View Full Version : Freetrack 4 and winter tyres
Has anyone had experience of winter tyres on their Freetrack4?
I'm thinking of getting some, after experiences with 2wd cars, but am wondering should I just stick with my current tyres (Barum "Bravuris2") that have a soft compound feel to them and a decent-looking tread. I also have a pair of snowchains for the car.
I had Toyo Proxes on my car last year and considering that they were "fast road" tyres they and the 4x4 worked well.
Anyone got any thoughts? Should I just stick with my budget tyres and snowchains, or buy a set of true winter tyres? What do other Freetrack owners use for the winter?
Summer tyres (budget or premium) are designed for summer temperatures. Summer tyres and snow chains will get you through snow but when faced with no snow and freezing temps you'll find that they are less than adequate when compared to winter tyres. The fact that your car is 4x4 means that it will cope with driving better than 2 wheel drives, but 4 wheel drive does little to help when you're braking.
Personally, I run winter tyres in winter and summer tyres in summer. In my 2 wheel drive van I go places that Range Rovers couldn't get. ;)
I'll need to double check my tyres' specification (when the car comes back from the workshop - blown turbo). I've probably googled too many times, but some sites quote the Barum tyre as a summer tyre, others as an all-year tyre.
I'll probably just get them swapped for true winter tyres.
You won't regret it- the difference is amazing.
We use them on our freetrack in the winter. 205/55/16 94H Dunlop Wintersport 3D on steel wheels. The wife loves it :)
iain1970
13-10-2011, 11:36
I ordered my winter tyres yesterday for my Altea and they have arrived ex-Avon Tyres to our supplier today. They had 14 left on the shelf yesterday.
Gone for Cooper Weathermasters again (same as on our Ibiza's winter rims) because they have been so good over the last two years. They will be fitted to the stock 16" Sport alloys and I'll run 18" in the better weather.
I got a set of 16 inch Continental winter tyres last winter. Had them fitted to a set of steel tyres. All I can say is what a transformation on cold and icy roads. I didn't realise it was possible to have such good traction. You need to make sure the rolling circumference is the same or very close as I have been told it will cause problems with the 4WD sensors. My winter tyres are slightly narower and a higher profile to match the standard 225/50/R17. Just a few mm difference in rolling cir.
iain1970
17-10-2011, 18:16
Mine Were fitted this afternoon. They're Avon, not Coopers. Not overly noisy on the way home from work and grip is an improvement on the fubarred mix that came off.
Must sort out the Tyres for the Dracos now. It's an expensive month!
Ive bought some winter tyres for the altea which are still in the shed. Way to early to fit them yet. I just bought budgets - Saliun Ice Blazers (i liked the name and price - £65 a tyre for 225/40/18), and i thought even cheap budget winter tyres will be better than nearly past it dunlop sport maxx. They look awsome, I just hope it bloody snows now!
Hi
Auto Express have tested winter tyres and found:
1st Continental Contiwintercontact TS 830P
2rd Goodyear Ultragrip Performance 2
3rd Pirelli Sottozero Winter 240 Serie II
All tyres were 225/45R17
Link
autoexpress.co.uk/products/total_tyre_guide/259435/winter_tyre_test.html
:)
need 15 posts to post full link....
I wouldn't worry too much on the best tyres, as long as they're not super budget they'll be better than the summer alternative. I spent ages agonising over what to buy a few years back but they'll all be a revelation. You're hardly going to hoon it high speed at minus 2 are you?
iain1970
21-10-2011, 08:30
When I got a set on my Fiesta over the 2009/10 winter, I was quite the barm pot. Same in the Ibiza last year!
Only trouble is, you stop nice and steady, the cars around you don't.
Just to update this forum, I bought a set of 4 Sunny SN3830 "Snowmaster" tyres.
They are reinforced, and have the thicker sidewall to protect the rims.
Yes, they are budget tyres, but seeing them, they apear well-made and sturdy. I don't hammer my car, so racetrack performance isn't a priority. When the snow comes, gettting home up the hills is my priority. While these tyres are Chinese-made, they look up to the job to me.
Trouble is, I don't have my Freetrack back yet after the turbo repair, so haven't got the tyres fited yet. Seems the car has developed a bearing-type whine from the right front drive shaft during repair, so trying to get that sorted. I don't suppose there's a simple solution for that is there?
jontbone
15-11-2011, 21:28
Just bought 4 new Nankgang SV2 winter tyres, for my freetrack. Can't wait to get them on & see what they're like.
Simply can't afford premium tyres, but the reviews are ok considering the price difference. Surely they'll be better than running the summer tyres all winter.
Bought them for £100 each from mytyres.co.uk , prices wre going up daily reducing the choice available to me even more!
Bought them for £100 each from mytyres.co.uk , prices wre going up daily reducing the choice available to me even more!
:blink:
How much? What size?
jontbone
15-11-2011, 21:53
:blink:
How much? What size?
I bought 225/50/17 to replicate the manufacturers spec size, I spent ages deciding whether to buy 16" steelies, but eventually decided I didn't want 16" steelies or 16" alloys for that matter on my freetrack for up to 4 months a year! Also wanted to avoid potential insurance problems with the wrong size wheels.
Unfortunately, while I was umming and arring about which option to go with, the tyres went from £87 corner to £100 over about 5 days. Decided to go for it before they went out of my budget.
Am now on the lookout for some cheapish alloys to go with em (in case anyone has oem spec alloys for sale :whistle:)
Ah, 17" makes a difference. I paid £65 for my Avons in 205/55/16 format.
jontbone
15-11-2011, 22:09
Ah, 17" makes a difference. I paid £65 for my Avons in 205/55/16 format.
Indeed, I've just gotten used to the 17's, thought they looked tiny compared to the 19's that were previously fitted!