Winter tyres

[ayabrea38]

Well the snow had a bit of an impact on driving today,so I am wondering about snow or cold weather tyres.From what little useful information I have found,one question springs to mind.If i go to a tyre fitter and ask them for the cold weather tyres,how do I know if they are.Is there a special marking that I should look out for or just hope I am not getting ripped off?I think tread pattern is important but has anyone got any advice.Thanks

[Buenchico]

Winter tyres are normally marked 'M+S'. (There's no statutory requirement for this in the UK but in some Scandinavian countries it's illegal to drive without tyres labelled 'M+S' during certain months of the year. Hence tyre manufacturers, who distribute their products across many countries, generally put this on all 'winter' tyres).

Unless you're experiencing much worse weather than in Ireland, you might want to think twice before having them fitted. In this article, from the Irish Times, a representative of Bridgestone (who's obviously got a vested interest in promoting the sale of their tyres) indicates that they're inappropriate for Irish (and presumably British) weather conditions:
http://www.irishtimes...06/1224261723511.html

Chris

[chas2008]

M & S stands for mud & snow, its what rally & off road guys use, they are road legal but the wear rate on normal tarmac roads can be quite high for the limited amount of snow conditions in the UK it really isnt worth it, in Scandanavia where it can snow for 6+ months of the year its a different story.
(ps they are useless on ice, for that you need studded tyres and i think im right in saying they arnt road legal)

[ChuckFickens]

Studded tyres are legal in the UK as long as they are only used in "appropriate conditions"

If they were used when there was no ice on the road they would become illegal under the clause that covers causing either damage to the road, or to persons, or to any vehicle using the road"

[ayabrea38]

Thanks for all your answers,on phoning round local tyre fitters,the main response was 'havent got any' some even going as far as saying so called cold weather tyres are illegal!I have been informed from a national tyre supplier that if they have all the legal markings and are above the legal wear limit(1.6mm)they are ok.Most will be horrid to drive on in good weather conditions(7 deg C)as they will be eaten by the road and slide all over the place.
Lessons to be noted.If you are going to bother,order them in October,remove them in March.
Leave the studded type for your skiing hols
Government needs to get the grit situation under control if they carnt be bothered to help motorists,
Let your tyres down a bit to get a bit more grip,but remember to re inflate them when the conditions improve.

[748rhydhir]

i use snow chains (about£40).fit to drive wheels.for me they work a treat in snow/ice.