Winter tyres...should they be a requirement?

Adjusting your driving style in snow is the way to go..

I was visiting a friend in hull a few years ago.. woke up to go home and car was covered in snow.. thick overnight snow.. roads were completely white good 6 inches if not more

BMW 3 series at the time.. so rear wheel drive.. started off slow.. first 30 miles down country lanes was fine just stuck to other peoples car threads in the snow and went along slower than normal

Made it home in 4 and 1/2 hours instead of 3 3/4 hours but didnt loose control once
 
Obviously you get some pretty cold temps down there in The home counties lol.

Not something i have thought about living 400 miles north of you and a more northerly latitude than Moscow😂
 
It may be something for those parts of the Country that have long spells of very cold weather but, certainly down here, in many places it's just a non-starter...
Do people really believe that motorists will pay another 400 quid to have tyres that they'll use/need for a few weeks at most in any given year..?
And then pay £X to have a tyre fitter change them over twice a year..?
And how long will these tyres last stored in who knows what conditions before they degrade?
And where are people going to store them?
Those who live in flats and park on the road because they don't have garages are going to be well pleased.....

All cars are capable of being driven in almost all conditions - it's the plank behind the wheel who messes up and crashes. The best tyres in theworld won't save most of them.
 
Imurg said:
All cars are capable of being driven in almost all conditions - it's the plank behind the wheel who messes up and crashes. The best tyres in theworld won't save most of them.
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No they are not, my old 330d bmw would not budge DOWN a 2 degree incline when it snowed. It had 285 profile rear (summer) tyres and it would not budge. Certain cars would hugely benefit from winter tyres for 4 months a year.

Doesnt bother me now, i drive a 4x4 with winter type tyres all year round! Love it in winter, i get to be a hero with my tow rope pulling bmw's out of trouble...
 
All I can say is that all the cars I've ever had have come with whatever tyres were on them. I've never had any difficulty driving them in winter. But I'll admit to never having tried to drive in more than about 4 inches of snow. Any more than that, & I don’t give a stuff what tyres its fitted with.
 
39 years driving, mostly in northern England. What are these winter tyres you speak about? I did my advanced too many years ago to remember, and learned to drive properly. Learned to read road surfaces, both winter and summer. Simple things like pulling away in 2nd or 3rd if its icy. Leaving plenty of room, slowing down well before potential trouble. Driving defensively.

Don't doubt that snow tyres make a huge difference.... in Scandinavia and northern Canada, and occasionally in the UK but...
 
Rooter said:
No they are not, my old 330d bmw would not budge DOWN a 2 degree incline when it snowed. It had 285 profile rear (summer) tyres and it would not budge. Certain cars would hugely benefit from winter tyres for 4 months a year.
.
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Exactly what I have on my e46 330d Sport. I've never had winter tyres and never been stuck in snow in 14 years of ownership. Technique is what you need in snow and ice.
 
CliveW said:
Exactly what I have on my e46 330d Sport. I've never had winter tyres and never been stuck in snow in 14 years of ownership. Technique is what you need in snow and ice.
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Tsch, southerners Clive. They're the ones that cancelled 100 flights out of Heathrow the day BEFORE a snowflake was due to land...
 
I think many of you miss the point. It's not purely about driving in snow. Winter tyres are a lot better than summer tyres at temperatures below 7 or 8 degrees. It's the dramatic improvement in braking distances you notice.
I appreciate that some of you wish to propergate the so called "north-south divide" so crack on.
 
Up here we don't drive as close to others as down south so perhaps don't need to brake so suddenly. It always frightens me how fast and close people drive the further south I go.
 
Hobbit said:
39 years driving, mostly in northern England. What are these winter tyres you speak about? I did my advanced too many years ago to remember, and learned to drive properly. Learned to read road surfaces, both winter and summer. Simple things like pulling away in 2nd or 3rd if its icy. Leaving plenty of room, slowing down well before potential trouble. Driving defensively.

Don't doubt that snow tyres make a huge difference.... in Scandinavia and northern Canada, and occasionally in the UK but...
Click to expand...

45 years driving, mostly in the south of England, without winter tyres. In a diesel car, pulling away in 2nd gear and the car will probably stall and in 3rd gear will definitely stall. Driving in icy conditions at the correct speed with minimal braking is the key.
 
When I reach 80mph :eek: I get a warning that says 'winter tyres 80mph exceeded'. As far as I know I haven't got winter tyres on (bought the car last August) but not yet bothered to look up what it means.
 
If you drive correctly for the conditions then you can have any tyres on you want aslong as they are in good condition. I have a car that is totally wrong for driving in snow and it is fitted with Bridgestone Potenza tyres, so not really a winter tyre. Just had a few days of heavy snow in my parts and had the pleasure of driving home as it started fall so the freeeway had 6" on it. Never once slid, lost control or ever felt I was in danger of having an accident.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
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 skills are capable of driving in the winter.
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Fixed for you. It's not subsidised tyres we need it's better driver training!
 
Poor drivers are poor drivers, whatever tyres or drive.

Still see 4x4 drivers struggling as they have the mistaken belief that their vehicle can handle any conditions and the same is true of winter tyres.

These are driver aids not a guarantee.
 
MetalMickie said:
Poor drivers are poor drivers, whatever tyres or drive.

Still see 4x4 drivers struggling as they have the mistaken belief that their vehicle can handle any conditions and the same is true of winter tyres.

These are driver aids not a guarantee.
Click to expand...


Agreed. None of these devices make you bomb proof.
 
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