Winter tyres...should they be a requirement?

Bunkermagnet

Bunkermagnet

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Having had winter tyres on my van for the last 3 winters, I can say they are worth every penny when its below 7 or 8 degrees, and if it does snow a smug grin on your face difference to all those struggling on their normal tyres. Do you think we should make it mandatory to have winters tyres on?
I can't help but notice a certain following of the old Michelin X, ZX or XZX tread pattern from years ago with the winter or all season tyres out there, so is the modern trye tread pattern and design to blame in part for the loss of winter control for our motors? (accepting that there is always those who have no idea how to drive in severe winters or the snow)
 
They should not be a requirement but they should be subsidised so they are a cost effective option.

Could save NHS, business etc buckets of cash.

Many of those who need them cannot afford/don't have them.

Some of those who have them don't need them but like saying they have them on.
 
The problem with winter tyres is storage. If you don't have a garage, what do you do with them, or your summer ones, which aren't on the car?

Probably more an in-town problem where the usage of them is also limited due to road clearing.
 
Bunkermagnet said:
Having had winter tyres on my van for the last 3 winters, I can say they are worth every penny when its below 7 or 8 degrees, and if it does snow a smug grin on your face difference to all those struggling on their normal tyres. Do you think we should make it mandatory to have winters tyres on?
I can't help but notice a certain following of the old Michelin X, ZX or XZX tread pattern from years ago with the winter or all season tyres out there, so is the modern trye tread pattern and design to blame in part for the loss of winter control for our motors? (accepting that there is always those who have no idea how to drive in severe winters or the snow)
Click to expand...
.
trouble is ,if the iffy drivers get them fitted they will think that they can drive normally and cause even more accidents .
i personally hate driving when it snows ,not because im scared or even a bad driver ,[even if i say so myself] its the iffy bloody idiot drivers out there that worry me ,they are far more likely to cause the accidents with all the braking they do and then you get the other nutjob who thinks its funny to tailgate you.
as said the iffy drivers would still cause accidents.
 
I think you'd be amazed at how many people don't know and have the wrong pressure in their tyres and some believe it's best to have less pressure in the winter to offer more grip and control, which is a myth!

Winter tyres are not just for snow and ice – winter tyres hold an advantage over summer or all-season tyres in any weather once the temperature is below seven degrees Celsius. The rubber they’re made of is better adapted to work in the cold and the tread pattern helps shift water quickly, so the tyre can grip the road.

I have Goodyear Effecient Grip on my CLK and I'm very happy with my all seasons driving with them.
 
Ok the snow thing is probably a bit more rare (at least here in the South East), but it's the cold temperatures and breaking distances you really do notice the difference.
 
Since the average temperature in the UK is below 7 for about 40% of the year its amazing that cars are supplied with 'Summer' tyres.

Surely all UK cars should have all weather tyres
 
On BMW they should be mandatory. My old 3 series wouldn't even move off the drive if there was a touch of ice!

They do play a bigger part when it comes to more powerful cars, typically with wider tyres.
 
I'd say yes. If the good, and poorer, people of Poland, Czech Republic and other central / northern European countries can all manage to buy and store them then it is not beyond the realms of the people of this country to do the same.

If people don't want to buy them then keep off the roads once the snow and ice come. Keep the roads clear for those who's cars are capable of driving in the winter.
 
Rooter said:
On BMW they should be mandatory. My old 3 series wouldn't even move off the drive if there was a touch of ice!

They do play a bigger part when it comes to more powerful cars, typically with wider tyres.
Click to expand...

The tread in your tyre is just a gutter, it does not help with grip in any way shape or form in the ice. It is simply to give a channel for water in wet conditions.
 
Winter tyres have a softer compound so they grip better in low temps. At least gives you a chance on ice although ice is just frightening full stop if you hit a big patch.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
Winter tyres have a softer compound so they grip better in low temps. At least gives you a chance on ice although ice is just frightening full stop if you hit a big patch.
Click to expand...

Ice is often only on the roads through lack of gritting combined with the road profile being often wrong through old age/wear and tear/lack of upkeep to be able to effectively shed water. Add to that roadside drainage is often poor with blocked conduits, encroachment of vegetation etc preventing water getting away. But that's another matter altogether.

In the Highlands many people keep winter tyres on all year round, if you're in a smallish car and not doing high mileage general consensus is leave them on all year.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
http://www.michelin.co.uk/GB/en/tyres/products/crossclimate.html

I had a set of these fitted to me C-Class early last year and have found them to be excellent in both the winter and summer. When it was icy it used to be a struggle to get the car of the slight incline on my drive but now I don't even notice it. I also used to find in the winter that the back end could get a bit interesting when the throttle was provoked but now it grips well.
 
I think in the next 10 years more countries will legislate for seasonal tyre fitment. I have Pirelli neros on my fiesta in summer, but one cold sub 8degree morning and the tc was going bananas and the abs kicked off. The rolling resistance bands are being pushed and these were class b, so imagine the sheer delight a class a summer tyre will be!
All seasons won't be popular fittings on new cars due to their rolling resistance, the rolling resistance is used as a lever to get lower emissions figures etc
 
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