Winter Tyres

[AD90]

Hi Guys, found you via a Seat forum, and cheekily I am asking hte same question here as I reckon there are more Galaxies on the road than Alhambras.

 

With Snow on the way, and balding tyres on the Alhambra, I am looking at fitting some winter tyres to the SWMBO car.

 

It's a 2001 115Pd fitted with (standard, I think) 215-55 16.

 

Anyone got any experience on winter tyres for this fitment?

 

Thanks

 

AD90

[insider]

Are you going to have a spare set of wheels and swap them back for the 99% of the year when we don't have snow?

In my opinion it's better to stick with the standard all-weather tyres. If the snow is bad enough to warrant the additional benefit of winter tyres is your journey really necessary?

[AD90]

Thanks Insider,

 

We live at the top of a fairly steep road with a very steep (albeit short) drive up onto the road. Once down on the main road (bottom of the steep hill), it's not really an issue, WRT; is the journey necessary.

 

Previously my Mrs drove a Freelander, it was very surefooted on snow and ice. Whilst I realise that the Alhambra will never be that good, I need to do something - It's terrible even on a wet road! (maybe thats the elcheapo Federal tyres fitted)

 

The tyres need replacing and I thought why not some winter grips? Lots of people do up this way.

 

The tyres will come off again - End of March-ish (2 years ago the worst snow was March).

 

I may live to regret fitting winter tyres, last time I did was to a MKII Escort and it made a helluva difference.

 

I will feedback to the forum with what I do and how it works out.

 

Cheers

 

AD90

[insider]

If you're close to or on minimum tread depth then they will be bad in the wet. Just changing to new, all-weather tyres will make a big difference and will save the expense of changing back and forth, the winter tyres wearing out quicker and your fuel consumption increasing with them fitted.

There's some useful information on this site - http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

[AD90]

Good link, thanks Insider.

 

Although nothing to say don't fit winter tyres.

 

I did a search on mytyres.com for all-season tyres of the size and rating and only found Nankang (Who?), Nokian (Don'y they make phones?) and Kumho (Kumho being the only name I recognised)

 

I have ordered a pair of Avon Ice Touring ST (XL) for the front axle only - on the recommendation of my local independant tyre man. (swapping is not fainfull, he will do it for regulars at

[NikpV]

what is the difference between winter and all weather tyres? softer compound? deeper tread? embedded diamonds ????

[gregers]

wouldnt it be cheaper to just obtain a set of snow chains for when the snow is really bad in your area??

[mumof4]

considering scotland does get very heavy snow fall( i have lived there so do know), winter tyres can be a good investment up there.also snow chains.Had to use them on the galaxy when we in Boddam as the snow would sometimes cover black ice.But also drifting snow could be a hazard.If your car couldnt get through the snow, then sometimes you were naffed in regards to supplies.You can plan ahead, but sometimes you can be caught unawares.

 

the OP asked for advice and he got jumped on.Did any of you look to see where he was based? seen the weather reports for scotland at all?

[mumof4]

wouldnt it be cheaper to just obtain a set of snow chains for when the snow is really bad in your area??

 

if you were carting your kids around in snow and ice, wouldnt you take every precaution that you could? and not just go for the cheapest option?.

[NikpV]

I understand (from canadian relatives) that snow chains are out of the 'winter tyres' league for snow - but you can only drive at a slow speed with chains on

[gregers]

wouldnt it be cheaper to just obtain a set of snow chains for when the snow is really bad in your area??

 

if you were carting your kids around in snow and ice, wouldnt you take every precaution that you could? and not just go for the cheapest option?.

 

 

er i was genuinely trying to be helpful,and i did read the post properly

 

part of ad90 post

We live at the top of a fairly steep road with a very steep (albeit short) drive up onto the road. Once down on the main road (bottom of the steep hill), it's not really an issue, WRT; is the journey necessary.

 

i take exception over you assuming that i would compromise the health and safety of my children maz :rolleyes: remember i changed cars so all my seat belts were propers ones.

[mumof4]

No offence was meant and i apologise for my post.Perhaps i should call it a night before i offend anyone else.

 

Nite all.

[Neils TDi again]

Take note of her avatar

 

 

"Im only here to annoy you" !!!

 

 

:rolleyes: ;) ;)

[mk2vr6]

Perhaps i should call it a night before i offend anyone else.

 

Nite all.

 

 

nah go for the double and really offend someone! if you dont I will :rolleyes:

[AD90]

Thanks Mumof4,

 

I'm not easily offended by anyone :-)

 

Snow Chains are great if you are in really bad conditions, but they are a real faff to put on and take off again 20 yards down the road.

 

All I am looking for is something that allows SWMBO to get the kids to nursery, go to the shops etc SAFELY. Yes I know we cold all stay at home, but.... as you are a Mum of Four...you know that you need to get out :-)

 

In the last hour we have had an inch of snow fall, not much but real pain for our driveway. Looks like I ordered the tyres in the nick of time.

 

AD90

 

PS. I am West of Aberdeen, so get it a little bit worse than Boddam (Fraserburgh Boy originally). We you at RAF Buchan or what brought you up that way?

[Saif Rehman]

I, too live in Scotland but not far up north than AD90 where they seem to get the worst every year. Well anyway my method at this time of year is to have a good set of tyres and to carry a air compressor with me at all times - if i get stuck in the snow i normally let out air out of the tyres so they have a larger than normal amount of tyre on the surface, drive out then pull over where i wont get stuck again and pump the tyres back up but usually below the recomended pressure. (Oh, i carry a small spade too when it gets really bad!)

 

Snowchains are okay if you a knee-deep in snow constantly.

[mk2vr6]

what brought you up that way?

 

she was popping out to tesco's, you havent heard about her map reading skills then?

[mumof4]

PS. I am West of Aberdeen, so get it a little bit worse than Boddam (Fraserburgh Boy originally). We you at RAF Buchan or what brought you up that way?

 

yep was at RAF Buchan.Also lived in the Shetlands on Unst.Most beautiful place on the earth.

 

and yep, being mumof4 i know that i have to get out.Id go mad if i couldnt.

[AD90]

Most beautiful place on earth - definitly not talking about Peterhead. ;)

[NikpV]

the OP asked for advice and he got jumped on.

 

my interpretation of both the english language and the replies different to yours ;) ;)

[mumof4]

Most beautiful place on earth - definitly not talking about Peterhead. ;)

 

Oh God no!!..Peterhead was um......well.full of a lot of unsavories!.Nice chip shop there though ;) Bet they still have half day closeing on wednesdays.Took a while to get used to all the local holidays .i think when i first moved there, the kids didnt do a full week in school for a month or so.The school in Boddam was the best the kids have ever been to.

 

Unst though, has lovely scenery.

[AD90]

Got the tyres fitted, they are much better than the old Federals on cold damp roads, not had them on snow yet.

 

Thanks also for the information on the rear window washer problems (found it in FAQ), job sorted.

 

AD90