Winter tyres for dummies, help needed

[Drinks 101]

I need a winter tyre guide for dummies.

How do I know what type of winter tyres my car (B7 A4) needs.

Are all winter tyres M+S tyres or are there different grades of winter tyre.

On my B pillar the tyre pressure sticker gives me values for

215/55 R16

235/45 R17

235/45 R17 XL M+S

205/55 R16 M+S

235/40 R18 XL

Rang Audi in the first instance and they didn't know anything other than for cars in their current line up(). So they couldn't tell me what were recommended for my car in terms of what wheel size I should use, or what my options were.

They could give me a price for a winter tyre in my current tyre size (234/40 R18)

I'm not really sure I need them but thought I'd see what my options were.

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

M+S = Mud and Snow. Central European (inc. UK) winter tyres are designed to deal with cold/wet/ slush conditions whereas the other type, Nordic's - with or without studs, are designed to deal with snow and ice.

Within reason you have a number of options, however the bigger the tyre the more it's going to cost which is why people often go for small winter wheels, plus you get a bit more side wall to protect the rim.

You can either mount the winter tyres on your summer wheels or buy some new alloys (ebay?) or steel wheels.

If you buy new wheels they must be either:

7J x 16H2 ET42 5/112

7,5J x 16H2 ET45 5/112

7J x 17H2 ET38 5/112

7,5J x 17H2 ET43-ET45 5/112

then you can fit the recommended size tyres:

235/45 R17

205/55 R16

Both Kwik Fit and ATS currently have 25% off winter tyres but if you shop around you'll find them cheaper.

Edited October 12, 2011 by Andy_Bangle
25% off tyres

[stooH 261]

Might it be worth talking to Seat as the Exeo is the B7 isn't it? As it's their current range they might have some more info.

[Tipex 1,738]

So are normal 'winter' tyres better in snow than all weather tyres?

I'm guessing you wouldn't want M+S tyres to drive around on in normal winter (wet and cold) conditions? Just for actual snow?

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

So are normal 'winter' tyres better in snow than all weather tyres?

Yes, but all weather tyres are a lot better than summer tyres in a normal winter. All weather tyres are the best compromise in the UK but they are hard to find.

I'm guessing you wouldn't want M+S tyres to drive around on in normal winter (wet and cold) conditions? Just for actual snow?

Most winter tyres are marked "M+S" to comply with EU law so you can drive on them all winter, when the temp is low and/or wet they'll work much better than summer tyres.

[Tipex 1,738]

Most tyres here are all weather rather than summer, not sure I've ever seen a summer tyre actually?

Cheers for the info, it's still summer here on the sunny south coast at the moment, and averaging 20c, but when the temp starts to drop I will be due a new set of tyres, so think I'll go for winters for the first time ever, they'll be bald by next summer anyway so might as well.

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

What tyres are on your motor?

[rottenbend 0]

Most tyres here are all weather rather than summer, not sure I've ever seen a summer tyre actually?

Cheers for the info, it's still summer here on the sunny south coast at the moment, and averaging 20c, but when the temp starts to drop I will be due a new set of tyres, so think I'll go for winters for the first time ever, they'll be bald by next summer anyway so might as well.

I'm pretty sure most tyres sold in the UK are not all weather/all season and are in effect "summer" tyres which are most effective at + 7C???

[Biscuits 212]

Most tyres here are all weather rather than summer, not sure I've ever seen a summer tyre actually?

"summer" tyres are the normal tyres sold in the UK . . . designed to perform best in ambient temperatures of 7 degrees or more. They still "work" at lower temperatures, but the rubber compound isn't 'designed' to work that low.

"winter" tyres are marked M+S and have a snowflake symbol on the side wall . . . the rubber compound is designed to work at temperatures below 7 degrees. Conversely, if you use them in higher temperatures they will "work" but wear fastr and give less grip than their summer counterparts.

Winter tyres also have specific tread patterns to disperse rain better than summer tyres, which also helps with mechanical grip in snow/ice conditions.

Basically, if you NEED to drive in winter no matter what the weather is doing, fit winter compound tyres, if not, stay at home on the XBox

[Tipex 1,738]

What tyres are on your motor?

I've just checked, and my tyres are confused, they are 'sport' tyres, and have a sporty tread pattern, but they have M+S printed on them.

No mention of summer or winter.

[Biscuits 212]

I've just checked, and my tyres are confused, they are 'sport' tyres, and have a sporty tread pattern, but they have M+S printed on them.

No mention of summer or winter.

Probably a poor translation from the Taiwanese rubber factory they came out of

Or "if in doubt, put all markings on them" technique lol

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

Made in China.

[Lussac 67]

If still not convinced about winter tyres then this might be of interest to you:

[Tipex 1,738]

China? I wish.

They appear to have been made in Indonesia.

Mind you, the back ones say 'manufactured by the Doublestar DongFeng tyre co' and they've already lasted 3 times longer than any other tyre I've ever had fitted, but then always did prefer my cars to be tail happy.

[Drinks 101]

then you can fit the recommended size tyres:

235/45 R17

205/55 R16

Both Kwik Fit and ATS currently have 25% off winter tyres but if you shop around you'll find them cheaper.

Thanks very much Andy, so the options above are the recommended ones. Does that mean it's wrong to fit winter tyres to my current 18 alloys ???

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

No, you can fit 18's of the same profile as you've already got - 235/40 R18 however, the range in that size is quite small therefore the price is higher. Depending on what rims you've got then 225/40 R18 will workout cheaper.

[Drinks 101]

If you buy new wheels they must be either:

7J x 16H2 ET42 5/112

7,5J x 16H2 ET45 5/112

7J x 17H2 ET38 5/112

7,5J x 17H2 ET43-ET45 5/112

I have my eye on a couple of sets of 7.5J x 17H2 ET45 5/112 on ebay but I'm curious how you know these are the right ones? Where do you find this information, there is nothing in my handbook?

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

I looked your model of car (B7) up on the Audi part system (ETKA), then cross-referenced which wheels will fit Another very important item to check when you buy wheels off ebay is the CB (centre bore): B6/B7 is 57.10 bore. The B8's are 66.6.

With regards to winter tyres i'm no expert, just done lots of reading as I must change mine every winter/spring.

[Drinks 101]

Where do you find centre bore info? Not that it matters as the ones I'm looking at are a 2005 vintage so can't be B8, but I guess they could be from an A3/6.

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

If they are OEM Audi wheels then they are stamped on the wheel, if not you get it from the part number. Either past up the ebay links or pm me them with your car details and I can check.

[jon- 10]

As you seem to be in the UK...

M+S marking is effectively useless. Any tyre can wear it, it just has to have a more agressive tread pattern than other tyre in the range. The tyre doesn't need sniping or a winter compound to wear it.

Mountian and snowflake symbol is a little better, as that means the tyre has a % better traction than a control tyre in snow. It's not a big percent, but it's a percent.

You might find this winter tyre buying guide useful - as some one said you can keep your wheel and tyre sizes the same and just swap to winters, or you can move to the recommended winter wheel and tyre size - probably a 16" wheel for your car.

[Andy_Bangle 3,140]

Just treated my sister to a set of winter tyres for her 206 - £182 for 4 delivered! She lives near Harrogate so i'm sure they'll see some action this winter.

[Nelson_R32 0]

I need a winter tyre guide for dummies.

How do I know what type of winter tyres my car (B7 A4) needs.

Are all winter tyres M+S tyres or are there different grades of winter tyre.

On my B pillar the tyre pressure sticker gives me values for

215/55 R16

235/45 R17

235/45 R17 XL M+S

205/55 R16 M+S

235/40 R18 XL

Rang Audi in the first instance and they didn't know anything other than for cars in their current line up(). So they couldn't tell me what were recommended for my car in terms of what wheel size I should use, or what my options were.

They could give me a price for a winter tyre in my current tyre size (234/40 R18)

I'm not really sure I need them but thought I'd see what my options were.

Without trying to go too far into it, the answer to your question will depend on your potential requirements and where you are using the car. The original Winter Wheel package for the B7 A4 used standard 16 inch wheels with 205/55/16 tyres. The reason for this was because this is the only tyre size that can accomodate snow chains, anything bigger fouls the upper multi link suspension arms.

Now, the chances of you needing snow chains in the UK if you are using winter tyres are pretty much zero. But, if you are go skiing to the South of France etc then you obviously need to take this into consideration.

So, if you are staying in the UK then you will be fine to use the same tyre size you already have fitted to the car with the normal lower speed rating on winter tyres.

[Tipex 1,738]

You can't use chains in the UK anyway, I think they are illegal, like studded tyres.

[Nelson_R32 0]

You can't use chains in the UK anyway, I think they are illegal, like studded tyres.

This is partially true, but because of the internet it's been a bit distorted.

It's perfectly legal to use them, but you are not allowed to use them on roads that aren't covered in snow or ice and are liable to prosecution if you cause damage to the road on ones that aren't. Although I would imagine it would be very hard for a Police Officer to prove anyway.