Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: kevinminton on 07 January 2010, 16:18:47
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Like most, I've had the opportunity to get to the limit of grip quicker than normal over the last few days. On compressed snow & (barely visible) ice, the Omega was basically not gripping most of the time & very slidey. Contrast with Mrs K's Escort - basically gripping, occassionally let go if prompted. A big difference, more than just the inherent differences in the cars.
Before you ask: 30yrs driving from Chevettes (Snow? Yippee!) through all sortsa cars to 2.6 auto Omega. So I think I understand about FWD, RWD, cadence and all that.
I wondered about the tyre differences - Omega tyres are V - blocky things, with no sipes - great in normal weather. Escort tyres are old-school with lotsa little blocks & some sipes.
Question is - do any OOFers have any experience / knowledge / thoughts on modern winter tyres - sipes for grip on ice, more flexible in low temperatures?
Your views would be welcome.
K
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Which Omega / Model do you have.
The narrow the sidewall and wider the footprint the less they seem to grip IMHO
Might fit a set of Vredstein Snowtrac's on my spare wheels for next year...
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I run four on Vredstein M & S in the Winter; they`re very good indeed on dry-snow and ice (less-so on slush as the tread doesn`t clear as well with the 'goopy' stuff)......for 'extremes' (as is now) I run with snow-chains on the rear: rock-solid grip and reliable stopping. :y
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Debs - sorry I moved it away while you were replying.
Interesting about the Vredesteins - here in the Midlands I wouldn't need to cater for your extremes.
BTW I really like that high road from Bala up over to Langynog Llanngynog on the way to Oswestry. You anywhere near that?
K
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[postsmovedhere1] 2 [postsmovedhere2] General Discussion Area [move by] Kevin Wood.
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thanks boss
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Omega is 2002 2.6 CDX auto, on 225/55/16. Escort is on 185/60/14
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http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m11b0s633p0
Some interesting tyre patterns
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Big wider tyres are far from ideal on ice.
Different tyres have different patterns, so your mileage will vary.
On my MV6 (235/45/17 tyres) I find dunlop SP9000 work well for me in these conditions - tend to drop rears to shade under 30 psi, and put junk in boot.
On my old tractor in last winter's snow, that had 225/55/16 Nexen CP641 which performed impeccably until I got home, then I struggled to get it on my sloping driveway. That had a straight 6 diesel cylinder head, and other assorted crap in boot.
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Winter tires compound designed to work better below 7-8 C than a normal summer or all season tire even in dry..
I'm using them for many years and definitely recommended.. ( I hate using chains)
all 3 brands in those links ok imho.. :y
ps: wait sometime for the pages to load completely..I failed ;D
pps: I'm using 195*65*15 goodyear UG 500 for miggy in winter..
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/repository/UltraGripPerformance/index.jsp
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/themes/car_tyres/cold_weather_tyres/contiwintercontact_ts_830/contiwintercontact_ts_830_en.html
http://www.bridgestone.co.uk/bfe/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=0c2fa1e3cd80e010VgnVCM1000005101a10aRCRD&vgnextchannel=000000000000000UK0000000000000000377RCRD
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And I also must note that , as a general idea many people here put some extra weight in baggage for traction.. but keep in mind this will make the picture worse for braking..and also never ever trust a summer tire and ABS system to stop on ice.. :-/