Steel Wheels & Winter Tyres

[Guest blatters]

Driving to Austrian Tyrol next winter for an Xmas/New Year ski holiday.

 

Went before with summer tyres and just snow chains but awful experience because the tyres on their own were useless in snow (obviously) and the chains gave traction but the back crept round on the descents and everyone else was line astern because we were driving slowly and they could charge off with their winter tyres.

 

So lads:

 

:) I need a set of steel wheels;

:) I need to know some good winter tyres for this sort of trip;

:) I need a set of snow chains for the front wheels (previous set for a Vectra)

 

Anyone have any advice, suppliers or something to sell me?

 

I'm ready to hear from you.............

 

Blatters

[Richmond]

I understand that snow tyres usually have a fairly low max speed which means that they're not ideal for a trip from UK to Austria; presumably you could stick chains on the rear as well as the front instead of snow tyres.

 

I'd recommend Spikes Spider chains (The Roofbox Co hire and sell them). They're v. quick to put on once the mounting is in place (you put that on before you leave home), although they cost a lot more than regular chains.

[Guest blatters]

OK, thanks for the information (& the other thread too).

 

I'm thinking Winter tyres rather than snow tyres. Quite like the idea as up here where I live I'd probably use them from late Nov - end March anyway.

 

The spikes look interesting from a supplier web site but, crikey,

[Andrew T]

I think the clearance problems would be experienced on full lock, where the chain could foul the bodywork at the back of the wheel arch.

 

I've been running my Civic on Michelin Alpins since October and they seem as quiet (or noisy) as the 4 season tyres which were on before and wear seems about the same. They are also the same speed rating as the 4 season tyres. for a 175/60/14 they cost less than

[Richmond]

Spikes Spiders will fit 215 tyres; other chains are advertised as doing so. I think that the problem is with clearance of the running gear; the trick is to use chains which don't extend far down the back sidewall of the tyre. Spikes Spiders and other 'rigid' types sit on the tyre tread and extend hardly at all down the back wall

 

If you hire Spikes Spiders from The Roofbox Co they will refund the hire charge if you buy a set. They are very easy to put on, although as they are the only chains I've used, I've nothing to compre the with. It's hard to see how any others could be simpler, 'though.

 

I don't know whether or not ordinary 4 season tyres will satisfy the local constabulary if chains are compulsory.

[Guest blatters]

The spike spiders might well be worth a punt. Do you use them with alloys and how do you fix them on?

 

The four seasons are not suitable for alpine winter conditions and I would need to get a set of winter tyres - they're not compulsory (the snow chains/spikes are) but it's not fun when you're in the Alps and the roads have packed snow with summer tyres. The locals can buzz along at about 35-40mph on winter tyres but I would have to have the chain/spikes fitted. The last time I did this I vowed never to go back with anything but winter tyres fitted.

 

Regards

 

Blatters

[Richmond]

I used them on alloys. Have a look at the appropriate bit of The Roofbox Co.'s website for fitting. Briefly, a mounting plate is fitted onto each wheel before you leave UK (I presume you leave them on all winter if you live in a snowy place). This took me about 45 mins and is easy enough; four hands are useful but not essential. The mounting plate clamps onto the wheel nuts (bolt heads, to be accurate), which do not need to be removed. When you need to fit the chains, a boss on the chains clips onto the mounting plate; simple enough using 2 hands and a knee. The chains are 3/4 fitted around the tread; you drive off and hey presto! after a couple of yards the chain is fully fitted. To remove, you unclip the boss from the mounting plate, pull the chains off the tread except under the tyre (obviously), drive a couple of yards and that's it, except for remembering to stop and pick up the chains. The chains come in a bag; they have some rigid bits so they take up more room than ordinary chains.

 

The main advantage for me is that the chains are sufficiently easy to fit that I am not reluctant to fit them in the hope that conditions will improve quickly or that I can do without. They look to be just as effective as any other chains and worked fine for me (although I didn't use them much). I hired them and would do so again.

 

I have no experience of proper winter tyres; I have used 4 season tyres, which would not suffice on steep icy roads, as you say. I understand that winter tyres have a low max speed, which is a pain.

 

PS Any ideas about why the Galaxy has wheel bolts instead of wheel nuts? It makes life a bit more difficult. I had an Audi with wheel bolts, but they gave you a plastic stud which was a push fit into one of the threaded holes on the hub to hang the wheel on to get started, which made life a bit easier. I don't see what's wrong with nuts.

[Andrew T]

I got mine from My Tyres. They have a selection of the correct 215/55/16 Reinforced winter tyres rated up to 130mph, which is probably as fast as you would wish to go on snow. They are from

[Guest blatters]

Andrew T / Richmond,

 

Thanks for the help - I think that just about wraps it up for me right now. I appreciate the help - I rate my local dealer but don't think they're gonna be too much help on this one. But I will do one last thing and have a chat with the Austrian Ford dealer when we are out there in the Summer.

 

Cheers & much appreciated.

 

Blatters

[Richmond]

I got mine from My Tyres. They have a selection of the correct 215/55/16 Reinforced winter tyres rated up to 130mph

My idea that you can't go fast on winter tyres is obviously balls. Do the local cops accept them insted of chains when chains are mandatory, though? If not, you could be prevented from travelling.

[Andrew T]

I would say that if snow chains are specified then winter tyres would not suffice. In my limited experience of using both, the difference between summer and winter tyres is not great, where as driving on chains is a revelation (after you've spent half an hour untaggling the little buggers and got frost bitten trying to fit them - the spiders sound a much better idea).