when are you putting winter tyres on?

mark my words · Post by **mark my words** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:29 pm

hi
i have now got 4 winter tyres (non runflats) and im itching to put them on as my summer tyres are bridgestone runflats so im hoping for a smoother ride.

I have read that winter tyres work best at temp below 7, so is it too early to put them on?

your thoughts appreciated here

Z4coupebeaver · Post by **Z4coupebeaver** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 2:07 pm

I'm waiting for the forecast to say 7 deg or less for the foreseeable future. The way things are looking right now, that sounds like it might be next April.

mark my words · Post by **mark my words** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 2:09 pm

Z4coupebeaver wrote:I'm waiting for the forecast to say 7 deg or less for the foreseeable future. The way things are looking right now, that sounds like it might be next April.

So its true its wait for the magic 7 first?

WLH · Post by **WLH** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 2:34 pm

The warmer it is when you drive on winter tires the quicker they wear out. Somewhere around 45F/7C is the magic temp that you try to stay below for winter tires.

Daffy · Post by **Daffy** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:11 pm

Yup, I'm waiting for a permanent dip below the 5 degree daily high point before I switch.

bcworkz · Post by **bcworkz** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:27 pm

Isn't the road temperature more relevant to tire performance than the air temp? Not that one can go online and check the road temps though. I personally don't worry much about summer tires in cold temps, other than I won't drive as aggressively. My only worry is getting caught out on summers when it starts snowing, that's a bad situation.

It's already snowed here about 5 in. a while back, so I better get on the switch soon, regardless of temperature, though it was -10C this morning. At least I know it won't snow soon if it's that cold this time of year.

sars · Post by **sars** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:21 pm

Just placed my order for the Falken HS-439, so will probably fit them mid November, hmmmm swapping the run flats out for the winter.....wonder if I will go back to them in the summer.

cj_eds · Post by **cj_eds** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:28 pm

As said, 7deg seems to be the magic number. Once we've had a good few days when the high point has been under 10 is when I was going to switch - or before if there is snow forecast.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:29 pm

er winter

Adamski · Post by **Adamski** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:46 pm

We had really bad snow late November in Scotland last year. My 3 series was stuck for 4 weeks.

We're apparently due a heavy dose of snow this winter....

Best to be ready early. No?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **Wondermike** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:49 pm

Beginning of November is about right I reckon.

bigdog · Post by **bigdog** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:40 pm

Last week.
I tend not to worry about being overly exacting about the switch over temp. Heck. If I were worried about saving money due to tire wear. I'd have bought a VW polo instead of a Zed.

By the way. I'm trying a set of V-rated Hankook icebear sports 225/45/17 size. €125 per tire to include mount and balance. After a bit of snow driving I'll post a review.

Cheers

ZermattV · Post by **ZermattV** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:55 am

I'm putting the winter ones on the Range Rover today ... clock goes back winter tyres on..... as others have said we had the artic here last week of november...

bat1959 · Post by **bat1959** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:44 am

I was advised by my tyre supplier in September to scuff my new winter tyres in, before using them for the winter. I did a weeks driving on them, interesting ride with temperatures in the 20s. I could feel the softness of the tyres and on the some corners the traction control light came on, where summer tyres wouldn't. I live in Cornwall, so I'll probably be putting them on later than someone in Scotland (obvious), just keep an eye on the weather forcast and use a bit of common sense.

P.S.
I forgot, I'm driving to Germany

the third week in November so I'll be putting them on earlier than normal.

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:25 pm

I bought Avon winter tyres so emailed them to ask this exact question. Their response wasn't brilliantly useful but here you go anyway...

With regards to your email enquiry, the Ice Touring St tyres have been developed to have an optimum performance at temperatures below 7° and are specifically designed for the Nordic and alpine regions of Europe where it is compulsory to change over to winter tyres between given dates, usually November to March, however, in the absence of any legislation in the UK and possibly due to the wet cold summers we normally get, we are receiving reports of the Ice Touring tyre being employed throughout the year with very little increase in wear rate.

Best Regards.
Ken Tucker.
Customer Service Manager.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com