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AIBU?

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Original poster

To have winter tyres

45 replies

Imustbemad00 · 13/08/2019 14:37

I don’t know a lot about cars. I needed my tyres replaced as they were worn. Had it done, didn’t think to ask, but have noticed they are winter tyres (snowflake symbol)
Are these fine to use all year round?? I definitely won’t be getting them changed after winter. Can’t afford that.
I would of thought summer ones would be better all year round as our winters are mild (down south).
A google has shown winter tyres are best below 7 degrees and percentage or ratio wise we have many more days over 7 than below over the year.

Not sure what I can do about it now Confused

OP posts:
AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 13/08/2019 14:40

I have never really used winter tyres in the UK. They wear out much quicker than standard and I don't think we experience harsh enough winters. I have winter tyres and wheels for my car if we are driving to the Alps in winter but I don't use them here at all.

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 13/08/2019 14:41

Did you pay over the odds? Where did you get them done? Personally I would return to the tyre place and ask to have them swapped out.

MissConductUS · 13/08/2019 14:42

We have winter tyres for one of our cars. You can drive on them year round but how much wear you get out of them depends on the specific tyre. Some are made of a softer rubber compound. That lets them grip the road better in the cold, but it also makes them wear out faster.

Have you asked the garage that installed them for you? What brand and model are they?

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 13/08/2019 14:43

Just a thought, have you Google the tyre brand etc? Some are all year round tyres and have the snowflake symbol to show they meet the minimum requirements for winter

HeyYouWhatToDo · 13/08/2019 14:43

Our "summer" tyres are actually mud and snow tyres....they were on when we got the car brand-new. Could it be that you have the same.

They are a lot different to our actual winter tyres that work so much better on ice than our normal tyres.

bouncingraindrops · 13/08/2019 14:46

Not necessary but not a problem either. Next time you need tyres do your research. Most tyre places online will give detailed information for the tyres that fit your car. You then choose the tyre you think best suits. They could be all weather tyres, but the brand alone won't tell you that, is there any information other than the brand on the tyre?

Can you post pic?

bouncingraindrops · 13/08/2019 14:48

Both of my cars wear Michelin cross climate+ all year round. They are a decent tyre but at almost £150 a piece they may not suit all budgets.

Ayemama · 13/08/2019 14:53

I have winter tyres on my car all year around. My other half is a mechanic and his brother has a small tyre fitting company. Mine are middle of the range and normally last about 2/3 years and I do quite a bit of mileage.
My OH says they are safer and we can get them for a great price so just always get them.

Singletomingle · 13/08/2019 15:01

Even the manufacturers say winter tyres should not be used in summer as they are unsafe. Less grip and they wear out quicker, however are you absolutely sure they are winter tyres it is pretty diffucult to get hold of them this time of year and they are more expensive so unlikely a garage would have just stuck them on or would have them lying around.

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 13/08/2019 15:29

Its a big tyre specialist place that does both new and part
Worn tyres. They are part worn tyres, they were cheap, I wasn’t expecting to need all new tyres.
I just gather from the snowflake symbol they are winter tyres. Not all the same brand.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 13/08/2019 15:31

I think it might be a problem if I go back and ask them to change them. They’ll probably bump the price up which I can’t afford.

I should of specified. I just didn’t think at the time.

OP posts:
bouncingraindrops · 13/08/2019 15:32

Oh dear. Sounds like they have just thrown on whatever. No comeback there at all, they are not even new.

bouncingraindrops · 13/08/2019 15:33

Yes, they won't change them. Why would they? They have palmed off their shit tyres on you.

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 13/08/2019 15:34

I know that tyres can be expensive but part worn are just not a good idea if you can avoid them. It's worth shopping around as much as possible as new budget brand tyres can be reasonable.

Toodeloo · 13/08/2019 15:36

I have winter tyres all year round... personally I’d rather have good grip when the weather turns crap. Don’t drive enough to notice them wearing down that much quicker.

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 13/08/2019 15:49

It’s a very well known place with a good reputation locally. Lots of people buy their part worn tyres. It’s not that I’m worried about. They have no need ‘to palm off their shit tyres’ on me. As I said, they are very busy.

OP posts:
Knitclubchatter · 13/08/2019 16:00

Good grief, used part worn tires all four different?? Illegal where I live!

AnnieOH1 · 13/08/2019 16:04

They're potentially cross climate. How much milage do you realistically do? I've used winter tyres through summer on a car I only did around 6,000 miles in and it made not one jot of difference.

I would strongly urge you away from part worns though. How they're not illegal is beyond me.

bouncingraindrops · 13/08/2019 16:04

They have no need ‘to palm off their shit tyres’ on me.

Ahh don't defend them please. They have you winter tyres without so much as asking what you wanted. They totally got rid of those that were lying about.

Viviene · 13/08/2019 16:20

Can you see what make and model the tyres are? It is written on the tyre. Google it and you'll see if they are all year or winter tyres.

MadisonMontgomery · 13/08/2019 16:27

I would be careful, there was a place like that near my old job - everyone raved about them, they were so cheap etc. Then someone took their car to a regular garage and found out their tyres were all different ones which I gather is illegal. Personally, I wouldn’t be happy to have winter tyres on all year, I have them on my car December-March then swap to summer tyres.

Knitclubchatter · 13/08/2019 16:33

Winter tires will lead the car to have poorer gas mileage and since they are stiffer will affect your shocks.
Blizzak brand tires can be used after their final winter as all seasons for the remainder of that year.
Honestly OP have you even checked the tires expiry date??

MissConductUS · 13/08/2019 16:38

Not all the same brand.

In the US this isn't allowed as different tyres have different handling and wear characteristics. It would be like wearing two different shoes at the same time.

Utini · 13/08/2019 16:44

What is the issue with part worn tires? I've never bought them myself, but surely they're checked to make sure they meet minimum standards?

Seems a bit wasteful to throw away tires when a car is scrapped, if they're still roadworthy.

adaline · 13/08/2019 16:46

Busy does not equal good.