Winter Tyres

[TimothyN]

Does the panel have a view on appropriate winter tyres for the S5? I know that EVs have different standard tyres to ICE cars, but are they available as winters?

A second question relates to wheels.

Historically, I have paid £60 twice a year to have the tyres swapped.

Maybe it makes more sense to just buy four cheap wheels and swap them myself.

Is there any real downside to cheap steel wheels for three months a year, if I don't care about the looks?

 

[MG Clive]

I'd favour steel wheels with winter tyres on, then you're not so worried about damaging your alloys through the winter months. There's no downside to using steel wheels.

 

[Ian Key]

If you swap the wheels round the TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sensors) don't know that and the tyre pressure shown in the app and in the car will be for the wrong wheel.

Similarly if you replace them with steel wheels the tyre pressure alert system won't work unless you put TPMS sensors in them and have them programmed to the car. As far as I know the system is the same as in the MG4 and the car doesn't self learn.

I don't know how good the OEM tyres are in winter but on the MG4 forum Michelin Cross Climate tyres seem to be the favoured replacement even for those living in Scotland.

 

[5teep]

I've driven hundreds of thousands of winter miles on normal tyres. I'm not sure winter tyres are worth the expense?

 

[TimothyN]

I bought the S5 sight unseen, because I called the dealer wanting an MG4 and the deal on the S5 was so good that I just took it.

In that scenario, there is, of course, plenty of scope for buyer's remorse, but I feel almost none. I have been stupid enough to buy a car about which I know nothing, and have been pleased with almost every aspect of it.

The one bit of remorse I do feel, and may have affected my judgement had I known, is the knowledge that it is rear wheel drive.

I have seen Mercedes in icy weather behaving extraordinarily badly, including seeing one sitting on an icy road stationary in Drive with its real wheels gently turning, and then completely unable to move forward up a slight incline.

Even if standard tyres are okay for some FWDs in winter, I would be very concerned to drive a RWD in ice and snow.

And, of course, it's not just a question of ice and snow. The composition of winter tyres means that they give much better grip in cold conditions even on dry roads. Standard tyres get very hard and brittle at low temperature.

Anyway, I wasn't hoping to resurrect the debate on whether to have winter tyres or not. It is endless, and just as likely to be sorted out here as iPhone vs Android or Catholic vs Protestant.

We are all grown-ups and can take these decisions for ourselves.

What I was really hoping for is advice for someone who considers himself a grown-up and has decided that he wants winter tyres, if that's ok?

 

[BigBear]

I live up a hill that seems to be "above the snow line" and have been fitting 4 season tyres to my cars for years. It makes a HUGE difference compared to the standard tyres normally fitted, to the extent that a 2wd fitted with them can go where a 4wd struggles with "standard" tyres. As far as fwd v rwd, when fitted with 4 season, no probs with either, though I do agree that fwd may be easier in general. The S5 has snow mode, so with decent tyres I reckon it will be golden.......
This has got me looking to see what the options are, I am a wee bit reluctant to get rid of the Bridgestones that are on it just now (they seem quite good), but I do know that when the weather comes either it will be parked up or tyres changed
4 season instead of all out winter means you can run the tyres all year round without need for another set of wheels plus you can get pretty efficient and quiet ones too, the make a big difference in heavy rain too

 

[TimothyN]

As I understand things, EVs use different tyres, for a number of reasons including weight, torque delivery, rolling resistance, noise and so on.

So are there 4 Season or Winter tyres designed for EVs?

 

[Lovemyev]

Back in time I owned a BMW 3 series, which was RWD of course.
This came as standard with steel wheels and all season tyres from the factory.
About six months latter, I came across somebody who was selling a complete set of BMW wheels and tyres from a brand new car, because he did not like the factory alloys.
I bought these and used this set as my summer runners, then in about October time I would switch them out for the original steel wheels & tyres.
The rear end of the 3 series was SO light, it was always trying to catch up with the front of the car when we had snow on the ground.
My wife managed to complete a 180 degree turn one morning when going to the school with the kids in the car, scarred the hell out of her !.
The wider alloy wheels and tyres were completely useless in the snow.
The thinner steel wheels and tyres were much better.
The thinner the wheels, the better in the snow.
Some owners resulted in carrying bags of sand etc to add weight to the back end in the winter !.
With the S5 it’s a completely different ball game really, the weight of the car is much better weight distribution due to the traction battery, plus the drive motor etc is mounted at the rear of course.
I would be tempted to give it a go first, then make the call on either going for new wheels etc.
Yeah - Winter tyres are going to be better, but I would give a go first ?.
Then make the call if you don’t feel happy with the current set up .

 

[Wyeknot]

Depends on how many miles you do. I fitted Michelin Cross Climates to my Dacia Duster (2WD) 4 years and 28k miles ago and they're still going strong - all year round. Much better in the winter and fine in the summer months.

 

[Kenp1]

I wouldn't bother with winter tyres, it's just too much hassle having to swap them over.

I fitted Michelin Cross climate 2 all season tyres on my last car and they were excellent in the snow and ice, and great the rest of the year as well. For the MG4 I've just had a set of Good Year Vector 4season tyres fitted.

 

[5teep]

What I was really hoping for is advice for someone who considers himself a grown-up and has decided that he wants winter tyres, if that's ok?

Fine by me, my advice is don't waste your money

 

[TimothyN]

…but we all live in different environments.

I was talking today to my colleagues, many of whom live and work, as I do, in hilly, rural settings, and they simply wouldn't be able to get through the winter without appropriate tyres.

I acknowledge that it's different for people living and working in different environments.

The difference is, I accept your decision, as it affects your life, without question

 

[salty]

I'd favour steel wheels with winter tyres on, then you're not so worried about damaging your alloys through the winter months. There's no downside to using steel wheels.

Agree, no downsides to steel wheels.
Except looks. Personally that wouldn't do for me. I like my motor, looking it's best all year round. If you must have winter tyres,
swop um over. IMO.

 

[Kenp1]

It was said in the Tyre review test that if the Cross climates were in the winter tyre test they would have finished ahead of most of the winter tyres in the snow. and ice test.

There is a downside to the steel wheels, yoiu have tos store them somewhere when you'r not using them.

 

[Ian Key]

…but we all live in different environments.

I was talking today to my colleagues, many of whom live and work, as I do, in hilly, rural settings, and they simply wouldn't be able to get through the winter without appropriate tyres.

I acknowledge that it's different for people living and working in different environments.

The difference is, I accept your decision, as it affects your life, without question

Agreed. You know from past experience how bad the roads get around you and how frequently.

If you need something better than standard tyres I'd go for the Michelin Cross Climates and a decent set of snow chains or socks for that odd occasion it gets a bit dicey.

 

[Knuttt]

I was going to look out for a set of 17" alloys and fit winter tyres to them and keep the nice 18" ones for summer. I won't worry about tyre pressure indicators either, I can check the pressure myself. I've done this on previous cars and am a big fan of winter tyres.

Andy

 

[TimothyN]

Loads of useful information, suggestions and opinions, but, unless I am being blind, no-one has actually answered the original question, which was "are there any winter tyres specifically designed for EVs?"

 

[sammoj]

Yes

iON i*cept SUV - iON | Hankook Tire UK

iON i*cept SUV - iON - EVolutionised to perform more in winter | Hankook Tire UK

www.hankooktire.com

 

[Narrowgauge725]

I fitted Michelin Cross Climates to my MGZSEV and it is doing more miles per kilowatt that it did on the factory fit summer tyres