cold weather tyre thoughts

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Soldato
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Wishaw
needing some new tyres for the taxi shed.

currently running 235/40/18 Pilot Sport 3s which are due for replacement, obviously the PS3s are a great summer tyre, but not exactly ideal for this time of year.


now I did think of going down the road of a proper set of snow tyres but is it really worthwhile for 1 or 2 days over the winter?


ideally can anyone recommend a decent wet/cold weather tyre for over the winter months?

did consider crossclimates but not available in 18" rainsport 3s were also on the list but imo they are not a cold weather tyre although i'd happily be proven wrong


any thoughts?
 
Currently have PS3s on my A3 and they are performing excellently in the wet weather we currently have. Other than the possibly chance of a couple of days snow, not sure where the worry is coming from? PS3s should be fine.
 
The diesel insignia I was driving around Glasgow a few days ago was on Potenza Re050a tyres and it felt absolutely fine. Did a lap of the trossachs in the tipping rain and I never once thought "God I wish this had winter tyres fitted". I can only conclude that average quality summer tyres are perfectly adequate for winters in the uk
 
I do concur, hence the cold weather rather than out and out winter tyres.


don't expect to need proper winter tyres just wondering if theres other things I should consider over an out and out summer tyre.


not bad wear out the PS3s :) 27k and 3 months with a bit of life left in them
 
The PS3 is a 'tyre' not an 'out and out summer tyre'. Other than those crappy All-Season things they don't seem to even do in big tyre sizes, you have 'Tyres' and 'Winter Tyres'. What most of the UK needs is 'tyres'.
 
decisions decisions, any thoughts Fox? the Ps3s are fantastic in the dry and really bit well when pushed hard, BUT wouldn't say they were fantastic in the rain and they are ruddy noisy.


suggestions more than welcome as i'm happy to try some other options. worst case scenario they'll only be on the car a few months
 
With the speed at which you go through tyres I'd probably be tempted to make a case for some winter tyres. Stick some ContiWinterContact TS850's on and they'll be about ready to change back for some decent tyres when they wear out at the end of February.

Then make money taking those fares up the A9 nobody else will take right now ;)
 
maybe I should just avoid all this tyre faff every few months and do what most taxi drivers do, whats the cheapest remoulds you have please? :D:D:D



conti 850s look good but don't seem to come in a Mondeo friendly load rating need 97 or higher for the Mondeo shed by all accounts
 
Why do you need 97 or higher? My 5 Series doesn't *need* 97 or higher (Though does currently have them on the rear) and it's heavier.
 
Never been stuck yet in any car I've had on normal tyres. This year as it was last year it's GY Eagle F1 ASY 2's on the front (and soon to be the rear too). Been absolutely fine. Sure you might say that 'if someone runs out on front of you you'll bee glad of the winter tyres' but I've never had a problem. Usual story though. You won't need them. Until you do.
 
Whilst the above holds true in most situations I'd be more inclined to be that bit more cautious for a taxi where the vehicle really is the source of income.

I guess my view would depend on how often you journey outside of the central belt in the winter? A decent set of tyres (of any "seasonal" marking) should see you through the winter here without much issue even in the odd bit of snow or ice - but if you find yourself venturing a but further north or up the west coast etc I'd think winters make a reasonably good case for themselves
 
As the car is your livelihood surely being out of action for even 1 or 2 days would be quite a nuisance?

As you'll go through tyres at an alarming rate anyway surely fitting something either 'all season' or 'winter' around this time of the year would be no bad thing? I've used all season tyres on my little yaris for a while now and they're great for just a 'car' they're a lot LOT better in icey slushy stuff and also seem very good in rain and in the heat of the summer. They're Bridgestone A001's by the way.
 
[TW]Fox;28880929 said:
The PS3 is a 'tyre' not an 'out and out summer tyre'. Other than those crappy All-Season things they don't seem to even do in big tyre sizes, you have 'Tyres' and 'Winter Tyres'. What most of the UK needs is 'tyres'.
Click to expand...

There is the Michelin CrossClimate which is a summer tyre with winter certification.
 
[TW]Fox;28882693 said:
Otherwise known, behind the marketing speak, as an 'all season' tyre.

It's only available in small hatchback sizes anyway.
Click to expand...

largest available is 17"


ended up ordering a set of uniroyal rainsport3s. thinking being a cracking wet weather tyre which will be perfect for 99% of winter conditions. watch out for a rinse and repeat in January :D
 
Winter tyres are absolutely worth it even in dry conditions. The compound stays grippy in a lower temp range. I put them on as soon as it gets below 5 degree C. They are absolutely amazing in snow and ice. I would take a fwd with winter tyres over a 4x4 or awd with all seasons any day. Bridgestone blizzaks are probably the best for the money.
 
I have Dunlop, SP winter sport (I think) on my car. No issues with wear as I have had them on over the last 2 summers. I must have well over 30 000 miles on the set and about 3-4 mm tread left on them.

Its rarely been bad enough to evaluate them, but the week before last there was a bit of snow on the road, the guy in front must have braked too hard and his car went side ways across the road. I was keeping a reasonable distance and not going too fast. I hit the brakes hard (probably too hard), and came to a safe stop with a little bit of a skid. Judging by what happened to him I must have had quite a bit more grip with my tyres.

I'll definitely get another set in about a months time.
 
kwerk said:
Winter tyres are absolutely worth it even in dry conditions. The compound stays grippy in a lower temp range. I put them on as soon as it gets below 5 degree C. They are absolutely amazing in snow and ice. I would take a fwd with winter tyres over a 4x4 or awd with all seasons any day. Bridgestone blizzaks are probably the best for the money.
Click to expand...

This seems like a common misconception. At 5 degrees they don't magically become better than any summer tyre. Yes, summer tyres grip will drop off at lower temperatures but it's not a vertical line. And yes, winter tyres grip will drop off less but they have a much lower starting point!

From a purely temperature perspective the intersection point where a winter tyre will outperform the summer one is much lower than 5 - well below zero I'd wager. In wet conditions the summer will be better, in snow and ice the winter will be better. Thus, if your winters consist mostly of snow, sleet and ice then the winter tyres will be best. If your winters comprise mostly of single digit temperatures and rain then summer tyres will perform better. I've had 30 years on this planet, half in Glasgow and half in Devon and I've never experienced a winter season that comprised of more snow and ice than rain
 
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