General New winter tyre thread

[RobW]

the vast majority of insurers are cool with winter tyres now and don't need to be notified

but check the attached in case you are insured with one of the odd exceptions..

https://www.abi.org.uk/~/media/File...ter tyres The motor insurance commitment.ashx

 

[stevehg]

if you looked at a tyre from the 1970s it would look a lot like this, a lot of the reason why we need winter tyres is that tyres have become much wider and more specific to summer (look up Michelin pilot Sport)

 

[frupi]

Mine go on the Bravo this Saturday. 4th season on winter

Just completed putting 'er indoors' winter wheels on. So much easier when you've got two sets of wheels, summers off, winters on, job done!

 

[RobW]

loving the traction that my winter tyes are giving on the greasy leafy roads

makes pulling away at junctions and roundabouts so much safer

the 225/40-18 are even better than the 225/45-17 in terms of cornering stability and turn in - with a more precise feel

looking forward to testing them on ice and snow

 

[Super Uwe]

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=news;storyid=5519;sess=

Nice little video from Auto Express via the Netweather website.

Now I know the chances are that very few people are ever going to have to climb a hill like the one in the video, but it just goes to show how much difference winter tyres make. No good having four wheels spinning around doing nothing!

Personally, I like the extra grip that winter tyres provide when the roads are wet in the winter - I don't actually care whether it snows or not this year! Our old 500 on the factory-fitted Conti EcoContacts was really quite shocking going round corners in the wet above 30mph. Once winter tyres were fitted, it felt much more stable. And safer quite frankly!

 

[stevehg]

Decided to try a Nokian WR D3's for latest 500. Previously had Goodyear ultragrip's. Just ordered, so probably fit next week.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Melanabb]

I have Nokian WR A3, I can't recommend them highly enough! Superb!

 

[deeyup]

Nokian wr g3 here. Great tyres. I like the tread depth markings too.

We liked them so much that we fitted Nokian summer tyres too.
Nokian Z G2

here is what one test said about them
Auto Bild” and “auto Test” praise the Nokian Z G2 as follows: “Strengths: convincing all-rounder with the shortest braking distances on wet and dry surfaces, good steering precision, stable directional control, and low fuel consumption.” Its braking distance is nearly 28 metres (!), and 22 metres shorter than the worst of all 50 car tyres tested on a wet surface. “The Nokian Z G2 has the best grip” and guarantees maximum safety

Imagine using tyres that travelled a further 22 metres than the best! It's a constant argument on the van forum when the unenlightened argue that they don't drive their vans like sports cars, so only need cheng slime tyres on their 22" alloys!

 

[306maxi]

They use sheet tyres because they stretch better

 

[deeyup]

It's not that. They believe that paying for premium tyres is a total waste of money. They don't consider braking distances.
A premium 20 or 22" tyre is around £250 to maybe £350. The budgets are £100 or less. It's all about the money money money.

They seem to not appreciate the fact that a dog, or heaven forbid a child may cause you to need an emergency stop.
I don't know the exact figures, but the car with the poor tyres that took another 20 metres to stop would still be moving at something like 40 mph when the best tyres would be at a standstill. That's the difference between not hitting a kid, and killing a kid! :bang:

Still, you know the benefits on this forum, most of the van drivers are nay sayers with regards to winter rubber too.

 

[stevehg]

Decided to try a Nokian WR D3's for latest 500. Previously had Goodyear ultragrip's. Just ordered, so probably fit next week.

Cheers

Steve

Arrived this morning via DPD, so swift delivery all the way from Unna, near Dortmund. £210 delivered from tyre universe. Just need to get them fitted to the now spare alloys and then swap over with summer set.

 

[dave]

well known brand and cheap http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?show=97629

 

[stevehg]

well known brand and cheap http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?show=97629

I needed 15's to fit to alloys that came with car, but did look at these in 15 size along with BFGoodrich ones, but decided to spend tenner per tyre extra to get tyres that consistently come in top 3-4 of tests.

Goodyear ultragrip 8's were roughly the same price on Camskill, just ordered Nokian's off tyre universe as delivery was no charge.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Andy Monty]

Think the wet grip ratings go out the window when you compare winter to summer tyres my winters in the cold and wet easily out stop the much better rated summers IME. IIRC mine are g and c rated respectively

 

[deeyup]

With the forecast for next week getting colder, today is change over to winters day

 

[custard]

went with these this year

700x35 wide beasts

 

[Melanabb]

Winters on today, predicted freezing temperatures from tomorrow. Just in time...

 

[doggydoctor]

I know there's people that have bought a steel wheel and winter tyre package from mytyres. I have a lounge with alloys. Does anyone know if I can use the same wheel bolts for the steel wheels as I am using for the alloys, or do I need new bolts?

 

[306maxi]

Same bolts are fine

 

[staffordmike]

Bought some 14" steelies with good tyres on last weekend and had Goodyear Ultragrips fitted today (£220 but can claim a £20 petrol voucher) With a bit of luck I'll be able to sell the summer Contis and brand new Dunlops that came on the wheels. Just need to get some nice, genuine Fiat, wheel trims now, got to keep Fivey looking good!