 Poster: A snowHead
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Tyremen, just looked at your site, one order coming your way (after I've double checked my tyre size!)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| SueRushworth wrote: |
| It's great to hear snow socks can get you to Val Thorens. I am going to La Rosiere. We will be checking the chains fit they are in a different part of the the country at the moment. Thank you so much for your help:-) |
I certainly would not rely on snowsocks to get me up that road to La Rosiere, make sure that you have chains that fit and practice putting them on. If not be prepared to spend the night in Bourg St Maurice!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| TonySmith wrote: |
Swillers note regarding directional tyres got me thinking (a rare event...  ); I have a 'Get You Home' steel spare wheel with a standard tyre on. If I was to get a puncture and need to change a wheel in the snow does anyone have any thoughts on:
a. Where this leaves me legally with the Gendarmes?
b. Whether it is worth swapping wheels about to ensure that least grippy tyre is front or rear? My gut feeling is to get all the Winter tyres on the front (I have FWD) to give traction, steering and the option to put chains on (as they are sized for these wheels). This make make the rear axle a bit prone to slipping, but it is only to get me to safe refuge. |
Couple of issues, if you have a puncture using winter tyres and only have a summer or space saver spare you could be in for a bit of juggling with the wheels to make sure you've got two winter tyres on the driven axle. Always put the odd tyre on the non driven axle. Hopefully any puncture will be on the back wheels.
Unless you've got a limited slip or locking differential, the summer tyre will spin and you'll lose drive with only one winter tyre on the driven axle.
You could go with chains but only if there's snow on the road.
In my experience punctures always happen when it's dark, wet and horrible, having to take off and swap tyres around is a horrible cold job. I carry an axle stand in my Land Rover as well as a jack so that I can take 2 wheels off at a time should I need to, unlikely that a car driver will have a stand or 2 jacks to make life easier.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Spyderman, I used to have a summer tyre on a spare wheel (after a bad experience with a space saver). The last time I changed my winter tyres I put the least worn one of the set being replaced on the spare and now carry this all year round.
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I've often wondered about space saver wheels and winter tyres.
Although many are comfortable with winter tyres now, some insurance companies will get all arsey if you change your alloys for steelies because they are not 'standard' fitting. However, in many cases, steel space saver wheels are supplied by the manufacturer and therefore, by definition, are standard equipment. If you could russle up four of them - and find winter tyres to fit (probably not easy) - then that should be an acceptable solution. They'd be nice and narrow to boot and ideal for cutting thru the snow.
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altis,
Yes but I think space saver wheels have a maximum speed of circa 50 MPH,
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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DB, that'll be a limitation of the cheap tyre.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
Please quote for fitted price 4 X 225/45/17 - Budget tyres. PM me if you'd prefer.
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That's what the website site is for! I'm sure Tyremen being a good chap would quote you anyway - but it might be quicker to have a quick look in his site, or another tyre site that takes your fancy.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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tyremen, Thanks very much!! I arrived in a very snowy Tignes last night, feeling very smug watching people put chains on - or abandon their vehicles presumanly due to a lack of chains. There was also a couple of sobering accidents with one SUV perched on top of the concrete crash barrier (about 2 feet high) looking as though the balance might tip at any moment. No snags getting round the village roads.
As for a bit of feedback on the Vredstein Snowtrack 3's - I didn't notice any extra noise and my fuel consumption was 47.5 mpg over 650 miles compared with he same journey in Sep when I got 48.5. Not entirely a scientific survey but the Auto Express survey suggested much worse - histrionics perhaps.
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Well I have now swapped my summer tyres for the winter set, so as far as I'm concerned it can now snow in the UK. Bring it on..... 
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You know it makes sense.
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My tyre men winter tyres fitted at garage near me today..... Great help via PM during the selection process
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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tyremen, as some snowhead who will not be named has just convinced me to buy a Discovery - winter tyres for 255/55 R19?
Link to website? Had a quick scan through but can't see it
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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chocksaway, those figures are probably much more accurate than the auto express tests! The tyre tests are helpful to a point but actual use feedback is always really helpful. The Snowtrac 3 didn't get the most amazing results this year but our customers still give us great feedback, plus it's pure snow performance is about the best out there! Also worth noting is that the values returned in the test for the best winter products are so close that some of the differences between them will be really small. Enjoy Tignes!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Boris, has to be Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme, by far and away the best SUV winter tyre on the market! Amazing in any condition, offer excellent mileage and are good value. Most people would fit this particular tyre and leave it on year round!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I have Vred Wintrac 4 Xtreme on my Range Rover during the winter absolutely awesome tyre put the winter wheels on a cople of weeks ago now the temp has plummeted the tyre grip has changed to fantastic levels its all in the polymers of the tyre.
Although the RR can go anywhere with Mud & Snow tyres on the extra grip in icy conditions makes a big difference with the winter tyre worth every penny
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sat 1-12-12 15:56; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Just got Nokian WRA3 215 45 17 £ 100 a corner delivered from Europe, to trial against Nokian WRG2 that are on their 3 winter with little wear. The A3 is meant to be more sports orientated, and as both my Subarus have the same size wheels, I can swap them. Nokian are Finnish, so they are better placed than most to develop and produce winter tyres.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Boris,
Value for money Vred Wintrac 4 Xtreme
One of the best tyes on snow but only mediocre braking on dry and wet roads.
This tyre also looks to have a pronounced sidewall that protects the wheels from cliping the kerbs (women friendly tyres whoed a thought of that  )
Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow
Best tyre in its class on snow but also very good braking on dry and wet roads. Downside = not the most comfortable tyre and rolling resistance is high.
Not all the tyres in this german test are available in your size.
http://www.testberichte.de/preisvergleich/level4_auto_motor_und_sport_50798.html
PS Looks like the tyre size is the same for summer and winter so not a massive advantage in going for a summer and winter set of tyres and wheels.
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| tyremen wrote: |
| Boris, has to be Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtreme, by far and away the best SUV winter tyre on the market! Amazing in any condition, offer excellent mileage and are good value. Most people would fit this particular tyre and leave it on year round! |
Thanks - luckily that was what I'd decided on and they will be left on all year. Time to check out your site!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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tyremen, any discount for snowheads?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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How much tread does a winter tyre need to remain effective? I've searched through various forums and not found a convincing answer. My snowtrac 3s have about 3.5 - 4mm left and at the end of last winter I didn't think they were quite as solid on icy roads as they had been...but then again I could have been imagining it. I guess performance in deep snow is likely to drop off as the tread goes, but what about in more usual UK winter conditions (i.e. cold, wet/icy mix rather than full snow cover)?
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You know it makes sense.
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mgrolf,
Winter tyres = 4 mm
Summer tyres = 1.6 mm
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Wayne,
There's another number on the tyre with relates to the load rating and speed rating. It helps to get the right tyres.
http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall
I expect you will have something like "102/104 S" at the end of your tyre numbers.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Wayne,
What you probably should be looking for is 185/75 R16C 104/102R or some manufacturers put the C at the end 185/75 R16 104/102RC The 104/102 is the load rating ie 900kg capacity per single wheel, as in the front in your case, and 850kg per wheel when they are double, as in the back on your vehicle (the reduction is I believe because of a greater heat build up on double wheels).The second R gives you a speed rating of 106mph, the C signifies that the tyres are for a Van, although yours is a van with windows. The size 185/75 R16 seems to be only available in that spec and the minimum buy price is about £90 for anything sensible eg. http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/yokohama-y354-185-75-r16-104-102-r-c Total £650 inc VAT
You have obviously got to add fitting to this. You really should check the vehicle handbook if you can to make sure that is the right spec. tyre for the vehicle.
The price from Kwikfit is not out of this world if they are giving you the Michelins and they are right for your vehicle http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/michelin-agilis-alpin-185-75-r16-104-r Total £714IncVAT
I sympathise with you though, and no offence to tyremen on here who seem to be a notable exception, but getting a sensible answer out of the tyre trade, especially regarding winter tyres, in general is pretty hard work. We gave up long ago, bought the machines and got somebody trained by Michelin, much simpler, cheaper and safer, for us anyway.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 3-12-12 9:34; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Agree with skitow as (unlike here in Austria) in the UK it is not always clear which winter tyres are required there is always the danger than the UK tyre manufacturer will sell you what he has in stock as opposed what you really need. Can't say anything bad about the "Tyremen" on here but getting cheap quotes over the internet could leave you with the wrong tyres (e.g. dimension, speed rating, load rating etc).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Last winter, Kwikfit were the cheapest for our Continentals as they had an offer on of 25% off. Way too pricey at their normal rate though.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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DB, I agree with your sentiments about internet purchases but tyremen, whilst working a lot through t'internet, they are quite happy to discuss yoour requirements over the phone. having had litlle luck with my main dealer I rang Chris who asked me a series of questions about what use the tyres were going to get, answered my beginners questions and then presented a range of options with a recommendation. Everything he said agreed with the details in the manual re size etc so he got my business.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just ordered from tyremen
http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/10906/18575r16-(104r)-rw06.aspx
About the same price as Kwikfit but big difference is these are "winter" tyres for light trucks (as opposed to mud and snow)
We'll see how many time the chains are needed this season - mind you, the snow ploughs are out in the town this morning, BIG drop last night 
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tyremen, we are thinking of changing our car .Wec urrently have a 2009 X-trail with Continental Winter Contacts (size escapes me but 17" alloys). I haven't had an answer on the tyres that are currently fitted as new to the 2013 X-trail Tekna model we are buying, but I don't seem to be able to find any winter tyres in this size (215 55 r18 ) . Any suggestions?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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skitow, thanks
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FAQ
, why not ?)
