What to do for winter?

[Ramsay88]

This will be my first winter with my 2.0gt 170 so not got a clue how its gonna do in the snow cause of the torque.

Anyone shed some light on what they are like?

I had snow tyre for my old focus but not sure wither to do the same for the roc as I will still need to be using it all winter.

[Paralla]

You are better off with a manual than a DSG on snow so it could be worse.

The weight of the heavy diesel engine over the driven wheels also helps but it's not going to be great in snow.

[scimitar]

Buy some winter tyres, best a bit narrower and higher profile, a set of steel wheels makes loads of sense but don't look as pretty
I got some vredstein snowtracks- what an amazing difference.
Remember wheels on Scirocco are different to the Golf so unlikely to get scrap yard wheels but they are not expensive.
Buy them NOW- prices go through the roof with the first snowfall

[Ramsay88]

Thanks for replies. Yeah we'll that's what i was thinking the earlier I get prepared the cheaper should be.

Was thinks out gettin a cheaper set of smaller thinner wheels to put on with snow tyres for winter.

[char]

Just buy a set of AutoSock(s) and chuck them in the boot and dont worry

[Mark V]

This is the UK - we might not even get any snow!

[dimexi]

I had mine in snow last year - absolutely Ghastly performance in snow! Torque + tyre size etc.... Let's hope we don't get snow! but given our record in the last 3 - 4 years; I wouldn't hold my breath.

Get Winter tyres as someone suggested

[Fifer]

I had mine in snow last year - absolutely Ghastly performance in snow! Torque + tyre size etc.... Let's hope we don't get snow! but given our record in the last 3 - 4 years; I wouldn't hold my breath.

Get Winter tyres as someone suggested

This year (March AISTR) was my first experience of serious snow in the roc and it wasn't too bad. Mine was one of the few non-4WD cars to get up the hill leading from our estate several days in a row.

[coullstar]

Winter tyres are worth there weight in gold IMO. Remember they work better in any condition lower that 7degC which is quite often in the UK so snow tyres is a bit of a misguided name. Dont worry about getting skinny narrow ones, Ive used 225/40/18's and they are just as good. I have mine on from about Nov to March so thats a good chunk of the year. I ran a 1 series beemer with them last year and it got everywhere in snow with no issue.

Its not all about the getting going, its also about being able to stop. You will not even get close to winter tyres with normal tyres fitted for this.

[dimexi]

This year (March AISTR) was my first experience of serious snow in the roc and it wasn't too bad. Mine was one of the few non-4WD cars to get up the hill leading from our estate several days in a row.

That's impressive! We have a steep hill at work, in fact, two steep hills. I didn't stand a chance in the snow! I must have caused about 6 months worth of tyre wear as well with all the wheel spin. I will def not be driving in snow this winter (if we do get it)...

Or maybe my snow driving is just poor

[Fifer]

Or maybe my snow driving is just poor

Or maybe the heavy diesel unit above my front wheels helped?

[Fifer]

Winter tyres are worth there weight in gold IMO. Remember they work better in any condition lower that 7degC which is quite often in the UK so snow tyres is a bit of a misguided name.

A few years back (pre-roc), my front tyres needed changed just prior to winter. My local tyre place suggested fitting winter tyres on the front driven wheels and swapping them to the back come spring (then back to the front in winter again). It worked well for me, didn't appear to upset the handling in any way and gripped fine in the snow. I've read differing advice in this however, with some people suggesting it as a real no no as the tyre characteristics are too different front and back. Not sure what the insurance view would be in a claim scenario either.

[stretts]

I have a set of Hancook winter tyres, 235/40/18's. I have used them for the last two winters, normaly put them on mid-end of November and take them off again in March.

As per one of the previous posts they are effective from 7 deg C and lower not just snow.

I drive 500 miles per week and had no problems at all with mine.

Your main problem depending on where your Roc is over night is the windows freezing and not droping to open.

[coullstar]

The problem with using normal wheels on the back is that if you have to heavy brake in slippery conditions there is a good chance the rear will lock up or if your going round a corner the rear would slip out. No doubt modern ESP systems will help but I wouldnt chance it for the sake of £200 for a set of tyre.
I generally get part worn winters as they are a lot cheaper but if you do this get almost new ones as once they get below about 4-5mm they are no where near as effective. Its the little slits or sipes in the tyre that give the traction.

[Ramsay88]

I think I'm just going to get a set of winter tyre for the wheels iv got.
Will be cheaper than getting other wheels.

Think il get them soon right enough as prices will just get higher and higher the closer winter comes

[Peacock8]

Snow tires, no question about it. I`m from northern Norway. I know what I´m talking about. Drove my lowered roc last winter. Worst trips were in 20-30cm of snow. More like a snowskid than a car

Ørjan.