Recommendations for winter tyres

[Tim+]

My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.

We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?

Tim

[steve robinson]

On Fri, 27 Dec 2019 06:49:57 -0800 (PST), "Tim+"

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

Standard tyres will be fine , we don't really have the temperatures
to require winter tyres in the Uk its just a marketing gimmick.

[Chris Bartram]

Post by steve robinson
On Fri, 27 Dec 2019 06:49:57 -0800 (PST), "Tim+"

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

Standard tyres will be fine , we don't really have the temperatures
to require winter tyres in the Uk its just a marketing gimmick.

Have you tried them?

It wasn't especially cold today, but it was notably easy to spin the
wheels of my wife's car on (good quality) summer tyres, while mine (on
winters) is fine.

I use winters every year as work can be a bit challenging to get to in
bad weather. The difference is notable.

If you're driving only around town, on well treated roads, then yes,
winters are probably not required. Go much outside of that and they're
worth it.

FWIW, first ones I bought were Kumho- got a good deal. The last set were
Pirelli Sottozero, which came with the winter wheels. Currently Conti
WinterContact TS850. I ran the Pirellis through the summer too, to get a
bit more life out of them when the tread depth was still comfortably
legal but below what you'd want for snow. All fine and notably better
than summer tyres below ~7-8 degrees. The Kumhos dropped off a bit above
12 deg C or so.

[newshound]

Post by Chris Bartram

Post by steve robinson
On Fri, 27 Dec 2019 06:49:57 -0800 (PST), "Tim+"

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have
something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going
the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a
big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

Standard tyres  will be fine , we don't really have the temperatures
to require winter tyres in the Uk  its  just a marketing gimmick.

Have you tried them?
It wasn't especially cold today, but it was notably easy to spin the
wheels of my wife's car on (good quality) summer tyres, while mine (on
winters) is fine.
I use winters every year as work can be a bit challenging to get to in
bad weather. The difference is notable.
If you're driving only around town, on well treated roads, then yes,
winters are probably not required. Go much outside of that and they're
worth it.
FWIW, first ones I bought were Kumho- got a good deal. The last set were
Pirelli Sottozero, which came with the winter wheels. Currently Conti
WinterContact TS850. I ran the Pirellis through the summer too, to get a
bit more life out of them when the tread depth was still comfortably
legal but below what you'd want for snow. All fine and notably better
than summer tyres below ~7-8 degrees. The Kumhos dropped off a bit above
12 deg C or so.

+1 to your first two paragraphs.

I'm running Michelin Cross-Climates all year round in Gloucestershire.
There are quite a few places locally that get tricky in snow (not least
the sloping part of my shared drive).

I also have the strong impression they cope with deep puddles better.

[Fredxx]

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?

I would suggest you put the car or tyre size in here:
https://www.blackcircles.com

and check for tyres with the best wet grip.

[Tim+]

Post by Fredxx

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a
bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to
a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?

https://www.blackcircles.com
and check for tyres with the best wet grip.

Well I’ve already had a look but was really looking for personal
recommendations from folk who’ve actually tried some.

Tim

[MrCheerful]

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

I have run Michelin Alpin 4 and then 5s for the last four years, they
are brilliant in all conditions summer and winter.

Since then Michelin have brought out their Cross-Climate tyre, which are
an excellent choice too and I have tried one car with those on and they
seemed just as good as the Alpins, the owner of that car (a late C-Max)
is extremely impressed with them, having previously used cheap make tyres.

Anyone that says don't bother are very unlikely to have experienced how
good winter tyres are, the improvement in cold wet weather grip is
startling.

[Chris Bartram]

Post by MrCheerful
Anyone that says don't bother are very unlikely to have experienced how
good winter tyres are, the improvement in cold wet weather grip is
startling.

^^^^This.

[newshound]

Post by Chris Bartram

Post by MrCheerful
Anyone that says don't bother are very unlikely to have experienced
how good winter tyres are, the improvement in cold wet weather grip is
startling.

^^^^This.

+ 100

[Brian Reay]

Post by MrCheerful

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something
a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole
way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

I have run Michelin Alpin 4 and then 5s for the last four years, they
are brilliant in all conditions summer and winter.
Since then Michelin have brought out their Cross-Climate tyre, which are
an excellent choice too and I have tried one car with those on and they
seemed just as good as the Alpins, the owner of that car (a late C-Max)
is extremely impressed with them, having previously used cheap make tyres.
Anyone that says don't bother are very unlikely to have experienced how
good winter tyres are, the improvement in cold wet weather grip is
startling.

Indeed and you don't need to be a 'boy racer' to discover it, just a
slippery road and some idiot who pulls out in front of you.

[Andrew]

Post by Brian Reay

Post by MrCheerful

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have
something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going
the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a
big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

I have run Michelin Alpin 4 and then 5s for the last four years, they
are brilliant in all conditions summer and winter.
Since then Michelin have brought out their Cross-Climate tyre, which
are an excellent choice too and I have tried one car with those on and
they seemed just as good as the Alpins, the owner of that car (a late
C-Max) is extremely impressed with them, having previously used cheap
make tyres.
Anyone that says don't bother are very unlikely to have experienced
how good winter tyres are, the improvement in cold wet weather grip is
startling.

Indeed and you don't need to be a 'boy racer' to discover it, just a
slippery road and some idiot who pulls out in front of you.

Decent explanation and comparative costs here ...

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/winter-tyres/

[Andrew]

Post by Andrew

Post by Brian Reay

Post by MrCheerful

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time
to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my
daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to
have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without
going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a
big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

I have run Michelin Alpin 4 and then 5s for the last four years, they
are brilliant in all conditions summer and winter.
Since then Michelin have brought out their Cross-Climate tyre, which
are an excellent choice too and I have tried one car with those on
and they seemed just as good as the Alpins, the owner of that car (a
late C-Max) is extremely impressed with them, having previously used
cheap make tyres.
Anyone that says don't bother are very unlikely to have experienced
how good winter tyres are, the improvement in cold wet weather grip
is startling.

Indeed and you don't need to be a 'boy racer' to discover it, just a
slippery road and some idiot who pulls out in front of you.

Decent explanation and comparative costs here ...
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/winter-tyres/

Also on that web site, just put "winter tyres" into the search box and
you will get loads of hits related to readers questions.

[alan_m]

Post by Andrew
Decent explanation and comparative costs here ...
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/winter-tyres/

That raises another question. If the benefit (handling, braking etc.) is
obtained because the tyre generates more heat than a "summer" tyre how
long do you have to drive to obtain this heat? For instance, is the
school run of a few miles or the trip to the estate supermarket in
stop/go traffic enough to gain the benefit? F1 tyres are pre-heated and
lose heat rapidly if not driven hard.

[RJH]

Post by alan_m

Post by Andrew
Decent explanation and comparative costs here ...
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/winter-tyres/

That raises another question. If the benefit (handling, braking etc.) is
obtained because the tyre generates more heat than a "summer" tyre how
long do you have to drive to obtain this heat? For instance, is the
school run of a few miles or the trip to the estate supermarket in
stop/go traffic enough to gain the benefit? F1 tyres are pre-heated and
lose heat rapidly if not driven hard.

IIUC, it's less to do with heat, and more because the tyre compound is less rigid/more squidgy at lower temperatures.

[newshound]

Post by alan_m

Post by Andrew
Decent explanation and comparative costs here ...
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/winter-tyres/

That raises another question. If the benefit (handling, braking etc.) is
obtained because the tyre generates more heat than a "summer" tyre how
long do you have to drive to obtain this heat? For instance, is the
school run of a few miles or the trip to the estate supermarket in
stop/go traffic enough to gain the benefit?  F1 tyres are pre-heated and
lose heat rapidly if not driven hard.

Pretty instant, IME.

[Kevin H]

Post by MrCheerful
Since then Michelin have brought out their Cross-Climate tyre, which are
an excellent choice too and I have tried one car with those on and they
seemed just as good as the Alpins, the owner of that car (a late C-Max)
is extremely impressed with them, having previously used cheap make tyres.
Anyone that says don't bother are very unlikely to have experienced how
good winter tyres are, the improvement in cold wet weather grip is
startling.

I ran my Mondeo estate on Cross Climates for a winter and summer before I sold the car. Gave me much more confidence when driving in poor winter conditions and with the benefit of great performance in the wet. Highly recommended. Before that I had a set of 'full' winter tyres on a set of steel rims which I used to swap over every winter. The CCs avoided this hassle and performed as well (given there aren't many days when there is snow on the roads where I live).

As you say until you have driven on snow in winter tyres you will have no idea of the difference they make compared to summer tyres.

[Steve H]

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has
moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit
more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a
serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?

We're running Nankang snow marked all seasons on the campervan.

Seem to be wearing well, despite a number of longer trips in warm
weather and I can barely notice any difference with the low profile
summer tyres we had on it. (I swapped the rims for a size down when I
bought the Nankangs, too).

The particular model we have is no longer available in the UK, but I
can't see any of the current offerings being any worse.

[Brian Reay]

Post by Steve H

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has
moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit
more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a
serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?

We're running Nankang snow marked all seasons on the campervan.

I assume it is a small (lighter) van, or were you able to get a decent
load rating?

I've not seen any 'Eastern' (I'm assuming they are Eastern) tyres which
are rated for the heavier (more motorhome) load ratings (3.5T and up
vehicles).

The range for larger, motorhome rated, tyres seems quite small and seems
dominated by Continental and Michillin in large rims.

I'm considering uprating our motorhome from 3.65 to 3.8 (the chassis is
rated for it) but it will require a change of tyres and (possibly) rim
size to get the load rating, so knowing about a suitable other
manufacturer would be useful.

[Steve H]

Post by Brian Reay

Post by Steve H
We're running Nankang snow marked all seasons on the campervan.

I assume it is a small (lighter) van, or were you able to get a decent
load rating?
I've not seen any 'Eastern' (I'm assuming they are Eastern) tyres which
are rated for the heavier (more motorhome) load ratings (3.5T and up
vehicles).
The range for larger, motorhome rated, tyres seems quite small and seems
dominated by Continental and Michillin in large rims.
I'm considering uprating our motorhome from 3.65 to 3.8 (the chassis is
rated for it) but it will require a change of tyres and (possibly) rim
size to get the load rating, so knowing about a suitable other
manufacturer would be useful.

This is about as small a campervan as you can get!

It's a Toyota Alphard V6, so started out as an 8 seat luxury MPV.

Probably weighs around 2 tonnes, so runs on XL rated car tyres. Some
people put van tyres on them, but that destroys the ride and handling.

[D A Stocks]

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has
moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit
more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a
serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?

I have a set of Michelin CrossClimates, these are all-season tyres that are
legal for winter use in those parts of Europe that require winter tyres to
be fitted in the winter.

--
DAS

[critcher]

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

do you people think maybe you have too much money for your own good?

[Brian Reay]

Post by critcher

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something
a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole
way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

do you people think maybe you have too much money for your own good?

Penny pinching on tyres is false economy which, hopefully, you will
never learn from bitter experience. (I've seen it happen- although not
to me.)

[Brian Reay]

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

My Honda 4x4 came with Scorpion tyres (where do they get these names!)
which were rated for Snow etc. They always seemed to do what was needed
and I replaced them with the same tyres as they wore out etc. Not the
cheapest but they seemed to be good. We live on an unadopted road, which
is on a hill, and a s*d in the snow, even the drive is a pain in the
proverbial due to the slope. The Honda always seemed to cope. We've yet
to try the Outlander in serious snow.

[Nick Finnigan]

Post by Brian Reay

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has
moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit
more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a
serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

My Honda 4x4 came with Scorpion tyres (where do they get these names!)
which were rated for Snow etc. They always seemed to do what was needed and
I replaced them with the same tyres as they wore out etc. Not the cheapest
but they seemed to be good. We live on an unadopted road, which is on a
hill, and a s*d in the snow, even the drive is a pain in the proverbial due
to the slope. The Honda always seemed to cope.  We've yet to try the
Outlander in serious snow.

Yes (I have been happy with Scorpions too), but the only 4x4 tyres which
fit the Yeti seems to be GeoLanders. They may be a reasonable option, but
I've never tried them.

[Peter Hill]

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

Problem with tyres and winter in particular is that they are not bought
often enough for anyone to have proper back to back experience.
Comparing some 2-3 year old worn tyres to a brand new set isn't a proper
test.

I've got some Toyo Winterpoxies and it hasn't snowed since I bought
them. Some quite interesting rear end attitude correction required on
the first day after storing them for 6 months until they had scrubbed up ...

Summer tyres on 140 bhp/ton RWD. Firestone Roadhawk grip, Pirelli P6000
were simply a liability (aka ditchfinders), skids was us. Bit of white
paint roundabout - sideways, pull off from T junction - sideways. I have
no idea why I stuck with them for 8 years but they were OEM spec and I
couldn't believe the maker could have made such a crap choice of tyre.
If it had been given to motoring press to road test on that crap it
would have made the front page. This is the only case in 40 years of
motoring that I can say choice of tyre made a difference like night and
day. As it's no longer sideways everywhere the tyres last 2x as long and
I don't have to rotate them as often.

[Tim+]

Post by Peter Hill

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something a
bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole way to
a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

Problem with tyres and winter in particular is that they are not bought
often enough for anyone to have proper back to back experience.
Comparing some 2-3 year old worn tyres to a brand new set isn't a proper
test.
I've got some Toyo Winterpoxies and it hasn't snowed since I bought
them. Some quite interesting rear end attitude correction required on
the first day after storing them for 6 months until they had scrubbed up ...
Summer tyres on 140 bhp/ton RWD. Firestone Roadhawk grip, Pirelli P6000
were simply a liability (aka ditchfinders), skids was us. Bit of white
paint roundabout - sideways, pull off from T junction - sideways. I have
no idea why I stuck with them for 8 years but they were OEM spec and I
couldn't believe the maker could have made such a crap choice of tyre.
If it had been given to motoring press to road test on that crap it
would have made the front page. This is the only case in 40 years of
motoring that I can say choice of tyre made a difference like night and
day. As it's no longer sideways everywhere the tyres last 2x as long and
I don't have to rotate them as often.

I think a lot of money changes hands behind closed doors to ensure a
particular brand/tyre gets fitted to a car.

My worst example of “standard tyres” was Michelin TRX tyres on an Alfasud
green cloverleaf. Tramlined, torque steered terribly and twitchy as feck
in the wet. To be fair to Alfa, these were fitted by the importer
responsible for the “green cloverleaf” upgrades.

Tim

[newshound]

Post by Peter Hill

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have something
a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going the whole
way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a big
worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

Problem with tyres and winter in particular is that they are not bought
often enough for anyone to have proper back to back experience.
Comparing some 2-3 year old worn tyres to a brand new set isn't a proper
test.
I've got some Toyo Winterpoxies and it hasn't snowed since I bought
them. Some quite interesting rear end attitude correction required on
the first day after storing them for 6 months until they had scrubbed up ...

You do need some ice or snow, and a bit of a slope, for the difference
to show up. As long as I live in Gloucestershire, Cross-Climates are
going straight on to any new vehicle.

[newshound]

Post by newshound

Post by Peter Hill

Post by Tim+
My wife's 4x4 Yeti needs 4 new tyres so now seems like a good time to
think about them. We don't get much snow where we are but my daughter
has moved to a place that gets more so it would nice to have
something a bit more capable than normal summer tyres without going
the whole way to a serious ice and snow tyre.
We don't do a huge mileage so faster wear in the summer won't be a
big worry. Any suggestions?
Tim

Problem with tyres and winter in particular is that they are not
bought often enough for anyone to have proper back to back experience.
Comparing some 2-3 year old worn tyres to a brand new set isn't a
proper test.
I've got some Toyo Winterpoxies and it hasn't snowed since I bought
them. Some quite interesting rear end attitude correction required on
the first day after storing them for 6 months until they had scrubbed up ...

You do need some ice or snow, and a bit of a slope, for the difference
to really show up. As long as I live in Gloucestershire, Cross-Climates are
going straight on to any new vehicle.

I should have added, I bung a set of socks in the back too if it snows.
(But I have horses: sometimes "not driving" is not an option).