Most Easterly Pandas said:

Except if as a result they have an accident with you or cause an obstruction



Its not about snow necessarily though, its road temperature more than anything in the UK.

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Meh :devil: I rarely use my car in the winter, I only use it if I really must use it other than that it sits on the drive like a snow globe (when it snows of course!) but I think this time I'm gonna buy a car cover as I hate those mornings getting the damn ice of the windscreen:bang:

benny279 said:

Meh :devil: I rarely use my car in the winter, I only use it if I really must use it other than that it sits on the drive like a snow globe (when it snows of course!) but I think this time I'm gonna buy a car cover as I hate those mornings getting the damn ice of the windscreen:bang:

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the punto is brilliant on it tho

No engine power - ride the clutch to full engagement and the idle/chugging speed is perfect for hill climbs, as the cars ecu will refuse to let it stall unless its a really really steep hill, which requires much more skill then

I bet the 1.3 multijet would be great for this andymonty as the diesel torque would be grand?

i do think ditching alloys to skinnier steelies does also help
More pressure per tyre, and wider channel groves help with water displacement

And yea i agree winter tyres dont mean snow

Ziggy

benny279 said:

...this time I'm gonna buy a car cover as I hate those mornings getting the damn ice of the windscreen

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I've used a cover in the past, they can be a bit of a hassle. On windy nights they try to escape, so tie themselves into a mess and often uncover the windows, so they freeze. Then of course, on wet mornings, you need somewhere to store it so that it will dry out - damp garage anyone? You may get fed up with it quite quickly.

Often they will not prevent freezing. Some moisture gets underneath, then freezes, sticking the cover to the screen.

Now, let's have someone with some good experiences please, to counter Mr. miserable.

Ziggy122 said:

I bet the 1.3 multijet would be great for this ... as the diesel torque would be grand?

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I've done some work with Welsh Water and Royal Mail, both using Vauxhall Combos with the Fiat 1.3 diesel. All of them find the van difficult in the snow, especially on hills. With little or no throttle there is insufficient power as the turbo is not yet working effectively, then more revs just give lots of wheelspin.

Anyone with experience of this engine in a car?

Here's a thought, has anyone tried putting winter tyres just on the front? Is this an adequate compromise, saving the cost of tyres, or does it result in the rear end trying to slide around too often? (Floodgates now open...)

i've been using tepid water to clear screen of ice for years, no scraping, no cracked screens, no effort.

In actual deep snow it probably wouldn't be an issue as the rears are just following the ruts crated by the front,

I've got a pair ( only got 2) of Italian issue "snow-fox "tyres ( studdable) that I stick on the front of our 1.1 panda when snow's forecast .. needless to say it's only there 2% of the forecast times, but as they are 135's they do VERY well in snow,

also have to agree with the coments on the 1.3 diesels being gutless in the lower rev range,

not like my favoured 1.9 tipo's where you could go up through all 5 gears without touching the accelerator,


Charlie

portland_bill said:

Here's a thought, has anyone tried putting winter tyres just on the front? Is this an adequate compromise, saving the cost of tyres, or does it result in the rear end trying to slide around too often? (Floodgates now open...)

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Might not make a difference in deep snow, however on normal cold road surfaces it could lead to the rear end trying to over take the front in certain conditions. Its for this reason I'd only use all 4 as winters, and always put new rubber on the rear if only a pair of tyres being replaced.

portland_bill said:

I've done some work with Welsh Water and Royal Mail, both using Vauxhall Combos with the Fiat 1.3 diesel. All of them find the van difficult in the snow, especially on hills. With little or no throttle there is insufficient power as the turbo is not yet working effectively, then more revs just give lots of wheelspin.

Anyone with experience of this engine in a car?

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Ive currently got a Mk2b Punto with the 1.3. Its exactly as you describe on steep hills. Thats why this year Ive gone for a set of winters for it, see if it helps. Its still better than a lot of other cars Ive owned though when it comes to snow/ice. Previously I had a Mk2 1.9 JTD and that was fantastic in the snow and ice! (even without the winters) The JTD had a lot more grunt low down and the extra weight over the front wheels helped as well Im sure!

Alan

the fronts having winters = Back end wants to overtake

On the rear = more understeer as the rear is anchored better as front wheels struggle for grip

It may make sense to fit winters to rear if have FWD, as drum brakes make nice steady brake control when decending hills... and if you have EBD - where it may help with stopping but not having EBD cant comment on that

4 winters for me this year (YES!) i hope its worth while

Ziggy

are police and ambulance using winter tyres in the winter yet?

dave said:

are police and ambulance using winter tyres in the winter yet?

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Tesco & Waitrose delivery do

So in case of emergency, call Tesco? It's right, every little does help!

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Might not make a difference in deep snow, however on normal cold road surfaces it could lead to the rear end trying to over take the front in certain conditions. Its for this reason I'd only use all 4 as winters, and always put new rubber on the rear if only a pair of tyres being replaced.

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that's cetainly the geral idvice I've been hearing for the last few years,

BUT as I've only got the 2 x 135 steel panda wheels,
I'm putting them on the front when strictly necessary - very little point having limited DRIVE + Steering with winter tyres on the rear

just ordered me some winter tyres, Uniroyal MSPlus6 Uniroyal MS Plus 6 - 165/70 R14 81T for £35.70 each and a delivery charge of £2.99 per tyre. anyone used these before?

dave said:

are police and ambulance using winter tyres in the winter yet?

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Nope, certainly not London/ home counties down south anyway. And certainly not on standard response vehicles. Most forces and ambulance services now have a small fleet of "winter" vehicles specifically for snow/ severe weather etc. Defenders, L200's and Shoguns etc. The logistics of getting all the cars switched over to winters is too complicated plus responding on winters when the temperatures rise a bit would be too dodgy I would imagine.

MightyMutley said:

just ordered me some winter tyres, Uniroyal MSPlus6 Uniroyal MS Plus 6 - 165/70 R14 81T for £35.70 each and a delivery charge of £2.99 per tyre. anyone used these before?

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Ive just got a set of them! Think Ziggys got a set of them too! Not used them before though but heard good things about them. Cheap too

Alan

winters in the warm are not as dogy as summers in the cold

MightyMutley said:

just ordered me some winter tyres, Uniroyal MSPlus6 Uniroyal MS Plus 6 - 165/70 R14 81T for £35.70 each and a delivery charge of £2.99 per tyre. anyone used these before?

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Please, where did you find them at that price?

portland_bill said:

Please, where did you find them at that price?

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maybe here http://www.camskill.co.uk/m94b0s729...Eff_:_F_Wet_Grip:_C_NoiseClass:_2_Noise:_71dB

dave said:

maybe here http://www.camskill.co.uk/m94b0s729...Eff_:_F_Wet_Grip:_C_NoiseClass:_2_Noise:_71dB

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Thanks for that. Shame my Google couldn't find that!
The "Thanks" icon has disappeared from this thread, anyone any idea why?

i found it by googling Uniroyal MSPlus6 Uniroyal MS Plus 6 - 165/70 R14 81T £35.70

there is no thanks button in LL as it was abused iirc