Winter tyres?

[VWKev]

I still find the thought of changing tyres for the summer and winter months particularly funny. Are we road drivers or F1 drivers ?

Try it...and you will know.

Ever driven on Toyo R888s or Yoko A008s on a warm road or trackday?
If you had, you'd know the difference compound makes when matched to the conditions.

Ever driven a track on slicks?
Again, if you had, you'd not want to drive on a dry track without them.

Ever driven a hot Hatch on a road at 1-2 degrees on winter tyres?
If you had, you be looking to fit them.

It makes THAT much difference.
You don't need to be a F1 driver...any driver with a pulse will spot the difference immediately.

Sorry thats not what i mean, i mean how is everyone driving or how fast is everyone driving to need these different tyres. Yes in snow conditions they may/will help, but weve hardly got snow for months at a time.

[R32UK]

I still find the thought of changing tyres for the summer and winter months particularly funny. Are we road drivers or F1 drivers ?

Try it...and you will know.

Ever driven on Toyo R888s or Yoko A008s on a warm road or trackday?
If you had, you'd know the difference compound makes when matched to the conditions.

Ever driven a track on slicks?
Again, if you had, you'd not want to drive on a dry track without them.

Ever driven a hot Hatch on a road at 1-2 degrees on winter tyres?
If you had, you be looking to fit them.

It makes THAT much difference.
You don't need to be a F1 driver...any driver with a pulse will spot the difference immediately.

Sorry thats not what i mean, i mean how is everyone driving or how fast is everyone driving to need these different tyres. Yes in snow conditions they may/will help, but weve hardly got snow for months at a time.

I think S3's point was that if you use the correct tyres for the correct conditions, they will be a million miles more effective that the best tyres used in the incorrect conditions.

Its not about speed, but about grip, which is only really used to its full when driving hard.... or most importantly braking!

[Rhyso]

I still find the thought of changing tyres for the summer and winter months particularly funny. Are we road drivers or F1 drivers ?

Try it...and you will know.

Ever driven on Toyo R888s or Yoko A008s on a warm road or trackday?
If you had, you'd know the difference compound makes when matched to the conditions.

Ever driven a track on slicks?
Again, if you had, you'd not want to drive on a dry track without them.

Ever driven a hot Hatch on a road at 1-2 degrees on winter tyres?
If you had, you be looking to fit them.

It makes THAT much difference.
You don't need to be a F1 driver...any driver with a pulse will spot the difference immediately.

Sorry thats not what i mean, i mean how is everyone driving or how fast is everyone driving to need these different tyres. Yes in snow conditions they may/will help, but weve hardly got snow for months at a time.

I think S3's point was that if you use the correct tyres for the correct conditions, they will be a million miles more effective that the best tyres used in the incorrect conditions.

Its not about speed, but about grip, which is only really used to its full when driving hard.... or most importantly braking!

spot on R32 - i ran Goodyear Eagle F1's last winter and the grip when it got cold was shocking to say the least and that was just at normal pace!!

Can't afford winter tyres so i'm hoping the new Assymetrics are a tad better in the colder months 

[Ess_Three]

Sorry thats not what i mean, i mean how is everyone driving or how fast is everyone driving to need these different tyres. Yes in snow conditions they may/will help, but weve hardly got snow for months at a time.

I for one like to drive pretty hard...not in the snow naturally, but I do like to not get stuck.
Changing to winter tyres in December means you get rid of the cold road induced wheelspin you get with 'all weather' tyres, and it's more like driving in summer again with more grip...so back road journeys from December to Match sort of time, when it's cold but dry and not snowy/icyy are back to being fun!
The flip side being, if it's really cold I have more grip 'cos the compound is still working down to zero and below...and if it's snowy I can actually get some forward motion - which is nice.

I have only not fitted winter tyres one year in the last 8 or so, and after being stuck in the driveway several times, i'll make sure I don't get caught again.

If you don't get the weather, or live in a city where the roads are cleared properly...it's probably not worth it.
I don't live in a city...and the roads don't get cleared...so for me, it's worth it.

[Ess_Three]

I think S3's point was that if you use the correct tyres for the correct conditions, they will be a million miles more effective that the best tyres used in the incorrect conditions.

Its not about speed, but about grip, which is only really used to its full when driving hard.... or most importantly braking!

That's how I would have like to have put it! 

[R32UK]

I for one will be making the change to winter tyres for my 17" wheels. Last year we had about 5 days of snow in total, and it was difficult enough getting to work in the R32. Getting moving wasnt the problem... stopping was!!

I would imagine in a FWD car its going to be slightly more eventful

Although I will probably go for a good allround winter tyre that operates well at low temperatures, grips well in the wet, and is ok for small amounts of snow/frost if there is any.

[Ess_Three]

I for one will be making the change to winter tyres for my 17" wheels. Last year we had about 5 days of snow in total, and it was difficult enough getting to work in the R32. Getting moving wasnt the problem... stopping was!!

I would imagine in a FWD car its going to be slightly more eventful

Although I will probably go for a good allround winter tyre that operates well at low temperatures, grips well in the wet, and is ok for small amounts of snow/frost if there is any.

Both Pirelli Snowcat and Toyo SnowProx are good.

I notice Toyo do SnowProx in 225/40/18s!
Eek!
Better compound...but still pretty wide for the white stuff...and with such a low profile if you do slide off...I'd be worried about bending the wheel/suspension.

I think a 17" wheel with slightly narrower M&S tyre will give ther grip that's needed but with a bit more protection for the wheel and suspension...so I'd say you are spot on with the 17s. At least it'll not look too odd either.

[VWKev]

Fair doo's, you guys obviously have much more of a reason to change because of your weather conditions.

[FamilyDub]

Fair doo's, you guys obviously have much more of a reason to change because of your weather conditions.

I don't call them 'winter tyres', just plain 'tyres'... 

[VWKev]

Fair doo's, you guys obviously have much more of a reason to change because of your weather conditions.

I don't call them 'winter tyres', just plain 'tyres'... 

You guys have too much money then if you get them changed twice a year. How much does the change cost out of interest ?