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Are winter tyres needed in the uk
- Thread starter benhella
- Start date
Winter tyres work better than summers at temperatures below 7 degrees so you would get some benefit out of them over the winter.
They're also a lot better in snow, but that's not the only benefit.
They're mandatory in some countries but we love a snow day in the UK so most are happy to stick to running summers
They're also a lot better in snow, but that's not the only benefit.
They're mandatory in some countries but we love a snow day in the UK so most are happy to stick to running summers
I use 4 season tyres on the golf,and ps3's on the cupra.I would rather be in the golf over the winter months and ive never got caught short or got stuck touch wood.I suppose it depends on how many miles you do and lay of land to work,there's many hills to climb on my way to work plus my wife rides her motorbike all through winter with winter tyres on and does ok.
no you dont need winter tyres.
right up until you hit something.
its really dependant on your attitude to risk, and snow. and how you drive..
if you live out in the sticks there is more need so assess your circumstances, there is no hard and fast rule. not the cheapest thing to do, but safety should not be a cost issue either.
I work with a few people originally from other countries and they say they were surprised we dont use winter tyres, (as in its not mandated) but none of them have bothered fitting any when here saying such things as 'you call this snow?'..
right up until you hit something.
its really dependant on your attitude to risk, and snow. and how you drive..
if you live out in the sticks there is more need so assess your circumstances, there is no hard and fast rule. not the cheapest thing to do, but safety should not be a cost issue either.
I work with a few people originally from other countries and they say they were surprised we dont use winter tyres, (as in its not mandated) but none of them have bothered fitting any when here saying such things as 'you call this snow?'..
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These were my first winter tyres this year and I'll never drive in winter without them again. They're exceptional for wet grip, it's as simple as that. So they are beneficial for 90% of the time from October to March because as we all know we have wet, gloomy grim weather most of the time in the UK. They're not just for snow!
I always tell people the same thing. Most will only see the benefit on that day they come to brake and the car skids, resulting in an accident. That accident cost could have easily been offset by a set of winter tyres. Most people just think about getting going in the snow and think they will be fine cause the roads are gritted. My line of reasoning (and many others out there...) is that winters will reduce stopping distance (fact!) during winter weather (dry, rain, snow or ice). If you choose not to and end up in an accident because of adverse weather, I hope you will be ok and then remember this post, and hopefully get a set of winter wheels. All it takes is that one day of bad weather.
I have found myself in situations where I have had to brake in ice and snow, and the winters just bite in. This has resulted in me immediately looking in my mirror, expecting the person behind me to not be able to brake just as fast. This has resulted, a few times now, in me having to feather the brake to avoid rear collisions and just illustrates my confidence and being in more control than those without. I hope this helps convert some to the safer way of driving, which is to get winters. be safe.
I have found myself in situations where I have had to brake in ice and snow, and the winters just bite in. This has resulted in me immediately looking in my mirror, expecting the person behind me to not be able to brake just as fast. This has resulted, a few times now, in me having to feather the brake to avoid rear collisions and just illustrates my confidence and being in more control than those without. I hope this helps convert some to the safer way of driving, which is to get winters. be safe.
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We live in Edinburgh and 3 mornings a week our daughter is dropped off at nursery around 7:30 which is down a road that is seldom gritted at that time of day. Swapping over the wheels three weeks ago I immediately noticed that traction control light flickering out of junctions on cold damp mornings is pretty much gone.
This weekend we drove up to Inverness after snowfall on Friday night, the A9 was pretty much clear but there were a few dual carriageway sections that had slushy snow in the righthand lane, not a twitch when passing slower traffic. Back down the road today and it was wet and temperature between about 3 and 6 degrees most of the way, car just feels secure.
The conditions certainly weren't so bad that you'd say that winter tyres were essential but they made driving in poor conditions less stressful.
This is the second year of using winter tyres and reckon it has been worth it for us.
This weekend we drove up to Inverness after snowfall on Friday night, the A9 was pretty much clear but there were a few dual carriageway sections that had slushy snow in the righthand lane, not a twitch when passing slower traffic. Back down the road today and it was wet and temperature between about 3 and 6 degrees most of the way, car just feels secure.
The conditions certainly weren't so bad that you'd say that winter tyres were essential but they made driving in poor conditions less stressful.
This is the second year of using winter tyres and reckon it has been worth it for us.
As a few people have touched on, winter tyres aren't just meant for snow and ice. The difference between winter and summer tyres in cold wet conditions like we have for most of our winter, is almost like day and night to me.
If I can afford them I will be buying them for all my future cars.
If I can afford them I will be buying them for all my future cars.
That's what everyone says who's never had them. Once you do, you won't go back. Besides, if you haven't ever had them, how can you have a constructive opinion?
I had mine fitted a week ago, just as the temperature dropped and we had some snow. With barely less than 100 miles on them I noticed a significant improvement over my regular tyres (which I've never thought were bad).
They just feel much more sure footed. I'm glad I got them now and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
Small price to pay to potentially just avoid that accident or come off the road. Can't be much more than the cost of most peoples insurance excess and the faff of sorting a damaged car ? (and that's a best case scenario)
They just feel much more sure footed. I'm glad I got them now and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
Small price to pay to potentially just avoid that accident or come off the road. Can't be much more than the cost of most peoples insurance excess and the faff of sorting a damaged car ? (and that's a best case scenario)
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Do you guys keep your other set of tyres in a garage or shed? How much does it cost generally to just switch them over?
Depends on local fitters prices. I paid £12 just to have the wheels swapped. Some local fitters will not charge if you buy the tyres from them and they may even offer a free 'tyre garage' to store your regular tyres. Though I bet they'll make up the cost when it comes to swapping the tyres back in Spring.
I bought a smaller wheels and tyres bundle as it was cheaper than buying just the tyres for my existing 18"alloys.
I bought some wheel bags from Amazon and am storing them in my garage.
I bought a smaller wheels and tyres bundle as it was cheaper than buying just the tyres for my existing 18"alloys.
I bought some wheel bags from Amazon and am storing them in my garage.
I've never owned a pair, in fact just stuck 2 new Eagle F1's on the front.
Mind, I am interested in these new type of tyres.
http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michelin-crossclimate
Mind, I am interested in these new type of tyres.
http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michelin-crossclimate
17's work on a standard Cupra but I believe you may need to stick to 19's if you have the performance pack.
Look on http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/ for sizing/fitting advice. I bought my alloys and tyres from them. Great service (though UK Mail's incompetence did sour the experience!).
I live in Yorkshire and had a 4x4 and winter tyres (I never bothered when I lived in Devon...). I was unstoppable and could go anywhere. But the real problem is the other 99% of drivers who don't and the roads become gridlocked anyway so still takes you 3 hours to go 5 miles - so up to you! I'm not bothering yet for my FR but I have got snow socks for emergencies if I get stuck. They work well too.
The real question is:
Are you guys comparing winter tyres to poor quality/budget summer tyres which are absolutely lethal in the wet or cold?
Or are you comparing to good quality tyres that grip pretty well in the cold & wet, such as the Eagle F1s? I still have Eagle F1s on (yes it's a mk2, but not relevant for the purposes of this discussion) and they still grip very well in the cold and damp weather.
Are you guys comparing winter tyres to poor quality/budget summer tyres which are absolutely lethal in the wet or cold?
Or are you comparing to good quality tyres that grip pretty well in the cold & wet, such as the Eagle F1s? I still have Eagle F1s on (yes it's a mk2, but not relevant for the purposes of this discussion) and they still grip very well in the cold and damp weather.
I've experienced snow as well as cold, wet and slushy roads in FWD and RWD cars with both good quality summer and winter tyres.
There is no comparison when the roads are cold and have slush and/or snow on them.
Yes you can 'get away with it' but that comes down to a position on risk compounded with a relatively high initial outlay on a second set of tyres and/or wheels.
There is no comparison when the roads are cold and have slush and/or snow on them.
Yes you can 'get away with it' but that comes down to a position on risk compounded with a relatively high initial outlay on a second set of tyres and/or wheels.
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