Winter tires - Why you should think diffrent

[pjr]

Just thought I would pass on what the tyre pressure info sticker on my MK7 Golf estate GT spec states.

16, 17 & 18 inch tyres, 205 being the narrowest, nothing for 15 inch as I thought! Like I said before go up one diameter or down one diameter compared to the OEM tyres but no further as VW won't recommend it!!!!

Pretty sure the sticker on the inside of the filler cap on my GTI gives pressures for 205/55x16 M&S tyres, which are 2" smaller in diameter than the standard (UK) 18s. Although other countries in Europe can get a GTI with 17s, with 18s as an option.

 

[amullo]

Just thought I would pass on what the tyre pressure info sticker on my MK7 Golf estate GT spec states.

16, 17 & 18 inch tyres, 205 being the narrowest, nothing for 15 inch as I thought! Like I said before go up one diameter or down one diameter compared to the OEM tyres but no further as VW won't recommend it!!!!

Strange.. My sticker lists 195/65-15 pressures for M+S tires aswell as 205/55-16. Perhaps its diffrent on estates.

And as Ive shown before, Vw in Sweden recommends 15" for the Golf atleast.

 

[pjr]

Test fitted one of my 16" winter wheels this morning, and it fitted fine with about 5mm clearance between the brake calliper and the balance weights on the inside of the rim.

After doing a front wheel, I went to do the back wheel and it was seized onto the hub

The standard jack isn't that robust to be able to whack the back of the wheel to free it, so I ended up refitting the summer wheel on the front until I can buy a better jack.

Also, I confirmed that the tyre pressure label on the filler cap lists tyre pressures for 16 (M&S), 17, 18 & 19" wheels.

 

[Hakuna_Matata]

245 40 18
Michelin PA4
Going good

 

[pjr]

Fitted my winter tyres today, after buying a trolley jack to use instead of the VW supplied jack (should have bought one years ago, it makes swapping from summer to winter wheels much quicker & easier)

Pics of my car with its new 16" wheels are here

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showpost.php?p=69677&postcount=288

 

[rorsters]

My head is absolutely fried reading this thread. I have a few questions.
1. Is it really worth it getting winter tyres here in the U.K. when our winters aren't all that bad?
2. It would appear to me that winter tyres are more set up for snow.
3. Winter tyres aren't as good as summer tyres in the wet if you go by the rating sticker.

Here in Northern Ireland I'm more concerned with water than snow. when we do get snow it's not for long anyway.

 

[pjr]

My head is absolutely fried reading this thread. I have a few questions.
1. Is it really worth it getting winter tyres here in the U.K. when our winters aren't all that bad?
2. It would appear to me that winter tyres are more set up for snow.
3. Winter tyres aren't as good as summer tyres in the wet if you go by the rating sticker.

Here in Northern Ireland I'm more concerned with water than snow. when we do get snow it's not for long anyway.

1. Depends on how much you rely on your car - my Audi was a very expensive ornament the first winter I had it (2010/2011) as the Pirelli P Zeros couldn't cope with the slightest amount of snow.
2. The winter tyres typically sold in the UK are more correctly called 'cold weather' tyres as they remain flexible when the temperature drops below 7 degrees C, retaining their grip when normal summer tyres have hardened and begin to lose grip. There doesn't have to be snow on the ground for them to work better than summer tyres.
3. Again, this will depend on the brand of tyre, but the winter tyres I've got are narrower than my summers and have deeper treads & wider channels than my summer tyres so should be more resistant to aquaplaning in the wet.

I bought mine because of my experience in the winter of 2010/2011, and this is the fourth winter I have fitted them - each year lowers the average cost per winter, as I'm still on the first set of tyres.

I like the security the winter tyres give me, and having seen how they coped with deep snow, slush, ice & frost I've been converted.

 

[Sjacko20]

As said above, the performance of summer tyres degrades below 7deg because the rubber hardens which will mean poorer performance in the wet as well. The narrower profile also makes a difference if you go that way. I have only had winter tyres on one car because it was dreadful in cold weather and appalling when it snowed, they made a huge difference during the harsh winters a few years ago but there has been less of a difference in the subsequent milder ones. I will get them for the golf as it has larger width/lower profile tyres (and expensive to replace/repair wheels) so I think the outlay will be worthwhile in safety and financial terms.

 

[ColinStone]

I have a Golf MkIV with 195/65-15 Goodyear Ultragrip 8 winter tyres on Avus 2 rims, 15" x 6", with 100 x 5 PCD. Great in the Alps and the first thing I do in Dec arriving in the mountains is find an empty snowy car park and throw the car around to remind myself of handling, grip levels and ABS.
Probably getting a MkVII SE/Match and would like to keep/reuse my winter wheels. GVII has 112 x 5 PCD. I've found PCD adapters which will allow me to use GIV wheels. Depth of adapter is 20mm.
I am sure 15" wheels will fit on SE/Match but how will the 20mm adapter thickness work??

 

[the bruce]

Fully agree with Dave.

 

[mcmaddy]

I've been looking at 17”winters for my gtd but can't decide if I should just go for 16”steel wheels. 17”tyres are 224 45 17 and 16” tyres are 205 50 16. Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated as I need to buy the set I'm looking at tomorrow.

 

[RichD]

Keep your 18 s put some part worn tyres only on for 4/5 months you do not want your car to look naff , paid enough for it !! Drop t steels keep t alloys !!!!

 

[Sjacko20]

I've been looking at 17”winters for my gtd but can't decide if I should just go for 16”steel wheels. 17”tyres are 224 45 17 and 16” tyres are 205 50 16. Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated as I need to buy the set I'm looking at tomorrow.

If you go for 16's the recommended tyre size is 205/55/16. There are several websites out there that do packages including with alloy wheels if you want better aesthetics, I previously linked to one I have been looking at and will purchase from when I have a delivery date for the car.

Simon

 

[mcmaddy]

Yeah 55 profile sorry my typo. The 17”alloys are 500 quid with winter tires so it's not too bad. I can get 16”s for about 375 though.

 

[Sjacko20]

Sounds a very good deal, decisions decisions?!?