That winter rubber thread 2014

[Ziggy122]

So the question is for people - when are people putting there winter rubber back on again?

Im holding off still till it gets much cooler (averaging max of 10 during day ish)
Since i've got like new rubber on atm with rainsport3's

Are we going to benifit this year from them or not do we think?

Ziggy

 

[dtwelve]

ive never put winter rubber on cant see the point in the uk never have enough snow

 

[Ziggy122]

ive never put winter rubber on cant see the point in the uk never have enough snow

not just for snow
But icy mornings and the onslaught of rain

Summer tyres go hard = less grip
Winter tyres = Softer = More grip in thoery

its a nice way to spread tyre wear out alot tho

Ziggy

 

[dave]

ive never put winter rubber on cant see the point in the uk never have enough snow

if they were for snow they would call them snow tyres. summer tyres are getting harder and harder compounds and crap tread pattens to comply with mad EU energy and noise rules making switching in winter more and more essential

 

[Ziggy122]

if they were for snow they would call them snow tyres. summer tyres are getting harder and harder compounds and crap tread pattens to comply with mad EU energy and noise rules making switching in winter more and more essential

The number of cheap branded tyres that plague the market right now as well
Not saying they are all bad tyres, but there is a reason why premium tyres cost more is due to the research into making them that little bit better in X Y Z

ABS systems work better with winter rubber too
Let alone when the driver does a better job (long live no ABS)

Ziggy

 

[dave]

but there is a reason why premium tyres cost more

Ziggy

most of it is because people love labels

 

[AndyRKett]

most of it is because people love labels

I'll second that, I tend to use more 'off label' tires which are far cheaper and work just as well
There can be a big difference in price between big brand names and lesser known brands and quite often they are made side by side in the same factories by the same companies as their budget brands, these companies know people will pay through the nose for a certain name.

 

[Stu DemonD]

Still holding out before I put mine on, temps seem too high at the minute.

 

[Ziggy122]

I'll second that, I tend to use more 'off label' tires which are far cheaper and work just as well
There can be a big difference in price between big brand names and lesser known brands and quite often they are made side by side in the same factories by the same companies as their budget brands, these companies know people will pay through the nose for a certain name.

Like Uniroyal is to Continental

I like uniroyal

Still holding out before I put mine on, temps seem too high at the minute.

Im keeping an eye on it...
mind you tho - there saying novenmber is gonna be a harsh one.... they'll probably come out then...

Ziggy

 

[Geddes]

Still holding out before I put mine on, temps seem too high at the minute.

Last year was a bust for winter tyres. Also the money I wasted on decent screen wash.
Actually I needn't have bothered with a coat either.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I'm still in a flap trying to get a 2nd set of wheels for the Prius before considering winter tyres. At this rate might go for the wheel and tyre package from mytyres

 

[m20b25]

I've my winter wheels on... Normal tyres though (Goodyear)

I took my 520 up the Sally Gap and back down again in the snow in February. On Continental summertyres. I didn't get stuck, no spinning, traction controll off, no difficulties. That's a mountain here in Ireland btw

Make what you like of that

 

[dave]

I've my winter wheels on... Normal tyres though (Goodyear)

I took my 520 up the Sally Gap and back down again in the snow in February. On Continental summertyres. I didn't get stuck, no spinning, traction controll off, no difficulties. That's a mountain here in Ireland btw

Make what you like of that

going is only a small part of winter driving, stopping is another story

 

[m20b25]

going is only a small part of winter driving, stopping is another story

I was able to when I needed to

 

[thooms]

I'm waiting till we're seeing a max of 8-10*C - and I find the other wheel bolts.

Even without the snow, the performance in deep standing water is amazing. They work well in the mud, as well

 

[Ziggy122]

I'm waiting till we're seeing a max of 8-10*C - and I find the other wheel bolts.

Even without the snow, the performance in deep standing water is amazing. They work well in the mud, as well

You tend to find they are M+S marked
Mud and snow,
Snow stick to snow, mud sticks to mud..... it helps that way

Only true winter tyres feature the alpine symbol tho Alot of tyres get M+S and really shouldnt.... i had some when i brought my car which were truly aweful

Ziggy

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

You tend to find they are M+S marked
Mud and snow,
Snow stick to snow, mud sticks to mud..... it helps that way

Only true winter tyres feature the alpine symbol tho Alot of tyres get M+S and really shouldnt.... i had some when i brought my car which were truly aweful

Ziggy

IIRC M&S is a marking any tyre manufacture can add as and when they wish, the snowflake symbol has to be approved, and is in relation to the tyre compound rather than the tread pattern.

 

[thooms]

Agreed - most ditchfinders are nominally M&S, even if they have really hard / plastic 'rubber'.

 

[Ziggy122]

Agreed - most ditchfinders are nominally M&S, even if they have really hard / plastic 'rubber'.

Hi-Fly for example, gesh.... never again

Ziggy

 

[StevenRB45]

Hi-Fly for example, gesh.... never again

Ziggy

Saw an 18 inch set of those on a focus ST. You do have to wonder why you'd go to all the expense of an ST then hobble it with Z grade rubber. Be willing to put money on it having torque steer and understeer characteristics that would have you travelling slower than cooking 1.6 on good tyres.