Winter Tyres

[a6khu]

I took the plunge this week and bought a set of Continental Winter Contacts (830P) for my S4 cab. After fitting today, I am pleased. They are night and day compared to the Michelin PS2s I have. The ESP light and ABS have taken a winter break! I have to admit that I genuinely believed 4wd would get me out of trouble in most cases but had a few "moments" over the last week in terms of traction. If you live outside the towns/cities and plan on keeping your car for a few years, it might well be worth the outlay. Unless, you like the dabs of oppo !

[infrasilver]

Snow + Car park = Do-nut = Me.

Lots of steering wheel slapping.

[R33]

I had a quick play with my Nexen Winguard Sports a few days ago. The acceleration I could achieve on packed snow was incredible. Braking still took a while but was very predictable and controlled. I've never driven my S4 in snow without winter tyres but it certainly performs well now. It accelerates and stops much better in the snow than my previous Range Rover Sport.

[gottanS]

I put some Michelin PA3's on my S4 Avant and they feel so planted in this cold weather, when it was warmer in late Oct they felt pretty wobbly but soon as the temperature dropped back to planted.

I drove my S4 in all the snow back in Feb this year but with the winter tyres the car feels much more confident and responsive.

Out of curiosity what tyre pressures are you running, I tried the pressures specified for winter tyres and it felt less in control so dropped them back a bit

[R33]

I'm just running standard pressures for a medium load, off the top of my head is around 44 front and 42 rear and it feels about right to me. The tyre garage put in 32 all round and the handling was not the best till I got them right.

[R33]

Sorry for bringing back such an old post but I just had to comment again.

I finally got round to putting my winter tyres back on again last night and it was good timing as the roads were icy for the drive to the station again this morning. I forgot hot much more grip they give you on cold roads, without wanting to sound like a sales man for winter tyres, they are awesome!

[R23]

night and day compared to Pilot Sport II's!!

Not surprised - to quote from Tyretraders.co.uk - "The Pilot Sport PS2 is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

[aligod78]

...but with slightly balding summer tyres, it's more fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw6yeych1kU



Would love a 2nd set of thinner steels and some proper winter tyres though.