MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Weston on October 31, 2011, 12:54:33 pm

Title: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on October 31, 2011, 12:54:33 pm: This year is the first time I've had winter tyres. They're on the wheels & ready to go on whenever. When is the right time to start using them? My understanding is that 6C is the magic number at which summer tyres are ineffective.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Hedge on October 31, 2011, 12:55:10 pm: Just before it snows. :laugh:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on October 31, 2011, 01:03:41 pm: Quote from: Hedge on October 31, 2011, 12:55:10 pm
Just before it snows. :laugh:

Cheers Ian...but when is it goin to snow :laugh:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: ub7rm on October 31, 2011, 01:45:19 pm: I put mine on a week or so ago when the temp dropped below 4 deg C. I think its something silly like 15 deg C just now.

Just before the snow is the best advice. :signLOL:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: G-Lader on October 31, 2011, 02:53:35 pm: I've put mine on my own car and put the winter wheels on the wife's Golf last week...... Both look 5hit with them on...... :booty:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Horatio on October 31, 2011, 02:56:21 pm: :worthless:
Quote from: G-Lader on October 31, 2011, 02:53:35 pm
I've put mine on my own car and put the winter wheels on the wife's Golf last week...... Both look 5hit with them on...... :booty:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: skard on October 31, 2011, 02:59:51 pm: I put mine on the Golf and also her indoors Pug at the weekend. I have bare steelies on the Golf, I cannot bear the thought of wheel trims!

Last year it started snowing one day about 3pm and got dark quickly - I had to rush and put them on. Good job I did as that snow got heavier and didn't stop for a week!

Would rather have them on a tad early.

If there is anyone from the north east, I'll give you a headsup when it snows in Consett so you know it's coming :laugh:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: rob172cup on October 31, 2011, 04:55:28 pm: I have a snow car !! a 2000 subaru legacy, it cost 400 quid and is brilliant ive had it 2 years now and has never had anything go wrong with it, its got a big boot for the dogs and 4 wheels drive for the snow i havent had to spend a penny on it. Perfect and much better than snow tyres trust me, it never got stuck at all last year and i really did test it, with tax and insurance it costs me 500 quid a year to keep on the road. Its the best thing i have done is buy that car, the only down side is the mpg at a steady 22
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: nc35 on October 31, 2011, 05:17:15 pm: The optimal temp is 7c below this winter tyres work best above summer.

Waiting a few more weeks to fit mine. Hopefully the snow from the USA doesn't catch me out :signLOL:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: stealthwolf on October 31, 2011, 05:22:05 pm: +1 for waiting until temps are below 7*C. Mine haven't arrived yet though :fighting:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: LouCyffer on October 31, 2011, 05:26:49 pm: Optimal temperatures depend on the manufacturer's specifications. For general guidance, 7 celcius is the magic point. Below this, 'normal' rubber tends to become harder. In effect this reduces grip, as the blocks move around less, so generate less heat. Also tyre rubber that is harder loses its ability to conform to the road surface, which also reduces grip.

Winter tyres work fine above 7C, but not as well as 'all season' or 'summer' hoops. Is essence you won't trash your winter tyres by using them in warmer conditions, but bear in mind their wear rate will increase.

Generally I wait until I see regular frosts in the morning, or that old cheerful sight of the first gritter of winter. Then it's wheels & tyres swapped.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Horatio on October 31, 2011, 05:34:17 pm: Snow report,as it happens!

Snowing in the NG8 postal code apparently! :scared:

http://uksnowmap.com/
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: nc35 on October 31, 2011, 05:34:42 pm: Already had gritters out round here
Bet they run out before the white stuff arrives :signLOL:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: ub7rm on October 31, 2011, 05:46:55 pm: We had frost and the gritters were out in force a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday, 2 days before the beginning of November, I had to cut the grass and some of the plants in the garden are still flowering. Its been really mild the last week or so. Haven't had to scrape any frost of the windows yet - and I'm in the North East of Scotland.... Crazy weather.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Tfsi_Mike on October 31, 2011, 06:12:54 pm: Fitting mine Wednesday, would wait a bit longer but definitely won't have time 101 things going on as usual
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Eccie on October 31, 2011, 09:12:10 pm: I've just put my winter boots on the Audi to go up to the lake district for four days at the end of half term.
Just got back today temperatures ranged from +5 to +17 on the way home today, which is just crazy for end of October :stupid:

Nevertheless, the car felt very grippy on the wet back roads, which where greasy and covered in leaves. The tyres really inspired confidence in these conditions and It was only ever so slightly nosier on the motorway when cruising, that said the ride has improved going down to 17" wheels.

I also feel that I got a lot more feed back through the steering, don't know if its because the PS3's which came off were a little worn and these winter boots have 8mm+ on them, but it felt good.

Yes its warm, probably too warm for them at the moment, but I'm glad I had them on and will watch the temps over the next week or so; I'm not sure I can be bothered to swap them back - If i do it will only go and bloody snow
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: icenutter on October 31, 2011, 09:14:17 pm: I was driving the wife's 3 series on some greasy roads in the dales on sunday, and certainly wished I'd had the winter tyres on. It had warmed up to 17 degrees by the time we got home, though.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: SteveP on October 31, 2011, 09:38:29 pm: I changed our Tiguan over to winter wheels and tyres yesterday as I knew I wouldn't get chance to do it for another 3-4 weeks.

Going from 19's to 16's was never going to look great and I kind of wish I hadn't as it looks so bad :sick:

Before

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fkk207%2FStevep_010%2Ff54921ce.jpg&hash=4a642c83797cf550a7e0586b1dfac3726ad0b591)

After

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fkk207%2FStevep_010%2F02033efb.jpg&hash=9d4b1985ac4302fe4ef40de45201720cce1a9d59)
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Andy on October 31, 2011, 09:41:25 pm: put the winter wheels on when the temp atsrts getting to freezing point
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: chungster on October 31, 2011, 09:43:08 pm: Quote from: SteveP on October 31, 2011, 09:38:29 pm
I changed our Tiguan over to winter wheels and tyres yesterday as I knew I wouldn't get chance to do it for another 3-4 weeks.

Going from 19's to 16's was never going to look great and I kind of wish I hadn't as it looks so bad :sick:

Before

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fkk207%2FStevep_010%2Ff54921ce.jpg&hash=4a642c83797cf550a7e0586b1dfac3726ad0b591)

After

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fkk207%2FStevep_010%2F02033efb.jpg&hash=9d4b1985ac4302fe4ef40de45201720cce1a9d59)

LOL

That looks a bit comical steve!!!
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: SteveP on October 31, 2011, 09:44:31 pm: It looks slightly better now it's settled but not much, but going from 225/40/19's to 215/65/16's will make a big difference if it does snow like last year :happy2:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Little_Dave on October 31, 2011, 09:49:42 pm: Does look funny on such a big car but you'll be having the last laugh when everyone else is struggling or stuck :wink:

Dave
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: chungster on October 31, 2011, 09:51:19 pm: my R is in the garge now till the new year.

roaming around in a zoom zoom on 16" rims but with Toyo summer tyres tho!

hope the 195 section tyres will be better than fat 235's anyway :driver:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on October 31, 2011, 10:07:55 pm: Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I'll try and get mine on in the next couple of weeks. Those 16's look lost Steve.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Beddie on October 31, 2011, 10:19:03 pm: Mine will be going on in 3 weeks ready for our annual christmas shopping trip to Edinburgh, saved my bacon last year! :happy2:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fv84%2Fbeddie%2Fedinburgh1.jpg&hash=617d1f71824f925815c0ebcba2e66e86a6554728)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fv84%2Fbeddie%2FEdinburghGTI12.jpg&hash=9f98d704213507be9c9da0c2b6157673e23818b8)
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: welikeaps on October 31, 2011, 10:46:44 pm: Quote from: nc35 on October 31, 2011, 05:34:42 pm
Already had gritters out round here
Bet they run out before the white stuff arrives :signLOL:

Bloody Hell! Where do you live? Gritters out already

It was a balmy 17C today here in the southeast.

Aside from that there is a detailed article in December's EVO mag on Winter tyres. Have people informed their respective insurance companies of the change to Winter tyres? I recall a few people on here were quoted more money on premiums last year.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on October 31, 2011, 10:50:57 pm: Iirc there shouldn't be any charge now, but they should still be informed
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: welikeaps on October 31, 2011, 10:58:45 pm: Quote from: Weston on October 31, 2011, 10:50:57 pm
Iirc there shouldn't be any charge now, but they should still be informed

^^^You know how insurance companies are. I think the reasoning given last year was that it was a modification to the vehicle.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Kregiel on October 31, 2011, 11:09:49 pm: in theory if temperature drops below 8 degrees the winter tires should outperform summer ones provided they are the same class...
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: alackofspeed on October 31, 2011, 11:12:05 pm: Quote from: SteveP on October 31, 2011, 09:38:29 pm
Before

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fkk207%2FStevep_010%2Ff54921ce.jpg&hash=4a642c83797cf550a7e0586b1dfac3726ad0b591)

After

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fkk207%2FStevep_010%2F02033efb.jpg&hash=9d4b1985ac4302fe4ef40de45201720cce1a9d59)

Is it an optical illusion, or is the overall diameter of the 16" setup slightly less than the 19"?
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on October 31, 2011, 11:13:16 pm: Quote from: Kregiel on October 31, 2011, 11:09:49 pm
in theory if temperature drops below 8 degrees the winter tires should outperform summer ones provided they are the same class...

That's the general idea...
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: marcus on November 01, 2011, 02:02:42 pm: I've got a set of winters going on my wife's A4 quattro on Friday.

I have another set of Dunlop 3D Winters in the garage that I've acquired, they're 235/40/18s, not sure whether or not to put them on my Golf or sell them.

As the Summer's are 225/40/18, will the 235's fit? If not, I'll definitely sell them.

Many thanks.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: rob172cup on November 01, 2011, 02:59:08 pm: Would running winter tyres through summer knacker them ?
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: gizmo68 on November 01, 2011, 05:05:15 pm: Quote from: rob172cup on October 31, 2011, 04:55:28 pm
I have a snow car !! a 2000 subaru legacy,...............Perfect and much better than snow tyres trust me, it never got stuck at all last year and i really did test it,................ the only down side is the mpg at a steady 22

4WD is useless without the correct rubber on it though, just look at the amount of 4x4's that get stuck every year! the important part is how well it stops in the ice and snow, to my knowledge a 4x4 doesn't stop any better than a 2WD car :grin:

Back on topic, I will not be fitting SWMBO's or my own until the temperature (and this is THE important bit) when the car will be driven starts to hit 7° regularly .... so not this week then!
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on November 01, 2011, 05:12:21 pm: Quote from: rob172cup on November 01, 2011, 02:59:08 pm
Would running winter tyres through summer knacker them ?

Their life would be reduced I expect
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Top Cat on November 01, 2011, 08:14:43 pm: (https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fkk207%2FStevep_010%2F02033efb.jpg&hash=9d4b1985ac4302fe4ef40de45201720cce1a9d59)

That pic just made me laugh out loud. :grin:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Spin on November 01, 2011, 08:35:03 pm: Quote from: gizmo68 on November 01, 2011, 05:05:15 pm
Quote from: rob172cup on October 31, 2011, 04:55:28 pm
I have a snow car !! a 2000 subaru legacy,...............Perfect and much better than snow tyres trust me, it never got stuck at all last year and i really did test it,................ the only down side is the mpg at a steady 22

4WD is useless without the correct rubber on it though, just look at the amount of 4x4's that get stuck every year! the important part is how well it stops in the ice and snow, to my knowledge a 4x4 doesn't stop any better than a 2WD car :grin:

Back on topic, I will not be fitting SWMBO's or my own until the temperature (and this is THE important bit) when the car will be driven starts to hit 7° regularly .... so not this week then!

So true, tyres are everything, lost count of how many 4x4 I passed stuck on our hill into the village last year, I was in tyhe wifes BMW 320D - yes with winter tyres on ! I plan to put ours on in the next couple of weeks and run them through until March. Worth every penny :)
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: 182_blue on November 01, 2011, 08:35:32 pm: I put my winter wheels on last week as i knew i wouldnt have much time to do it over the next few weeks, unlike Steve i stuck with the original size :laugh:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy8%2F182_blue%2F4579988a.jpg&hash=1d9c6b021f7dce4629ae4d27daaa3221b648fa67)
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Top Cat on November 01, 2011, 08:37:37 pm: Quote from: 182_blue on November 01, 2011, 08:35:32 pm
I put my winter wheels on last week as i knew i wouldnt have much time to do it over the next few weeks, unlike Steve i stuck with the original size :laugh:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy8%2F182_blue%2F4579988a.jpg&hash=1d9c6b021f7dce4629ae4d27daaa3221b648fa67)

I bet you had to label them, so you know which set are the winter ones. :rolleye:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: gazbutS3 on November 01, 2011, 08:42:47 pm: don't forget the winter tyres are also better in the wet, not just the cold, at least mine were last year so it doesn't have to be freezing to get better grip from them. Mine will be going on my super Bora next week :laugh:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: jonm on November 05, 2011, 07:23:01 am: I just run mine all year round,.... less hassle
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: 182_blue on November 05, 2011, 07:44:18 am: Quote from: jonm on November 05, 2011, 07:23:01 am
I just run mine all year round,.... less hassle

Which tyre do you run ?, they must be horrible in the warmer weather ?
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: E30Dom on November 05, 2011, 10:34:21 am: Well mine are on... but more so, so I can get my pescys sold or refurbished over the winter months...

16" Audi alloys with Continental Premium Contact tyres alround with 5-6mm tread, should see me through the puddles... Good job I haven;t fitted bigger brakes yet!

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fv108%2Fax_vts_dom%2F6d4726a2.jpg&hash=88c80bf886bbf6682838b904ad3f4e538fa851d5)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fv108%2Fax_vts_dom%2F6d9ae9b6.jpg&hash=6ae43a8a9fa00b5f6323b3349caacd63f96cc286)

Dom
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on November 05, 2011, 10:37:10 am: Quote from: E30Dom on November 05, 2011, 10:34:21 am
Well mine are on... but more so, so I can get my pescys sold or refurbished over the winter months...

16" Audi alloys with Continental Premium Contact tyres alround with 5-6mm tread, should see me through the puddles... Good job I haven;t fitted bigger brakes yet!

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fv108%2Fax_vts_dom%2F6d4726a2.jpg&hash=88c80bf886bbf6682838b904ad3f4e538fa851d5)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fv108%2Fax_vts_dom%2F6d9ae9b6.jpg&hash=6ae43a8a9fa00b5f6323b3349caacd63f96cc286)

Dom

They look alright on :happy2:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: E30Dom on November 05, 2011, 11:01:18 am: Cheers, cleaned up alright, sourced two more matching tyres and they're on :)
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on November 05, 2011, 12:51:09 pm: Quote from: E30Dom on November 05, 2011, 11:01:18 am
Cheers, cleaned up alright, sourced two more matching tyres and they're on :)

I wasn't sure what they'd look like on but they're good. What colour are you going for?
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: nc35 on November 07, 2011, 11:08:48 pm: Just got my winter rims back from powder coating. Plan on getting them fitted next week...

Several reviews say even cheap winter rubber will out perform any summer rubber in the snow.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: andrewparker on November 22, 2011, 10:49:14 am: Really surprised not to have mine on yet - this time last year I was knee deep in snow! I've read reports suggesting we're in for a milder winter this year too.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Weston on November 22, 2011, 11:03:02 am: Still not put mine on yet...
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: stealthwolf on November 22, 2011, 12:35:15 pm: I will be mega peeved if temps don't stay below 7*C. Don't care about snow as much as the fact that now I've bought winter tyres, it's not bothered snowing! Sod's law!
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: berg on November 22, 2011, 01:08:13 pm: gonna put mine on on sat, although temps at mo dont really warrant it
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Matto on November 22, 2011, 04:02:03 pm: Quote from: stealthwolf on November 22, 2011, 12:35:15 pm
I will be mega peeved if temps don't stay below 7*C. Don't care about snow as much as the fact that now I've bought winter tyres, it's not bothered snowing! Sod's law!

This...Mine are yet to go on.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Eccie on November 22, 2011, 04:27:44 pm: Put my winter boots on the GTi on Monday - found a screw/puncture in the 'summer tyres' so thought I'd swap them all.

Its started getting a little colder in the morning, but its still unseasonably warm, think we are due to get some frost over the next week
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: andrewparker on January 08, 2012, 10:07:48 pm: Glad I got the satisfaction of running winter tyres last year, because so far this year it's felt totally pointless :confused:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Eccie on January 08, 2012, 10:16:44 pm: Ne’er cast a clout till May be out :evilgrin:
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: skard on January 10, 2012, 10:38:49 am: Thinking about taking the winters off, winter thus far has been unreal compared to the last couple.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: ub7rm on January 10, 2012, 01:39:08 pm: I got half a days worth of 'real' use out of them so far. I'm not sure whether to be happy or not about this weather.... I was looking forward to smugly driving past 4x4 owners stuck on hills so its certainly been dissapointing.
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: Tfsi_Mike on January 12, 2012, 10:10:17 pm: Mine gone in the classifieds, guarantee if they sell the snow / ice will come lol
Title: Re: When to put winter wheels on?
Post by: skard on January 13, 2012, 10:15:03 am: Quote from: Tfsi_Mike on January 12, 2012, 10:10:17 pm

Mine gone in the classifieds, guarantee if they sell the snow / ice will come lol

What you selling Mike?

I got an Altea for the mrs so thinking of giving her my M&S steelies.