So.....what do you reckon, time to switch back to the summers then ?
Warm temps forecast for the next week, then we're heading towards April.
Got some days off next week, so probably a good time to do the swap....no doubt we'll then get freak blizzards in April
Warm temps forecast for the next week, then we're heading towards April.
Got some days off next week, so probably a good time to do the swap....no doubt we'll then get freak blizzards in April
Dunno. I've been thinking the same thing... but then last week there was 3ft of snow in Spain, in March!
I'm so busy between now and April that I'll probably not get opportunity until at least then, so can avoid making the decision just now.
I'm in no particular rush to swap back to my Pirellis, to be honest. The Michelin (Primacy Alpin PA3) winter tyres have been quieter, more efficient and better under sudden braking and in the wet - all qualities that I'd find useful in summertime too. Hmm...
I'm so busy between now and April that I'll probably not get opportunity until at least then, so can avoid making the decision just now.
I'm in no particular rush to swap back to my Pirellis, to be honest. The Michelin (Primacy Alpin PA3) winter tyres have been quieter, more efficient and better under sudden braking and in the wet - all qualities that I'd find useful in summertime too. Hmm...
I think mine will be coming off at the weekend. It's been above 10 degrees for over a week now.
Edit: Just finished. Summers on, Winters in the boot to take home & wash before I put them away. Just wish it hadn't been raining while I was doing it 'cos I'm soaked now
Edit: Just finished. Summers on, Winters in the boot to take home & wash before I put them away. Just wish it hadn't been raining while I was doing it 'cos I'm soaked now
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I just switched back to summers, Eagle F1s, this weekend. The Vreds were fine when driving normally but being a tad enthusiastic resulted in the front end pushing out fairly regularly in these balmy temperatures.
I rate the Vreds as one of the best things I've ever done to a car 'mod' wise - it enabled me to make progress every day I wanted to bar one, and that's when it was an ice rink post freezing rain. I will never go through a winter without a set of winters again as irrespective of whether snow turns up or not, the benefits are clear.
Right now, I have to say that the difference is astonishing one again. In the same way I was gob smacked at how good the winters were when they went on it is the same with the F1s all round. Grip levels are fantastic and my summer wheels (BBS rims) are looking good, even if I say so myself
I don't think I'd have had the confidence to put winters on if topics like this weren't about, so cheers!
I rate the Vreds as one of the best things I've ever done to a car 'mod' wise - it enabled me to make progress every day I wanted to bar one, and that's when it was an ice rink post freezing rain. I will never go through a winter without a set of winters again as irrespective of whether snow turns up or not, the benefits are clear.
Right now, I have to say that the difference is astonishing one again. In the same way I was gob smacked at how good the winters were when they went on it is the same with the F1s all round. Grip levels are fantastic and my summer wheels (BBS rims) are looking good, even if I say so myself
I don't think I'd have had the confidence to put winters on if topics like this weren't about, so cheers!
I just switched back to summers, Eagle F1s, this weekend. The Vreds were fine when driving normally but being a tad enthusiastic resulted in the front end pushing out fairly regularly in these balmy temperatures.
I rate the Vreds as one of the best things I've ever done to a car 'mod' wise - it enabled me to make progress every day I wanted to bar one, and that's when it was an ice rink post freezing rain. I will never go through a winter without a set of winters again as irrespective of whether snow turns up or not, the benefits are clear.
Right now, I have to say that the difference is astonishing one again. In the same way I was gob smacked at how good the winters were when they went on it is the same with the F1s all round. Grip levels are fantastic and my summer wheels (BBS rims) are looking good, even if I say so myself
I don't think I'd have had the confidence to put winters on if topics like this weren't about, so cheers!
Well it's time for new front discs & pads and a brake fluid change this weekend, so that's my opportunity to stick my summers back on as I'll be taking all the wheels off anyway.
Think I'll be needing a new pair of winters later this year, wonder if it's best to buy during the summer when demand is lower.....
I just switched back to summers, Eagle F1s, this weekend. The Vreds were fine when driving normally but being a tad enthusiastic resulted in the front end pushing out fairly regularly in these balmy temperatures.
I rate the Vreds as one of the best things I've ever done to a car 'mod' wise - it enabled me to make progress every day I wanted to bar one, and that's when it was an ice rink post freezing rain. I will never go through a winter without a set of winters again as irrespective of whether snow turns up or not, the benefits are clear.
Right now, I have to say that the difference is astonishing one again. In the same way I was gob smacked at how good the winters were when they went on it is the same with the F1s all round. Grip levels are fantastic and my summer wheels (BBS rims) are looking good, even if I say so myself
I don't think I'd have had the confidence to put winters on if topics like this weren't about, so cheers!
Late entry into this thread, but I fitted a set of Cooper Weathermaster M+S to my Fiesta just before New Year. Absolute wonders and more than a match for the 4x4 brigade. I left it too late for the Ibiza, but now have some 15" Audi pepperpots ready and waiting for next winter.
So I've already taken the plunge and bought some new steelies with some Dunlop WinterSport 3Ds for the Freetrack. Figured I'd get in early(ish) as you never know where Sterling is going these days against the Euro. The Vreds from last winter will be on the Leon again, barely worn in.
I've never looked forward to cold weather so much.
I've never looked forward to cold weather so much.
I've never looked forward to cold weather so much.
My sentiments exactly!
It's just a shame that the missus has a company car... she's forced to accept whatever Kwik-Fit want to fit when they get worn, as her employer's fleet dept have a deal with them.
![[:@]](/forums/styles/seatcupra/oldforumsmileys/furious.gif "Furious [:@]")
Out of interest, will you be getting new tyres when the 'snow performance indicators' are reached, or when they're approaching the legal limit? My Michelins have separate, higher wear indicators to show when snow+ice performance will be compromised - presumably due to worn blocks making the siping less effective? Think I might swap when just past that level of wear as safety wins over cost, I reckon... but interested in others opinions on this point.
Hmm, not checked where the wear indicators are on the Vreds yet but I expect it's around 4mm (due to the snow clearance capabilities as you mention). I expect to get another couple of winters out of them before swapping but will have to check the tread asap as I didn't pay a great deal of attention when I took them off the car.
Will post back once I've checked them over this weekend but to answer your question I'll replace when at that wear indicator (I replace summers at 3mm anyway as they diminish quickly after that point).
Will post back once I've checked them over this weekend but to answer your question I'll replace when at that wear indicator (I replace summers at 3mm anyway as they diminish quickly after that point).
i was going to ask if anyone had experience of the Nokian WRG2's as i'm looking at getting a set of these for the winter (nov-mar) after seeing them reccomended on tyrereviews.co.uk http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-Winter-Tyres-Buying-Guide.htm
i take it they will be getting another run out this season?
anybodey else used them, any good???
I believe I've read on here (possibly even in this thread) that Haddock uses/used the Vred Snowtracs. I've seen some videos of the new Snowtrac 3 in action and it looks impressive in the snow.
The Nokian WRG2s are a pretty old model now and technology seems to have moved on a bit. They never appear near the top of the pro reviews done by Austrian/Swiss car clubs every winter, for instance. No doubt they'll perform much better than a summer tyre, but probably not as good as the other winter tyres mentioned above, I guess.
The Nokian WRG2s are a pretty old model now and technology seems to have moved on a bit. They never appear near the top of the pro reviews done by Austrian/Swiss car clubs every winter, for instance. No doubt they'll perform much better than a summer tyre, but probably not as good as the other winter tyres mentioned above, I guess.
I have 17" Wintrac Extremes for the XL. Very impressive tyre not only in the snow but also just when it's cold & wet, so much more grip that summer tyres.
Just been & picked up a set of steel wheels for the Wife's Smart today as that too will be on winter tyres this year.
Just been & picked up a set of steel wheels for the Wife's Smart today as that too will be on winter tyres this year.
So I've already taken the plunge and bought some new steelies with some Dunlop WinterSport 3Ds for the Freetrack. Figured I'd get in early(ish) as you never know where Sterling is going these days against the Euro. The Vreds from last winter will be on the Leon again, barely worn in.
I've never looked forward to cold weather so much.
I've just done the same. Not sure how the car will look going from 225/40 on 18's down to 205/55 on 16's, but I'd rather be safe than have a car that slides all over the place like last year.
Just need mytyres to pull their finger out and for the cold weatehr to arrive now.
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