Technical 4x4 Tyres

[DismasX]

Okay so I had my first minor setback with the Panda 4x4 yesterday and would be interested on others views.

Discovered I had a puncture so first decided to try re-inflating to get to the garage. Got the pump ready but could I find anywhere on the car that specified what the tyre pressures should be? Look on the doors, in the petrol cap even under the bonnet!!! Reach for the glove box to find that of course I'd left the manual in the house!

Finally used on of the other tyres as a guide and it was 34psi. Turns out the official figures are between 32 and 36 depending on load.

Headed down to my local independent tyre centre who are really good. They repaired the tyre no problem but this reminded me I only have a bottle of gunk where I should have a spare wheel.

To my shock when I asked them to price a new tyre they came back looking rather frustrated saying the we're unable to source one even direct from Continental.

I'm assuming every 4x4 comes with ContiCrossContact 175/65 R15 (M+S)?

Has anyone else had problems getting hold of a tyre? I've since found a few listed online but not from what I would class as a reputable dealer. I guess my next stop is Fiat but I'm not impressed that I can't just pop out and buy a new tyre!

 

[PaulMT]

Try mytyres.co.uk, £55.70 and in stock!

 

[DismasX]

Try mytyres.co.uk, £55.70 and in stock!

That's great thanks, £60.70 if you only want one but still solves my problem.

 

[Goudrons]

They are Mud and Snow tyres, though most refer to them as "winters".

In some places in Europe, fitting winter tyres is mandatory from a certain date, so because of this they are only usually made/available in the run up to winter, any available after winter are usually older stock as suppliers won't really restock them until they're required.

Mytyres are a German company and ship from there, I've used them a few times without issue, others not so lucky.
They often send in 2's, so if ordering 4, 2 usually turn up one day, the other 2 a few days later or go missing altogether.

Camskill and Black Circles are other (UK) good suppliers, though I think the Conti's aren't in stock at Camskill.

 

[Ziggy122]

The important bit you are missing is the 81T or 92V (for example) or something like that

You should have for example 175*65*r15 81T as a full tyre description

The important bit is MATCHING or bettering the speed and load rating

I'd stick to matching, as when i stuck "high load" ones on, they were terrible

I've used Camskill many a time

The M+S = Mud and Snow, they aren't winter tyres, unless they have the apline symbol on them as well

The M+S are meant to handle better with the slightly looser surfaces

Since 99% most people drive on the road, you dont need M+S

come winter been 4wd, it'll benifit greatly from winter tyres, as 4wheel driving is better then 2wd in snow
but thats budget depending

Ziggy

 

[nigelspanda]

Today I also had a screw in the middle of the rear drivers side tire ,I pumped up the tire went to work on my M/bike as I wanted to ,later Phoned up hartwells I did not know the tire size said I would bring my car to the garage in the afternoon , took it there 2 pm left it there as I thought it would take a few days they phone me 3.45 and said it was ready ,I picked it up 4 pm they Repaired it as it has only 7500 miles the tires are quit good and THERE WAS NO CHARGE ie I paid Nothing which was very good of them Thanks HARTWELLS


Edit the tire Size of mine is 175/65 R15 84T

 

[Goudrons]

Most punctures can be repaired if the puncture isn't too close to the edge of the tread.

A lot of places will repair them for free or next to nothing, as the rubber insert, often referred to as a "dog turd" is pushing in from the outside with a special tool, so the tyre doesn't have to come off.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-VAN-TYRE-TIRE-PUNCTURE-REPAIR-KIT-WITH-10-STRIPS-NEW-High-Quality-/370725740376?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item5650f9df58

The other repair involves removing the tyre and gluing in a patch/plug from the inside, this usually costs a bit more.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REMA-TIP-TOP-GLUE-5-X-TYRE-PUNCTURE-REPAIR-PLUG-PATCHES-6MM-CAR-VAN-AGRI-/130937258398?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item1e7c78019e

 

[Hasek39]

I own a trekking witch has the same tyres, and I wonder if most of you are driving on stock M+S or have you changed them? I have put Hankook K425 (Kinergy eco) on mine and they work great. Low noise, tons of grip in dry and wet. Cant comment on fuel savings, but I think they work well, since i'm getting 40-45 MPG from twinair with 1.500 miles on it.

 

[deeyup]

Most punctures can be repaired if the puncture isn't too close to the edge of the tread.

A lot of places will repair them for free or next to nothing, as the rubber insert, often referred to as a "dog turd" is pushing in from the outside with a special tool, so the tyre doesn't have to come off.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-VAN-TYRE-TIRE-PUNCTURE-REPAIR-KIT-WITH-10-STRIPS-NEW-High-Quality-/370725740376?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item5650f9df58

The other repair involves removing the tyre and gluing in a patch/plug from the inside, this usually costs a bit more.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REMA-TIP-TOP-GLUE-5-X-TYRE-PUNCTURE-REPAIR-PLUG-PATCHES-6MM-CAR-VAN-AGRI-/130937258398?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item1e7c78019e

I personally wouldn't use the external crochet needle type kit as I don't think they are very good.
I'd rather go to tyre fitters and get the second type you listed fitted. They are much better IMO and are a bs rated repair.

I own a trekking witch has the same tyres, and I wonder if most of you are driving on stock M+S or have you changed them? I have put Hankook K425 (Kinergy eco) on mine and they work great. Low noise, tons of grip in dry and wet. Cant comment on fuel savings, but I think they work well, since i'm getting 40-45 MPG from twinair with 1.500 miles on it.

I have. I bought a set of the accessory wheels as fitted to the Antartica model and put michelin summer tyres on them. I keep the standard tyres on the other wheels for winter.

 

[Moultoneer]

I have. I bought a set of the accessory wheels as fitted to the Antartica model and put michelin summer tyres on them. I keep the standard tyres on the other wheels for winter.

I wish I had the space to be able to do this

To be fair, I'm happy with the performance of my Trekking's Conti's, as
they're giving economy in the high fifties (have just hit 12000 miles)
and the grip's fine for my cornering speeds.

I note that the sidewalls do state 'Winter' on them, so are they not
proper winter tyres? (Haven't yet had any snow to test this )


Chris

 

[deeyup]

I wish I had the space to be able to do this

To be fair, I'm happy with the performance of my Trekking's Conti's, as
they're giving economy in the high fifties (have just hit 12000 miles)
and the grip's fine for my cornering speeds.

I note that the sidewalls do state 'Winter' on them, so are they not
proper winter tyres? (Haven't yet had any snow to test this )


Chris

Yes Chris, they are winter tyres.

http://www.continental-tyres.co.uk/www/tyres_uk_en/themes/4x4-tyres/winter-tyres/crosscontact-winter/conticrosscontact-winter.html

Most people seem happy to run them all year though.
I have found benefits to running the summer tyres in better grip in hot weather, and I seem to get better mpg with my computer regularly getting over 50mpg on my work commute (some of this could be just the warmer weather though)

saving the tread on my winters is the best benefit though as once the sipes wear out at around 4mm the winter tyres aren't much if any better in snow than summer tyres. They will still be better in the cold temps though than summer tyres due to compound.

As you say, if you don't have the space then running the winters year round is the best bet I reckon.