Winter Tyres - Yes/no - Where To Buy?

[xEla]

Hi folks,

I'm driving to Wales (Snowdonia) in two weeks time.... and it is snowed down over there...

Last year's experience telling me to get winter tyres for at least front wheels...

I've been around iNet - and there is nothing suitable for my Celica 2000 (205/45/R17)

Chain is not a good option as I think it's going to be pain in a a** to drive on a normal road?

What are your thoughts?

any advise you could give me as to where to buy winter tyres or what are the alternatives?

cheers,

xEla

[Scarlett Arrow]

I would have thought that if you're considering buying a pair, they should be fitted to the rear.

[xEla]

Scarlett Arrow

when starting uphill - front are essential, when back drifts - back are essential, but front can stabilise them?

[Sagitar]

You should always put four on.

[Parts-King]

The problem is you will not get tyres in your size, you will need to change wheels and tyres, a set of new steel wheels will be £300 before you get any tyres on them. You then need a set of winter tyres, but stocks are very thin on the ground, the other option is a TYRE SOCK I have no idea if they are any good or not, some people swear by them

Kingo

[xEla]

Parts-King

welllll... thanks for your suggestion

you are probably right - I thought that I might have to change the whole lot - wheel+tyres - which not an option for me...

I will research internet for those socks reviews =)

[xEla]

apparently you cannot use these socks on a normal road, neither can you do with chains - no way I could stop on narrow road somewhere in mountainie Snowdonia to take them off and keep the whole traffic behind me while I do so!!

[Parts-King]

Are you sure? I thought socks could be used, its chains you have a problem with

Kingo

[xEla]

Parts-King,

read several reviews - all saying it will not last 3 miles on gritted road...

their FAQ:

Q3: What sort of conditions can I use them in?

A3: They'll improve traction on any snow or ice - even in soft, deep snow, or in wet snow. It's recommended that you take them off when you get back to tarmac, although the reality is that they probably will be driven on tarmac during those intermittent tarmac / snow / tarmac / snow conditions experienced before leaving the snow for good. (The TÜV test included 50 kilometres at 50 kph on dry tarmac. AutoSock passed this "Misuse test", but of course tarmac driving is not recommended as it increases fabric wear very considerably.)

[Parts-King]

I will retire from the subject then

[xEla]

Parts-King

thanks for help anyway!

I might consider them in the end if nothing better comes up..

[igormus]

Hi folks,

I'm driving to Wales (Snowdonia) in two weeks time.... and it is snowed down over there...

Last year's experience telling me to get winter tyres for at least front wheels...

I've been around iNet - and there is nothing suitable for my Celica 2000 (205/45/R17)

Chain is not a good option as I think it's going to be pain in a a** to drive on a normal road?

What are your thoughts?

any advise you could give me as to where to buy winter tyres or what are the alternatives?

cheers,

xEla

hi Ela

Have you tried tyre socks?

Yes it is a big problem in the UK to find a winter tyres -- it seems the winter tyres business will become a boom soon.

cheers/Igor

[xEla]

igormus

that's what Parts-King is suggesting, but you have to take them of on a normal road - this is a pain....

[FoxX]

I tend to go down to Snowdonia a fair bit as im only an 1hr and a half away and to be honest if the roads are bad up there and undrivable they just shut the roads off, especially the main roads.

Obviously if your staying off the beaten track then you might need something to help you out with grip, i've stayed in Keswick when its been snowing before and it took all 9 of us and a lot of pushing to get three cars out of there on to flat roads with standard FWD cars and the downhill is just sledging.

[Mistermena]

igormus

that's what Parts-King is suggesting, but you have to take them of on a normal road - this is a pain....

You can buy a new set of genuine Toyota 17" alloys off eBay for £160 atm. This is Item number: 130473917910

Auto Express have a report on winter tyres, and Goodyear Ultra grip 7+ came out top! and Vredestein’s Quatrac had good results to.

In the Snow or Ice always try to pull off in a higher gear like 2nd or 3rd. This gives less power to the driving wheels so the grip is better...

[Leeky]

I voted no.

I have a set of snow tyres, but i've never used them so im selling them. As i've never had issues driving in the snow on normal road tyres.

The biggest problem in the UK is people dont have a clue how to drive in the snow.

Someone on normal road tyres with experience of driving in poor weather conditions will be much safer than someone with snow tyres and no clue how to drive in the snow.