Winter tyres??? save your pennies

[R32UK]

Does the temperature where you are only drop below 5 degrees-ish only a couple of times a year?
If not, you are fooling yourself.

My Goodyears flick from perfectly grippy on a 12 degree day, to a liability on a 4.5 degree day just now.
I'll be putting my winter tyres on in the next few days as up in the frozen north we are spending more time below 7 degrees than above it.
So winter wheels on.

Those socks really help in deep snow...but do bugger all on cold roads where more summer orientated rubber compounds just don't work.

The only time I have stuggled to drive is in snow. These would be ideal to keep in the boot in case of snow. I know there is a lack of grip below 7oC... so i adjust my driving accoirdingly. Trying to drive like a hero in bad conditions makes you foolish.

[am1w]

(1) 7 degrees C and below, I take a cab, then the tube or a cab all the way.
Or,
(2) Take annual leave if possible or 'work from home'.
Or,
(3) Get some winter rubber.
Or,
(4) Retire!

[Ess_Three]

The only time I have stuggled to drive is in snow. These would be ideal to keep in the boot in case of snow. I know there is a lack of grip below 7oC... so i adjust my driving accoirdingly. Trying to drive like a hero in bad conditions makes you foolish.

I have struggled in snow, ice and slush.
225 wide summer tyres won't get me up my road for 2 months of the year, if last winter is anything to go by.
You can adjust your driving to whatever you like...you'll still not go anywere up here, in -10 and a bad winter, if wearing 225 wide summer tyres. If - and it's a big if - you can get moving at all, any hint of throttle has the front wheels heading wayward.

In winter I don't drive like a hero...but I don't stay at home either...I do what I want to do and go where I want to go. Which you can when you have the safe grip to let you.

But, the winters up here justify it...

[Rolfe]

I have a pair of these and they work very well as an alternative to snow chains even when your winter tyres can't cut it.

remember you can only do 30mph on these things. which is fine if your only doing short local trips

still think the winter tyres are the best option for winter with a set of these in the boot for when the snow gets really deep.

I'm a very keen skier and often go in search of the white stuff. So its a no brainer for me.

I agree with Movi.  I've got the AutoSocks and I imagine they'll still be useful for the really bad days when it's a toss-up whether you can get out of the village and up to the main road.  But they're an emergency item, they're not practical for routine use in winter.  The time and effort it takes to put them on when you hit a bad, steep part, then off again to run at over 30mph on a gritted road, then back on again for the next bad bit - not to mention that by then they're soaking and filthy - it may be less hassle than snow chains, but it's not what you want to be doing all the time.

I'm getting winter tyres fitted in front when Prospero goes in for his first service on the 23rd.

Rolfe.