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Pretty sure that isn't the case. I am surprised but it doesn't seem they are mandatory.
Why do UK cars all come supplied with 'Summer tyres'?
- Thread starter VincentHanna
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Pretty sure that isn't the case. I am surprised but it doesn't seem they are mandatory.
I've been stopped by police checks at the exits to motorways and at the start of mountain passes where my tyres have been checked for tread depth and winter tyre markings.
There're not explicitly required for the season (i.e. not the red group in the image I quoted) but they are required if the road conditions are poor (ice/snow).
Earlier this year I drove from Rothbury to Dover on untreated, snow covered roads during a blizzard.I'll quote this back to you in about a week
For the one or two days you need it, it's just not worth it.
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In what though?
Earlier this year I drove a mere 40 mile return journey in the snow in my RWD/automatic 5 series and it was pretty hairy. Roundabouts were a nightmare.
I mitigated as best as possible by manually controlling the gears and turning off the DSC, but it wasn't pleasant.
Earlier this year I drove a mere 40 mile return journey in the snow in my RWD/automatic 5 series and it was pretty hairy. Roundabouts were a nightmare.
I mitigated as best as possible by manually controlling the gears and turning off the DSC, but it wasn't pleasant.
Soldato
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Regular tyres with a snow shovel and a pair of snow socks tucked away in the boot during the winter in case it snows.
Soldato
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pretty sure they are applying the same in the french alps from this winter, too many tourists causing chaos trying to drive with summer tyres.
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Have they superior traction on a rear wheel drive car on a hill with 3 inches of compacted snow ?
I'd like to see a comparison test.
I'd like to see a comparison test.
They make a huge difference on any car. RWD on winter tyres will perform much better in the snow than AWD on regular tyres.
Can you link to anything that confirms this? I see it (or similiar) posted constantly and am yet to come across anything that actually tests a high end summer (like a pilot sport 4) vs a winter tyre, in something like a emergency stop from 70 in the wet on a 3c road. This would be a more useful test for the vast majority of the winter compared to the 5 days or so a year we get where snow performance is actually relevant.
This video
shows in -3 / -4 C conditions a winter tyre (not sure on brand) stopping 10 meters further than his summer tyre (again not sure on brand). Granted it's in the dry, wish I could find longer tests across wider temperatures and on dry and wet roads. Most reviews don't even state what temperature they are tested at
Associate
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atayHQYqA3g
gives an idea of 4wd summer vs 2wd winter tyres on snow.
This video
shows in -3 / -4 C conditions a winter tyre (not sure on brand) stopping 10 meters further than his summer tyre (again not sure on brand). Granted it's in the dry, wish I could find longer tests across wider temperatures and on dry and wet roads. Most reviews don't even state what temperature they are tested at
This is exactly the problem. The winter tyres are 30% worse at dry stopping distances a full 10C below this magic "7c" figure thats so often presented. As you mention it would be really interesting to see this in the wet where I imagine they might start showing a lead, but I'd wager the reason the testing is so hard to find is that for the most part they simply dont offer any improvement unless there is actually snow on the ground.
We have both summer and winter tyres and this matches my own view. When snow is on the ground the winter tyre is incredible. When it isn't, it offers nothing imho.
Once you get to about 5-7c they feel terrible and effect the handling in a big way, especially in the dry. I run them on my GT86 (my daily) only so I don't get caught out and can't get to work. It's undrivable on snow with the Primacy tyres and they don't salt some of the roads I use :/
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Get CrossClimate+ and be done with it
I usually have a set of summer and winter wheels and tyres. My Golf came with Goodyear Vector All-Seasons (new tyres, used car).
They are *****. They are spongy (like winter tyres), struggle for traction in the hot summer (like winter tyres), struggle for traction in the wet (like winter tyres) and struggle for grip in cold, damp conditions (a bit like all crap tyres).
I am yet to test them in snow, but quite frankly I'm not holding out much hope.
Goodyear Vectors aren't the best all-season tyres, but they're hardly crap in the grand scheme of things. As stated a few times in this thread, all-season tyres seem to have all of the downsides of winter tyres, without many of the benefits :/
They are *****. They are spongy (like winter tyres), struggle for traction in the hot summer (like winter tyres), struggle for traction in the wet (like winter tyres) and struggle for grip in cold, damp conditions (a bit like all crap tyres).
I am yet to test them in snow, but quite frankly I'm not holding out much hope.
Goodyear Vectors aren't the best all-season tyres, but they're hardly crap in the grand scheme of things. As stated a few times in this thread, all-season tyres seem to have all of the downsides of winter tyres, without many of the benefits :/
This ^^^
Soldato
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It does get cold enough, especially for those who drive at night/early morning. It's not just about snow and ice but they'll improve grip and tire wear over winter too, and also wet weather performance. The optimal temperature is 7.5 or lower but they still wont easily wear out at 10+.
I used them on a 340HP RWD sports car and they were awesome in the snow. It's a real PITA having two sets of wheels though. I was driving a lot of miles at the time so I fitted winter tyres to my single set of wheels in November and then just wore them out by April I think and then summers on afterwards.
Another problem is the stupid sized wheels fitted to most cars these days making tyres expensive. 4WD car with 14-15" winter tyres would be pretty awesome and cheap to cover the wheels with winters each year, not the 18"+ daft wheels with wide rubber often fitted now to even just family cars.
I remember driving out of a carpark when FWD were stuck and driving sideways up a slope (safe speed and controlled I might add). Not bought them since mind, not driving so many miles now.
I used them on a 340HP RWD sports car and they were awesome in the snow. It's a real PITA having two sets of wheels though. I was driving a lot of miles at the time so I fitted winter tyres to my single set of wheels in November and then just wore them out by April I think and then summers on afterwards.
Another problem is the stupid sized wheels fitted to most cars these days making tyres expensive. 4WD car with 14-15" winter tyres would be pretty awesome and cheap to cover the wheels with winters each year, not the 18"+ daft wheels with wide rubber often fitted now to even just family cars.
I remember driving out of a carpark when FWD were stuck and driving sideways up a slope (safe speed and controlled I might add). Not bought them since mind, not driving so many miles now.
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I love mine, I good compromise I'd say. They're like an 80% good tyre at everything, achieving nothing exceptional but don't nothing bad either. I was surprised how good on fuel they are as well. Also wearing really well, even on the front of a heavy diesel.