Northern Auto Tech - ECU and Blue & Me Repairs

Technical Tyres

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Technical Tyres

Regarding the effect of different tread depths on the 4WD system, I'm not sure if the Fiat's system is susceptible to this. I think it's to do with the centre diff on some systems. A bit of searching on the Honest John website should provide more info.
As I've mentioned, we have Cross-Climates on our other car. After about 10,000 miles, the fronts still have over 5mm of tread, the rears just over 6mm, which is pretty good. They are noticeably quieter than the original Continentals, and smooth the ride slightly. The big revelation was in the recent snow, where traction, cornering and braking were all far better than I've experienced, having never tried winter tyres.
Cross-Climates are now available in the 225/45 R18 size for my 500X, and I shall be investing in a set when the Goodyears need replacing, despite the expense. I want the all year round improvement in noise and ride, and the extra winter grip is a real bonus if it snows. They are probably still cheaper than buying a set of winter tyres and wheels, and avoid the inconvenience of swapping and storing.
 
TrevC said:
Regarding the effect of different tread depths on the 4WD system, I'm not sure if the Fiat's system is susceptible to this. I think it's to do with the centre diff on some systems. A bit of searching on the Honest John website should provide more info.
As I've mentioned, we have Cross-Climates on our other car. After about 10,000 miles, the fronts still have over 5mm of tread, the rears just over 6mm, which is pretty good. They are noticeably quieter than the original Continentals, and smooth the ride slightly. The big revelation was in the recent snow, where traction, cornering and braking were all far better than I've experienced, having never tried winter tyres.
Cross-Climates are now available in the 225/45 R18 size for my 500X, and I shall be investing in a set when the Goodyears need replacing, despite the expense. I want the all year round improvement in noise and ride, and the extra winter grip is a real bonus if it snows. They are probably still cheaper than buying a set of winter tyres and wheels, and avoid the inconvenience of swapping and storing.
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My wife has a 2014 Panda 4x4on OE Conti Winter Contacts , very impressive in the snow and ice!! I think an All Season tyre will make a difference, I noticed it was a specified option on new cars now according to the brochure!
Likewise my pocket is saying £600-00 for a set of Michelin Crossclimate + will hurt, if dealer contributes then it may be be worthwhile!! The OE are Michelin Sports on there!!
Thanks for the advice!! I am still wondering about the Quatrac 5?
But not sure if anyone has taken the plunge??
 
I'm going for Cross Climates when next Autumn arrives..............Have learnt in the past never to skimp on rubber.
 
Dealer won’t budge, not surprised!! In that case as it’s going into Summer I may hold off then order at Summers end!! Tyres have some life left at front3-4 mm about 5mm at back!! Think they are OE Michelin Pilot Sport 3’s.
 
Do a front/rear swap to eke out more life and even up wear, then go for the Cross-Climates in the autumn when you've saved up!
 
Will do, as per conversation of rotating tyres, somewhere on here!!??
 
TrevC said:
Do a front/rear swap to eke out more life and even up wear, then go for the Cross-Climates in the autumn when you've saved up!
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Do you think price of Michelin Cross Climates will drop come summer?? Being a summer biased all season tyre I wonder!!
Some companies are charging ver the odds for hem but I guess it’s supply & demand! They def seem to be the right tyres for this car especially present weather conditions!!
 
I've no idea, although as you say market forces could be at work! When you are getting ready to change, it's worth keeping an eye out for offers, as Michelin often have promotions which reduce prices.

Regarding tyre rotation, if the tyres are directional (which the Cross-Climates are, for instance) you can obviously only swap them front-rear, not side-side. There will be markings on the sidewall showing direction of rotation.
 
TrevC said:
I've no idea, although as you say market forces could be at work! When you are getting ready to change, it's worth keeping an eye out for offers, as Michelin often have promotions which reduce prices.

Regarding tyre rotation, if the tyres are directional (which the Cross-Climates are, for instance) you can obviously only swap them front-rear, not side-side. There will be markings on the sidewall showing direction of rotation.
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Here is a question?!? Can you mix Summer/All Season tyres a- bit not on same axel!
Oh I found out that apparently prices usually are cheaper in Sept/October for these?! Not sure if anyone else has experienced that!!
 
Alex4x4 said:
Here is a question?!? Can you mix Summer/All Season tyres a- bit not on same axel!
Oh I found out that apparently prices usually are cheaper in Sept/October for these?! Not sure if anyone else has experienced that!!
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I very much doubt it but if in doubt ask an MOT Tester
 
I don't think mixing them is illegal, but certainly not recommended. You would probably be ok during the summer, but I found such a difference in grip between Cross Climate and summer tyres on snow and ice, that mixing them would make the car unstable. Michelin advise against it.
 
Regarding price, MyTyres list quite a few all season tyres ranging from £165 for the Michelins down to £75 for Tristar (?!). Nokian Weatherproof are £145, and there are others that may be worth considering.
 
Update

The 'new' Kumhos on the front have now done 20,000 and will need replacing soon, much better than the original set (Conti?). The original rears have now done 34,000 and still looking good.
 
I’ve just brought some winters for a set of 16’s that I had lying around from a previous Meriva vxr. They are 225/55/16 and I’ve not seen sidewalks that big for a while haha. Brought Nexen winguard sport after having them on a previous car and liking them. They are good pound for pound tyre tbh IMG_1774.JPG
 
On my 500X 1.4 auto I have Contis fitted, the mileage is now 20,000 and I have changed the fronts for the rears. If I had left them where they were I think I would have got at least another 5000 miles on the fronts, the rears seem barely worn so expecting 10 - 15000 miles from them now they are on the front. Only disadvantage will be all the tyres will need replacing at the same time, but that will make choosing new ones a bit easier perhaps.
 
Having checked the 'original' rears they are Bridgestones, and not Contis as I first thought
 
trevc said:
regarding price, mytyres list quite a few all season tyres ranging from £165 for the michelins down to £75 for tristar (?!). Nokian weatherproof are £145, and there are others that may be worth considering.
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IMG_0809.JPG
 
They are here car is due for 2nd year service so will get them to fit them then!!
 
It's getting close to that time again, the Kumhos have lasted much longer than the Bridgestones on the (heavy) front. Michelin Cross Climates are still a ridiculous price round here (if you can find any). Has anybody tried the Goodyear Efficientgrip SUV?
 
Alanw47 said:
Has anybody tried the Goodyear Efficientgrip SUV?
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Aren't those summer tires? I remember the brand, I was using low profile EfficientGrip Performance years ago on a different car. Served me well for three summers, still were in good shape when I sold them.

For this car I'm using Michelin Primacy 3 for summer and Goodyear UltraGrip Ice SUV for winter. It's been one season for each sets. So far so good.
 
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