26 and toasty in Cape Town today :-)
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26 and toasty in Cape Town today :-)
Was due to fly from Edinburgh to Dublin on Monday. Cancelled. Was due to do the same yesterday. Cancelled. Flew Glasgow to Belfast last night. Not a screed if snow or ice on the ground in Belfast. *******os. Got to Kilcock this evening after 29 hours travelling and there was knee high snow and over a foot on the car roof.
Hate the stuff now.
People were giving out about the cold today in Los Angeles. It was about 23 or 24 celcius at noon. Silly bathstuds.
Brian Cowen - "We are a resiliant people"
Irish people - "Arghh, snow!!!"
Arrived home from Mexico yesterday. So. Very. Cold.
Felt warm this morning -2C, -13C last night when I took the dog out for a very quick walk.
I wouldn't mind a bit of snow so I can take my 32" 4wd though its real paces. Give the low differentials a bit of a work out.
We had -14.8C, but last night didn't get much below freezing, so already thawing. Trying to get up the mountains on Tuesday was mental. Got up once I got a clear run at it, but think I'll have to look at additional options tyre wise.
Car was parked at the gf's house the last few nights. I had parked in a snowless dry spot but could I get the thing out last night without slip and shudder, could I hell. Couldn't get it over a 2 inch divot without the most ridiculous driving. Traction on or off made no diff. Gotta shovel the driveway later. Boo.
Due a new set of tyres anyway. Micksgarage have a set of snow covers for tyres on the front page of their site. Check it out. They may not be good enough for your local terrain Macy but they're a good solution for city and suburban driving in Ireland.
The old VW beetle with rwd/rear engine was one of the best 2wd cars I have driven in the snow. The sheer fun factor turning corners at speed is hard to better. Man and car become bonded.
I think it's mad to drive without snow tyres in snow or ice. You can take a short cut and just have the 2 driven wheels fitted with snow tyres. If you have rear wheel drive, then add to snow tyre traction by putting 2 or 3 cement bags in the boot or if you can tolerate it - the mother in law in the backseat.
Not just yanks, I go by inches as do most I know:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Schumi
feck all snow over in West london at all, damn!!!
Snow socks or chains are only really a "get me home" option. Not ruled out yet though, as once "up" the roads aren't too bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
I've resisted winter tyres since I moved to the mountains, but beginning to rethink given the prolonged spell last winter and now this winter already. We're well into the second week now. Also thinking about "All weathers" as a compromise. From what I've read, only changing 2 wheels is quite a short cut and negates a lot of the benefit. Unfortunately a lot comes down to money - I'm sure now isn't the time to be buying Winter tyres!Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
2 winter tyres on the driven wheels gives more traction to the driven wheels and increases the overall safety, that is beyond doubt. Of course it is better and safer to have 4.
Don't waste your money on all-weather tyres for the purpose of getting better traction on snow/icy roads and living in a hilly area.
When conditions permit you replace the winter tyres with regular tyres. The traction benefits of winter tyres gradually deteriorate after 5,000km of use. It is not just the depth and softness of the thread that gives you the traction but also the material composition. That material is present in the outer layer of the thread.
I get the swapping back in the summer, but thought I'd get longer out of the winter tyres to be honest. I was considering part worn. Mind you, even post 5000km would have to be better summer tyres.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Maybe I should make myself more clear. For 5k you have optimum grip, after that - between 5k -20k you have 75% of the optimum grip - going down to 50%. Thats why you would change them to summer tyres as soon as you hit early spring feb - you would want to preserve the traction quality.
But even at 20k, there is still better traction with a snow tyre than a brand new all-weather.
Then when you think that they're on their last threads - traction wise, you can just leave them on in early spring time, until they go bald.
All-Weather are a compromise, but a poor compromise in my experience, the thread material is too hard and your car will be sliding like a dog on ice.
I can't believe it took a full week for someone to bite!Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Ad at the top of the page is for those snow shoes from Micksgarage.
Google's watching.
The one at the side of the page is asking me "Which snow tires are best". In sunny New Orleans. Google's not infallible yet.
You just had to get Noo Awlins in there didn't ya... gloating b*stard! :)
The snow is to make a comeback tonight. I hope it comes and thaws before Christmas Eve, otherwise travel will be a nightmare that day.
The only place I could source winter tyres from could only give me two, so went with the snow socks instead for this winter, and have the reminder set for August 2011 to get sorted for next winter! Plan is to source a spare set of rims and the have them available to swap - should get a 3 or 4 winters out of them. Although, I doubt it'll be as hard to get them in future years - I doubt the tyre manufacturers will get caught short again next winter.