Winter Tyres

[MarsKy]

I've got;

PCD (basically the diameter of a circle that passes through the 5 studs) of 114.3mm, an offset of between 35 and 45mm and a bore of 60.1mm

Thanks Anchorman. I think up to the 45mm offset is correct, as I've found T180 suitable alloys advertised as ET45.

Just waiting on a supplier getting back to me and I should have a fitted set by the end of next week, snow permitting the courier to get through. Then we'll get the mildest winter on reecord...

[MarsKy]

Incidentally, for those who are interested, even though the Continental ContiCrossContact tyres have the snowflake symbol and softer compound for snow and ice driving, they can actually be used throughout summer, with apparently no increase in wear when compared with normal tyres. There's supposed to be slightly reduced braking performance in higher temperatures, but nothing significant.

[anchorman]

The 17" wheels from a non T180 RAV fit perfectly and they pop up on eBay now and again. They look the part too.

[Lancia2000HF]

Hello. It is quite a sweeping statement from honest John, but it is a fair point he makes. We lived in Norway for a year, and bought some Nokian winter tyres for our Citroen Synergie. The grip was quite astonishing. I put them on each winter in the UK now, and last Christmas my wife drove to Bristol airport in snowy weather, and was the only one to reach the off-airport parking place (down some narrow country lanes) by 8am. She passed a few abandoned cars on the way.

I have only recently bought a Rav-4. My first ever Japanese car, as it ticked all the boxes for what we need for the next few years. I am reckoning on shelling out for a spare set of wheels with winter tyres on them straight away. It will be expensive, but better to do it now rather than in 5 years. The car can only wear 1 set of tyres at a time, so the actual cost 5 years later will only be a little more for the winter tyres, and whatever the wheels cost. Better to do it now rather than in 5 years time.

So to sum up, yes, good quality winter tyres from a reputable manufacturer will make a huge difference. Not sure about the cheaper ones, I have no experience of them, but suspect you get what you pay for. The Nokian tyres from Finland have been developed through years of research. Nokia was spawned from a successful rubber and tyre company.

If you want good reliable grip in snow, then you want winter tyres.

[MarsKy]

Checkout if your favoured winter tyre (with snowflake) is suitable for all year use too.

I chose Continental ContiCrossContact (who thinks of these names?) Winter tyres as they can be used in summer too, without any problem. (My old Michelin Alpins were a wee bit bouncy come April and no use in summer).

This gives you another all year set. And if you have a T180 with RFTs, that's a good option to have

[ZX Raziel]

In some european countries they must use winter tyres in winter by law and in some places even snow chains .

Its right to say if someone thinks he cannot afford to buy them think again it is like to own two pares of shoes , if you only have one they only last you for x miles but if you own two and keep changing them ( winter/summer ) they both will last you for longer and perform better .

[webleymk3]

What speed rating should one go for on the Rav???

A search on Kwik-Fit with my registration number tells me my tyres are: 225/65H17 (speed H). I notice the Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6 are Q... I am uber confused now as to what to go for!!

I need 2 new ones but I'm not necessarily looking for winter tyres as i can't afford to change them again in the spring! I also have no-where to store them!!

Gonna go on the hunt tomorrow as the car goes back to MrT on Monday and could simply ask him to fit some but want to be better informed.

Thanks

[Worlds End Stu]

Well I got my first outing in the RAV on the "Ice Bears" on Saturday.

The midlands didn't get an awful lot of snow but the side roads hadn't been gritted and on these all the "normal" cars were sliding all over the place.

Despite doing some very silly manouvers on some deserted stretches I couldn't get them to break grip.

Very impressed.

[Worlds End Stu]

What speed rating should one go for on the Rav???

A search on Kwik-Fit with my registration number tells me my tyres are: 225/65H17 (speed H). I notice the Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6 are Q... I am uber confused now as to what to go for!!

I need 2 new ones but I'm not necessarily looking for winter tyres as i can't afford to change them again in the spring! I also have no-where to store them!!

Gonna go on the hunt tomorrow as the car goes back to MrT on Monday and could simply ask him to fit some but want to be better informed.

Thanks

The lowest of the speed ratings is 87mph max.

Do you really want to be going faster than this on snow in the UK? :-)

So I don't see much point in going for higher speed rated tyres unless for some reason they're cheaper...

The ratings are explained here... speedrating

[webleymk3]

Thanks stu. Remember I'm not after a snow tyre. I'm after good all rounders thatll also do the summer months.

Cheers

Dave

[bluevortex]

Yokohama Geolanders AST (all season tyres) from black circles. A good compromise and good grip in winter. I was considering them but decided on dedicated winter tyres as I had winter rims anyway

Blue

[GS John]

Yokohama Geolanders AST (all season tyres) from black circles. A good compromise and good grip in winter. I was considering them but decided on dedicated winter tyres as I had winter rims anyway

Is that the G051?

[bluevortex]

A/T-S

[GS John]

A/T-S

Ta, been looking at http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=43596543.110.13804&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-145168&ranzahl=4&Breite=235&Quer=60&Felge=16&Speed=H&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&F_F=1&dsco=110&sowigan=GAN

The A/T-S is http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=43596543.110.13804&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-134170&ranzahl=4&Breite=235&Quer=60&Felge=16&Speed=H&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&F_F=1&dsco=110&sowigan=GAN so what do you get for another £40 per corner?

[bluevortex]

A/T-S

Ta, been looking at http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=43596543.110.13804&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-145168&ranzahl=4&Breite=235&Quer=60&Felge=16&Speed=H&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&F_F=1&dsco=110&sowigan=GAN

The A/T-S is http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=43596543.110.13804&Cookie=froogle&typ=R-134170&ranzahl=4&Breite=235&Quer=60&Felge=16&Speed=H&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&Transport=P&F_F=1&dsco=110&sowigan=GAN so what do you get for another £40 per corner?

Btw Geolandar H/T-S (G051) - £82.04 on black circles but I don't see A/T-S in that size from this site? My understanding is the A/T-S is more off road orientated, deeper treads, better traction - perfect for wintery roads! You may compromise ride quality slightly with an all terrain... but as your posting in winter tyre thread this surely has to be the way to go?

I notice BC also stock Michelin Latitude Cross for £108 - might be worth a look also

Blue

[webleymk3]

Blue, What size of tyre are you finding on BC for £82? My current tyres are 225 65 H 17 and are coming in around £120-£130..

Thanks

[bluevortex]

Gs John was searching for 235 60 16

[webleymk3]

Took the plunge and ordered a set of Continental ContiCrossContact snow tyres 235/55/R18s (that's me stuck with the T180 for a few more years then).

So need a new set of alloys. I have a note from somwehere of what their spec should be, so can someone confirm the following:

* 5 stud

* PCD = 114.3 mm

* Offset = 35 to 38 mm

* Bore = 60.0 mm

Are these the tyres you bought??

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?show=61431

[bothwell_buyer]

All becomes academic if this snow turns to ice! Now, where do you buy snow chains?

[MarsKy]

Took the plunge and ordered a set of Continental ContiCrossContact snow tyres 235/55/R18s (that's me stuck with the T180 for a few more years then).

So need a new set of alloys. I have a note from somwehere of what their spec should be, so can someone confirm the following:

* 5 stud

* PCD = 114.3 mm

* Offset = 35 to 38 mm

* Bore = 60.0 mm

Are these the tyres you bought??

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?show=61431

No, they are ContiCrossContact Winter 235/55 R18 100H with raised rim rib BSW

Now - they are pricey (and seems to be creeping up since I bought them - supply and demand and all that), but still okay relative to the price of normal BSRs.

You need to think if you are going to keep the RAV for the next 5 years say, to get your money's worth out of them . And like I said, they can be used all year round, so gives me options with the T180.

Regarding Bothy's post above, you will get grip out of them on ice. But of course, studded tyres or chains would always be better (although the roads department would beg to differ).

Edit: the Camskill Continental CROSS CONTACT don't appear to have M+S markings, or even better, the snowflake symbol, to show that they are snow tyres.

[webleymk3]

Too far for me to go and collect:

Pair of Geolander A/TS going for £100 in Milton Keynes...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PAIR-YOKOHAMA-TYRES-225-65R17-102H-ONLY-50MILES-USE-/190475088133?pt=UK_Cars_Tyres_RL&hash=item2c59333105

I'd have them except they are collect only... anyone from there planning on coming up to Edinburgh any time soon???

[webleymk3]

Ok. Might have a way of getting these Geolander AT/S's. Anyone used them before? Are the particularly noisy??

[Smiler AS]

Scored big time this weekend.

Trawling through local Scot Ads (local ad paper) came across 2 ads, one with 2no. Vredestein winter tyres, 17" only done 500 miles Honda CRV fitment, the other ad 4no. used Vredestein winter tyres 225/65/17 6mm tread. Couldnt get hold of the people for the 2nd ad so went to see the 1st ad, score, same size of tyres as on the XT5, 225/65/17 with 8mm tread on them. Snapped them up quick time. Anyhow on my way to garage today to get them fitted, I pass by the town that had the 2nd ad, gave it another call out of chance. 10 mins later I now have a total 6no. Vredestein Wintrac tyres in the back of the Rav (all 6 for a grand total of £160), all right size, with min. 6mm tread. Fitted today on the the 17" oem alloys I got of eBay a couple of month ago and huge difference.

Now have 5 alloys with matching winter tyres and another 5 matching alloys with summer tyres! :D

Cornering, braking, pulling in the snow, the Rav feels like its on a normal dry day with these tyres - highly recommend them.

[Davrav]

Scored big time this weekend.

Trawling through local Scot Ads (local ad paper) came across 2 ads, one with 2no. Vredestein winter tyres, 17" only done 500 miles Honda CRV fitment, the other ad 4no. used Vredestein winter tyres 225/65/17 6mm tread. Couldnt get hold of the people for the 2nd ad so went to see the 1st ad, score, same size of tyres as on the XT5, 225/65/17 with 8mm tread on them. Snapped them up quick time. Anyhow on my way to garage today to get them fitted, I pass by the town that had the 2nd ad, gave it another call out of chance. 10 mins later I now have a total 6no. Vredestein Wintrac tyres in the back of the Rav (all 6 for a grand total of £160), all right size, with min. 6mm tread. Fitted today on the the 17" oem alloys I got of ebay a couple of month ago and huge difference.

Now have 5 alloys with matching winter tyres and another 5 matching alloys with summer tyres! :D

Cornering, braking, pulling in the snow, the Rav feels like its on a normal dry day with these tyres - highly recommend them.

The boy done good

[webleymk3]

Scored big time this weekend.

Trawling through local Scot Ads (local ad paper) came across 2 ads, one with 2no. Vredestein winter tyres, 17" only done 500 miles Honda CRV fitment, the other ad 4no. used Vredestein winter tyres 225/65/17 6mm tread. Couldnt get hold of the people for the 2nd ad so went to see the 1st ad, score, same size of tyres as on the XT5, 225/65/17 with 8mm tread on them. Snapped them up quick time. Anyhow on my way to garage today to get them fitted, I pass by the town that had the 2nd ad, gave it another call out of chance. 10 mins later I now have a total 6no. Vredestein Wintrac tyres in the back of the Rav (all 6 for a grand total of £160), all right size, with min. 6mm tread. Fitted today on the the 17" oem alloys I got of ebay a couple of month ago and huge difference.

Now have 5 alloys with matching winter tyres and another 5 matching alloys with summer tyres! :D

Cornering, braking, pulling in the snow, the Rav feels like its on a normal dry day with these tyres - highly recommend them.

Oh no. I have tyre envy!!