Winter tyres - are they worth getting....?

[20SilkCut]

Also - as they are quite expensive, is it ok just to put two winter tyres on the front with regular tyres on the back?

thoughts, advice would be very welcome.

cheers

[Kayless]

No point unless you live in Alaska!

If you are going to have them then you need them all round.

[redman41]

Best not to compromise as far as Tyres are concerned, good winter Tyres could save your life

[rowanwitch]

Not at nearly 840 quid for about 4 months use each year plus the costs of having them changed over if you can't do it yourself...

[20SilkCut]

So what i'm hearing is.... get 4 tyres, not 2.
Is it still ok to drive with two on though?

@Kayless - we get some pretty snowy winters here in NI - (and especially last year where the snow lasted for weeks on end)

[20SilkCut]

Jeez Rowanwitch - 840 quid for 4 - bloody hell.

I got quoted 380 for really good ones and 260 for lesser good ones (4)

[Postdog]

I was in Asda yesterday and spotted things I had never seen before - stuff specially for winter driving, like grip mats for snow and ice AND wrap around covers for tyres when driving on snow and ice. I would have investigated further but I won't be allowed to drive for some months because of an operation, and hopefully winter will be over by then. I daresay Halfords do something similar.

[DTCwordfan]

those winter tyre socks are a good compromise

http://www.autosock.co.uk/

[Kayless]

How much of the winter is there snow and ice on the ground? I can't imagine it's worth it for any part of the UK. If you are going to do it get 4 winter (chunky) tyres on standard steel wheels then you can just change over the whole wheel and tyre each winter and they'll last a long long time!

getting 2 out of 4 is more dangerous than getting none. Oddly enough for winter tyres the tread pattern and cut depth is most important so you can get a lesser(cheaper) tyre (eg Falken NOT NOT NOT Linglong) the grip aspects of the actual rubber do not come into play unless there is no snow and ice.

[Slapshot]

They are the best thing you can change to make winter driving safer, if you can afford them. Priced a set for my car, £130 EACH!!

If you have front wheel drive, put them on there

[Davethedog]

DT are those things legal in the UK? Doesnt look like a lot of tread on them.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

A friend in Germany said she runs on winter tyres all year round. Does this make sense as I was considering getting them but did not fancy all the chopping and changing. Would that be safe and would it be economical?

[Davethedog]

If you bought winter tyres wouldn't they last years? After the intial payout the only cost would be to change them every year. Do they wear faster when theres no snow?

[20SilkCut]

Thanks for your thoughts so far....

DT - i had looked at those autosock things last year but they were all sold out. I've not had any personal recommendations about them, so not sure if they are any good...

[ladybirder]

The IAM and Honest John both recommend 4 winter tyres.
Here's a link with all you need to know.

http://www.honestjohn...you-fit-winter-tyres/

[20SilkCut]

Thanks for that info ladybirder.

[chas2008]

winter tyres are not just about tread, compound comes into it as well,apparently softer. This is because normal tyres in minus- conditions go rock hard like plastic, hence one of the reasons they dont grip. So i would assume that using winter tyres all year round would wear quickly, although they would be demon on tarmac !!!

[TWR]

Cilkcut, if take your time with your right foot, there is no problem, a lot of people condemn rear wheel drive in the snow / ice, I have never had the problem, if you drive accordingly judge traffic light, cars in front of you & use your gears if your car is a manual to slow you down, if you tear @rse you will come unstuck my car is an auto last year, no problem don't waste your money just a tip, carry a bag of salt and a spade in your boot. its cheaper than a set of tyres.

[TWR]

Silkcut

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Dave.......the tread will last...but the sidewalls will start to crack after 3 years.

[espookid]

I live in Finland and we have 4/5 months of snow each year
The compound is different for winter tyres and you should have them 5lbs less pressure and they don't last for ever nor do normal for that matter the rubber perishes
The real defining factor is the conditions and how far are you driving
Not worth the hassle for going the shops but it is for land's end to john o'groats
But if you do then put them on a set of scrap yard steel wheels not on alloys and don't pay to change them as it might be the reason you dont use them next year