Winter Tyres

[h1_hsr]

Do winter tyres have to be studded in Finland? or can they be any good winter tyres? for example Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme.

some EU countries dont allow studded tyres so just wondering if they have to be.

[Andythefinn]

No they don't have to be studded (nastarenkaat), but do have to be winter tyres - studless (kitkarenkaat).
Personally i've tried both over the years here, and would definitly have studded tryes. Buuuuuut, i'm sure there be others here that'll guide you in another direction..

[Pursuivant]

They're "legal" as long as they're marked M/S M+S or such and have more than 3mm or groove left. However if they're made for French Cot d'Azur "winters" then you might be in for a surprise if you're in Lappland at -30. Should be fine on the south coast, though I'm driving the Porsche to the cottage today on my "summer slicks"... (need to add that they are marked M+S so technically they're legal)

[h1_hsr]

Thanks for the infomation, I am planning to buy then in the UK as they will be alot cheaper and can get hold of pretty good ones but trying to get studded ones are difficult in the UK as they are not road legal.

[Tiwaz]

Thanks for the infomation, I am planning to buy then in the UK as they will be alot cheaper and can get hold of pretty good ones but trying to get studded ones are difficult in the UK as they are not road legal.

Just make sure you get good ones which are not meant for South European use. Conditions in Finland are simply often far too extreme for those. There have been cases when winter tires meant for Japanese markets have been sold in Finland,. Their performance in Finnish conditions was abysmal, which is surprising considering conditions on Hokkaido.

And remember to drive even more carefully when you come here. I personally would recommend anyone unfamiliar with Finnish style winter conditions or who drives little to have quality studded tires which are far more forgiving to any mistakes than ones without studs.

[h1_hsr]

Hi, thanks I have found a couple I think are good but need to make sure one of the ones I want are m+s

1) Continental ContiwinterContact TS800 OR the TS 830
2) Continental ExtremeContact DWS

I am not sure if the Continental ExtremeContact DWS are M+S or with snow flake so need to find out.

As everyone say probbaly, I am quite a experienced driver; not trying to say I am the best driver ever know to man. And I dont take silly chances when roads are bad as anything can happen and people can die. Whereas in the summer on dry road its a different story, lol.

[h1_hsr]

Just found out that the Continental ExtremeContact DWS are not good for the european roads as they are for the Americans where they dont see any bends. lol

[jas_rho]

Just found out that the Continental ExtremeContact DWS are not good for the european roads as they are for the Americans where they dont see any bends. lol

No bends in American roads? Interesting

[mrjimsfc]

Just found out that the Continental ExtremeContact DWS are not good for the european roads as they are for the Americans where they dont see any bends. lol

No bends in American roads? Interesting

Oh, there are bends allright, we just can't see them.

[h1_hsr]

It was what Continental Tec said to me, hehe.

I am going to get the ContiWinter Contact TS780. Has anyone used these ones before? And how much would they cost in Finland?

[Pursuivant]

ContiWinter Contact TS780.

They sell Continental "Viking" here? www.vannetukku.fi for example...

Continental Conti4x4WinterContact Kitka 235/75-15 T
[tuotenro: T2357515Conti4x4KITKA]

160.85EUR

Pretty ripe price (thats for one) I get a set for 200

[h1_hsr]

That quite alot then, So i would be better off buying the ContiWinter Contact TS780 in the UK for only £46 each or a set of 4 for £175.

thanks for the web site too.

[Pursuivant]

Just check/ask if they sell the "viking" too and what the price is... /and why... that was for 4wd =bubble tyres... then again the trucks and buses in Finland don't change tyres...

Only thing I can tell you is
- a) do not "think"
- b) do not drive like in "foreigne countries"
- c) do not drive like an idiot thinking winter tyres makes summer speeds


... I guess that covers the "do not drive like a woman" and "drive like 18 year-old-with-fresh-licence"...

Today here was 'interesting' but now I have a FWD vs. BWD I need to drive like a piss in the sock... best car is a BWP-EOT!!!