Winter tyres. Discuss.

[j2 lot]

I think those who are saying "ha ha no snow" are spectacularly missing the point.

Or alternatively they don't think the solution to safe driving is to slap on winter rubber and continue to drive in the same manner as they do in the summer, and drive in a manner approriate for the conditions?

OR they have equipment appropriate for the conditions to minimise the risk to themselves, their pride and joy and other road users.
Anyway I'm off out hillwalking in my flip-flops and speedos

[BigD]

Anyway I'm off out hillwalking in my flip-flops and speedos

[Dominic]

Anyway I'm off out hillwalking in my flip-flops and speedos

FFS I'm trying to eat my lunch

[GregR]

I think those who are saying "ha ha no snow" are spectacularly missing the point.

Or alternatively they don't think the solution to safe driving is to slap on winter rubber and continue to drive in the same manner as they do in the summer, and drive in a manner approriate for the conditions?

OR they have equipment appropriate for the conditions to minimise the risk to themselves, their pride and joy and other road users.
Anyway I'm off out hillwalking in my flip-flops and speedos

So all people that have not fitted winter tyres are putting themselves, their pride and joy and other road users at risk, the equivalent of going hillwalking in flip-flops and speedos? I tend to love making myself feel better by telling myself that I've bought things that are essential too, but that's taking it a bit too far

[robin]

Greg, give it a rest ...

[PhilA]

i like the insurance of knowing ive winter tyres incase of the snow coming.

ive driven over Tully for many years in the snow, not had a problem. However, I like the idea that tech moves on and so got the tyres. Was going to get them last year, but didnt act quick enough.

I personally hope some snow does come for all the folk who would experience the white stuff for the first time in their lives.
Other than that, roll on spring and the longer days!

[PhilA]

^^ i mean kids to experience it, as in snowball fights, or cats and dogs running and jumping through it
Or babies with snow flakes landing on their nose and seeing them try to figure it out

[Stevoraith]

Or alternatively they don't think the solution to safe driving is to slap on winter rubber and continue to drive in the same manner as they do in the summer, and drive in a manner approriate for the conditions?

OR they have equipment appropriate for the conditions to minimise the risk to themselves, their pride and joy and other road users.
Anyway I'm off out hillwalking in my flip-flops and speedos

So all people that have not fitted winter tyres are putting themselves, their pride and joy and other road users at risk, the equivalent of going hillwalking in flip-flops and speedos? I tend to love making myself feel better by telling myself that I've bought things that are essential too, but that's taking it a bit too far

Likewise, all the people who fit winter tyres continue to hoon around like loonies even when it's minus five?

Actually the opposite is true (at least in my case) as the winter tyres are a bit more vague and don't give confidence when pushing on so I tend to drive slower when I have them on. But I know that my stopping distance will be shorter should I need to hammer on the anchors and I will be able to get home more safely in the relatively rare occurance of snow.

You've chosen not to fit winter tyres like the vast majority of the motoring public. Well done. You are right, they are not essential and if you want to be smug that you have not 'wasted' multiple hundred of pounds then great.

The first time we have snow I'll be quite smug that I managed to get to work (and doing that will recoup some of the cost).
The first time that my wife has to do an emergency stop with my daughter in the car it'll be beyond smugness.

I'm pretty sure I'd have coped without winter tyres- I decided I wanted to take the insurance.

[kerryxeg]

Winter tyres are just risk mitigation for colder conditions, so just one factor of many which may help keep you on the road. So like many things, there is no right nor wrong, just personal choice. The choice I've made for the last 20 years is to run them - if they save just one offroad event during that time they'll have justified themselves. I'll be quite happy if we never see snow in the lowlands this winter.


Anyway - off to Austria where the hire car will have winter tyres and there is plenty snow!

[mckeann]

Greg, give it a rest ...

come on, we all need on the job training, and where else is Greg going to train for being an argumentative barsteward

[tut]

Never bothered reading this thread as it is not relevant to me, but now that it has reached 33 pages I had a look.

Would have thought it was fairly straight forward, Winter tyres will work better than standard ones in snow, so it is upto the individual whether to fit them or not. I have a Motability car so will not, but then again I do not have to go anywhere as such, so can stay put when the weather gets bad.

tut

[j2 lot]

Would have thought it was fairly straight forward, Winter tyres will work better than standard ones in snow, low temperatures and cold and wet conditions so it is upto the individual whether to fit them or not.

Correct Tut. (although please forgive the amendment to your post)
I fitted them for the first time this winter and have gone from being sceptical to being a total convert.

[Doc883]

Winter tyres are not really an extra expense as during the 4-5 months of the year you run them your nice summer semi-slicks can rest in the garage and therefore will last a good deal longer

[rossybee]

To those smug folk who didn't buy winters - the theory here is like saying there's no point in wearing seatbelts cos I've never been in a crash, so don't need them

[SAJ]

Winter tyres are not really an extra expense as during the 4-5 months of the year you run them your nice summer semi-slicks can rest in the garage and therefore will last a good deal longer

Exactly right, I just checked my conti winters on the Europa and still got 6mm left on the rears and I had them on for 5 months last winter and was doing 40-50 miles a day. My R1-Rs will also just go back on at the start of April and should last the summer no problem to get to the legal limit, however I usually replace my tyres when they get between 2-3mm so may replace them after a couple of months.

Also anyone who bought them for this winter will still be able to use them next winter too.

To those smug folk who didn't buy winters - the theory here is like saying there's no point in wearing seatbelts cos I've never been in a crash, so don't need them

couldn't have said it better myself.