I must also disagree with what some of fox has said, while I agree winter tyres in this country are largely a waste of money for the majority of cars on the road (small tyred front wheel drive cars). The difference winter tyres make on an S2000 is night and day, the car goes from being undriveable currently, to having almost no issues at all!
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Of course but thats because we currently have loads of packed snow, ice and sub zero temperatures which of course means winter tyres are going to be considerably more use than summer tyres :)

As for skinny tyres - these are of benefit in snow because they cut through the snow rather than compact underneath the tyre. Imagine standing on something in a trainer and then a high heeled shoe and you'll get my point.

Obviously once the snow has gone the benefit of the skinny wheels goes as well.
 
I will invest in winter tyres by doing the following -

Buying a set of steel wheels off an LX model, going down to part worn tyre places during summer and buying a set of 4 matching branded winter tyres.

I will stick em in the Garage and use if necessary, I think they should last a couple of years.
 
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