Spec me Winter Tyres

Pinkribbonscars · 25 Sep 2013 at 18:47

September is a bit early to switch no? We're starting to get below freezing round here (Alberta, Canada) in the mornings but I don't think anyone's switched their tires round yet, and won't for another month or two. I think most people will wait until at least the first good snowfall before bothering (if you think bad winter driving is a UK phenomenon, you're wrong!).

Relentless81 · 25 Sep 2013 at 18:54

[TW]Fox;25001053 said:
Peace of mind in what respect, peace of mind that it cost less?

Yeahhhhhhh, and their greeeeeaaaat! :cool:

Pinkribbonscars said:
September is a bit early to switch no? We're starting to get below freezing round here (Alberta, Canada) in the mornings but I don't think anyone's switched their tires round yet, and won't for another month or two. I think most people will wait until at least the first good snowfall before bothering (if you think bad winter driving is a UK phenomenon, you're wrong!).

You don't have the Daily Mail though

[TW]Fox · 25 Sep 2013 at 18:59

Pinkribbonscars said:
September is a bit early to switch no? We're starting to get below freezing round here (Alberta, Canada) in the mornings but I don't think anyone's switched their tires round yet, and won't for another month or two.

I was there last week and it was 28c

Pinkribbonscars · 25 Sep 2013 at 19:36

Yeah August/September is great in my experience in Alberta, the afternoons are lovely but the mornings are already quite chilly, I guess that's what 1000m of elevation will do. You got lucky, May/June/July sucked!

I think if you live out in the country and will have a few weeks where the roads will all be hard packed with snow (definitely possible in the UK, IME) it's worth it. Otherwise, no real point IMO unless you have money to burn. You'll probably get rear ended anyway if the person behind isn't paying attention!

Skynet-T800 · 25 Sep 2013 at 21:07

jigger said:
What width is the tyre?

If it anything around 175 I don't think I would bother on a super mini.

I think 195/50/15 are the size, will looking tomorrow.

I agree for the most part there not required but for those few ****** weeks we do get they will help, like parking in areas where they don't grit is a nightmare and the little Ka won't get traction, when it did snow last year I tried it and had Zero confidence in it! I don't think 195's on a little Ka is good anyhow.

I remember my old Astra had I think 175's on and they cut through the snow a charm a lot more confidence inspiring.

Dave M · 25 Sep 2013 at 22:16

[TW]Fox;25000880 said:
Once there is actually stuff on the ground it changes completely and said tyres become useless and winter tyres make a mockery of them. The choice is therefore simple - if you fear being stranded by snow, fit winter tyres and remove the fear. If you don't, then don't. The 7c thing is an irritating sideshow, IMHO.

Absolutely agree, I've just ordered a set of winters for the M3

If it was just for stoke, I wouldn't - I can walk to work if it's so bad - but I always holiday in the lakes in jan/feb, and it'd be annoying if a dollop of snow meant I couldn't go, or get back.

theone8181 · 26 Sep 2013 at 07:45

On the subject of winter tyre wear, i used some from november 2012 to around april this year. There is around 8mm tread left when i swapped them off and that was my daily driver 996 C2 (205/50/17's and 255/40/17's) with around 1000 miles a month and i had no issues but then again it was a very mild winter. I would like to see a test on top gear with 2 cars side by side to see what happens between winters and summers. Theres a video on youtube on an icerink but im not sure if im allowed to link it. If i am here it is.