Problems in the Snow is it car or tyres

[andayton]

About a month ago I fitted Goodyear Eagle F1 A Tyre Size 235/45Y17

After looking on this forum I decided to give them a try.

However since the snow I am struggling for grip!!! I bought the car in January so it has not been out in the snow until now.

What I would like to ask is the car normally bad in snow or are the tyres the problem??

If I now need to change to winter tyres , what are the best?

Thanks to anyone who can help

[Quatrelle]

'Ordinary' tyres of any make won't work in the snow - no manufacturer will ever claim they do. If you want to drive in snow, fit snow tyres, chains or studs. Snow tyres won't work on ice.

The only time ordinary tyres will work on snow is if you're the first on it, it's not laying on ice or previously packed snow, and if it's not very much. Even then you shouldn't drive at any speed.

[Chrisman]

Generally I've found the thinner the tyre the better for snow as it cuts through better than wider tyres staying on top.

I believe Martins site has a nice section showing you tyre size alternatives for the passat.

[andayton]

Thanks for that Chris, what is the address for chris's site please?

I know that narrower tyres are better but I am just a bit disappointed in the car as other cars I have had on tyres the same size performed better!!!

[Chrisman]

Here you go mate this is Martins page on tyre combinations.
Have a good look on his website it's a brilliant source of information.


Chris

p.s Have you experimented with switching the ESP off in the snow???

[andayton]

Thanks Chris

Yes tried with and without ESP but still not happy with the grip

Andrew

[Amsel]

Andrew

Owning a BMW and a Passat I can say that winter tyres will make a huge difference.

I have put GoodYear Ultragrip 7+ on the Bm and left the Passat with the standard Dunlop SP01's.

The Bm will now go places that the Passat can't, the difference in grip especially from a rear wheel drive car is unbelievable. At the moment I have about 8" of snow to get through to get to a main road.

Well worth sticking winter tyres on the car, personally I am now convinced that every car should have winter tyres on during the winter months, no doubt it would reduce the chaos that we are seeing on the news at present.

[Quatrelle]

In a lot of northern European countries, snow tyres are obligatory in winter. You can be fined for not having them and/or causing a traffic 'disturbance'.

If it goes on weatherwise in the UK I wonder how long it will be before insurance companies start to question paying out for snow-related accident damage to drivers who don't fit them?

[podwin]

I've got a set of winter tyres on my Passat and the improvement is amazing, it stops and goes as normal.

[Quatrelle]

I've got a set of winter tyres on my Passat and the improvement is amazing, it stops and goes as normal.

Exactly - it's got to be the way to go!