OK, thanks to Mark, Gareth and Nick for general thoughts and helpful comments.
Having yet again returned to the subject of tyres, we perhaps ought to get back to the actual thread subject, i.e. poor driving, because this also has a considerable bearing on how well we cope in difficult conditions.
Obviously it would not be sensible for me to claim that tyres were more suitable when, in the dim and distant past, I was a lad, so I won't claim that. As for how well did we get around in the snow of the early 1960s - which is really when I started getting to grips with it
- again I'm dependent on my memory, and it's a subjective matter anyhow. What I do feel is true is that in those days people tended to buckle down and get on with things in a simple practical fashion, whereas now the simple and solid practical approach seems to have taken a back seat in favour of a more frivolous and style/fashion orientated mentality. For example, we are now in an era of wide wheels and low profile tyres which, as I understand it, perform less well in winter conditions than do the old narrower and taller tyres used hitherto.
No doubt modern tyres
are considerably better in general terms than they were when I started driving in the late 1950s, but even when technical progress is being made there are usually compromises involved and a suitable balance point has to be identified. My concern is that when it comes to tyres and their suitability for a range of conditions, the balance point that has been chosen is not the best one. Initially I was blaming the tyre industry for this situation, but as we’ve discussed this subject I’m now more inclined to blame the car makers for not providing new car buyers with the right sort of tyres. It looks to be they who have adopted a dubious policy from the viewpoint of the ordinary car buyer, at least as far as UK based buyers are concerned.
Mark – your reported experience of summer tyres in the snow is interesting, and I must say I also am getting around reasonably well on my less than optimally shod wheels, at least based on what I’ve experienced so far. No doubt driving would be easier on more specialised rubber, but I can’t say I’ve been having undue difficulty. If we start getting more prolonged spells of severe winter weather I may need to reconsider.
I certainly think this subject should be receiving more publicity, so that car buyers are made aware that if their new car has ‘summer tyres’ they are no longer being provided with tyres that are geared to giving decent all-round performance in the normal range of UK weather conditions. This shouldn’t happen, but if it does they need to be aware of it. Your suggestion of tyre choice being a listed option, and having potential buyers’ attention drawn to it would be a good step in the right direction.
Gareth’s reference to the 165SR13 tyres on the Cortina reminds me of the tyres on my Austin-Healey Sprite, although they were an even smaller section size – 5.20 x 13 Dunlop ‘Gold Seal’ which were cross-ply construction, were original equipment. When I needed replacements I fitted the rear wheels with Firestone M & S, and they seemed to bite into the snow much better, which is what I wanted. That was before we got into all the present day complexities of tyre compounds; a good chunky tread pattern was the key item of interest.
I can understand what Nick says about people wanting to be seen to be doing well, and their buying habits being influenced accordingly. We are currently in an era where style and image count for quite a lot to many people, but this might change in the light of more stringent financial circumstances. Perhaps it is too early to be sure to what extent drivers as a whole, as opposed to the ‘Top Gear’ viewing sector – which itself might be quite substantial - will go along with this ‘winter tyre’ business. I’m doubtful about it being generally accepted, but I might be wrong.
In the meantime, ‘all-season’ tyres should be the norm for the UK, and the ‘summer tyre’ and ‘winter tyre’ choices should be offered as alternatives, with buyers being made aware of these other possibilities and making their own choices on an informed and considered basis according to their motoring needs.
Best wishes all,
Dave.