winter tyres

[pwlc]

Hi
I have a knaus sky Ti 2012 model. I need to put winter tyres on for my up comong trip to Austria as it is still a legal requiremnet until the end of April. I have decided to purchase the whole wheels with the tyres as I will be able to change them over myself every season instead of keep getting the tyres changed. My question is my wheels are 15" but i am thinking of putting 16" Alloys on as they are more ready available and work out cheaper does anyone know if this will affect the milage or performance of my van
Thank you for any bodies help or advise.

 

[Boringfrog]

 

[gus-lopez]

It will definitely alter the speedo reading. Are the 15" alloys as well ? If not the alloys might need different bolts as well.

 

[The Dudess]

 

[tonyidle]

You can work out the percentage change from the rolling circumference of each size. My experience of Fiat speedos suggests it will become more accurate. Check before you switch wheels using GPS.

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[pappajohn]

Yes, it will alter the gear ratio unless you fit slightly lower aspect ratio tyres to compensate for the larger rims.. ...maybe a 65 instead of a 70 or a 60 instead of 65.
Different aspect ratios affect the rolling radius of the tyre.
inclines will need more frequent down changes without lower ratio tyres..
You will also need to inform your insurers.
As long as the tyres have the snow symbol (snow flake) they will be accepted and much better sticking some all season tyres on your standard rims and using all year round.

 

[funflair]

It will definitely alter the speedo reading. Are the 15" alloys as well ? If not the alloys might need different bolts as well.

And raise the gearing slightly, will also need to check clearances.

Martin

Oops sorry been said already

 

[pwlc]

Thanks everyone for your input. A bit more to it than I relised. Thanks for advise.

 

[jonandshell]

Why alloys?
Salty roads will corrode them, snow chains will scratch them, thieves will nick them and they need different bolts!

 

[Lenny HB]

I think 16" wheels have a different PCD so they won't fit. Why not just do what others do fit winter tyres and use all year round.

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[Ridgeway]

I'd recommend 4 seasons tyres rather than pure Winters. At that time of year winters could take a real pounding as they don't like too much heat.

When you say it's a legal requirement, this is only the case in "winter conditions" or perhaps above a certain altitude.

 

[Lenny HB]

From Jan 2018 four season tyres without snowflake marking will not be acceptable in countries that require winter tyres.

 

[funflair]

From Jan 2018 four season tyres without snowflake marking will not be acceptable in countries that require winter tyres.

That doesn't surprise me, if they have not got the snowflake they don't have the winter capability so they can't be fourseasons in my book.

Martin

 

[Ridgeway]

From Jan 2018 four season tyres without snowflake marking will not be acceptable in countries that require winter tyres.

Nothing has changed in that sense as what you describe is a 3 season tyre.....

 

[Lenny HB]

Nothing has changed in that sense as what you describe is a 3 season tyre.....

Tyres on last van were 4 season m&s marked but no Snowflake OK for winter use until new laws come into force in Jan 2018.

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[pwlc]

I have gone if the idea of alloys now. You made a good point jonandshell. I just thought they would look nice !!!We are going to Austria to catch the last of the ski season. Also we are planning to go over new year so this was going to be a bit of practice ( while the weather was better) to see how we managed skiing and camping. Most countries winter tyres are a legal requirement or recommended till march. But not Austria. The fine can be up to €5000 apparently. We need them for end of year anyway.we thought if we had the wheels as well we could change them ourselves rather than getting a tyre bar to keep changing tyres over.Are all season tyres legal in heavy snow conditions.
Also i know its early but any winter camping skiing tips would be useful. Our van is fully winterised but would like some info on heating costs etc.does using electric work out expensive we have built in gas but noticed Austria doesn't have so many lpg pumps.
Thanks for any advise
Pwlc

 

[EX51SSS]

 

[Lenny HB]

Are all season tyres legal in heavy snow conditions.

Read my post #12, only legal until the end of this year then they must have the snowflake making in countries that specify winter tyres.
Continental winter tyres are fine for all year round use, if you contact them they will confirm this. Very little increase in noise & wear rates in summer and lets face it you are not burning down motorways at over a ton in a motorhome.
I've met a couple who live in the south of France and take their van to Greece every year who use these tyres all year round, the guy was English with his own tyre company in France.

 

[funflair]

Interesting read about M+S vs 3PMSF (3 peak mountain snowflake) incidentally the only tyres I have seen that are Four seasons are the Continental as others are "all season" which you would think should be 4 but it doesn't seem to work that way.

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-article/winter-tyres-don-t-rely-on-the-m-s-mark

And the Martin in the article is not me.

Martin

 

[jonandshell]

I have gone if the idea of alloys now. You made a good point jonandshell. I just thought they would look nice !!!We are going to Austria to catch the last of the ski season. Also we are planning to go over new year so this was going to be a bit of practice ( while the weather was better) to see how we managed skiing and camping. Most countries winter tyres are a legal requirement or recommended till march. But not Austria. The fine can be up to €5000 apparently. We need them for end of year anyway.we thought if we had the wheels as well we could change them ourselves rather than getting a tyre bar to keep changing tyres over.Are all season tyres legal in heavy snow conditions.
Also i know its early but any winter camping skiing tips would be useful. Our van is fully winterised but would like some info on heating costs etc.does using electric work out expensive we have built in gas but noticed Austria doesn't have so many lpg pumps.
Thanks for any advise
Pwlc

You should be OK if you make your estimates based on a 13kg propane cylinder lasting 3 days if used for heating.
If you are going to higher altitude, figure on 2 days per cylinder to be safe.
Remember a lot of continental sites limit your amperage on EHU so don't rely solely on that for heating!
We have diesel heating on our van, but we have gained knowledge of the gas consumption from fellow Funsters.
Hope this helps.

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[Ridgeway]

It's perhaps a UK thing but nobody would call a 4 season tyre a 4 season tyre unless it was just that, not even sure I've ever seen 3 season tyres here. There's 2 obligations, one can be legal depending upon the country and the other can be your insurance although I'm not aware of any UK insurers that have winter condition policies, here all of them do.

I've been running 4 season tyres for 12yrs on my cars and have no issue although they aren't as capable as true winter tyres. They struggle with deeper/fresh snow and also at colder temperatures but overall they cover 95% of conditions.