aircool wrote:We are planning on driving to the French Alps next February, up to a ski resort at around 1800m. And my thoughts have moved on to whether we need / should fit winter tyres. Have quite happily used hire cars before in the alps, only fitting snow chains when necessary (which hasn't actually been that often) which has been effective so far......
We have a 5 Series BMW - not taking the 356! - with dreaded run flat tyres, which would be the car used.
Would putting winter tyres (on different wheels presumably) affect the insurance and possibly mess up the low tyre pressure sensor?
Some insurance companies used to use it as an excuse to charge a fee but last year the industry body recommended that they stop this. As long as the sizes are to manufacturer spec (check door pillar), you shouldn't be charged. The tyres shouldn't effect the pressure sensor which works by detecting differences in rolling diameter between tyres.
Presumably you do not fit snow chains over winter tyres?
If the snow is very heavy, you can fit chains over winters and as they are smaller, you should have enough arch clearance. You can manage without chains even in very snowy conditions with winters unless the snow is very bad.
Can snow chains replace the need for winter tyres in the alps?
Winter tyres make a big difference to grip, including on snowless icy roads (when snow chains are useless).
You can order steel wheels and winter tyre sets from mytyres.co.uk for circa £100 a corner (depending on sizes & brand).
With winters, on snow, the steering is very light and loose but the car still goes where you point it and stops too. You wonder why everybody else (in the uk) is going so slowly.