A few weeks ago I decided to go with a set of winter tyres since I am using my S to commute evetyday. Up until yesterday the weather has been fairly mild by normal winter standards with temperatures not really dropping below 3 degrees and the winter tyres have been superb. Yesterday morning the temperature on the way to work was arround freezing point and I encountered a couple of untreated backroads (not sure if it was ice or just frost). All of a sudden it felt as if the tyres were coated in jelly As this is my first experience of winter tyres in any car, is this the norm as the winter tread patters try to find grip? It was very unnerving and almost made me feel sick as the car felt as if it was just sliding around on sheet ice

 

See this thread https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/917...er-tyre-users/

 

I put my winters back on last weekend. They're great in the rain but don't cope well with warmer weather. They won't grip on ice or frosty roads, you still have to take care using them. They do come into their own though when it's snow/slush on the roads and with the snow being forecast for next week, they'll keep you going.

I run mine about 4psi above stock pressures but as I say, best when it's snowy or slushy. Remember, due to the tread pattern, the actual contact patch is a lot smaller than on summer tyres.

 

winters really impress me. i've been using them for my commute to the station and in cold weather even on dry roads the stock bridgestones are rubbish.

in wet/cold these tyres are superb and in snow unreal:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s&list=FLAmHMLTXPahShwseRTc3cQg& index=8&feature=plpp_video[/media]

cant say i've experienced what you're describing. when it's warm/dry they feel less precise than summer tyres

 

Winter tyres are softer than summer tyres so the tread blocks move much more. This combined with a high silica content means that they reach working temperature quicker at a low ambient. This also means that they will destroy themselves very quickly if you run them at summer temperatures.

 

I also suspect that you last checked your pressures in the warmer temperatures. Best to check them when they are cold and the weather is cold. As Gary says, run them a little over stock pressure.

Mine have done about 10k on the rears so far and still have 4 to 5mm of tread remaining.

 

I made a quick (30min! not quite F1 standards) pitstop yesterday to get the winters back on. I found them worryingly jellylike on the motorway compared to the 'Bridgeys' but as Heinz'57 says they will be due to the compound, I just need to re-adjust to them.

A word of warning though, they do not make you invincible, as I found out before Xmas when I encountered some black ice on an untreated road. Take care