[maverick83]

So we're heading up to the Lake District from London over Christmas and was wondering if we will be ok with summer tires in the area...

Looking at the weather should I be worried...?

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.d...inter-ever/amp

[Slowboat]

It depends where about in the lakes you are planning on visiting to be honest. Most main roads are gritted and most towns are kept clear(from my experience) but if you are heading off the beaten track a bit you may have some issues.

I had a 125i a few years back on Eagle F1's and had no issues in the snow if I took it easy and drove to the conditions.

[StuBeeDoo]

Our glorious media do this every winter. Ask any decent meteorologist and they will tell you that it's very difficult to accurately predict the weather more than seven days hence. Many times this kind of report has been very wide of the mark.
The winter of '13/'14 was widely predicted to be worse than those of '10/'11 and '11/'12 - laying snow for more than a month. It turned-out to be the winter than never was. Even here in North-east England we only had enough frosts to count on the fingers of one hand the entire winter.

Having said that I wouldn't be going to The Lakes that time of year without winter tyres, especially if you're planning touring around. I actually fitted my winter set yesterday, and they'll be on until (at least) the first weekend in March - same as every winter, no matter what the predictions.

Remember, once the ambient temperature drops below 7deg summer tyres don't grip properly.

[Digitalize]

I'd definitely not want to go that far north without winter tyres. It will be permanently below 7c.

[maverick83]

Originally Posted by Slowboat

It depends where about in the lakes you are planning on visiting to be honest. Most main roads are gritted and most towns are kept clear(from my experience) but if you are heading off the beaten track a bit you may have some issues.

I had a 125i a few years back on Eagle F1's and had no issues in the snow if I took it easy and drove to the conditions.

We'll be staying in Ulverston area, closer to Windermere.

What will be the main concern - ice or just the fact it will be less than 7degrees?

To be honest most of the time in London in Jan/Feb will be less than 7degrees as well?

[Digitalize]

Yeah, so you should have winter tyres on anyway really, but the further north the worse it will be. It's already colder than that in the mornings, has been 0c at 9am over the weekend.

Summer tires really start to lose their performance below 7c, and that's where winter tires are designed to work.

They're not studded ice tires, so they'll do nothing to help with ice. They're also not mud and snow tires so won't be a massive boost in the snow although their more aggressive tread pattern will help.

[StuBeeDoo]

I spent the first 40 years of my life living in Hampshire/Dorset/Somerset/Devon. I used winter tyres down there too.

Personally, I think we should be like certain European countries where winter tyres are a legal requirement.

[maverick83]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

We will be extra careful for ice - and as normal rules apply - adjust my driving style according to the conditions.

[Shaun306]

I live up near the lakes.........never used winter tyres, just used common sense.

[Icekube]

Originally Posted by Shaun306

I live up near the lakes.........never used winter tyres, just used common sense.

you would be surprised at the extra grip and confidence a set of quality winter tyres brings.

just avoid budget ones even more so than budget summer tyres.

[StuBeeDoo]

Originally Posted by Icekube

you would be surprised at the extra grip and confidence a set of quality winter tyres brings.

This.

Originally Posted by Icekube

just avoid budget ones even more so than budget summer tyres.

..... And this. I made the mistake of buying Federals because they were the only set of 4 available in my size at my local tyre place the day I wanted them. Never again!

[mjn77]

Just don't tackle the Hardknott Pass on summer tyres in the winter!!

[Chappers 71]

If it's dry with wintery sunshine you'll be fine, 2 inches of snow & you'll be going nowhere

[stevesingo]

Originally Posted by maverick83

We'll be staying in Ulverston area, closer to Windermere.

What will be the main concern - ice or just the fact it will be less than 7degrees?

To be honest most of the time in London in Jan/Feb will be less than 7degrees as well?

I live in that neck of the woods (wife works in Ulverston) and you would be unlucky to be caught out with a snowy downpour.

Otherwise, just moderate your speed and leave an appropriate stopping distance.

[maverick83]

Originally Posted by stevesingo

I live in that neck of the woods (wife works in Ulverston) and you would be unlucky to be caught out with a snowy downpour.

Otherwise, just moderate your speed and leave an appropriate stopping distance.

How was the snow there today?

[stevesingo]

There isn't any!

[maverick83]

No ways! We managed to build a snowman in Richmond Park ?

Thanks for the tip! Don't think it will be too bad.

Cheers!!

[stevesingo]

Check the local news here

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/localnews...83-ulverston/0