[Simon Mess]

Everything has winter tyres on

Only fools drive (or get stuck and clog up the roads) without them

Never had winter tyres in 24 years of driving, never got stuck, and while I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, I wouldn't consider myself to be a fool either.  
In my opinion, at least 90% of those that get stuck and/or clog up the roads are there through not having a clue how to drive in the snow, and not whether or not they have winter tyres
But i'm sure you know best Rhinoman.....

[Mike #1]

My work seems to be like Mikes and I was very off road yesterday in the middle of nowhere getting to a customers house that's only really accessible by green lane.
I had Goodrich HT on there before and never found any traction issues with them on any surfaces / snow / ice / gravel etc except they didn't like mud !
We're certainly quieter / better ride / more stable. I get the sense that these should last well but are AT really that much better ?

I decided to fit AT's to my truck as the original Bridgestone HT's all had to be changed at 15,000 miles  my current mileage is 39,300 ,

 The think is with AT's is the deeper tread ensures better traction in mud and snow so for me i feel a little more confident in driving through a foot of fresh snow or even compacted snow as At's have a bit more bite .

The outer edge of my front tyres wear quite a bit even though i rotate them every so often but the inner 75% of the tyre is currently about 4-5mm , So when the outer edge is down i will be changing tyre shame really as their will still be a good amount of tread on them . Mike

[G Griffin]

How are winter tyres in the summer?
I'm guessing it's like hard and soft squeegee rubber and you can use soft all year round. Is it the same with winter tyres?

[Mike #1]

You could have winter tyres on all year round if you wanted they used to be a lot softer once the temps got above 5+ and would wear far quicker .

But they wear a lot better due to advances and developments , If you still have a good tread on your current tyres and are having winter tyres fitted just keep your original tyres for the better weather then get them switched back over .

It only costs £10-20 per tyre change i pay £10 without balancing when having tyres rotated . Mike

[G Griffin]

You could have winter tyres on all year round if you wanted they used to be a lot softer once the temps got above 5+ and would wear far quicker .

But they wear a lot better due to advances and developments , If you still have a good tread on your current tyres and are having winter tyres fitted just keep your original tyres for the better weather then get them switched back over .

It only costs £10-20 per tyre change i pay £10 without balancing when having tyres rotated . Mike

Right, I never thought about that; like squeegee rubber, again, though.
Thanks for your reply.

[Scrimble]

You only need to fit winter tyres on one axle so if you have front wheel drive fit them to the front they will make a big difference with traction and grip .

wrong, you need winter tyres on all 4 wheels, before i knew there was such a thing as winter tyres i nearly crashed my van sliding sideways down a hill on 2 separate occasions,

[Mike #1]

A lad i know you works at the local tyre place just puts winter tyres on one axle as his car is rear wheel drive and is a nightmare in the snow .

But if i am wrong i stand corrected  . Mike

[Scrimble]

A lad i know you works at the local tyre place just puts winter tyres on one axle as his car is rear wheel drive and is a nightmare in the snow .

But if i am wrong i stand corrected  . Mike

putting 2 on is a cheap skates way of doing it

[C o z y]

A lad i know you works at the local tyre place just puts winter tyres on one axle as his car is rear wheel drive and is a nightmare in the snow .

But if i am wrong i stand corrected   . Mike

Must be a nightmare to steer in the snow too. Why do Brits think winter tyres are "snow" tyres?? Are there such things as snow tyres? When I was driving trucks, I did a few winter runs to Sweden, and they have studded tyres in the winter. Otherwise, never heard of snow tyres. AT tyres yes, but they're different.

Another thing to think about is, if you transport your family around in a vehicle with summer tyres on instead of winter tyres, how would you feel if they were injured in an accident during freezing and wet conditions?

[Arnold Palmer]

Winter tyres have a softer density to give them better grip on ice, as such they wear down quickly. It ain't cheap but it's better than being stuck or worse - dead.

Perhaps you think; 'I'm a better driver than these idiots who get themselves stuck' but it is not that simple.

Wide wheels + high BHP + normal road tyres = very poor traction, no matter how good you are at driving in the snow. I have been there.

The large weight carried by most window cleaners is both a help and a hindrance, the weight will give you better traction but if you start to slide you have had it.  

[Mike #1]

So pleased i have a proper 4X4 and will manage just fine when it snows next week  . Mike

[C o z y]

So pleased i have a proper 4X4 and will manage just fine when it snows next week   . Mike

How's that then? When you travel along a road and cars get stuck because they have summer tyres on and they block the road, what do you do, drive over them?

[Mike #1]

Generally just overtake them i live in a semi rural area so it is very rare for the weather to cause major tail backs and at busy times i use back roads which a lot of car drivers avoid .

Along with the fact i have a Mitsubishi  L200 which will  go virtually anywhere  my All Terrain tyres have coped with the last 2 winters and that is fully loaded with 1/2 a ton in the back and  even driving through 10" of snow which i doubt your winter tyres and little van will   . Mike

[C o z y]

I live in Germany mate, and we get minus 15 as normal every winter. Got a Trafic, DCI 150,  I used to have a MD21 Nissan. I never saw it as an extension to my willy though like some.   So remember to just keep going when you are in a traffic jam and tell everyone they have a little van etc.

If anyone gets stuck and you can't get past them, just show 'em your big L200.  

[Mike #1]

I was simply trying to make a valid point , As you live in Germany and suffer more prolonged lower temps winter tyres are of a greater importance

And their has been some good evidence that even 4x4's would greatly benefit from fitting winter tyres. 

Here in the Uk most drivers dont have a clue how to drive in winter conditions and every year it is suggested car drivers should fit winter tyres but most wont due to cost .

I chose to have an L200 to ensure i could get out to work in the winter and do so safely and ensure my wife could travel more safely with the reduced risk of travelling in bad weather . Not willy waving but if more people were more sensible about traveling in winter conditions we would not have so much troble getting around in the ice and snow . Mike

[PoleKing]

You only need to fit winter tyres on one axle so if you have front wheel drive fit them to the front they will make a big difference with traction and grip .

And you might get out to work in the snow  instead of crying on this forum that you have not worked for days . Mike

I've been onto tyre places all day today.
They said all 4 needed it....
I can't see why though.
Don't spose you've got any info or experience on it have you?

[Mike #1]

To be honest Darren i am going off what a Tyre fitter told me just over a year ago but that could well have been his personal opinion and choice to fit 2 tyres .

If they are telling you all 4 then that is your best bet , I guess you got to consider cost verus not getting out to work .

But it depends on the state of the roads on housing estates which is normally dire which is one of the many reasons i chose to buy a 4x4 . Mike

[Mike #1]

I had my first 4wd vehicle about 7 years ago and at one point i switched to a 2wd motor and soon found out it would go nowhere in the snow with a bit of weight in the back .

And could not be without a 4x4 now we used to live in a more rural location until about a year ago and taking my wife to work at 6:30 am or trying to get out of the village at most times during heavy snowfall was difficult . Mike

[PoleKing]

To be honest Darren i am going off what a Tyre fitter told me just over a year ago but that could well have been his personal opinion and choice to fit 2 tyres .

If they are telling you all 4 then that is your best bet , I guess you got to consider cost verus not getting out to work .

But it depends on the state of the roads on housing estates which is normally dire which is one of the many reasons i chose to buy a 4x4 . Mike

Cheers.
It's just that I can't see why the non driven wheels in the van would benefit.
And the people telling me I need all 4 are selling them so not without bias.
I'll keep googling.
Thanks for your help.

[Arnold Palmer]

Noticeably less than BFGs. You could get 24,300+ miles out of them so long as you switch them front to back every 6 months or so.