i30 Owners Club

MODIFYING OR DETAILING YOUR I30 => TYRES | WHEELS | BRAKES => Topic started by: Heady on August 30, 2016, 00:23:12

Title: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Heady on August 30, 2016, 00:23:12
Does anyone in the UK run winter tyres during winter?  I know that they are not mandated by law unlike some other European countries.

However, after being bitten back in March by going through a hedge while braking to miss a fox.  A contributory factor _may_ have been the temperature at the time of 3degC...  I'm very strongly looking at and considering running winter tyres during winter.

For anyone that does run winter tyres (in any country) - which ones do you recommend?
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: diablo on August 30, 2016, 02:06:08
I had Michelin Cross Climates fitted before last Christmas. They aren't actually winter tyres but to run all year round.  They have the snowflake symbol on them.

I haven't tested them on snow or ice but on cold wet roads last winter I gave them some tests to see how well they worked - passed with flying colours. Over summer they have worked at least as well as my Hankooks - they seem better on bends I think.

Probably worth putting on the list - as changing tyres from summer to winter is rather a pain.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: xiziz on August 30, 2016, 11:24:34
I ran a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta R2 on one of my previous cars, very happy with them but I recon they might be overkill for UK roads unless you regularly drive sub zero temps.

 All other winter tyres I've owned were/are studded, which I assume are banned. The Kumhos ive got now are horribly bad.

I think goodyear makes a good studless one to, called ultra grip ice or something, I hear a lot of people talking good about them.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Asterix on August 30, 2016, 16:05:43
I have now Ultra Grip on mine and have had Continental, both are recommendable.

When I get my next car it will be new enough to have the bloody TPMS system, I believe I will buy a set of those Cross Climate tyres Diablo mention as it will save me a set of those expensive TPMS valves.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Heady on September 04, 2016, 00:11:58
I've created a table with a selection of winter tyres ranked from best to worst based on the EU Tyre Label scores.

Anything with an E or F for Grip were not included.  Prices are from Blackcircles.com; the ranking works that the highest score gets 3, next gets 2, last gets 1.  So for example A=3,B=2,C=1.  This is then weighted - where I weigh wet grip the highest, then noise, then price, then fuel efficiency.  For noise & price the weight is 1/num so that a larger value is therefore, smaller.  The rankings for the different tyres are then the weighted scores multiplied together.

Using the ranking methodology described above the Top5 are:
1) Michelin Cross Climate
2) Nokian *WR D4
3) Dunlop Winter Sport 5
4) Continental *Winter Contact 
5) GoodYear *UltraGrip 9

(I tried including a HTML table created from excel but the forum didn't like it)
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: eye30 on September 04, 2016, 00:24:13
I just stay at home when the roads are bad!
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Dazzler on September 04, 2016, 00:33:08
Great work Heady, thanks..
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Heady on September 04, 2016, 00:55:52
I just stay at home when the roads are bad!
On a weekend that is possible.  Work days this might not be possible...

However, for me - this is about improving chances of the vehicle behaving even when conditions are cold or cold & wet.

Quote
However, after being bitten back in March by going through a hedge while braking to miss a fox.  A contributory factor _may_ have been the temperature at the time of 3degC...  I'm very strongly looking at and considering running winter tyres during winter.

That incident was with month old summer tyres!  I have no intention of a repeat and approx. ~£200 is a small price to pay to avoid dealing with insurance again.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: xiziz on September 05, 2016, 10:09:32
Great table,

One thing to keep in mind though, wet grip does not equal grip on ice/snow.

Many of the studless winter tyres that do best in the braking tests on ice/snow end up with E-F in wet grip.

So those days it might still be worth taking a snowday off, workday or not.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on September 14, 2016, 13:14:59
I had Michelin Cross Climates fitted before last Christmas. They aren't actually winter tyres but to run all year round.

Spoken at length to Michelin who state that these are not suitable for my i30 as they are only 'T' rated, the handbook, sticker on the driver door jamb and original Hankooks quote 'H'.
Although 'H' indicates a top speed of 130mph (vehicle cannot achieve this) and 'T' indicates 118mph.
Insurance could be void (downhill with a wind  :lol:  :undecided:)
If fitted, the fitting company should fit a 'T' sticker on the door jamb indicating the change, and the owner takes Insurance responsibility for the change.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: asathorny on September 14, 2016, 14:17:36
I had Michelin Cross Climates fitted before last Christmas. They aren't actually winter tyres but to run all year round.

Spoken at length to Michelin who state that these are not suitable for my i30 as they are only 'T' rated, the handbook, sticker on the driver door jamb and original Hankooks quote 'H'.
Although 'H' indicates a top speed of 130mph (vehicle cannot achieve this) and 'T' indicates 118mph.
Insurance could be void (downhill with a wind  :lol:  :undecided:)
If fitted, the fitting company should fit a 'T' sticker on the door jamb indicating the change, and the owner takes Insurance responsibility for the change.

Cripes I woz just about to buy a set <sigh>.  Wot now???   
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: diablo on September 14, 2016, 14:49:50
The tyres fitted on my i30 are marked thus "MICHELIN CrossClimate 205/55 R16 94V Extra load" and I assume that the V is the speed rating - as in 149mph. :)

I don't often do more than 70 as the fuel consumption rockets.  :faint:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: asathorny on September 14, 2016, 15:31:40
The tyres fitted on my i30 are marked thus "MICHELIN CrossClimate 205/55 R16 94V Extra load" and I assume that the V is the speed rating - as in 149mph. :)

I don't often do more than 70 as the fuel consumption rockets.  :faint:

I am very easily confused, so, will these tyres invalidate my insurance or not?    :scared: :scared: :scared:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: CraigB on September 14, 2016, 16:34:09
The tyres fitted on my i30 are marked thus "MICHELIN CrossClimate 205/55 R16 94V Extra load" and I assume that the V is the speed rating - as in 149mph. :)

I don't often do more than 70 as the fuel consumption rockets.  :faint:

I am very easily confused, so, will these tyres invalidate my insurance or not?    :scared: :scared: :scared:
Unless you are/were doing over the tyres rated speed in an accident then I don't see how it could void the insurance.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: asathorny on September 14, 2016, 16:37:48
OK, sometime in the next week or three I will put some new clogs on my shiny red one  :goodjob: :goodjob:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on September 14, 2016, 16:54:43
I am very easily confused, so, will these tyres invalidate my insurance or not?    :scared: :scared: :scared:
In the 380SL I was warned (by Mercedes/Insurance Broker) not to fit tyres rated at a speed less than the published top speed, as I could have exceeded the (tyre speed) limit for a prolonged period at anytime (German Autobahn) and thus, unknowingly damage the tyres, which could subsequently develop into a failure.
I didn't fancy being involved in an accident in the Hyundai, whereupon some jobsworth looked to blame me for any reason.
You could check with your Insurance Company.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on September 14, 2016, 17:03:43
The tyres fitted on my i30 are marked thus "MICHELIN CrossClimate 205/55 R16 94V Extra load" and I assume that the V is the speed rating - as in 149mph. :)
My present tyres (as fitted new) are 185/65/R15 88H and I would like to keep to this - to avoid unnecessary, possible complications by changing.
A colleague of mine is an Expert Witness (Approved for UK Court Cases) for Vehicular Accidents, and has mentioned as much.
Tomas (Michelin Advisor) also stated these were "primarily for Winter use", I asked if they could be used in the Summer, and was told "up to you" make sure there is a 'T' sticker on the door jamb.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: CraigB on September 14, 2016, 17:10:46
I am very easily confused, so, will these tyres invalidate my insurance or not?    :scared: :scared: :scared:
In the 380SL I was warned (by Mercedes/Insurance Broker) not to fit tyres rated at a speed less than the published top speed, as I could have exceeded the (tyre speed) limit for a prolonged period at anytime (German Autobahn) and thus, unknowingly damage the tyres, which could subsequently develop into a failure.
I didn't fancy being involved in an accident in the Hyundai, whereupon some jobsworth looked to blame me for any reason.
You could check with your Insurance Company.
So being the i30 cant even do 118mph - 189kph the tyres are rated higher than the vehicles maximum speed which should mean they would be legal :undecided: unless there is a pre-requisite that tyres must have a certain speed level above what the vehicle could achieve :undecided:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: diablo on September 14, 2016, 17:31:34

My present tyres (as fitted new) are 185/65/R15 88H and I would like to keep to this - to avoid unnecessary, possible complications by changing.
A colleague of mine is an Expert Witness (Approved for UK Court Cases) for Vehicular Accidents, and has mentioned as much.
Tomas (Michelin Advisor) also stated these were "primarily for Winter use", I asked if they could be used in the Summer, and was told "up to you" make sure there is a 'T' sticker on the door jamb.

On checking I noticed that for your size the Crossclimates usually shown are T rated.

Though they seem to do them as a V as well.

 :link: Michelin CrossClimate + 185/65 R15 92V XL @ mytyres.co.uk (https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Michelin/CrossClimate-_/185-65-R15-92V-XL/R-364800)

Okay the speed rating is higher than you are using now but I'd be surprised if that could be any sort of problem. :)

Michelin say they are fine in summer, indeed they wear better than some summer tyres.

But it is your car and your money.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on September 14, 2016, 18:47:37
@ Diablo - thanks for that, V rated will suit the i30 just fine.
Seems that Michelin failed to offer me the correct tyre speed rating - wasted a complete morning.
I did wonder if Technical Sales were up to the job - maybe I should have translated my request into French, as it was obvious Tomas found it difficult to understand. Michelins "Chat" system was useless, even their feedback questions were confusing - "On a scale of 1-10, where 10 is excellent, how happy satisfied were you"?
2nd Question "On a scale of 1-5, where 1 is excellent, how well did the advisor help you"?
But there again, why offer information - if they cannot speak or understand a UK based enquirer.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: asathorny on September 14, 2016, 19:38:56
So, finally, I am OK so long as I stress V rated ???   !!! 

I am going for a lie down now  :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Asterix on September 14, 2016, 19:50:00
I have wondered about that sticker advising H rated (210 km/h) tyres when the max speed for my i30 is 187 or something. At least it's less than 190 km/h which would make a T rated (190 km/h) tyre sufficient.

The law requires tyres rated at minimum the top speed of the car, that's it.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: ibrokeit on September 30, 2016, 23:50:25
So, finally, I am OK so long as I stress V rated ???   !!! 

I am going for a lie down now  :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint:

Yup because, logically :rolleyes:, H is between U (which comes after T) and V!  :crazy2:    I also notice that 'O' and 'X' are missing from the letters used which otherwise (excepting H) are from J-Z - mostly in order.   T=190; U=200; H=210; V=240;  (All speeds in kmh)

As for why it is like that I am assuming something like originally there wasn't an H and the speed steps went 190, 200, 240 (T, U, V) then there was a need (for whatever reason) for a 210.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Surferdude on October 01, 2016, 00:45:51
So, finally, I am OK so long as I stress V rated ???   !!! 

I am going for a lie down now  :faint: :faint: :faint: :faint:

Yup because, logically :rolleyes:, H is between U (which comes after T) and V!  :crazy2:    I also notice that 'O' and 'X' are missing from the letters used which otherwise (excepting H) are from J-Z - mostly in order.   T=190; U=200; H=210; V=240;  (All speeds in kmh)

As for why it is like that I am assuming something like originally there wasn't an H and the speed steps went 190, 200, 240 (T, U, V) then there was a need (for whatever reason) for a 210.
Maybe in the US or Europe, but when I joined the tyre industry in 1975 in Australia, we only had "S", "H" and "V".
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on October 01, 2016, 07:53:39
At 24,800 miles, replaced all 185/65/R15 (88H) on alloys, with Michelin Cross Climates 185/65/R15 (92V)balanced, Nitrogen Inflated, all 4 at 38 psi, cost £295.96.
Not noticed any interior noise reduction, yet.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: asathorny on October 01, 2016, 08:47:48
I got my Cross climates fitted yesterday I mentioned the letters and the guy said they only do V rated now???

Running at 36 all round...   As above, I have not had chance to assess them yet.  :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on October 01, 2016, 09:02:54
I got my Cross climates fitted yesterday I mentioned the letters and the guy said they only do V rated now???
No, T rated are available, and are approx. £11.00 cheaper each (in this size).
I asked for V rate to be fitted, and (whilst they were being changed) also asked if they would have fitted T rate, the Receptionist replied "You would had to have signed a disclaimer. V rate is correct for your i30. Cross Climates are not available for H rating, so you need to go up one rating, not down".
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: asathorny on October 01, 2016, 09:29:00
They just had enough for my order before they ran out, they guy said they're selling well  :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob:

Right am off our now for a cooked breakfast but as I pass TWO speed money raising cameras I shall be driving like and old man (oh that's right, I am an old man)

I would like my own personal speed money raiser outside my house, the idiots go like f*** down my street I could make a bloody fortune, like the council do  :crazy1: :crazy1: :crazy1: :crazy1:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: The Gonz on October 01, 2016, 09:33:22
Rig up a fake camera post complete with signage. The council may even do that on request! :lol:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Dazzler on October 01, 2016, 09:59:36
Rig up a fake camera post complete with signage. The council may even do that on request! :lol:

Good idea Gonz...
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on October 01, 2016, 10:21:11
Rig up a fake camera post complete with signage. The council may even do that on request! :lol:
Good idea Gonz...
They did just that here (UK) and were forced to remove it - otherwise Legal Action would be taken....
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on October 01, 2016, 10:41:04
For the records, this (slightly damaged) sticker is attached to the drivers door jamb, note the bottom warning:-

:link: Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet (http://imgur.com/a/lGOdP)

(http://i.imgur.com/dW9MI3b.jpg)
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: ibrokeit on October 01, 2016, 11:58:57

Yup because, logically :rolleyes:, H is between U (which comes after T) and V!  :crazy2:    I also notice that 'O' and 'X' are missing from the letters used which otherwise (excepting H) are from J-Z - mostly in order.   T=190; U=200; H=210; V=240;  (All speeds in kmh)

As for why it is like that I am assuming something like originally there wasn't an H and the speed steps went 190, 200, 240 (T, U, V) then there was a need (for whatever reason) for a 210.
Maybe in the US or Europe, but when I joined the tyre industry in 1975 in Australia, we only had "S", "H" and "V".

Okay then...  interesting.   I am just an outsider looking in taking a guess.   Did you ever learn why they are like that? or is it just a mystery of life?  :D
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Surferdude on October 01, 2016, 12:07:14

Yup because, logically :rolleyes:, H is between U (which comes after T) and V!  :crazy2:    I also notice that 'O' and 'X' are missing from the letters used which otherwise (excepting H) are from J-Z - mostly in order.   T=190; U=200; H=210; V=240;  (All speeds in kmh)

As for why it is like that I am assuming something like originally there wasn't an H and the speed steps went 190, 200, 240 (T, U, V) then there was a need (for whatever reason) for a 210.
Maybe in the US or Europe, but when I joined the tyre industry in 1975 in Australia, we only had "S", "H" and "V".

Okay then...  interesting.   I am just an outsider looking in taking a guess.   Did you ever learn why they are like that? or is it just a mystery of life?  :D
Actually,  I did. But it was years ago and I've forgotten.   :crazy1:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Surferdude on October 01, 2016, 12:08:52
However,  I suspect it was as you say in Europe and we just picked the eyes out of it, not needing all the extras at that time.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Phil №❶ on October 01, 2016, 12:09:34
Nitrogen, bit of a waste IMO.

nitrogen is 78% of air  :exclaim:
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Surferdude on October 01, 2016, 12:10:29
Nitrogen, bit of a waste IMO.

nitrogen is 78% of air  :exclaim:
Absolutely correct,  Phil.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Mike SX on October 01, 2016, 13:23:08
Nitrogen, bit of a waste IMO.
nitrogen is 78% of air  :exclaim:
Absolutely correct,  Phil.
Not quite the same Nitrogen....
They use pure white nitrogen from a Quality Assured pre-charged cylinders provider (B.O.C. Limited).
Problem with "normal" air supplied from a Compressor is that, apart from inclusion of all manner of possible gases and particles, it also includes oil from the Compressor, water etc.
No extra charge for the white N2, tyres should run cooler, reduces internal degradation of the rubber in tyres due to oxidisation
:link: Nitrogen (Oxygen-Free) | BOConline UK (http://www.boconline.co.uk/en/products-and-supply/industrial-gases/inert-gases/nitrogen-oxygen-free/nitrogen.html)
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Phil №❶ on October 02, 2016, 00:28:41
You're running winter tyres in cold conditions, why would you be trying to minimise heating of the tyre. Almost every car in Oz just uses air in tyres, I've never heard of any contaminants including oil hurting a tyre. If oil is present in any quantity, get air somewhere else.

Nitrogen was a fad here a few years ago.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Surferdude on October 02, 2016, 01:57:27
Jax and Bob Jane still offer it, but I worked with the guy who introduced it to BJ. He was their "marketing manager".
Also responsible for their "Gold, Silver & Bronze" wheel balancing options. :P
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Surferdude on October 02, 2016, 02:01:10
Oil and water can damage a tyre in the long term but it's rare for a tyre to last longenough for it to be an issue. In any case, a pproperly maintained air compressor will have a trap for contaminants.
And low pressure is a bigger worry than anything else.
People with nitrogen in their tyres tend to forget to ever check their pressures.
Title: Re: Running winter tyres in the UK? Which ones are recommended?
Post by: Heady on January 07, 2017, 00:04:39
I've created a table with a selection of winter tyres ranked from best to worst based on the EU Tyre Label scores.
...
The rankings for the different tyres are then the weighted scores multiplied together.

Using the ranking methodology described above the Top5 are:
1) Michelin Cross Climate
2) Nokian *WR D4
3) Dunlop Winter Sport 5
4) Continental *Winter Contact 
5) GoodYear *UltraGrip 9

(I tried including a HTML table created from excel but the forum didn't like it)

I eventually purchased the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 tyres.

I have found them much quieter than the original summer Hankooks.

They seem to be grip-y enough in the wet & the moderate cold we're currently having. 
Although, it hasn't yet been cold and icy enough to  really test (although, I don't think I really want to test them that far).
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