First drive in the GTI on Snow and Ice...not good

[mcmaddy]

I'd be going with a cross climate instead of a full winter. We have more cold weather with wet conditions than snow so a full winter isn't really necessary (that's in the North East of England anyway).

It depends were in the North East you live, how far from a local council depo, how close to a council boarder, how close to a main road, gritting route you are. I live over 310 metre above sea level. I use to work at Walker. Its a different climate down there to home. I can have 6" of snow at home and travel a couple miles down the road and theres nothing! I have winters on one car and all weather on another. The one with winters doesn't seam to bat an eyelid for anything only once stoped simply because the snow was that deap it lifted it off its wheels. The all weathers have lost traction at times and don't have the same reassurances of grip on snow and ice.
I guess it drpends on many factors which is best for an individual and there circumstances.
Was -10 here this morning.

All season tyres are a compromise. Not as good as summer tyres in the summer. Not as safe as winter tyres on snow and ice. However, all season tyres are much better than summer tyres on snow and ice.

The new Bridgestone all season or all weather whatever it's called is classed as a snow tyre so it's hardly a compromise.

[Daz Auto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s

That was very interesting. I didn't think it would work like that at all!

You learn something new every day!

I did read this though:

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-issues/winter-tyres-uk-snow-guide/

That's as close to a negative for winter tyres (in the UK) as I have found

"In the snow, winter tyres are a obvious option. They make for safer, more confident driving, and they improve grip significantly – but they’re also a gamble. Sure, we’re in a cold snap now – but on every mild, grey - but not white - day, you’ll have the wrong tyres on your car. And winter tyres aren’t great in normal weather.

Cars can become notoriously unruly on winter boots, with vehicles closer to the performance end of things – like a DB11 AMR, for example – spinning the wheels in fourth.

In snow and cold weather, a seasonal rubber compound, chunkier tread and sypes work well – but they don't behave as they should if it's really mild and above the optimum operating range. We've driven numerous cars shod with winter tyres that have a chunkier ride quality, woollier steering and slippier handling in certain conditions.

It’s a complicated argument and one that comes down to your budget, and the predicted weather for the next few months. In colder countries, getting winter tyres is an easy decision, but in our – not quite arctic but somehow worse – British climate, we can’t even rely on a cold snap."

Yeah, it is a good video. I first watched it back in 2011. Most good winter tyres have improved in all conditions since then. Many reviews suggest all season tyres have improved even more than winters since then.

As for carmagazine - that is ridiculous! To paraphrase - "Winter tyres WILL wheel spin on an 630hp £150k Aston Martin." No sh!t Sherlock! Seriously!

How about pointing out how dangerous summer tyres can be on snow and ice! And how many more accidents there are in these conditions!

I would love to read the comments on how stupid that paragraph is!

(I'm going to untwist my panties, put my toys back in my pram and put my dummy back in.)

[Daz Auto]

The new Bridgestone all season or all weather whatever it's called is classed as a snow tyre so it's hardly a compromise.

Are you talking about the Bridgestone Weather Control A005? I looked at them for my parents car. I chose the Michelin for 2 reasons. The Michelin tested as having much better performance on snow and ice. Also, for a little extra money, the Michelin is estimated to have much better wear.

For my parents circumstances, I though the Michelin offered the best compromise of summer vs winter performance in a single tyre.

[mcmaddy]

Yes that's the one. I'm sure it finished the best of the all weather tyres and was good in the snow too.

[Guzzle]

The new Bridgestone all season or all weather whatever it's called is classed as a snow tyre so it's hardly a compromise.

Are you talking about the Bridgestone Weather Control A005? I looked at them for my parents car. I chose the Michelin for 2 reasons. The Michelin tested as having much better performance on snow and ice. Also, for a little extra money, the Michelin is estimated to have much better wear.

For my parents circumstances, I though the Michelin offered the best compromise of summer vs winter performance in a single tyre.

That would be these then?

https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Bridgestone/Weather-Control-A005.htm

They look like a decent Jack-of-all-trades tyre, but as you say the snow and ice performance isn't up there with that of a full winter tyre, and that's unfortunately where the compromise is. Still better on the snow and ice than a summer tyre though...

[Daz Auto]

From the tyrereview.co.uk website -

Bridgestone Weather Control A005 -

Positive - Dynamic wet and dry handling, shortest braking distances on wet and dry roads.
Negative - Poor winter performance on snow and ice.

I guess the question really is - in your circumstances - under which conditions do think grip from tyres is most important? How often do you experience these conditions? In which conditions are you most likely to have an accident? Dry roads, wet roads or roads covered in snow and ice?

Dry roads and wet roads don't bother me. I have plenty of experience of how treacherous snow and ice can be.

[fredgroves]

How does a FWD DSG wearing summer tyres pull away in snow?

Presumably a lot better than an automatic BMW or merc...

[Ryan90GTI]

Let's have it right. 90% of drivers haven't got a clue about stopping distances in the dry let alone stopping distances in the snow. If it was mandatory to use winter tyres in this country like it is in many European countries there'd be less accidents in adverse weather. But hey it only snows once a year right.

[Ryan90GTI]

Summer tyres don't work in freezing temperatures with snow and ice? I'm, shocked!

I must admit when I saw the title I thought "bet it's running summer tyres"

30k+ car and people risk it  by using summer tyres in snow. Mind blowing and a danger to other road users.

A danger to other road users eh ! What an arrogant prick !

So it's not dangerous using summer tyres in snow then?

[mcmaddy]

Summer tyres don't work in freezing temperatures with snow and ice? I'm, shocked!

I must admit when I saw the title I thought "bet it's running summer tyres"

30k+ car and people risk it  by using summer tyres in snow. Mind blowing and a danger to other road users.

A danger to other road users eh ! What an arrogant prick !

So it's not dangerous using summer tyres in snow then?

I've managed up to now with no accidents