winter tyres selection

Vatats · Post by **Vatats** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 6:10 pm

I will move from Germany to Finland during January.
I am planning to change my winter tyres for my car.
Could someone explain to me the difference between the Continental ContiVikingContact 5 and Continental ContiWinterContact TS850?
Are the Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 suitable for Finnish winters?

thanks

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Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:06 pm

Most people use a studded tyre.

These usually come first in the tests, assuming you want the best performance.

http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=12091290&group=1.01

I've used versions 3, 5 and now 7. All are good and perform much better on ice than a simple friction tyre. If you're moving somewhere in Finland which has mainly snow-covered roads, then the friction tyre might be a good option. Otherwise go for studs.

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:14 pm

I've just read some reviews, so just to pre-empt the inevitable retard who will turn up to say that the ContiIceContact came first TM's tests last year, I will state it first

But Nokian HP studded tyres have won every other test I have ever checked.

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:27 pm

Karhunkoski wrote:Most people use a studded tyre.

I want to emphasize that this is a necessity in any normal winter.

All cars you see here driving in winter conditions have studded tyres. Therefore the streets are usually not salted like in Germany, and having some ice on the streets is perfectly normal even on motorways.

When your car is the only one on the street without studded tyres, it is pretty clear what will happen when the driver in the car in front of you uses his brakes...

Mook · Post by **Mook** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:59 pm

Adrian42 wrote:
Karhunkoski wrote:Most people use a studded tyre.
I want to emphasize that this is a necessity in any normal winter.

All cars you see here driving in winter conditions have studded tyres. Therefore the streets are usually not salted like in Germany, and having some ice on the streets is perfectly normal even on motorways.

When your car is the only one on the street without studded tyres, it is pretty clear what will happen when the driver in the car in front of you uses his brakes...

This is a joke, right? Plenty of people have friction Winter tires.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:30 pm

Mook wrote:
Adrian42 wrote:
Karhunkoski wrote:Most people use a studded tyre.
All cars you see here driving in winter conditions have studded tyres. Therefore the streets are usually not salted like in Germany, and having some ice on the streets is perfectly normal even on motorways.

When your car is the only one on the street without studded tyres, it is pretty clear what will happen when the driver in the car in front of you uses his brakes...
This is a joke, right? Plenty of people have friction Winter tires.

More and more people use friction ones. I wouldn't want to see all using them, the intersections would be impossible if they were polished by unstudded tyres all the time.

If the driver in front of you brakes and you hit him, you drove too close. Enter the traffic in Helsinki and you can't keep proper distance as there will be someone who will take that spot.

As for someone moving here: get studded ones first after couple of winters make new decision. Studs will lose their grip more gradually than friction winter tyres and regain the traction faster. Or at least that is the limited experience that I have.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:32 pm

Living on south the coast, only driving "in the city" not going further north than ring III... meh.. 50/60 friction. Living in Nowheremaki = studs. Though the "global warming" seems to be bringing back "proper winters". then again moders cars with all kinds of ABS UPS EMT DDT that remove any feeling or control from driving - can't say. i've never driven and won't drive a car in the winter where I can't "feel my ass".

Deuce · Post by **Deuce** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 3:43 pm

Moving to Finland in Febuary next year, winter tyres are a must but is there a garage off the ferry close enough to get my tyres done when i arrive ?oh ea i'll be arriving in Helsinki.

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:19 pm

Deuce wrote: is there a garage off the ferry

Hint: You might want to explain whether you're arriving in Vaasa, Naantali, Turku or Helsinki?

Clarky78 · Post by **Clarky78** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:14 pm

I'm sharing a similar concern, except that I am driving there, and I A; can't buy studs in England, and B; Can't legally use them in England, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark (not sure on that one), so I will have to use friction tyres. Buying friction tyres is easy in UK, buying Nordic ones is not! I have found only 2 available here. the Michelin Xice XI3 and the Pirelli Winter Ice Control. I have found some Nokian Hakkapeliitta R too, but I would have to pay more for those.. More than they cost in Finland which is annoying. Anyone got experience with any of these tyres? One of my biggest concerns is that it will probably be either dry or wet, but no snow till I reach Sweden, and these may not handle all that well in those conditions..

I have considered driving on normal tyres until Denmark or so and buying and fitting there, but to find a dealer is hard. The Vianor website doesn't cover Denmark it seem's, and I don't know at what point I will need to change over.. Assuming I made it as far as Malmo in Sweden, I could possibly do it there, but I'm not sure. Also Sweden is damn expensive!! Other option is buy winter tyres from Finland, ship them to UK, take the winters in the boot, and change them myself midway, in the freezing cold at a services...!

dave071061 · Post by **dave071061** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:22 pm

Clarky78 wrote:I'm sharing a similar concern, except that I am driving there, and I A; can't buy studs in England, and B; Can't legally use them in England, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark (not sure on that one), so I will have to use friction tyres. Buying friction tyres is easy in UK, buying Nordic ones is not! I have found only 2 available here. the Michelin Xice XI3 and the Pirelli Winter Ice Control. I have found some Nokian Hakkapeliitta R too, but I would have to pay more for those.. More than they cost in Finland which is annoying. Anyone got experience with any of these tyres? One of my biggest concerns is that it will probably be either dry or wet, but no snow till I reach Sweden, and these may not handle all that well in those conditions..

I have considered driving on normal tyres until Denmark or so and buying and fitting there, but to find a dealer is hard. The Vianor website doesn't cover Denmark it seem's, and I don't know at what point I will need to change over.. Assuming I made it as far as Malmo in Sweden, I could possibly do it there, but I'm not sure. Also Sweden is damn expensive!! Other option is buy winter tyres from Finland, ship them to UK, take the winters in the boot, and change them myself midway, in the freezing cold at a services...!

Buy M&S tyres in the UK, and hope for good weather

they are legal in all countries including Finland, and unless you get sheet ice on the roads they will be OK if you take it easy and the weather isn´t too bad.
BTW your last option would be expensive as you would have to buy the rims as well,

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:28 am

dave071061 wrote:Buy M&S tyres in the UK, and hope for good weather they are legal in all countries including Finland, and unless you get sheet ice on the roads they will be OK if you take it easy and the weather isn´t too bad.
BTW your last option would be expensive as you would have to buy the rims as well,

And what is your plan B for him when the weather is bad?

Clarky78 · Post by **Clarky78** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:52 am

I'm going to be buying new rims anyway, as the car take 18" rims and I want the winter set in 16"..

I emailed Nokian about the WR A3 which is readily available here, and much cheaper than Hakkapeliitta, but, the reply was I probably won't survive on them in Finland!

aguinness · Post by **aguinness** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 2:13 am

your options are narrowing from what they were a couple of months ago, if I was you at this stage I would buy studded tyres in Sweden ( I think winter tyres are not a legal requirement in Denmark) Having said that I have driven the 700 odd km from Stockholm to Malmö on Summer tyres when Winters were legally required on a reverse trip from Finland to Ireland, but it was pointed out to me during that trip that the fine for getting caught is per tyre !

dave071061 · Post by **dave071061** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:41 am

Adrian42 wrote:
dave071061 wrote:Buy M&S tyres in the UK, and hope for good weather they are legal in all countries including Finland, and unless you get sheet ice on the roads they will be OK if you take it easy and the weather isn´t too bad.
BTW your last option would be expensive as you would have to buy the rims as well,
And what is your plan B for him when the weather is bad?

A hotel for a night or 2, the main roads don´t stay bad for very long once a storm has passed

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