Tyre choice

[Phil & Pat]

I'm considering buying 2 or 4 new tyres during my next UK trip, they seem to be a lot cheaper over there.  Assuming that they will all still be serviceable in 10 months time when the first CT is due, are there any restrictions on my choice of tyre not covered here.

Many thanks.

[Pickles]

I have been told, by people that I trust as well as by tyre dealers (who I don't necessarily trust) that in France you are required to fit only tyres (and wheels, if you are tempted to change the wheels) that are of sizes which are homologated for your car. Therefore you are not supposed to indulge in changing the tyre dimensions even if you maintain the same rolling radius, and I am told that the dimensions should be checked during the CT, with a "fail" if the tyres do not correspond to the homologation requirements. This does not seem to stop the "tuning" devotees from fitting non-homologated tyres and wheels, but then they never have accidents, do they? Presumably they keep the original wheels and tyres to put back on for the CT ....

Regards

Pickles

[AnOther]

The relative merits of buying in UK v France was discussed HERE quite recently.

 

[Bugsy]

[quote user="Pickles"]I have been told, by people that I trust as well as by tyre dealers (who I don't necessarily trust) that in France you are required to fit only tyres (and wheels, if you are tempted to change the wheels) that are of sizes which are homologated for your car. Therefore you are not supposed to indulge in changing the tyre dimensions even if you maintain the same rolling radius, and I am told that the dimensions should be checked during the CT, with a "fail" if the tyres do not correspond to the homologation requirements. This does not seem to stop the "tuning" devotees from fitting non-homologated tyres and wheels, but then they never have accidents, do they? Presumably they keep the original wheels and tyres to put back on for the CT ....

Regards
Pickles
[/quote]

There is, however, no problem fitting alternative sizes that are offered as alternatives by the manufacturer. Audi, for example, offer on the A4 wheels in four sizes,  16",17" 18" and 19".

[Phil & Pat]

Thanks Pickles and Ernie. (and Bugbear)

THIS web site seems to have comprehensive advice which is relevant to France.  It appears that as long as I choose tyres the same size, profile, construction, load and speed rating as originally fitted, the maker and model of tyre is my choice.  Is this what you meant by "sizes which are homologated for your car" Pickles?  There is just the one size listed in the owner's manual.

Interestingly, the same web site describes the original/currently fitted rubber as 'summer' tyres.  Searchng for 'winter' or 'all season' tyres comes up blank, none available for my size.  I  know some of you chaps living up in the mountains keep a spare set of snow tyres at the back of the garage for winter use, but is it normal to change from summer to winter tyres and back again?  I've never come across it myself.

[Clair]

[quote user="Phil _Pat"] I  know some of you chaps living up in the mountains keep a spare set of snow tyres at the back of the garage for winter use, but is it normal to change from summer to winter tyres and back again?  I've never come across it myself.[/quote]

We do not live up in the mountains, but we change to winter tyres every year, once it becomes obvious the temp is not going up again.

The pair of winter tyres we bought lasted 3 winters and we'll get a new pair this coming winter.

Luckily, our neighbours'son runs his own business, supplying and fitting tyres from his own large van.

[Pierre ZFP]

What size do you want?  Do a search for 'pneu hiver' and you'll get plenty of choice

I change into Pneu Hiver around November and back again in March.  Not compulsory here in Luxembourg (or Germany) but I must say I feel a lot happier knowing I have them when the temp is below zero for weeks on end or going on the odd ski trip.

Not sure I'd bother if I lived in warmer climes or (heaven help me) back in the UK.

[Pickles]

"Phil & Pat" wrote:

"It appears that as long as I choose

tyres the same size, profile, construction, load and speed rating as

originally fitted, the maker and model of tyre is my choice.  Is this

what you meant by "sizes which are homologated for your car" Pickles?"

Well

yes, but you may find that other wheel/tyre sizes are actually

officially approved by the manufacturer for your specific model -

"homologation" refers to the type approval process under which the car

and its variants and accessories are checked for compliance with

construction and use regulations.

"Phil & Pat" wrote:

"There is just the one size listed in the owner's manual."

The

owner's manual in your case is very specific: in other cases the manual

covers a range of models and markets, and in those cases it is not

necessarily true that all the wheel/tyre combinations are homologated

for France. Or so I've been told ....

Since the manual is not an

homolgation document itself, it is possible that other wheel/tyre

combinations are allowable for your car (as indicated by Bugbear), in

that they have been homologated by the manufacturer but not recorded in

the manual (I am told that DRIRE and CT centres have access to the

detailed homologation documents). However if, as you say, you replace

the tyres with ones of the same size, profile, construction, load and

speed rating as originally fitted, the maker and model of tyre is

indeed up to you.

"Phil & Pat" wrote:

"Interestingly,

the same web site describes the original/currently fitted rubber as

'summer' tyres.  Searching for 'winter' or 'all season' tyres comes up

blank, none available for my size.  I  know some of you chaps living up

in the mountains keep a spare set of snow tyres at the back of the

garage for winter use, but is it normal to change from summer to winter

tyres and back again?  I've never come across it myself."

A

dispensation allows you fit winter tyres of a speed rating one level

lower than is specified for the summer/OE fitment. In some countries,

if the maximum speed of which the car is capable exceeds that of the

speed rating of the snow tyres, then you are required to have a sticker

visible to the driver to alert him/her to the max speed of the tyres.

Although our car lives on the coastal plain, I

have invested in a set of snow tyres for our car (purchased as a

wheel/tyre set over the Internet from Germany for a price (including

delivery) far cheaper than available in France). If I am taking the car

into the mountains during the period when I could expect either low

temperatures or snow, then I will fit them. In the case of snow, the

difference in traction between summer and winter tyres is enormous and

has to be experienced to be believed. In any case, at temperatures

below 7 degrees C, winter tyres have more traction. Since buying snow

tyres, I have never had to use chains, and the ability to engage "smug

mode" and drive past the summer-tyre-equipped other cars that are being

stopped by the gendarmes (so that they have to put on chains) is

priceless! When you need them, you need them, and chains come a distant

second as an alternative. If you envisage driving on snow - even just

whilst on holiday - I would thoroughly recommend a set of snow tyres.

Pickles

[powerdesal]

[quote user="Pickles"] Since buying snow

tyres, I have never had to use chains, and the ability to engage "smug

mode" and drive past the summer-tyre-equipped other cars that are being

stopped by the gendarmes (so that they have to put on chains) is

priceless! When you need them, you need them, and chains come a distant

second as an alternative. If you envisage driving on snow - even just

whilst on holiday - I would thoroughly recommend a set of snow tyres.

Pickles[/quote]

How do the Gendarmes know you have snow tyres fitted if they dont stop you as well to check ?

[Pickles]

[quote user="powerdesal"][quote user="Pickles"] Since buying snow

tyres, I have never had to use chains, and the ability to engage "smug

mode" and drive past the summer-tyre-equipped other cars that are being

stopped by the gendarmes (so that they have to put on chains) is

priceless! When you need them, you need them, and chains come a distant

second as an alternative. If you envisage driving on snow - even just

whilst on holiday - I would thoroughly recommend a set of snow tyres.

[/quote]

How do the Gendarmes know you have snow tyres fitted if they dont stop you as well to check ?

[/quote]

As you correctly surmised, they DO stop and check you, but this takes all of 5 seconds (snow tyres are clearly marked) and you are then waved through, past the rest who have been ordered into a layby or to the side of the road to put on their chains.

Pickles

[Phil & Pat]

Thanks for all the advice, what a restricted driving experience we have here in Normandy.

I can only remember one night with a sharp frost last winter.  Last time I was caught out in the snow (about 50mm) we got home without trouble, no one else had driven on it and traction was no problem.  Next day though, after thawing and freezing, even tractors were having trouble in the village.

We'll manage with just the summer tyres and stay home by the fire if it snows. [:D]

Thanks again to all.

[AnOther]

[quote user="powerdesal"]How do the Gendarmes know you have snow tyres fitted if they dont stop you as well to check ?[/quote]Err, could it be because you're the only one still achieving controlled forward motion whilst all others around you perform ice ballet ?

Limited market for them in the UAE though [;-)]

Bet I'm still the only mad bar steward to have driven the mountain route from Ras al Khaymah to Khawr Fakkan in a Mazda 626 [:D]

Happy days.

[powerdesal]

Ernie, I have driven it a couple of times, but not in a 626, in a Daihatsu, then a Range Rover. Its a tarmac road now.

[AnOther]

It was 50% rock strewn dried up river bed when I drove it in the mid 80's, I'll guarantee it was more fun then, especially as it wasn't my car [6] [:D]

 

[powerdesal]

Definitely more fun as a wadi trip, and the view from the top is amazing. I seem to recall that in the 80s the tribesmen up there used to occasionally take pot shots at intrepid tourists. I was never shot at myself but of course these days its much more civilised - AKs instead of muzzle loaders or old lee enfields. [6]

ps You will recall it's called 'Wadi B' and skirts the edge of the Omani military zone