The compound is not necessarily softer but has a higher silica content which allows a given compound to stay flexible at lower temperatures, apparently.
The tread is 'coarser' on a winter tyre in to enable mud and snow to be shed, rather than building in the treads to give you an effective slick.
In countries where it is a requirement to have winter tyres they will be designated with a snowflake and a mountain symbol.
I have used all weather tyres (Vredestein Quatrac 3 with the symbols) on a Mondeo 4 X 4 and currently Nokian WR G2 (which have a similar tread but are supposed to be winters) on my X type Jaguar AWD.
On both cars I have used them all year round. Obviously a (slight) compromise in the summer if it gets really hot but they are still very good when it's wet. Idealy suited to the UK I would have said!
The peace of mind in the winter is worth any perceived wear problems (and I have had none). Neither is noise a problem.
ardee_selby wrote:tyre technology has moved forward a long way
Indeed it has, which is why you can now by 'super car' winter tyres of the appropriate rating instead of having to put your Porshe or Ferrari in the garage over winter!
As a track day tyre I hardly think they would be suitable. The coarser tread blocks would heat up too much and would probably cause a failure, like running wets on a race car.
I suspect the down side of it all is that if you actually want winter tyres on an Elan the lack of suitable sizes would more likely be the overiding factor.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:39 pm