I have just come back from Scandinavia and noticed probably 60-70% of newer cars were all running studded tyres. Not spikes just small studs. Make an unusual noise - you can tell if someone has them, slightly ball bearing rolling kinda noise.

Anyway I thought they looked great, not too impactive on the drive having been in a Saab with them on - noisier inside but no doubt great grip.

Never seen them on the roads here. Would have thought someone somewhere has a set? be interesting to try them out on the S



I also saw a lot of cars plugged into power points, Now I assumed it was something to do with keeping the battery charged up in the extreme cold but now understand it also to provide heating to the car to stop it freezing - clever..





Kinda neat stuff - lucky it isnt like that over here hey!

 

Studded tyres are illegal in the UK, under any conditions IIRC. I think in some European countries either studded tyres or chains are mandatory on certain roads at certain times of the year (ie the French Alps I think).

We just don't get the weather to warrant studs, and they'd make a hell of a mess of tarmac when they came to it

If you ever tried proper winter tyres you would be amazed at the traction and grip you get out of them compared to ordinary all season tyres - in most cases they would be mroie than adequate here, but without the hassle of chains.

I would guess those heater points are for sump heaters - you can get them here - a heater element is screwed ino the sump and keeps the oil warm, so helping the car start easier in the cold and I suppose reducing engine wear etc. Judging by the pics they use them to operate fan heaters as well in the car

 

Do you still change to snow tyres euan?

 

yes that's true.. in the countries such as Finland, the government stipulates which date you need to change to studs... if you don't do it then, your insurance is not valid... but then they are running on roads which are basically compacted snow and ice.. so you need it..and it won't damage the road.

without the heater element.. you simply can't start the car at all.. and when there is no power point to plug into, you just keep your engine running while you are in the pub

 

I haven't had to yet - the RE050s are much better in the snow than the SO2s, so not quite as critical. Unless there is a weather forecast for snow I doubt I'll bother. I am at the folks for the next few days, but the forecast is reasonable so I haven't changed this time. They do compromise the grip and feel in the dry, and even damp - plus the wet/damp/cold performance of the RE050's continues to impress me after a brisk drive up north tonight. I think we have underestimated how much of an improvement the MY04/05 is in poor road conditions over the 02 - which means you can have more fun with it

 

It is illegal in Finland to drive on summer tyres in the winter.
They also have the electric points dotted around!
Very good idea!
We should learn from these guys, their roads never grind to a halt with a bit of snow!

 

The Germans frequently use winter tyres, without studs.

At their autobahn speeds on sheet ice/snow, it seems to make sense.