Category Archives: Winter Tyres

Just How Good Are Winter Tyres?

by in Autocar, Cars Vans 4x4s, Ice, Snow, Winter Tyres and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The one thing we know about the seasons is that they are seasonal, correct? Which means it’ll be winter before we know it again soon, and the questions about winter tyres will once again arise in the minds of the everyday motorist.

Such as; are winter tyres worth what they cost, do they really make a difference compared with summer tyres when the roads turn greasy, should they be made compulsory in the UK (as they are in many other “cold” European countries at certain times of the year), and which are the best ones to buy; and where are the best places to go to find the best deals?

Until last year I was sceptical about the whole business of winter tyres. I thought they were a ruse quite frankly, a conspiracy designed by the car and tyre manufacturers to get us to part with our hard earned folding for something that we don’t strictly need. But then I tried some, at which point my opinion on the subject changed completely.

I was running a long term BMW 1M at the time, and at BMW’s insistence the car was fitted with a set of Michelin Alpin winter tyres. And when it came back I was stunned by how different it felt to drive; how much more comfortably it rode, how much sweeter it steered, how less fidgety it felt on badly surfaced roads, and how much more grip it had everywhere in the wet.

The whole car felt as if it had been unlocked somehow, and there was also an amusing little sticker that had appeared in the top right hand side of the windscreen, warning me not to drive above 149mph. As if BMW GB was saying; ‘Because we know what sort of larks you normally get up to in our 1M…’

There were some other qualities about the car on winter tyres that were less desirable, true. I noticed, for instance, that the speedo had become wildly ambitious; at a true 70mph it was reading almost 80mph, which meant the fuel range indicator was similarly off piste. And the car’s traction control also become neurotic, killing the power at the merest whiff of throttle, even on bone dry roads.

But when eventually it snowed – albeit only a bit – the tyres were an absolute revelation. The 1M was not rendered useless, as I’m no doubt it would have been on its original 19in summer tyres. Instead, it could go pretty much anywhere because it could stop, steer and accelerate, almost as if the roads were merely wet rather than covered in snow.

And having subsequently tried Michelin’s latest Pilot Alpin 2 tyres in Latvia recently – on anything from the new 911 to a Range Rover Evoque – it’s equally clear that winter tyres aren’t just here to stay but are getting better, year-on-year. Winter tyres are now big business for the tyre companies Europe, even if we in the UK have yet to embrace them like most other counties in the union. But my guess, my hope indeed, is that this attitude will change in the near future.

What’s the point in spending upwards of a thousand pounds on winter tyres in the UK when we don’t have the weather to justify such extra cost, I hear you cry. Put it this way, next time it snows – and they say it might do properly in the UK this winter – and our nation grinds to a halt once again (which it will) just think how much money will go up in smoke in the resulting mayhem. And think how much more efficient it would be if, as they do in Latvia when it snows (which means most of the year), we all continued to get around in our cars, vans, lorries and buses, virtually as if nothing had happened.

That’s how much of a difference winter tyres can make. And the sooner we realise it, the less carnage there will be next time our beloved weather forcasters warn us there’s a “cold snap” heading our way.

Source: Autocar

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Do You Need Winter Tyres

by in Cars Vans 4x4s, Ice, Landrover Discovery 3, Snow, Tyre Snow Chains, Tyres, Winter Tyres and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Need Winter Tyres?

The winter and snowy months are usually a fun, however for driving a vehicle in it, it could also be a risky one.

Do You Need Winter Tyres?
Before you drive your vehicle in winter, it is vital that you can comprehend the the winter season road regulations of the region you might be driving in.

You will need to educate and make yourself aware of the facts whenever driving an automobile in order to guarantee an individual’s road safety.

Throughout Austria winter tires tend to be imperative legally to be fitted to the vehicle amongst the first November and the April 15th.

Generally in most regions of Spain you wouldn’t consider the tires on your vehicle. On the other hand journey to the Spanish Pyrenees region between November and March and you may need to have a set of snow chains with you in the vehicle as winter tires will not be offered.

Discovery 3 Do You Need Winter Tyres

You can use chains on the 19 inch wheels, but nothing too chunky in construction as they will run very close to the suspension. If the chains you fit are too large, they could foul something.

Wessenfalls Clack n Go which fit the 19 ” wheel perfectly. No fouling at all. Used for quite a few miles of difficult terrain with no problems reported.

Wessenfalls Clack n Go which fit the 19 " wheel perfectly on the Landrover Discovery 3

When you are traveling in France, prerequisites is dependent upon the region you were traveling to. In the Southern area of the country certainly, there won’t be just about any necessity for wintertime gear; therefore in The Alpine region, it is strongly advised that you simply pre-book winter tires and it is obligatory to possess snow chains in the vehicle. You must order winter tires or perhaps you get the car with ordinary ones.

While in Germany from December ’10 winter tires or all season tires designated M&S have to be utilized in wintry conditions. These situations comprise of: snow, ice, slush and black ice.

Swiss law only proposes the employment of winter tires therefore you really should have snow chains while venturing throughout the high altitude regions in the vehicle. Being without suitable winter equipment will result in significant charges in the event that stopped by Swiss police.

Italy guidelines furthermore recommend that you use winter tires and snow chains in extreme winter conditions, nevertheless this isn’t a necessity of legal requirements and you have to order them on request.

In any case where you know you will be visiting mountainous terrain, we highly advise booking winter package.

Source: Car Rental Blog

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TYRE CARE TIPS

by in All Year Tyres, Snow, Sports Tyres, Tyre Care Tips, Tyres, Winter Tyres and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
What is my tyre size - Tyre Care Tips

Top Tyre Tips For Checking Tyre Pressures Correctly

  • Check Your Tyre Pressure At Least Once A Month.

  • Tyre Pressure Should Be Checked Against The Vehicle Manufacturer’s Recommended Level. This Can Be Found In The Vehicle Handbook And On A Plate Which Is Often Located Inside The Fuel Filler Flap Or On The Driver’s Door Sill.
  • Check The Pressure When Tyres Are Cold (I.e. When You Have Travelled Less Than Two Miles).
  • If You Are Carrying A Full Load Of Passengers Or Luggage Or Will Be Towing A Trailer Or Caravan, Tyre Pressures Should Be Increased In Line With The Vehicle Manufacturer’s Recommendations. Details Can Be Found In The Handbook.
  • Ensure A Reliable And Accurate Pressure Gauge Is Used.
  • Check The Pressure In All Four Tyres Not Forgetting To Check The Spare Tyre As Well.
  • While Checking Pressures, Give The Rest Of The Tyre A Visual Inspection. Remove Any Stones And Other Objects Embedded In The Tread. Look Out For Any Bulges, Lumps Or Cuts.

  • If You Are Unsure On Any Aspect Of Tyre Pressure Or Tyre Condition Take Your Vehicle To An Approved Fitting Centre And Speak To The Experts

Stay Legal – Stay Safe

  • The Current Minimum Legal Requirements For Tread Depth Relating To Cars And Light Trailers (Including Caravans) Up To 3500 Kgs Gross Vehicle Weight And Or 8 Seated Vehicles Including The Driver Is A Minimum Of 1.6mm Of Tread Depth Covering The Central 3/4 Of The Tyre Width In A Continuous Band Throughout The Whole Circumference Of The Tyre. However It Is Recommended By Many Safety Organisations As Well As Most Vehicle And Tyre Manufacturers That Tyres Be Changed At 3mm, The Following Is An Excerpt From The Continental Tyre Web Site“The Tread Depth Of Your Tyres Can Dramatically Affect Stopping Distances In The Wet And Grip When Cornering. The Legal Tread Depth Limit Is 1.6mm, But For Greater Safety In The Wet Continental Recommends You Change Your Tyres At 3mm. Your Tyres Are The Only Contact A Vehicle Has With The Road. (At 1.6mm Of Tread Depth Your Tyres Are Only 55% Effective Compared To New. This Means Your Brakes Are Also Only 55% Effective. Below 3mm Of Tread Depth, Wet Stopping Distances Start To Increase Significantly. All Tyres Have Tread Wear Indicators, Usually 1.6mm – 2mm High And Positioned In The Base Of The Main Grooves. This Is A Simple Visual Way Of Checking The Current Tread Depth Of Your Tyres.”

  • Tyres Must Be Suitable (Of The Correct Size And Type) For The Use To Which The Vehicle(Inc Trailor Where Applicable)Is Being Put
  • Tyres Must Be Inflated To The Vehicle Or Tyre Manufacturers Recommended Pressures
  • Radial And Crossply Tyres Should Not Be Mixed On The Same Axle, A Two Axle Vehicle With Single Rear Wheels Must Not Have Radial Tyres Fitted To The Front Of Crossply Tyre Are Fitted To The Rear.
  • Mixing Brands And Patterns Of The Same Construction Type Is Permissible Depending On The Vehicle Type And Manufacturers Recommendation. Check Your Vehicle’s Handbook For Tyre Fitment Details And Options
  • No Tyre Shall Have A Cut Or Break In Its Fabric More Than 25mm Or Greater Than 10% Of The Tyres Section Width In Length Or Deep Enough To Expose The Cords
  • There Must Be No Lump, Buldge, Or Tear Caused By The Separation Or Partial Fracture Of The Structure Of The Tyre And No Cords Or Part Of The Ply Structure Be Exposed.

  • The Current Penalty For Each Faulty Tyre In The UK Can Be 3 Penalty Points And A Fine Upto £2500.00

We Recommend!

  • Check Your Tyres At Least One A Month And Before Long Journeys, Tyre Pressures And Signs Of Uneven Wear Or Damage. Just Kicking Your Tyres, Believe It Or Not Is Not An Acurate Way To Measure Tyre Pressure! Incorrectly Inflated Tyres Can Generate A Tremendous Amount Of Heat And Can Fail Suddenly.

  • Change Your Tyres At 3mm Minimum Tread Depth For Optimum Performance And Safety
  • Have Your Wheel Alignment Checked To Prevent Uneven Wear And Save Fuel! Correct Alignment Helps Reduce The Amount Of Friction And Force Needed Therefore Saving Fuel.
  • If You Feel Any Vibrations Through The Steering Or Your Vehicle Just Does Not Seem To Be Performing As It Should, Be Safe And Get It Checked.
  • Check Your Spare, Its Your Friend, It Gets Lonley In The Boot And A Little Attention Will Go A Long Way To Ensure It Won’t Let You Down When You Need It, And Remember Its An Offence To Fit A Spare That Is Itself Not Roadworthy.
  • Don’t Forget To Keep Any Tools You May Need To Fit Your Spare Tyre In Good Working Order As Stomping Up And Down On The Hard Sholder Because You Have No Jack Maybe Classed As An Offence.

Source: Tyretraders

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