winter tyres.

[Chippy_Tea]

If I lived in a place that had snow for a long time, I'm sure I would get the winter ones

Winter tyres are designed to work best at temperatures below 7c (i believe) but its my belief that if you drive sensibly and to the conditions there is no need for them, snow tyres are a different thing altogether but we don't get heavy snow that lasts for more than a few days so are not really practical here.

 

[PhilM]

It’s only in the last couple of years that lorries must have winter tires on n Sweden before that it was voluntary. Don’t really know why, but there weren’t loads of accidents before.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

It’s only in the last couple of years that lorries must have winter tires on n Sweden .

That is a worrying fact, if you lose control of a 40 ton vehicle in the ice you are going to make a mess and probably kill.

.

 

[simon12]

OK so if just front or back doesn't work do you fit just 2 to the left or the right? I always thought in formula 1 they have to use 2 tyre compounds could they just fit 2 types at a time.

 

[cushyno]

A couple of years ago I needed to replace the front two tyres. Rear tyres were Avons - a hard compound tyre that would have outlasted the car and had already done four years. So I chose to replace them all with all weather tyres. I did my homework, read lots of reviews and picked out the tyres I wanted - Nokian Weatherproof . The reviews rated them highly, even beat many winter tyres in testing.

I have to say that they have been a great buy (248 quid for the set of 4, delivered and fitted - less than other premium summer tyres), grip very well in wet or dry, not much road noise, barely any difference in fuel economy and they've lasted 28months and 30,000 miles so far and still have about 5mm of tread left.

While we don't get much snow in Ormskirk, I do travel in hilly regions regularly and the entrance to our street is on a hill. The difference these tyres have made in the wet, snow or ice is remarkable. I would never go back to just summer tyres.

 

[DavidDetroit]

Winter tyres are designed to work best at temperatures below 7c (i believe) but its my belief that if you drive sensibly and to the conditions there is no need for them, snow tyres are a different thing altogether but we don't get heavy snow that lasts for more than a few days so are not really practical here.

I didn't know that about the snow tires, ironically, I would say; I live in a place where one could argue that I should know a great deal about them though I know next to nothing. I've only ever guessed that they had some special "super snow tread." Clearly there's more.
Yeah, I agree on the sensibility bit; a little common sense while driving goes a very long way.
Michigan can go in completely different directions year over year with snowfall since you can get a dry spell or a ton of precipitation. The level of cold is pretty regular though.
As you alluded to in your post, I think the key is simply increasing the distance between the cars in bad weather.
I find it fascinating that our countries aren't that different as to latitude but our climates differ significantly. I'm rather jealous of yours since I would prefer a less drastic change year round. How long is lawn mowing season for you? Mine can go from early April, once the grass is no longer soggy, to as late as mid November. But that also changes and can truncate.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Don't be jealous of our weather unless you like dull rainy days which we seem to get more than our fair shate of up here in the lake District.

 

[PhilM]

The rubber compound is the important factor. It’s softer. An important thing to think about is age. The tread could look really good but if they are old the will be as good as a hockey puck. There is a huge difference after two to three years.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

An important thing to think about is age.

Although not a legal requirement it is recommended truck tyres are changed once they are 5 years old, i doubt many truck tyres last more than couple of years if the truck is in regular use.

 

[Gunge]

My tyres are shyte whether it's high summer or midwinter cos they're bald. Meanwhile, as spring approaches, my mind turns to getting the sickle out. But the front tyre really has seen better days and I can't chance that letting loose with 500lbs of metal and myself depending on it. Problem is, they're a hunned an twenny quid a pop and I've just had a letter from those nasty credit card people saying that they've frozen my account. And an energy bill for 6 hunned an fifty quid. Oh well... bald it must remain. Next post might be from the hospital.

 

[Nicks90]

£650!!!!!!!!
jeez, do you heat your entire house using 100w light bulbs and regulate the temperature by opening windows?

i have a 1500sq/ft victorian farm house and only spend about £150 per month on energy at this time of year.

 

[Gunge]

£650!!!!!!!!
jeez, do you heat your entire house using 100w light bulbs and regulate the temperature by opening windows?

i have a 1500sq/ft victorian farm house and only spend about £150 per month on energy at this time of year.

It's the missus... she's one of those that has the heating on constantly. I've told her to get some bread an taties down't neck but she just ignores me.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Oh well... bald it must remain. Next post might be from the hospital.

Bike racers all use them just ride when its dry!

 

[DavidDetroit]

The rubber compound is the important factor. It’s softer. An important thing to think about is age. The tread could look really good but if they are old the will be as good as a hockey puck. There is a huge difference after two to three years.

That part about age is a big one. Since I ride (bike photo), I had become well informed on motorcycle tires. I change them every two years. When I look closely, I can begin to see tiny cracks when it's time. I don't bargain hunt on bike tires whereas I will on my car. I do ride a lot from April to October but storing the bike in the garage doesn't protect the tires from extreme temps.
@Gunge what kind of bike are you riding? Mine's an '05 Suzuki Boulevard, 610lb. I'm not sure lack of tread is a big deal in dry weather. It would be more surface area and so more friction. Not debating anything, just thinking about some of the race car tires that are smooth. It's a test I wouldn't want to perform since they'd be old by that time and probably less flexible.
I have gotten a flat while riding and it was uneventful, fortunately.

There are folks who will ride in snow over here, wear pretty much a snowmobile suit with heated gloves. I just don't see it. I shy away from riding in the rain even.

 

[DavidDetroit]

when its dry

Just saw that. Didn't mean to repeat the info.

 

[VW911]

I change them every two years.

WOW! I wish I could make a (decent) tyre last that long on my bike.
I ride all year round , Pirelli Super Corsas in the summer, and Diablo Stradas in the cooler months...

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Just saw that. Didn't mean to repeat the info.

:thumba:

 

[simon12]

After a puncture once I got them to put the spare tyre on and got a budget tyre on the spare, a month later it had cracked to pieces as it was 12 years old as it was the one that came with the car.

 

[VW911]

Always worth checking the age of the tyre. It's stamped on every tyre in a MM/YY format...

 

[VW911]

Actually, it's a WW/YY format!!!