General long lasting 4x4 'winter' tyres

[Herts Hillhopper]

Just a passing comment here - not looking to start a debate...

When I got my 2013 4x4 MJ a couple of years (and 34,000 miles!) ago, I was worried that the standard-fit 'winter' tyres might prove to be an issue, given that 'soft' winter tyres are not renowned for longevity.

Well, today, I replaced the original two rear tyres which have covered 40,000+ plus miles of 'not hanging around' driving, as they were down to 3mm of tread. (So, they could have gone a little further but woudl have offered little winter grip as this depth). The fronts, which had worn sooner, were replaced previously but also managed well over 30,000+ miles.

I'm quite impressed by that, and happy to have replaced with the same Continental CrossContact (so 'offroad-ish') Winter-rated tyres that the car had at new.

A quick check of the pads and discs showed they are good for a bit more yet too, but that the rears especially will need doing soon. (At that point I will discover how to access the inaccessible bolts securing the rear callipers...)

 

[Goudrons]

At that point I will discover how to access the inaccessible bolts securing the rear callipers...

And let us all know!

My 4x4 hasn't covered those sort of miles yet, but the tyres are wearing well and I'm happy with the grip both on and off the road.

I originally worried that they might pick up sidewall nicks and splits on some of the stoney tracks I use, but so far all's good.

 

[Jabe]

Similar story here, for the same model of car. Just replaced the last of the originals (rear) at 40k because it had a puncture, and was too near the wear indicators to be worth repairing.

Continental "Cross Contact Winter" tyres on this 2013 Panda 4x4 are lasting rather longer than the "Winter Contact" supplied with the previous car, a 2009 Panda Cross. Perhaps they are a harder compound, but they still seem to provide excellent grip on snow and ice (we get plenty of both up here in the Scottish Borders). Also good on slippery slopes (muddy track sand wet grass fields).

 

[Super Uwe]

I was surprised how well the winter tyres I had for our previous 500 and Panda lasted (they were Vredestein Snowtrac 3).

I don't have the precise final tread depths/mileage, but I am fairly certain they did similar sort of mileage spread over three different stints/years and still looked in good condition at the end.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I originally worried that they might pick up sidewall nicks and splits on some of the stoney tracks I use, but so far all's good.

The 'cross contact' is Continentals name for its off-road tyre range, so they may well have more robust side walls? The 'winter' designation means it has a compound that 'softens' in cool weather to grip better and has more 'sipes' - the fine slots that help grip in icy conditions.

 

[oyumurtaci]

I was considering either going for the more road oriented Michelin CrossClimate, or stepping up to the Goodyear Vector from the Panda Cross when it came to replacing the Contis on my 4x4 but... as has been noted, the Contis are being stubborn and not wearing out in nearly enough time for me to indulge my curiosity.

 

[R1NGA]

Quite coincidentally I've just come in from swapping my original Conti CrossContactWinters from -to- back at 20,000 miles (2nd time I've done it) and they are wearing evenly at 5mm remaining. Hopefully sufficient for what the Daily Express claims will be 120 days of freezing temperatures this winter.....!!

NExt set will either be the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2's or maybe the new Conti WinterContact TS860's, which are reported to be outstanding in the winter and perfectly adequate on light cars all year round. Either way, the Panda doesn't seem to be hard on tyres at all, which bodes well for a more focussed winter tyre when used as an AllSeason.

 

[gar074]

The Goodyear Vectors on my Cross have 16k miles under them now, and they look to be wearing very well. I reckon they'll be good for at least another 16k (more on the rears), and that's with spirited driving on twisty East Anglian B roads, and at least 2 miles each day on a very bumpy farm track, not just trolling up and down dual carriageways (we don't have dual carriageways in these parts!)

 

[Bogwoppit]

26k miles in and the Vectors on my Cross are also holding up well, annoyingly had to replace the n/s front due to a huge screw sticking out of the sidewall. Interestingly it took 2 days before the tyre pressure sensor went off and even then so little air had been lost I was able to scuttle home and fit the space saver in the comfort of my own drive.

It does seem that the 4X4 is gentle on tyres and Fiat have seen fit to equip it with quality rubber be it Conti or Goodyear. Certainly no complaints from me on the tyre front.

Just been announced on local news that Manchester is to have a "clean air zone " all diesels will be penalised[emoji12] the TA is looking like a wise move.

 

[Al D]

My front tyres on my 4x4 more or less had it at 17500 miles. Which may explain it being twitchy last time it snowed. It's forecast again. Where did the theory of change all 4 tyres come from. Earliest I could get car sorted is around fortnight's time anyway....

 

[gar074]

My Goodyear Vectors still have 4mm of tread on the fronts, after 21k miles. I don't get the "change all 4" mentality, unless you've been rotating them and they are all equally worn (out).

 

[Goudrons]

Where did the theory of change all 4 tyres come from.

Some modern 4x4's with all the electronic traction gubbins tend to monitor wheel speeds between axles and if one axle turns slower/faster it can upset the electronics.

It's thought they can detect the difference between, say a set of worn fronts and decent rear as the worn fronts will rotate ever so slightly faster due to the decrease in diameter.

I think some Merc GLC's suffer from this tyre hop and Mercedes blame uneven tyre wear.

I wasn't convinced it would be an issue with the Panda 4x4, but I still swapped fronts to backs after around 10k, just to even out wear, I don't want to end up with one axle worn and one axle not and they get caught out in winter and have it handle badly.

The Panda 4x4 will shove nearly all of the power to the front unless they slip, only then (and in ELD) will up to 50% get shuffled to the rear, so in effect it's virtually FWD most of the time and due to that and the fact the fronts also steer, the fronts will wear a lot quicker than the rears.

Another issue with these winter tyres is they are only usually made and available in the run up to winter.
So you get odd looks standing in your local tyre fitter in sunglasses and shorts demanding winter tyres!

 

[gar074]

You'd get odd looks in my local tyre fitter wearing sunglasses and shorts, irrespective of what tyres you're buying. Best to go in raggedy old trousers held up with baler twine. That won't get you a second look.

 

[Al D]

Thanks you two. Mytyres only site that supply (most) winter tyres all year round with bit of notice. As you can imagine no one on the high street stocking now not that I would have looked in middle of winter. Stands to reason that with an engine in the front and my driving style (like my hair's on fire), the fronts won't last forever. My Dad's 2004 Panda managed 24k on the fronts, not good comparison though. Nokian Winter tyres I think for around 20% less than Continental. Done well in tests anyway.

 

[Al D]

Just been to tyre place I trust. My Halfrauds depth indicator going in bin. Plenty of life left in my fronts. He recommended putting extra air in which I do anyway. Also once British Summertime starts winter tyres can be run down to 1.6mm. Proves anyway that Gareth is more sympathetic on his all seasons on his Cross. Winter tyres nice and sticky in warm weather though round corners which is good. Longest I've owned a Panda with my 4x4. Still lot of fun.

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

My TA Cross front tyres are almost on the TWI at 15k miles. Even wear though.

 

[gar074]

Proves anyway that Gareth is more sympathetic on his all seasons on his Cross.

Me? Sympathetic on tyres? How very dare you!

 

[gar074]

My TA Cross front tyres are almost on the TWI at 15k miles. Even wear though.

Nice going. You're obviously driving it like an Alfa!

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

Nice going. You're obviously driving it like an Alfa!

The weird thing is it's not driven hard. I was expecting a bit more from them TBH.

I didn't spot the "from the dealer" 43.5psi all round until 1600 miles so wonder if that's had an impact?

 

[Al D]

Pressures on a 4x4 32 front 30 back. Those high pressures Simon. Would expect it to ride like a pogo stick but obviously it doesn't. And your trip to France it should be fine too. Maybe better handling on the '12 model affects wear rate. Not as if there's a lot of power though.