Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Nickbat on 08 January 2013, 22:30:31
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This weekend.
Just sayin'..... ;)
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About time, bring it on....... :y :y :y That said I am off work 'sick' at the moment.......... :'( :'( :'(
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Snow and freezing temps for at least a week, I'd say.
Nickbat (your OOF weatherman!) ;)
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YAY!! Because of work rules (I walk with a stick) I get to work from home if there's snow on the ground
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:y :y :y great about 6 foot will be nice :D :D :D
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YAY!! Because of work rules (I walk with a stick) I get to work from home if there's snow on the ground
Now that is interesting..... ;) ;) ;)
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I guess it's kinds handy I work in the H&S department :y
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Could be a major event.
£4 snow shovels at Tesco I hear.
Just sayin' ;)
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Anyone with sports contact 3 tyres or similar tread pattern, stay at home.
In a test of winter tyres they tested a summer tyre as an example as well.
All winter tyres had stopped when braking from 30mph. At which point sc3 where still doing 25mph. :o
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Q cem. ;D ;)
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I guess it's kinds handy I work in the H&S department :y
For a Council??
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Wish I'd bought a set of Chains when Lidl had them on offer... :(
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Anyone with sports contact 3 tyres or similar tread pattern, stay at home.
In a test of winter tyres they tested a summer tyre as an example as well.
All winter tyres had stopped when braking from 30mph. At which point sc3 where still doing 25mph. :o
That has always been my point about winter tyres. It is on snow they really really come into their own. Would never go out on summers in snow again.
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Anyone with sports contact 3 tyres or similar tread pattern, stay at home.
In a test of winter tyres they tested a summer tyre as an example as well.
All winter tyres had stopped when braking from 30mph. At which point sc3 where still doing 25mph. :o
That has always been my point about winter tyres. It is on snow they really really come into their own. Would never go out on summers in snow again.
But we do not get enough snow to go out and buy winter tyres, as a matter of course, hell I bought a Jeep 2 years ago after a bad winter, seen hardly anything to worry about since..... ::) ::) ::)
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Q cem. ;D ;)
the moment I see snow I thought about Mr Admin.. will he prepare snow tyres or not ;D
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Winter tyre test next week then :y
I won't bother swapping the wheels back just yet ::)
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today someone was trying to move his car on nearly a flat surface (no winter tyres obviously) and the car fleet behind him all had to move backwards as he was desperate.. :-\
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Anyone with sports contact 3 tyres or similar tread pattern, stay at home.
In a test of winter tyres they tested a summer tyre as an example as well.
All winter tyres had stopped when braking from 30mph. At which point sc3 where still doing 25mph. :o
That has always been my point about winter tyres. It is on snow they really really come into their own. Would never go out on summers in snow again.
But we do not get enough snow to go out and buy winter tyres, as a matter of course, hell I bought a Jeep 2 years ago after a bad winter, seen hardly anything to worry about since..... ::) ::) ::)
hence stay at home, IMO.
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I think tomorrow's Express may be over-egging it, but you get my drift (pardon the pun!)
https://twitter.com/UKSnowUpdates/status/289133363305013248/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/UKSnowUpdates/status/289133363305013248/photo/1)
;) ;)
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We should have guessed this would happen, seeing as there's a bloody great shipment of bushes just arrived on Pedders door step. It's the same every year. If rear donuts need doing....whoosh. Snow! ::)
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Hmm. Until Eternal pull their finger out, choice is MX5 or Westfield. Well, as I moved the VPN to a server that actually isn't dead today, I guess work from home too. I wonder which one I will go for if it snows? :-\
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is this coming from the same met office that said we would freeze for a month back not so long ago ::)
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Looking on here http://meteox.co.uk/h.aspx?r=&jaar=-3&soort=loop1uur (http://meteox.co.uk/h.aspx?r=&jaar=-3&soort=loop1uur) will possibly only be in the south until thursday
I got some of those chains from lidl - perhaps might have a trial fit over the weekend
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I bought a set from Lidl last winter.Trouble is my Omega now has different sized wheels on it,and I will be using the Cavalier in the snow/ice anyway,which they also wont fit. ::) ;D
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Hmm. Until Eternal pull their finger out, choice is MX5 or Westfield. Well, as I moved the VPN to a server that actually isn't dead today, I guess work from home too. I wonder which one I will go for if it snows? :-\
mmmm, a westfield with a full set of M&S tyres on it, now that is one mode of transport I would love to try. ::) :y
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Hmm. Until Eternal pull their finger out, choice is MX5 or Westfield. Well, as I moved the VPN to a server that actually isn't dead today, I guess work from home too. I wonder which one I will go for if it snows? :-\
mmmm, a westfield with a full set of M&S tyres on it, now that is one mode of transport I would love to try. ::) :y
Can you buy studded tyres in the UK ::)
Stay at home is probably the answer, as I suspect the Westfield will make a very effective tobogan if we get more tha a couple of inches :-\
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
My Runways behaved impeccably in last years....Oh never mind ::)
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Can you buy studded tyres in the UK ::)
I would think that studded tyres are illegal here. :-\
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
::) ::)
Mr DTM I hope you wont need to stop urgently..
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
Neither did I when driving the Astra ....... the Omega was a completely different story though ;)
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
Neither did I when driving the Astra ....... the Omega was a completely different story though ;)
As the Astra is fwd you may have traction depending on the road condition and good condition tyres..
but brakes I'm not that sure..
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
Neither did I when driving the Astra ....... the Omega was a completely different story though ;)
Never had an issue in the omega either, just drove to the conditions and set the car up accordingly.
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
Neither did I when driving the Astra ....... the Omega was a completely different story though ;)
Never had an issue in the omega either, just drove to the conditions and set the car up accordingly.
half a ton weight in the boot ;D
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
::) ::)
Mr DTM I hope you wont need to stop urgently..
If I stopped any faster then the person behind me would be pushing me on :y
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
::) ::)
Mr DTM I hope you wont need to stop urgently..
If I stopped any faster then the person behind me would be pushing me on :y
;D and the clever answers are ready as usual ;D :y
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Well I guess the jag will remain parked up as soon as the snow hits the ground. It's bad enough in the dry ffs.
Unless anyone can find me snow chains for 255/45/17 ::)
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Now then. Should I panic or should I think of all the winters we've had in the past when it really did snow, not the one-day two inch jobbies we get now. You know, the ones where you used to just get on with it in your little car with three inch wide, baldy tyres ;D
Man up, wimps.
And Marks DTM has no problem stopping at all. The car in front acts as a perfect buffer ;D
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Now then. Should I panic or should I think of all the winters we've had in the past when it really did snow, not the one-day two inch jobbies we get now. You know, the ones where you used to just get on with it in your little car with three inch wide, baldy tyres ;D
Man up, wimps.
And Marks DTM has no problem stopping at all. The car in front acts as a perfect buffer ;D
yep.. now I remember ;D :y
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... .... just drove to the conditions and set the car up accordingly.
Like wise, but it still wouldn't climb the hill home! Easier to park it up & leave it. ;)
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Never had any issues in the snow with standard tyres. :y
Ahem, summer tyres, cough.
Beware the assumption all summer tyres handle similar in snow. Sc3 are particularly horrific in snow. Way worse than anything else in snow. They simply do not stop. Hence the perfect example for use in tests with winter tyres for winter tyre manufacturers. ;) it highlights their advantage.
Generally though, I agree fully. It simply is not worth winter tyres for the amount of snow we get in the uk .... so far.
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I discovered that in summer tyres V-shaped thread design gives you some traction on snow but when you brake you discover that there is no brake!!!! :o ;D besides when you turn a corner ,... erm you turn the steering but there is no steering!!! ;D
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Not my experience cem, tbh. ... Put it another way.
If all summer tyres perform like sc3 in snow, winter tyre sales would be much higher than they are. MUCH higher.
I notice Goodyear eagle F1 have a very similar tread design. Although I guess there's more to it than that.
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Time to check the ole musso 4x4 system is still working ok,( which it is).... snow shovel...tow chain,
( to rescue others)..skid mats...all present and correct sah :y
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I shall park the Signum and break out the Discovery,bring it on :y :y
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Well I guess the jag will remain parked up as soon as the snow hits the ground. It's bad enough in the dry ffs.
Unless anyone can find me snow chains for 255/45/17 ::)
Afraid I can't help you there :'( stupidly expensive tyres only for you :-\
Not my experience cem, tbh. ...
+1 ::) if you can't stop in time, you're either going too fast or you are too close.
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Glad I've got Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's fitted then, just hope channel crossings are not affected :-\
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As long as it's not too windy and the trains don't freeze up, there is no reason why the ferries should suffer :y
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Glad I've got Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's fitted then, just hope channel crossings are not affected :-\
If it gets really, really bad you could always drive across it in your Dunlop Winter Sports. ;)
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Glad I've got Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's fitted then, just hope channel crossings are not affected :-\
If it gets really, really bad you could always drive across it in your Dunlop Winter Sports. ;)
;D ;D ;D ;D
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I would buy a ticket to watch that. :y ;D ;D ;D
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Looking on here http://meteox.co.uk/h.aspx?r=&jaar=-3&soort=loop1uur (http://meteox.co.uk/h.aspx?r=&jaar=-3&soort=loop1uur) will possibly only be in the south until thursday
I got some of those chains from lidl - perhaps might have a trial fit over the weekend
Good luck with that.
Took all of ingenuity to get them back in the box !!
bought some of these instead.
http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_8,cos_8.5,cos_8.5.2/139590B
A minute to fit. In freezing snow, its what you want.
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Good luck with that.
Took all of ingenuity to get them back in the box !!
AH well a couple of nails in the garage wall will give me somewhere to store them for the other 50 weeks of the year ::)
bought some of these instead.
http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_8,cos_8.5,cos_8.5.2/139590B
A minute to fit. In freezing snow, its what you want.
They do look good but pricey for two weeks a year - or even the 2-3 days when some roads are bad ::)
Really only bought them for emergency, when driving skill just aint enough and need to get home
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I don't reckon it'll snow, might be a bit chilly at nights though! ;)
However I was thinking about shaving my beard off.... Might wait a few more weeks yet!! ::)
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I don't reckon it'll snow, might be a bit chilly at nights though! ;)
However I was thinking about shaving my beard off.... Might wait a few more weeks yet!! ::)
I may just remind you of this post next week, Tigger. ;)
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I think Nickbat reads the express. ;) have you seen that paper? It's as obsessed with the weather as the mail is to driving its readers to suicide. ...or anyone associated with its readers to suicide, more likely.
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I think Nickbat reads the express. ;) have you seen that paper? It's as obsessed with the weather as the mail is to driving its readers to suicide. ...or anyone associated with its readers to suicide, more likely.
Nah, Chris. I watch the weather charts and GFS computer outputs. I've always found the weather fascinating since I studied Geography to S Level at school.
My thoughts on the weather are based on this sort of chart:
http://modeles.meteociel.fr/modeles/gfs/runs/2013011018/gfs-0-228.png (http://modeles.meteociel.fr/modeles/gfs/runs/2013011018/gfs-0-228.png)
Strong Easterlies, cold, lots of precipitation....
Of course it could all go pear-shaped, but the consensus is for some spectacular winter weather next week. ;)
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Well you beat the expresses headlines by the looks. So where does the jet stream sit in relation to that low? South of it presumably?
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Well you beat the expresses headlines by the looks. So where does the jet stream sit in relation to that low? South of it presumably?
Yep, dives sharply South
http://cdn.nwstatic.co.uk/gfsimages/gfs.20130110/18/96/hgt300.png (http://cdn.nwstatic.co.uk/gfsimages/gfs.20130110/18/96/hgt300.png)
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I would say, though, that it is exceedingly difficult to forecast snow. Some areas will get a dusting, others will need shovels. ;)
It will be cold, though, very cold. :o
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Begs the question, why they don't show the jet stream info in the weather forcasts. :-\
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Begs the question, why though don't show the jet stream info in the weather forcasts. :-\
The weather forecasts on TV are dumbed down as they assume Joe Public is thick. I remember when synoptic charts (High, Lows, Isobars) were the norm when the TV forecast began. Not these days, Chris. :(
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They are so inaccurate these days IMO, that I rarely bother. So I hadn't noticed tbh. But now you mention it, yes. Long gone.
Far more indicative of an average cycle. It seems to me, 2 weeks roughly, and it will almost certainly change. Used to book my track days by that very basic rule of thumb. Might just have been luck though. ;D
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I always tune into the prettiest weather girl. ::)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icmRCixQrx8
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Reasonably useful as you can step through and see the forecast changes over time ... but surface pressure only
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/surface-pressure/#?tab=surfacePressureColor&fcTime=1357776000
"step" GFS if you want to get fancy ...
http://www.metcheck.com/EUROPE/gfscharts.asp
but this one is the Rolls Royce site ... almost unlimited info that you can change as much as you wish ... just click the different parameters bottom left
http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/cgi-bin/expertcharts?LANG=en&MENU=0000000000&CONT=euro&MODELL=gfs&MODELLTYP=1&BASE=-&VAR=pslv&HH=6&ARCHIV=0&ZOOM=0&PERIOD=&WMO=
yeah ..boring .. but 38 years flying in the stuff "up there" you got to take more than a passing interest .. :)
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Woo... Interesting stuff.
Also talk of northern lights off the coast of northen Ireland. Related?
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Well I have decided to batten down the hatches, stow the sails, keep the powder dry, and take a tot of rum after finding good shelter in port 8) 8) 8) 8)
Sorry, but when others talk of bad weather our Royal Navy training, as a member of a Royal Navy family of decades, kicks in and I can hear my father and grandfather saying all those things as though still with the fleet!
It is very comforting! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
I have certainly closed my windows and put the central heating on! 8) 8) :D :D :D :D ;)
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Woo... Interesting stuff.
Also talk of northern lights off the coast of northen Ireland. Related?
Chris, I don't know of any direct relationship between the Northern Lights and this particular spell of weather. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that cosmic forces (particularly solar) have a much greater effect on the planet's climate than previously acknowledged (especially by the global warming brigade).
The current spell of quite solar activity is about to be broken by a large sunspot which is turning towards earth with the sun's natural rotation. Large sunspots typically cause significant CMEs (coronal mass ejections) and it is the interaction between the solar winds (which are stronger with flares) and the electrons in our upper atmosphere which are responsible for the Northern Lights.
Both stories currently covered at www.spaceweather.com (http://www.spaceweather.com) :y
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Heavy snow on Monday for my neck of the woods?
Computer says "Yes"
http://expert-images.weatheronline.co.uk/daten/proficharts/en/2013/01/11/basis18/ukuk/rart/13011418_2_1118.gif (http://expert-images.weatheronline.co.uk/daten/proficharts/en/2013/01/11/basis18/ukuk/rart/13011418_2_1118.gif)
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..and for the North East on Tuesday?
http://expert-images.weatheronline.co.uk/daten/proficharts/en/2013/01/11/basis18/ukuk/rart/13011506_2_1118.gif (http://expert-images.weatheronline.co.uk/daten/proficharts/en/2013/01/11/basis18/ukuk/rart/13011506_2_1118.gif)
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Snow forecast for here today , where is it then ::) ::) I heard they are forecasting 2 weeks ahead of themselves , no snow till feb :-X
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Snow forecast for here today , where is it then ::) ::) I heard they are forecasting 2 weeks ahead of themselves , no snow till feb :-X
Patience is a virtue, EMD. : ;) ;) ;D
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Snow forecast for here today , where is it then ::) ::) I heard they are forecasting 2 weeks ahead of themselves , no snow till feb :-X
Patience is a virtue, EMD. : ;) ;) ;D
Ive no snow chains :-X But then ive no car :( ;D
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never purchased winter tyres in all my years of driving,its all down to your driving attitude. (keep your distance and slow down)
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Me neither. But sc3 in snow, just don't. Stay at home. Did I mention, they're not good in snow. :o
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The interesting thing about this thread, as with many, is that there are people expressing opinions with no real life experience.
The only way of making a comparison between winter and summer tyres is if you have had experiences with both in different conditions. The idea of keeping distance and driving at a safe speed is not enough to always keep you out of a ditch.
I understand there are many drivers here who have been driving for years, even decades, with no snow related accidents. I did for the first 10 years of driving. That said, I have experienced and witnessed enough to know that winter tyres are the best option on snow.
Most memorably was a trip from here to Brussels airport - a drive of normally no more than 2 hours - that took 4.5 hours. The snow was hammering down just after I left, and by the time I was driving through the Ardennes in Belgium, it was completely covered and packed down solid. ((It has to be said that the Ardennes is a micro-climate all to itself (I slipped on ice in a parking area in July a few years ago). If you're reading this, Tunnie, this is your route to Luxembourg, should you take the quickest and most logical).
In this case I was in a Granada (RWD). Down hill on a motorway in 1st/2nd gear. I saw all manner of cars, SUVs, vans, just randomly sliding down the hill, sideways, backwards, forwards. All going very slowly - no more than 10mph. No amount of steering, braking was going to help. It was plainly obvious which cars had summer tyres and which had winter.
This is just one example of many. But it is a fact that winter tyres give more traction on snow and can be the difference between a ditch/fence/hedge or not.
The idea that "I am not buying tyres for 2 weeks use a year" is also nonsense. Winters stay on the car for 4-6 months, so in that time, you are not wearing out the summers. So once the initial cost is covered, then there is no difference.
I once rescued someone from a hill on snow. My car on winters, hers on summers. She got stuck on a junction on a hill. Could not go up - no traction. Too frightened to go down - understandably so. The moment you let the clutch out the car went sideways. Anyway winter tyres on mine. Slippery, yes. Impossible, no.
With all that said, I would also say, that if you can avoid having to buy winters for just what may be a few days of snow, then great. But if, like me, you have them on from October, you can relax. No matter what mother nature sends, you are as prepared as you can be. No panic when a few flakes fall - you just go out as normal - just slower.
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You also have to pay for either four wheels or for someone to swap them over each year, and not everyone has space to store four tyres all year round.
Also, if you're one of thr few on winter tyres, you're gonna get shunted ;D
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If I'd bought winter tyres in the uk for life. Each set would go in the bin as perished with two or three genuine outings in snow. Thats Proper snow on untreated roads.
Might well be a different story in proper rural areas and mountainous regions on higher ground. But for the vast majority... I'd say it's a complete waist of money. On a personal level my employment situation is very flexible, so switching a few work days round is no problem, while I dig a course through the snow 400yards to the top of the road.
None of that calls into question the undoubted performance values.
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Those figures may well change next week mind you ;D
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You also have to pay for either four wheels or for someone to swap them over each year, and not everyone has space to store four tyres all year round.
Also, if you're one of thr few on winter tyres, you're gonna get shunted ;D
True. But same logic applies as with tyres. Once paid, it's done. You have them
Also possibly true. Nobody wants to be involved in an accident, but if you are unfortunate enough to be so, surely it is best to be the "shuntee" rather than the "shunter"
Yes, storage may be a problem for some. One that most would be able to find a solution, I'm sure.
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If I'd bought winter tyres in the uk for life. Each set would go in the bin as perished with two or three genuine outings in snow. Thats Proper snow on untreated roads.
Might well be a different story in proper rural areas and mountainous regions on higher ground. But for the vast majority... I'd say it's a complete waist of money. On a personal level my employment situation is very flexible, so switching a few work days round is no problem, while I dig a course through the snow 400yards to the top of the road.
None of that calls into question the undoubted performance values.
Sure. Of course many have solutions such as that - that's cool (no pun intended). Just pointing out that for those who really do need to be out and about, it is a wise investment.
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If I'd bought winter tyres in the uk for life. Each set would go in the bin as perished with two or three genuine outings in snow. Thats Proper snow on untreated roads.
Might well be a different story in proper rural areas and mountainous regions on higher ground. But for the vast majority... I'd say it's a complete waist of money. On a personal level my employment situation is very flexible, so switching a few work days round is no problem, while I dig a course through the snow 400yards to the top of the road.
None of that calls into question the undoubted performance values.
Sure. Of course many have solutions such as that - that's cool (no pun intended). Just pointing out that for those who really do need to be out and about, it is a wise investment.
historically 5 journeys in snow over 27 years...? :-\
Add in another 5 to the top of my road, to a gritted bus route, all of 400 yards, and the same again the other end...?
Ok look at it the other way, how many snow journeys justify winter tyres in the uk? Which is for the vast majority of members here?
What's a set of winter tyres? Say £300
Granted this is for me, but that's 1 journey in snow if I'd bought 1 set of winter tyres every 5 years. !
AND then theres the fact, that I'd still have got stuck in traffic on snow bound roads as no other bugger would have had them either. ::)
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It is on the cards for the EU to make them compulsory in ALL EU countries. I'm sure the tyre lobbying groups are making hay with unelected EU officials while the sun shines.
Some countries it makes much more sense than others. Northern and Eastern Europe will get snow in Winter, but why compulsory winter tyres in Cyprus and Malta? :o :o :o :o
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It is on the cards for the EU to make them compulsory in ALL EU countries. I'm sure the tyre lobbying groups are making hay with unelected EU officials while the sun shines.
Some countries it makes much more sense than others. Northern and Eastern Europe will get snow in Winter, but why compulsory winter tyres in Cyprus and Malta? :o :o :o :o
You're right, Rods. I posted an article on this a while ago, where tyre manufacturers were actually factoring this in to future profits.
UK, of course, will have left by then. ::)
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It is on the cards for the EU to make them compulsory in ALL EU countries. I'm sure the tyre lobbying groups are making hay with unelected EU officials while the sun shines.
Some countries it makes much more sense than others. Northern and Eastern Europe will get snow in Winter, but why compulsory winter tyres in Cyprus and Malta? :o :o :o :o
Quite right. There's no point.
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For me that's easy,come October,all three cars SORN'd for six months,equals six months loss of revenue from the road tax and fuel tax,VAT etc, and for me a free bus pass and the odd taxi run if need be. Stuff Europe :y