Winter Tyres

[bigblueballoon]

Hello All,

I've just got my beautiful red, shiny CX-5 SE-L AWD diesel 2.2 and I was thinking about getting some winter tyres 

I know this might seem like overkill but I've been looking at reviews online and they say a 4x4 in winter conditions is great but with winter tyres is even greater!

Any comments or recommendations?

Thanks in advance

Bigblueballoon

[BigAl]

I do know that there are a few winter tyres available as I came across some when unable to get the correct Toyo's earlier this year for mine - see http://mazdacx5forums.co.uk/index.php?topic=25.0 I didn't fit any, but have been told that they do wear a lot faster than normal tyres when used on road, plus they will be noisier. I believe the 150 and 175HP versions have different tyres (mine is the 175 which has 19in wheels 55 profile V rated tyres) which will make a difference.

Also, be aware that Mazda do not recommend the CX5 for offroad use... See http://mazdacx5forums.co.uk/index.php?topic=26.0

Alan

[bigblueballoon]

Hi Big Al,

Thanks for that. I was thinking of using the winter tyres just on normal roads when they are snowy, icy & slushy. I'm not brave enough to go off-road!! 

BBB

[Catamong]

If you live in a remote location which is liable to get snowed in, then Winter tyres can make sense.

However if you live in suburbia like most of us then the best tyres in the World won't help you one bit as the roads are gridlocked as soon as we get any hint of snow by the BMW and Merc rear wheel drive saloon car drivers, whose motors are useless in such conditions.

It's all down to personal choice I suppose...?

Cat.

[MikeTB]

Looked up tyres available. For the 19 inch wheels the only option I could find was another version of the standard Toyo tyres

[BigAl]

Try here Mike, this is a site I used a while ago, there seems to be a few more alternatives now.
http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&cart_id=40036605.110.16918&Breite=225&Quer=55&Felge=19&Speed=V&Load=99&kategorie=6&tyre_for=&x_tyre_for=&suchen=1&rsmFahrzeugart=ALL&search_tool=original-equipment&weiter=0

Alan

[Caldean]

If you're in any doubt about the need for winter tyres, have a look at the auto express video :

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/66692/winter-tyres-4x4-grip-test-video

I would have winter tyres over four wheel drive any day. Not only do you have better grip in snowy and icy conditions, braking  on roads when temperatures are below 7c or are wet, you can stop very much more quickly and safely. I've fitted winters to my wife's  car for the last 5 winters (October to march) and they still have a good 5 mm left on them despite the compound being very much softer . I'm considering buying an additional set of alloys and winters for our CX but not looked into the total cost. It costs about £48 to change over the tyres by my fitter, so I  reckon I'd start saving after 6 years or so. They should also keep their shape better and avoid damage to the alloys when swapping over to summers etc.

[BigAl]

When I had my Forester, Subaru used to offer a service where - if you bought a set of winter tyres and wheels - the dealer would store them for you and change them over free of charge.

Alan

[Caldean]

Audi used to do the same but they started taking the mick with their pricing.ranging from £800 to £3500, depending on your model and tyre size.

[MikeTB]

Just as a matter of interest, I rechecked the Michelin web site. They now list a (summer) tyre with the right specification. Wasn't there a few months ago.
Note that its wet performance is top rated!
Anyone who lives near Costco should try them. Last time I got a set of Michelins from Costco I got 4 tyres for the price of 3 anywhere else.