Why is everyone banging on about winter tyres this year?

[Luke.]

I can't seem to read a magazine without some lame story about winter tyres.

I don't know where I've been all these years, but this whole winter tyre thing is new to me.

But now everyone seems obsessed with it, and this was long before the snow fell last week.

[RobM77]

Winter tyres make driving safer in cold conditions, including dry, wet and snow. The reason everyone's banging on about them is that the last decade's seen some pretty mild winters in the UK, but the last two years have been especially cold.

[daemon]

Because they are

(a) giving you better grip in winter conditions. And we seem to be getting colder weather than we used to.
(b) they are more readily available
(c) we are being 'conditioned' by car mags / tyre sellers to buy them
(d) Consumers want what they get.

Edited by daemon on Thursday 23 December 11:19

[hombrepaulo]

• YAWN*

[Luke.]

hombrepaulo said:

*YAWN*

What were you expecting when you clicked on the thread? Herds of wildebeests running through the fields, dancing girls running through the streets naked...

[RobM77]

I should add that they've made a lot of difference to a lot of people. My Dad lives in the country runs his own business, which requires a lot of driving, and last winter he was stuck at home and business suffered as a result. This year he's got the same make and model of car with winter tyres, and he's been out and about like normal. Remember that effectively you're only paying for the wheels and the fitting (the tread wear would happen anyway), so they can pay for themselves very quickly if it snows and you'd otherwise by stuck at home not earning money.

The especially nice thing about these tyres is that for petrolheads like myself, who don't want to drive something suitable for the snow but boring and frustrating the rest of the year, it enables us to stick with cars that are nice to drive.

[troc]

Luke. said:

hombrepaulo said:

*YAWN*

What were you expecting when you clicked on the thread? Herds of wildebeests running through the fields, dancing girls running through the streets naked...

I spend my life being disappointed by the lack of naked dancing wildebeests running about.

[sagt550]

So bored about hearing about winter tyres....

[Luke.]

sagt550 said:

So bored about hearing about winter tyres....

Me too.

[hombrepaulo]

Either would have been good. Maybe a leprachaun thrown in for good measure

[Guvernator]

I have an easier and cheaper solution, On the 3 or 4 days of the year in the UK when the roads are too icy\dangerous to drive safely on, I just leave the car at home. If I lived in Norway I'd consider them.

[Ceylon]

Winter tyres are now much more affordable so more people realise the benefits.

My father has fitted winter tyres to his car this year but following a knee op he cannot drive. He is extremely frustrated to say the least.

I must say my Uniroyal Rainmasters have been excellent but having never driven on winter tyres I have nothing to compare them to.

[Conian]

why didnt you ask this question in the existing winter tire thread, where users of winter tires will be available to answer?
Did you want answers or just to complain about it?

[hornetrider]

Luke. said:

sagt550 said:

So bored about hearing about winter tyres....

Me too.

Did this really need another thread?

[Muzzer]

Oh good.

Another thread about winter tyres.

Can I start one about Jason Plato?

[AV12]

Guvernator said:

I have an easier and cheaper solution, On the 3 or 4 days of the year in the UK when the roads are too icy\dangerous to drive safely on, I just leave the car at home. If I lived in Norway I'd consider them.

^ on the money

[Eggman]

Slightly changing the subject, what do people think about winter coats? Worth the money?

"I went out in minus 40 wearing only a t-shirt and I was FINE, and so is everybody ELSE, and how DARE you disagree with me...'

[Bill]

hornetrider said:

Luke. said:

sagt550 said:

So bored about hearing about winter tyres....

Me too.

Did this really need another thread?

Nope.