Winter Tyre Poll

[Volvon]

It doesn't matter if you have traction control, 4wd/awd or you've been driving through winter on summer tyres the last 'x' amount of years. It's about the laws of Physics and its about friction.

Winter tyres are not about how fast you can beat the guy next to you at the lights in winter. They are about keeping on the road on bends, they are about stopping distances, they are about braking on gradients.

Amongst many other things, they are about damage limitation.

And why depend on the government to grit the road infrastructure? What happens if they don't?

I've said this before and I'll say it again, the UK need winter tyres more than anyone, because it can rain all day, then freeze at night. This is the most dangerous road conditions not snow! Snow is fine!

Watch this video and still think you are safe with normal tyres in winter:
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ABEFXDbfI[/YOUTUBE]

[XC60KEV]

Article from the AA re Winter Tyres http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...in-the-uk.html

[XC60KEV]

Originally Posted by hyvää

It doesn't matter if you have traction control, 4wd/awd or you've been driving through winter on summer tyres the last 'x' amount of years. It's about the laws of Physics and its about friction.

Awesome video (and music) one things for sure - we are all mortals and doubt will ever find anything to take on and beat mother nature

[Teejay1]

Originally Posted by hyvää

It doesn't matter if you have traction control, 4wd/awd or you've been driving through winter on summer tyres the last 'x' amount of years. It's about the laws of Physics and its about friction.

Winter tyres are not about how fast you can beat the guy next to you at the lights in winter. They are about keeping on the road on bends, they are about stopping distances, they are about braking on gradients.

Amongst many other things, they are about damage limitation.

And why depend on the government to grit the road infrastructure? What happens if they don't?

I've said this before and I'll say it again, the UK need winter tyres more than anyone, because it can rain all day, then freeze at night. This is the most dangerous road conditions not snow! Snow is fine!

Watch this video and still think you are safe with normal tyres in winter:
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ABEFXDbfI[/YOUTUBE]

A point I was making in another thread.

[XC60KEV]

I originally voted "no" to the poll however changed my mind and got the winter tyres fitted last week.

Having now covered just over 1K miles in them from the borders to the highlands of Scotland in some of the worst road conditions I've ever encoutered I'm delighted to admit I was wrong and that winter tyres are a must.

In addition to the feeling of safety the braking distance is fantastic, driving on virgin snow or slush is excellent even when cornering. I suppose it doesn't matter if you have winter tyres or not as if the car in front doesn't your not going anywhere anyway however the more awareness that's in the public domain the better IMHO. If anyone is in doubt about the rationale for winyter tyres look at Teejay's signature and click on his you tube link - very well put, thanks Teejay.

I'm a winter tyre convert and hope some more will be too which might keep our roads moving when the white stuff falls.

[Teejay1]

Originally Posted by XC60KEV

I originally voted "no" to the poll however changed my mind and got the winter tyres fitted last week.

Having now covered just over 1K miles in them from the borders to the highlands of Scotland in some of the worst road conditions I've ever encoutered I'm delighted to admit I was wrong and that winter tyres are a must.

In addition to the feeling of safety the braking distance is fantastic, driving on virgin snow or slush is excellent even when cornering. I suppose it doesn't matter if you have winter tyres or not as if the car in front doesn't your not going anywhere anyway however the more awareness that's in the public domain the better IMHO. If anyone is in doubt about the rationale for winyter tyres look at Teejay's signature and click on his you tube link - very well put, thanks Teejay.

I'm a winter tyre convert and hope some more will be too which might keep our roads moving when the white stuff falls.

Me too, get mine tomorrow. Only hope I can get there ;-)

I had removed the link but added it back since it was of use to at least one. I'd love to meet up with another XC60, 2wd, owner who has not got winters and find some snowy areas and compare like with like. If any one is in the area and is interested give me a shout.

[Nemesis]

I voted NO because Iv just in the past couple of weeks put a new set of Avon 225's on my V70, However I really felt the car was struggling at some points today during heavy snow around Glasgow so I may have to look at picking up a spare set of wheels and fitting them with the winter boys, Ill see how things go during the coming few days

[TheMrT]

http://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/sales...ter-tires.aspx

[Teejay1]

As many have said before me, I was very sceptical about the supposed increase in grip in snowy/slushy/cold conditions. When taking into account cost/storage/"hassle" etc it seemed like a bad idea at the time.

Before I changed to winters, I was always concerned with the weather and tentatively looking through the curtains hoping that it hadn't snowed.

Since I've changed to proper winters I couldn't care less because I'm now very confident that, within reason, I will be able to keep myself mobile and enjoy the car for the full 12 months. If you are on the edge of thinking should I or not, trust me when I say, it may be the best automotive decision you ever make. I know for one it's the best one I've ever made!!

General driving is effortless, and I still get some slippage if I move off too briskly but its controlled and at no point does the car feel like its out of control. Even with 2WD they do make such a difference, I think someone already said it's like night and day. Even better the summers fit under the stairs, yay!

I'd just thank all the chaps on here and the discussions around winter tyres and eventually persuade me to get them.

PS: On boxing day I'm going out deliberately to test them so if I get pictures of the "you wouldn't believe s 2WD made that" type I'll post them

Cheers.

[beaconsman]

Runway M&S front N/s, Goodyear Eagle NCT Vector M&S front O/s with conti winter contacts on rear (V70 (T reg) with snow chains in case of dire straits, pulled a honda crv out of a ditch xmas eve whilst on way home in lincs wolds!
tyres from ebay (£80) steel rims from scrappy (cousin works there, £20 for the set)