Topic

I live in a rural area with un-gritted roads. I use Winter tyres, November to March.
I bought a cheap set of 15" alloys and fitted Winter tyres to them.

Obviously, there is a financial outlay initially. However remember that your other tyres will now last twice as long. This doesn't factor in any money saved by not having an accident, not missing a day's work etc.
So is it worth the trouble?

David

Fully endorse what is being said by Auto Express, my Polish family think is laughable that we even try to go through the year on the same set of tyres. Even if there is no snow the low temperature performance is still better than standard tyres. Anybody who lives in a rural area should consider this option if there is regular ice/snow. BTW if I didn't have a ML with mud/snow tyres on last year, I would have been stuck as the local council is not gritting regularly to save money, 2 snow falls and absolute chaos for 24 hours each time.

TB

I'm amazed that the government don't legislate to be honest. Compulsory Winter tyres would save a fortune in gritting costs alone. Plus they would save all the costs of fixing the damage that salt does to the roads. Obviously they would still need to plough to keep the roads passable.
The great cost would be transferred from the local councils/ government onto the good old driving public cash cow.
Plus the big tyre companies would love them to legislate.

I can't understand why they haven't already enacted the law, quoting the EEC to pass any blame to.

David Aiketgate wrote: wrote:

I'm amazed that the government don't legislate to be honest. Compulsory Winter tyres would save a fortune in gritting costs alone. Plus they would save all the costs of fixing the damage that salt does to the roads. Obviously they would still need to plough to keep the roads passable.
The great cost would be transferred from the local councils/ government onto the good old driving public cash cow.
Plus the big tyre companies would love them to legislate.

I can't understand why they haven't already enacted the law, quoting the EEC to pass any blame to.

German government did.
Driving with summer tyres in snow or ice = €80.00 + 1 penalty point

btw - similar rules in Switzerland, Italy, Czech Rep., France, Austria (at least in some regions).
Highest fine in Austria, up to €5000.00 if caught in a dangerous situation!

A couple Canadian Provinces have legislated winter tire use.

I installed winter tires on our daily drivers this past weekend. Perfect timing because it snowed overnight and the roads were very slippery this morning. My wife and I both made it to work without incident but other coworkers were not so fortunate.

Just ordered some for my fiesta as its shocking n the snow. Plan on fitting 2 to the spare steel wheels I have and fitting them as soon as snow is forcast.

Hi coxy
you don't need snow just a temp drop to 7c or less

Is there any issue running 195/45/16's on all four wheels ?

There's a much better selection in that size.

Rich.

I would always advocate using the manufacturer recommended tyre sizes.
Having said that, I have used 185/55/15 winter tyres all around without incident. Getting the correct sizes can be difficult as the uptake of Winter tyres is still small in this country.

The handling of your car will be different with a different size set up, and you should always drive safely within the actual grip levels/ handling characteristics.

Thanks David.

Tyre calculator works out at less than 1% difference in overall size from my 215/40/16's

Rich.

in keeping with this threads theme "winter tyres"
A friend of mine was touring in the US and whilst in a bar had a bloke mosey on up to her, and in his broad drawl say:
"Hey there liddle lady, your as bout as purdy as a noo set of snow tires!"

That bloke is as a smooth as hessian underpants!

We apologise for this break in transmission. Normal service will resume as soon as possible!