ken wrote:

Sorry Glynn totally disagree
There is every need for “Winter” tyres in the UK as they are for Winter not Snow when the average temp drops below 7 deg C

Isn't that 9 months of the year.... or is it 11?

I just speak from personal experience in wet/ cold/ snow. I have even driven fully loaded 14 ton trucks in North Norway in January which didn't have winter tires..... but I don't drive around like an idiot when the conditions change I know how the vehicle handles and I know my limits. Touch wood I have never caused an accident in cold conditions.

If I had a performance car then yes there would be a need for performance tires..... but I drive a Defender and I drive it like I am driving Miss Daisy.

Also as pointed out above- how many people in the UK have winter tires?..... About 1% (if that). Why be able to stop isn a short distance when you know the car behind you can't? Yes it won't go on your insurance but it would be better not to be in the situation in the first place.

Glyn

AlisterC wrote:

Just an FYI.... Grabber AT2s have the mountain / snowflake symbol on them now. I was looking at a set this weekend.

I don't know whether this is a new addition or not

AlisterC wrote:

Just an FYI.... Grabber AT2s have the mountain / snowflake symbol on them now. I was looking at a set this weekend.

I don't know whether this is a new edition or not

Grabber AT2s for the winter? They are a rather hard rubber compound, exactly the opposite what you need in the winter.... You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw

Glynparry25 wrote:

Isn't that 9 months of the year.... or is it 11?


Glyn

Git

ericvv wrote:

Grabber AT2s for the winter? They are a rather hard rubber compound, exactly the opposite what you need in the winter....

Glynparry25 wrote:

Isn't that 9 months of the year.... or is it 11?

13?


Glyn, your earlier description of what summer temps are doing to winter tires is a bit, ahumm, exaggerated? Have seen many wintertires being used for their end of life in the summer, and yes, it often gets into the 30's here in Geneva ,but never seen smoke and fire or a total meltdown after a few 100 miles.........

Seriously, the recommendation here is that with winter tires you use them in the winter until the profile gets to 4mm. Thereafter you don't keep them for use as winter tires anymore, but you can still leave them on and run them down a bit more (legally to 1.6mm) in the summer. Know people who do this, succesfully run a full last summer on their wintertires/rims, before buying a new set of wintertires come October. Same time you leave your summertires/rims one full year in storage. Then, the next year, you start alternating again... Think makes sense. You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw

ericvv wrote:

Have seen many wintertires being used for their end of life in the summer

Have done this on the A2 since last October (and with a VW bus for years) with no problems except a bit noisy when it got really hot.
Actually, they've worn so little there's still 3+mm tread. Okay for emergencies but I'll get nice new ones next October  Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...

ericvv wrote:

Glynparry25 wrote:

Isn't that 9 months of the year.... or is it 11?

13?


Glyn, your earlier description of what summer temps are doing to winter tires is a bit, ahumm, exaggerated? Have seen many wintertires being used for their end of life in the summer, and yes, it often gets into the 30's here in Geneva ,but never seen smoke and fire or a total meltdown after a few 100 miles.........

13, that is possible

They didn't melt, they just started to break up. Could have had something to do with the Evo 10 they were on. Don't think the guy ever got over 200 miles to a tank (55litres).... but when you get tax free fuel (80c a litre) you can afford to push the boundaries a little. Those were the days when I could afford to run the V8.

Also in Paderborn they would store your tires..... So you buy them from a place (with rims if needed) and then when they fit them they put your summer tires in the back storage area. Spring time once the snow had gone you could go back and pay 10 Euro and they would fit the summer ones and store the winter ones until you go back for them.

Glyn

Glynparry25 wrote:

Also in Paderborn they would store your tires..... So you buy them from a place (with rims if needed) and then when they fit them they put your summer tires in the back storage area. Spring time once the snow had gone you could go back and pay 10 Euro and they would fit the summer ones and store the winter ones until you go back for them.

Glyn

Very common around here as many people live in flats and don't have anywhere to store them (also old people).
A good system  Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...