Winter Tyres

Captainsideways · Post by **Captainsideways** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:04 am

Rhod wrote:I stand corrected!
I have to admit that I hadn't appreciated that there was a significant difference in the compound of standard/winter tyres. In 20+ winters of driving in the north however, the only time I've really experienced problems with traction have been on ice, or with light rear wheel drive vehicles, so I'll probably stick with my standard tyres. Then again the main factor in getting 4WD was for those marginal conditions (Yes, I know that it makes little difference once traction is lost & that a 4WD will slide sideways as easily as 2WD, but in practice I feel that I have more control). Given how good traction seems to be on the 2WD Bongo though, maybe a set of winter tyres would have been cheaper than the extra tyre wear plus potential drivetrain expense of the 4WD

Yep count stopping distances, cornering ability & general stiction in the bonus points. A 2wd drive car on winter tyres is quite capable & will often be better than a 4wd on summer tyres

4wd only aids traction during acceleration & driving through corners.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:58 pm

I wasn't aware of that critical 5 deg. point capt'n but it makes sense - there is a discernable difference in grip in the cold.

Rhod · Post by **Rhod** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 5:58 pm

Captainsideways wrote:

4wd only aids traction during acceleration & driving through corners

My only other 4x4 had to have the front hubs manually engaged. On occasion I forgot to do this in snow, & there was a huge difference in the available traction uphill. The vehicle also "pulled" itself through corners rather than the front end trying to go straight on. I guess that equals acceleration & driving through corners, in practical terms & that's the help that I'm looking for in a snow-filled glen on a stormy night

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:10 pm

My friendly neighbourhood mechanic is called Glen and he has declined your kind offer to fill him with snow on a stormy night.
So thank you but - No Deal.

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:03 pm

I decided to go for a set of these
http://www.vredestein.co.uk/Banden_Band ... dtypeID=14
all season tyres with extra low temp performance below 7deg C.
Rolling radius on 16" rims is 1.5% up on standard.

A well reviewed tyre said to have good wet grip for £68 + fitting

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... s111p12374

wnelson · Post by **wnelson** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:18 pm

scanner wrote: A well reviewed tyre said to have good wet grip for £68 + fitting

Also just fitted a set of the same tyres last week although I have the stndard 15" rims so purchased 215/70 (all roiund) @ £63 each from Camskill's - Great service from these guys too. The tyres arrived the day after ordering.

We'll see how they perform. I needed to replace the front tyres and we're heading to Germany next week for Christmas so thought I may as well replace the whole set.

Wayne & Mirjam

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:39 am

I replaced some nearly new Goodyear F1 Eagle Run Flats that came on the 16" alloys I just fitted. The load index on the Eagles was way too low.

Just driving out of the fitters I noticed the difference in ride.

I'm off to the dentist tomorrow so he can refit the fillings that dropped out in the 100 or so miles I used the run flats.
With the Vredesteins I no longer have to steer around matchsticks and fag papers to avoid the thumps and bangs through the suspension.

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:54 pm

scanner wrote:I decided to go for a set of these
http://www.vredestein.co.uk/Banden_Band ... dtypeID=14
all season tyres with extra low temp performance below 7deg C.
Rolling radius on 16" rims is 1.5% up on standard.

A well reviewed tyre said to have good wet grip for £68 + fitting

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... s111p12374

Used these on a couple of occasions now when it's been cold damp and greasy and the roads haven't been much better either.

And they seem great in bad conditions - stick like you know what to a blanket. Roundabouts I had to slow right down for if it was a bit greasy are now taken at normal speeds and the Bongo feels far better balanced all round.

I can highly recommend them on my experience thus far.

Winter Tyres

Should we use winter tyres in the UK?