Help ID my tyres please
Discussion
My recent Grand Cherokee purchase is running a newish set of :
COOPER DISCOVERER SPORT HP M+S
235/65 R17 104V
A quick glance at the internet gives some favorable reviews. The Cooper web site describes them as a "Winter" tyre, with strenghened side walls.
1)So what does the M+S stand for (mud and snow?) The tread pattern dosnt look very aggresive for mud.
2)What is the true definition of a winter tyre, and are these really that ?
3)104V, thats the load and speed rating ? What does it mean in the real world?
Thanks
COOPER DISCOVERER SPORT HP M+S
235/65 R17 104V
A quick glance at the internet gives some favorable reviews. The Cooper web site describes them as a "Winter" tyre, with strenghened side walls.
1)So what does the M+S stand for (mud and snow?) The tread pattern dosnt look very aggresive for mud.
2)What is the true definition of a winter tyre, and are these really that ?
3)104V, thats the load and speed rating ? What does it mean in the real world?
Thanks
M+S means Mud and Snow.
You'll find this on most/many SUV sized tyres.
It’s not a legislated marking, but it's not a bad indication that's it's a tyre that should be alright off the tarmac.
The thing that makes a tyre a winter tyre is siping in the tread block.
Siping is Lots of thin grooves.
Like someone has slashed all the tread blocks with a multi blade razor.
The siping lets the tyre deal with the snow and ice and water you encounter in winter.
There's lots of opinion and ideas of exactly how it works – google is your friend in this respect.
But everyone will agree that it works.
Take a look at the tyre linked – that looks like siping to me.
http://tyresaddict.com/uploads/tyres/cooper/discov...
Take a look at the google images of general grabber At2 , and general grabber uhp – this gives a great visual example of two M+S tyres, one being a winter tyre with siping and one being a regular tyre.
If you're in any way unsure of the tyres, check the DOT codes too.
This will tell you how old the tyres are.
I generally avoid tyres over 3 years old – and would not go anywhere near tyres over 6 years old.
You'll find this on most/many SUV sized tyres.
It’s not a legislated marking, but it's not a bad indication that's it's a tyre that should be alright off the tarmac.
The thing that makes a tyre a winter tyre is siping in the tread block.
Siping is Lots of thin grooves.
Like someone has slashed all the tread blocks with a multi blade razor.
The siping lets the tyre deal with the snow and ice and water you encounter in winter.
There's lots of opinion and ideas of exactly how it works – google is your friend in this respect.
But everyone will agree that it works.
Take a look at the tyre linked – that looks like siping to me.
http://tyresaddict.com/uploads/tyres/cooper/discov...
Take a look at the google images of general grabber At2 , and general grabber uhp – this gives a great visual example of two M+S tyres, one being a winter tyre with siping and one being a regular tyre.
If you're in any way unsure of the tyres, check the DOT codes too.
This will tell you how old the tyres are.
I generally avoid tyres over 3 years old – and would not go anywhere near tyres over 6 years old.
Edited by Snowboy on Friday 21st October 13:46
Sorry if I haven't read properly, but what exactly are you asking/looking for?
Off-road tyre, or a tyre which will be good in the snow?
Your profile says you're in Berkshire, so I guess that if you've got a 4x4 with any kind of decent tyres, you're better off than probably 90% of motorists.
My experience when visiting the UK during the snow in December last year was that most of the roads were blocked anyway by ordinary cars, and we had to get out into the Cotswolds before we found anything really challenging. I was in a Discovery on standard M+S tyres - didn't get stuck once, despite our best efforts.
Off-road tyre, or a tyre which will be good in the snow?
Your profile says you're in Berkshire, so I guess that if you've got a 4x4 with any kind of decent tyres, you're better off than probably 90% of motorists.
My experience when visiting the UK during the snow in December last year was that most of the roads were blocked anyway by ordinary cars, and we had to get out into the Cotswolds before we found anything really challenging. I was in a Discovery on standard M+S tyres - didn't get stuck once, despite our best efforts.
Those tyres don't have siping.
But, they do look like decent chunky tyres – and they have the M+S mark for whatever that's worth.
Assuming you're just driving round Berkshire and not heading to the alps I'd be inclined to stick with what's on there and drive sensibly.
M+S rating is legally all that's required for most of Europe in the snow, so it's a decent guideline.
It's not like you're driving round on performance slicks.
If you find that it does get a bit slippy in the snow then buy some AT2s then – someone somewhere will have them in stock.
But, they do look like decent chunky tyres – and they have the M+S mark for whatever that's worth.
Assuming you're just driving round Berkshire and not heading to the alps I'd be inclined to stick with what's on there and drive sensibly.
M+S rating is legally all that's required for most of Europe in the snow, so it's a decent guideline.
It's not like you're driving round on performance slicks.
If you find that it does get a bit slippy in the snow then buy some AT2s then – someone somewhere will have them in stock.
Snowboy said:
Those tyres don't have siping.
But, they do look like decent chunky tyres – and they have the M+S mark for whatever that's worth.
Assuming you're just driving round Berkshire and not heading to the alps I'd be inclined to stick with what's on there and drive sensibly.
M+S rating is legally all that's required for most of Europe in the snow, so it's a decent guideline.
It's not like you're driving round on performance slicks.
If you find that it does get a bit slippy in the snow then buy some AT2s then – someone somewhere will have them in stock.
AT2 is the old General tyre, replaced by the new AT which gets rave reviews & comments such as better than the AT2. Anyone having stock it will be old stock as new EU rules mean the AT2 doesn't comply with noise regs anymore, hence its withdrawal. But, they do look like decent chunky tyres – and they have the M+S mark for whatever that's worth.
Assuming you're just driving round Berkshire and not heading to the alps I'd be inclined to stick with what's on there and drive sensibly.
M+S rating is legally all that's required for most of Europe in the snow, so it's a decent guideline.
It's not like you're driving round on performance slicks.
If you find that it does get a bit slippy in the snow then buy some AT2s then – someone somewhere will have them in stock.
sunbeam alpine said:
Sorry if I haven't read properly, but what exactly are you asking/looking for?
Off-road tyre, or a tyre which will be good in the snow?
Your profile says you're in Berkshire, so I guess that if you've got a 4x4 with any kind of decent tyres, you're better off than probably 90% of motorists.
My experience when visiting the UK during the snow in December last year was that most of the roads were blocked anyway by ordinary cars, and we had to get out into the Cotswolds before we found anything really challenging. I was in a Discovery on standard M+S tyres - didn't get stuck once, despite our best efforts.
Well ideally I want to just drive the regular roads through winter, and cope with any snow that may follow the last couple of winters weve had. If these tyres will do that job then great.Off-road tyre, or a tyre which will be good in the snow?
Your profile says you're in Berkshire, so I guess that if you've got a 4x4 with any kind of decent tyres, you're better off than probably 90% of motorists.
My experience when visiting the UK during the snow in December last year was that most of the roads were blocked anyway by ordinary cars, and we had to get out into the Cotswolds before we found anything really challenging. I was in a Discovery on standard M+S tyres - didn't get stuck once, despite our best efforts.
Looking to the future, Id like to try out a pay and play site (but not extreme off roading) and get some tuition in 4x4 driving. Id kind of figured Id need AT's for that, but wasnt sure if I needed them now in the run up to winter.
pcn1 said:
sunbeam alpine said:
Sorry if I haven't read properly, but what exactly are you asking/looking for?
Off-road tyre, or a tyre which will be good in the snow?
Your profile says you're in Berkshire, so I guess that if you've got a 4x4 with any kind of decent tyres, you're better off than probably 90% of motorists.
My experience when visiting the UK during the snow in December last year was that most of the roads were blocked anyway by ordinary cars, and we had to get out into the Cotswolds before we found anything really challenging. I was in a Discovery on standard M+S tyres - didn't get stuck once, despite our best efforts.
Well ideally I want to just drive the regular roads through winter, and cope with any snow that may follow the last couple of winters weve had. If these tyres will do that job then great.Off-road tyre, or a tyre which will be good in the snow?
Your profile says you're in Berkshire, so I guess that if you've got a 4x4 with any kind of decent tyres, you're better off than probably 90% of motorists.
My experience when visiting the UK during the snow in December last year was that most of the roads were blocked anyway by ordinary cars, and we had to get out into the Cotswolds before we found anything really challenging. I was in a Discovery on standard M+S tyres - didn't get stuck once, despite our best efforts.
Looking to the future, Id like to try out a pay and play site (but not extreme off roading) and get some tuition in 4x4 driving. Id kind of figured Id need AT's for that, but wasnt sure if I needed them now in the run up to winter.
If they're the profile shown in one of the previous posts, they'll be fine for road and/or snow (bearing in mind my preious comments about other road users).
I would also try going to a pay and play site with your vehicle as it is - there'll always be a friendly soul to tow you out if necessary!
Choosing off-road tyres is a question of balancing both on- and off-road manners. The AT2's mentioned in another post get a lot of good press, but I don't get on with them very well off-road - I find that the treads fill up with mud, and the mud doesn't spin out even when you floor it.
I've got Bridgestone Mud tyres on another vehicle and that's great off-road, but I can get the back end sideways on a slightly damp roundabout!
Whatever you decide - enjoy!
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