Winter tyres - What wheels are you using

[p3asa]

You'd be foolish not to tell them but there has been a lot of hype over insurance companies and winter tyres.
When I was renewing my policy recently I asked them about it and they said as long as the wheels / tyres were the same size they didn't have to be informed!!

Here is a link of insurance companies that need to be / don't need to be informed:
http://www.abi.org.uk/Information/Consumers/General/Winter_Tyres__The_Motor_Insurance_Committment.aspx

[Snoopy]

Im not into looks for winter. So i would rather have the poorer looks of 16s and pay less for 4 tyres rather than silly amounts for 18" tyres. My total wheel tyre package price was £299.37

More ideas
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=207445.0

[Edi35]

You'd be foolish not to tell them but there has been a lot of hype over insurance companies and winter tyres.
When I was renewing my policy recently I asked them about it and they said as long as the wheels / tyres were the same size they didn't have to be informed!!

Here is a link of insurance companies that need to be / don't need to be informed:
http://www.abi.org.uk/Information/Consumers/General/Winter_Tyres__The_Motor_Insurance_Committment.aspx

Thanks p3asa, useful link. So as long as the wheel and tyre combination meets VW spec then you should be ok. Specs are probably listed in the drivers manual. I would have to inform my insurance company by the looks of it.

So Dubber depending on who you are insured with you may need to contact them despite using OE wheels and same size rubber.

[Daz Auto]

I got a set of 16" VW alloys from a breakers for £120. And 16" tyres are cheaper to buy. They look crap, but it's winter, so I don't care.

Remember you need 4 winter tyres for emergencies. A car with 2 winter tyres nearly hit me last year. He breaked on a corner and the rear of his car swung onto myside of the road. Do not listen to people who say you only need 2 (that's what my tyre fitter said to me - I looked at him like he had 2 heads ). You only need 2 to get you going. But you need 4 to get you stopped safely in an emergency. Don't mistake traction for grip. Traction on the 2 front tyres will get you going. You need grip on all 4 tyres to get you stopped safely in an emergency. Do your own research.

[dubber36]

So Dubber depending on who you are insured with you may need to contact them despite using OE wheels and same size rubber.

Phew, I'm in the clear.

[Edi35]

So Dubber depending on who you are insured with you may need to contact them despite using OE wheels and same size rubber.

Phew, I'm in the clear.

 

[Raffe]

Never fitted a set of winter tyres to a car in over 20 years of driving, just adjust my driving to suit the conditions.

[p3asa]

Apart from the initial outlay of new wheels, which you should recoup if you sold your car, its a no brainer as you can only wear one set out at a time! 

[dubber36]

Never fitted a set of winter tyres to a car in over 20 years of driving, just adjust my driving to suit the conditions.

I hadn't either until last year, but the difference is so noticeable, especially when it's cold and greasy, never mind snow and ice.

Apart from the initial outlay of new wheels, which you should recoup if you sold your car, its a no brainer as you can only wear one set out at a time!

Too true.

[Ess_Three]

Never fitted a set of winter tyres to a car in over 20 years of driving, just adjust my driving to suit the conditions.

How do you adapt when you can't get the car moved off the driveway because the summer tyres sit and spin?