Winter Tyres

Post by **billlobban** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:49 am

Does anyone have experience with fitting winter tyres cos despite global warming it snows up here. Rear only? front/rear? make? supplier?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 3:39 pm

Better put them all round - and get some chains ready! Pretty sure Kleber will do knobblies - but maybe not in Minor sizes. may be an idea to get a set of 13" wheels for winter use - the tyres being much more readily available in 13" - and that will give more room for the chains too!
BTW - Hoping to have a run up to Aviemore next week (for a visit to the Steam Railway) - have the leaves 'turned' yet ??

Post by **Jefftav** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:23 pm

BMC's suggestion of 13in wheels might be an idea. In the past I have seen a few folk advertising winter tyres in Scotads so this might be worth a try although I am wary of used tyres unless they come from a reliable source.

There are plenty of tyre suppliers in Inverness who would give advice and quotes I am sure - RM Brown 01463 711123 are usually pretty good. Out of interest why do you think you will need winter tyres? My saloon has been up and down the A9 and all over the highlands in some real crappy weather and normal road tyres have always been OK but then I have never used winter tyres so maybe I have missed something.

BMC it is definetly getting colder up here so wear your thermals next week.

Post by **billlobban** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:18 pm

BMC The Birch trees are just begining to turn. Steam Railway is really worth a vist. They even have plans to extend the line all the way to Grantown-on-Spey which should be great. Have a great trip, if you see a less than pristene Old English White Minor trundeling around the village say helo. That's if she passes the MOT on Tuesday!
Jeff I am just worried about getting up Cairngorm in the winter. I've never used winter tyres in Scotland either but then again I've never driven a rear wheel drive car for years

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:07 pm

Cold down here too Jeff. Just fancy a run on the Strathspey railway before the season ends - one of my Fireman buddies is a Driver at Strathspey! But due to Elf & Softy - no footplate rides - in fact, no footplate visits either I believe! Whereas - at super friendly Bo'ness - we do both!

Post by **croft** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:35 pm

Apparently winter tyres do make a differance! Most of the old farmworkers around here have tales of getting moggy pick ups/vans across fields and through snowdrifts when fitted with the good ole "Town & Country" tyres. My neighbour changes her tyres over every year and seems to be able to make it "Up the hill" on all but the worst mornings. (She has had a succession of vauxhall astras!)
I much prefer the old 4x4 for the winter mornings! When I get stuck with that I know its Bad!!

Post by **Jefftav** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:56 am

Billlobban, if it helps I have a set of minor wheels that I won't be using if you want them to fit winter tyres too then you can have them. At least that way you can swap them around without going to the tyre fitters. They are in Inverness though so just if you are up some time let me know.

Good luck with the MOT.

Post by **billlobban** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 5:49 pm

Thanks Jeff I'll take you up on that kind offer

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:43 pm

It will be much easier to get 'winter' tyres for 13" wheels!

Post by **billlobban** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:28 pm

Quite a few different makes at reasonable prices for 14" wheels but all seem to be 65 aspect ratio would this make any difference?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 11:10 pm

Probably too wide - and at that ratio - will look a bit 'silly' ! For winter /snow tyres - you want them as narrow as possible - not wide!
Hakkapelitta used to be THE tyre to have for extreme weather - http://www.tirefactory.net/Hakkapeliitta%20Q.htm - but I bet not cheap. There are some re-tread tyres made for rallying - not sure about make - you would need to search for them ! But I do think more likely to get something suitable in 13". You could try Kleber - http://www.klebertyres.co.uk/KleberUK/h ... sp?lang=EN
This looks like the best buy - http://tyremen.myshopify.com/products/1 ... n-snowtrac but as I said - 13" wheels needed.