Hope We've Seen The End Of The Snow

[Steverally]

Made a brave move today, replaced the winter snow tyres, with the summer Yokohama's...whether its too early only time will tell!!

I can report that I've done 3000 miles on the winter tyres, no change in fuel consumption, possibly a softer ride, down to the '55' profile, but best of all better grip and traction through out all the snow we've had.

Would I recommend winter tyres..yes, and before I bought them last november i was sceptical about theyre worth, this winter has proved them.

[Raymond.]

Just taken mine off yesterday. For the second time this year...

[Wass]

Didnt fit any yet, Survived so far without them. I was thinking about getting a set of steel wheels to carry winter tyres rather than faffing about fitting and refitting tyres. That would also go a long way towards carrying a worthwhile spare tyre too... just pop an off season wheel into the boot to act as a spare? So long as the rolling diameter is the same Its got to be at least as safe as a space saver hasnt it?.

[matt-c]

Took mine off March 5th, and like you Steverally, I noticed no difference in fuel consumption (I ran for 3 months, 1200-ish miles), and also like you, a slightly softer ride (probably down to the taller profile - mine are 50's; summer tyres are 45's), and also like you, the grip level in the cold temps, not to mention the ice and snow, was superb. I noticed immediately the difference between them and my summer tyres in the 0/1/2/3/4 degree temps we've been having the past couple weeks. My summer tyres are still gripping of course, but noticeably less sure footed than the winter tyres. They really do have a positive effect in the cold temps, regardless of it being dry, wet, icy, snowy, etc.

The other thing I noticed - and I thought my summer tyres were good - is how good the winters were in the wet! I took a trip up to Reading during the particularly heavy rainy period in December, and went through a lot of standing water on the M4 - some of it surprisingly deep. The UniRoyal +66's I was running powered through that a good 15-20mph faster than everything else, with not even a hint of snatching or pulling, and aqua-planing is a phrase they've never heard of. Very impressed.

I'd happily keep them on all year round if I didn't think I'd prematurely wear them...

[Steverally]

Didnt fit any yet, Survived so far without them. I was thinking about getting a set of steel wheels to carry winter tyres rather than faffing about fitting and refitting tyres. That would also go a long way towards carrying a worthwhile spare tyre too... just pop an off season wheel into the boot to act as a spare? So long as the rolling diameter is the same Its got to be at least as safe as a space saver hasnt it?.

Wass, didn't make it clear in my post my winter tyres are on a set of alloys, so its a matter of just swapping the wheels, today it took me just over the hour to swap them.

Never thought about using one as a spare, as nuts are different diameter to normal, and I purchased a space saver as soon as I got my car.. don't like bottles of glue!!!

[matt-c]

My winter tyres are on a scabby set of second hand standard alloys, which I may or may not rub down and paint over the summer. Like the others, I just jack up the car (I do one side at a time, rather than one wheel at a time) and it's done in 20mins, plus no extra costs having a tyre fitter swap tyres over twice a year.

As for the spare, I have a full size alloy, with a brand new tyre on it. On the one hand I want to change the tyre, as the one that's on it is a directional tyre, but on the other hand, it's never ever been run, and still has the white text printed on the tread!

[Raymond.]

Been running winter tyres for about 7 years now and would not change (unless I dropped on some ultra high performance Falken Azenis FK-543's)

Had a set of 18's on the Range Rover, a set of 16's on the 5-Series and a set of 17's for the IS.

Much better to have a winter set the same size as your summers so you don't feel the difference changing them over.

Range Rover was worst with going from 18's back to 22 summers.

[matt-c]

Mine are virtually the same rolling diameter/circumference - winter = 205/50-17 and summer = 215/45-17

[Raymond.]

Light dusting of snow this morning. Hope it stays like that. The winters are not going on again!

[matt-c]

For a change, it's bright sun here - we've even got shadows! Still cold as fook though!