Tread carefully in winter

HOW I HAVE the temerity to question such a bastion of car knowledge as Mr Dron is open to question but I feel moved to do so by his column in Octane140 on the subject of winter tyres.

A minor point first: ‘Chains for road cars have belonged in motor museums for the last 40 years.’ Sir! On the approach to many ski resorts in France and other Continental countries you will be stopped by the authorities and required to attach your snow chains to your driven wheels before being allowed to proceed. Even if you are ‘wearing’ winter tyres. And woe betide you if you attempt to flout this regulation. No snow chains – no access to the resort.

Mr Dron’s attempt at economy [by not buying a second set of rims for his winter tyres] is largely misplaced. Given the profile of most summer tyres, it is unlikely that you will be able to find similar-size winter tyres for your vehicle. In the 16 winters during which I lived in Germany, the change to winter tyres was marked with almost as much activity as Christmas. All but the lowlanders purchased winter tyres on alloy rims. They really are relatively inexpensive.

In Germany it would truly be a mistake not to change tyres. You are le in a very poor position insurance-wise if your summer tyres can be shown to have contributed to an accident. PAUL REICHEL SAINT-OMER, FRANCE

PaulReichelisobviouslyaveryexperiencedwinterdriver.Mycolumnwas aimedatlessexperiencedBritishmotorists,fewofwhomrealisethatthe increaseduseoflow-profilesummertyresonmoderncars,whichtendtobe fittedwithwiderwheelsthanwasoncethecase,haschangedwinterdriving dramatically.HereintheUK,thedayswhenonecouldgetawaywithusing summertyresallyearroundarerapidlycomingtoanend.

ItissurprisingthatsomeFrenchskiresortsarestillinsistingonchains. IhavedonealotofwinterrallyingintheFrenchAlpsandIhavehadnotrouble drivingatspeedonsnowandicewhendrivingawiderangeofcarsover50 yearsold.Withgoodwintertyres,a1950ssaloonwithaliverearaxleon‘cart’ springshasgoodtractionandcanbesafeandfastonsuchroads.