Mixing winter tyres with summer tyres

[djstan]

Just wondering what the collective wisdom would be about putting winter tyres on the rear of the Z4 but sticking with summer tyres for the fronts (mainly because they still have loads of life left in them)..

The only reason that I'm thinking about it is that it's the rear that would struggle with traction and also one would imagine it would be the driven wheels that would lose traction resulting in a spin...

 

[NeilP]

Good for gaining traction when getting going, but given the front bias for breaking, the summer tyres on the front axel would be your limiting factor there.

 

[srhutch]

either get a spare set of rims, or remove the fronts and store them till spring.

 

[AnttiO]

I dont know how much snow and ice you have in the uk but in this country it will be illegal and really dangerous to do. Good winter tyres all around ...

 

[biggriff]

Suspect that

(a) it would be very unwise and
(b) your insurance company will need to be told and will almost certainly not like it :-(

As said get a cheap set of winter rims. Its your life!

 

[cj10jeeper]

Al the advice is against this due to the dramatic difference in handling characteristics. (Google it)

On the most basic level you'll get plenty of traction then end up in the first ditch as the fronts let go.
Should you be in an accident then I'm sure you'd be in deep trouble and insurance companies use it to not pay out and police to charge you if a serious accident.

Just don't do it and as other have said get all 4 on

 

[Anonymous]

On the most basic level you'll get plenty of traction then end up in the first ditch as the fronts let go.

This is the first thing I thought of, and surely it is quite obvious. No point in having traction on the driven wheels if you have none on the steering wheels!

 

[cj10jeeper]

One of my all time favourites was a neighbour who shot off down a local lane on snow in her Disco only to slide off into a snowbank at the first corner. She simply could not understand why if she had enough grip to get to 30mph she couldn't turn the corner and after all it was a 4x4.
4 wheels scrabbling for grip ( I know you can argue 2 on open diff 4x4's) but only 2 trying to brake and turn = fight the laws of physics = Fail

Same will happen on a Zed winter/Summer equipped. Ironically Winters on the front and Summer on the rear could be safer as you may be able to stop and steer if you could get going

 

[mr wilks]

Each to their own opinion & in a ideal world 4 summers of matching brand & tread or 4 winters matching brand & tread is the best choice .
Myself i would rather have 2 winters than no winters but would always be paying more attention to driving condition & road speed limits
Both the household DDers run matching sets but my Z currently rides on Conti winter rear / Michelin summer fronts & have zero complaints in handling or grip , that said it hasn't nor will be seeing anything remotely like snow so i'm not concerned with landing in a ditch
As its not a fail at a MOT to have mixed use tyres fitted that could in some eyes deem the car has having been tested for safe roadworthiness & passed :wink:
I think what folks should be wary of more than anything is fitting winter tyres then assuming their vehicle will handle as it does in summer that's when the problem's start :roll:

 

[DPG]

I've had them mixed on the CooperS for 3 years without issue.

I only need them to get off our un gritted estate as the main roads are usually ok.

If the snow is that bad then the other half can stay at home

 

[Twin Turbo]

This is the video, shows mixing summer with winter

your better off just having summers on!

YOU DON'T MIX AND MATCH,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzB7hpWhqIA

 

[mr wilks]

Cheers for the link , only watched once but doesn't he say at the end that the mixed set up is acceptable for most but in areas that encounter heavy snowfall or slush for prolonged periods then only full winter set up is the way forward ?

 

[Zed_Steve]

Cheers for the link , only watched once but doesn't he say at the end that the mixed set up is acceptable for most but in areas that encounter heavy snowfall or slush for prolonged periods then only full winter set up is the way forward ?

It was referring to All season Tyres. The conclusion seemed to be that there was no net gain in running mixed tyres on snow covered roads, and running full winters all round being the only viable option.

 

[Ewazix]

With fat summer pattern tyres and lifeless EPS feedback you need every advantage you can get in a Z4 on ice and snow, so if you are forced to drive it regularly in those conditions I'd invest in a full set. Getting traction and momentum is one thing in a RWD, finding turn-in at the next bend is another, balance and predictability will get you out of more trouble than grip at one end. No way would I mix.

 

[Zed_Steve]

Just out of interest does anyone run All Season tyres? Looks a good compromise, especially in the UK.

 

[mr wilks]

Cheers for the link , only watched once but doesn't he say at the end that the mixed set up is acceptable for most but in areas that encounter heavy snowfall or slush for prolonged periods then only full winter set up is the way forward ?

It was referring to All season Tyres. The conclusion seemed to be that there was no net gain in running mixed tyres on snow covered roads, and running full winters all round being the only viable option.

Which i would completely agree with , my point is for 99% of the motoring done south of the Shap a car with winter rubber on the rear will fare better in wet,icy & slippery roads .
If you want to be capable of plowing through 3-4 inches of snow at 25mph then of course expect some panel damage with standard tyres fitted

 

[cj10jeeper]

Just out of interest does anyone run All Season tyres? Looks a good compromise, especially in the UK.

Not in the midlands - way too much of a compromise for the summer fun driving vs few cold days
If it were a utility car then for sure. Used to have a proper 4x4 on AT's and it was a good compromise

 

[Zed_Steve]

Just out of interest does anyone run All Season tyres? Looks a good compromise, especially in the UK.

Not in the midlands - way too much of a compromise for the summer fun driving vs few cold days
If it were a utility car then for sure. Used to have a proper 4x4 on AT's and it was a good compromise

Yes, just for the standard A to B commute they appear to be well worth a look for the daily runner.

 

[Twin Turbo]

I agree with an lot of comments said earlier.

All season tyres: I know what you mean, but if your running big low profiles i was unable to find any, and there performance in the summer is awful. Great for an family runabout or an Nissan mica.

And the average are we only get saviour winter weather for 2 weeks of the year - so why invest in tyres just for the two weeks?

However It is my understanding though summer tyres ware more in the winter than winter tyres, and summer tyres loose there effectiveness below 7 degrees

I did buy the wife some http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-SLIP-FREE-WINTER-TYRE-GRIP-400ml-Aerosol-Spray-LIQUID-SNOW-CHAIN-ICE-SNOW-/190983900215

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny5ywu0Kubk

Dont know if they are worth £5 an can - but its worth an shot?

End of they day, in an ideal world we all would have winters, but its the issue of storage, and other life priorities. I estimate my winters will serve me 4 to 5 winters, in third year at moment. So the cost per year is not that high.

Hope it helps

 

[Paulwirral]

I did it for years when I couldn't afford a full set , never had a problem as long as your sensible and remember about the limited front grip . Better not to get stuck than freeze to death in the works car park :lol:
And I'm from the north east , in those days it used to be snow as opposed to a light dust of powder that seems to leave everyone bleated like lost sheep :lol: