General 4x4 winter tyres

[jasonFazack]

Hello All,

I have a lovely new 4x4 Panda TA. I know it has the Mud and Snow tyres but Fiat state that these are not Winter tyres and that winter tyres are available. Does anybody know what the technical and practical differences are?

 

[Ulpian]

M&S tyres are a compromise, not quite as good as dedicated winter tyres in winter and not as good as dedicated tyres in the summer, but with the 4X4 they'll be plenty good enough to get you through the winter without trouble.

 

[doggydoctor]

I thought the tyres were winter tyres. Mine have a snowflake symbol on them.

 

[Ulpian]

They are winter tyres, but not optimized purely for winter, as they can stay on for the summer. They are also for off road use.

Summer tyres, with their hard rubber mix, simple tread blocks and lack of sipes, are hopeless at gripping in the cold and ice. Then again, pure winter tyres have longer braking distances when the temperatures rise above seven degrees. And so it goes on.

Your M&S tyres are a compromise, but a very good one.

 

[jasonFazack]

Thanks

 

[doggydoctor]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't a tyre marked with the three peak and snowflake symbol a dedicated winter tyre? That's what the symbol indicates.
I have never heard of 'Fiat' saying it's not a winter tyre. Even continental uk class it as a winter tyre.
There might be other tyres better suited for arctic conditions though.

 

[deeyup]

The standard fit cross contact winter are proper winter tyres. They are optimised for use under temps of 7°c.
They aren't the best for summer use but great for our British winters.