wider tyres

[Sir Brixalot]

I've got 15" empi type wheels on. My current tyres are 195s but I can go to 215 wide. As I'm looking at buying winter tyres my thinking is that wider tyres would be better in snow(if we get any). Am I right?

[Jim San]

I always thought the opposite. Narrow tyres fro driving in snow so they can cut into snow

[ghost123uk]

As I'm looking at buying winter tyres my thinking is that wider tyres would be better in snow(if we get any). Am I right?

Sorry, not right. The extra surface area on the road reduces the weight per square inch, which makes the wheel more likely to skid on snow (etc)
Check THESE IMAGES out.

I have read that the compound "Winter tyres" are made from has a big effect on grip though, but I am no expert on that.

[Sir Brixalot]

Yes I've heard that the rubber on some cheap tyres goes too hard when its really cold. I was thinking of Coopers which are a good price and seem to have decent reviews.

[kit]

Who gets snow?

[greasemonkey]

I wouldn't worry about an increase of 20mm wider tyre affecting grip in snow on a 2 tonne van. The quality of the tyre will be more important.

Winter tyres are a different compound that stay soft below 7 degrees, so you have improved grip not just in snow but just cold weather generally. For snow they have larger tread patterns and lots of sipes.

The balance is they will wear very quickly in 'normal' weather and also you should change them after a few years regardless as the compound hardens.

I had winter tyres once and they were very good in snow as you'd expect, but we haven't had much down here in the last few years so don't bother now. It really depends if you live in an area that gets a lot, or use in mud etc as the sipes and tread can also help there.

[nordberg]

I can remember years back when I went to the RAC rally stage at Donnington Park. They got us all to park in a big sodden field. Me in my Fiat Uno 55, and 90% of the rest of the cars were Escort Mexico, RS etc with wide arches and wide tyres. After the rally stage had finished There was a mass exodus and I was a little concerned that I would get caught up in traffic on the way out. I was amazed at just how many of these Rally look alike performance cars couldn't move. They just sat on the sodden grass digging themselves into a hole . I on the other hand with my less impressive looking car, just pootled out of the field without a care in the world. I learnt a valuable lesson that day. I liken my car back then to the earlier Citroen 2CV, which again doesn't look very impressive, but pootles over ploughed fields with ease due to the narrow wheel / tyre profile

[Sir Brixalot]

I had a 55 tough as old boots, got swiped a few times while driving it and insurance payouts mean I was eventually driving a free car. Had a punto GT later on, fun but not the best in the wet or on corners!