Might try these when the next tyres are due, I've only just changed all corners on my Q3. By that time there may be some good feedback on them. With being a person of retired means I really do not have to worry too much about driving in snow. The quattro on the car gives plenty of grip under all other winter conditions, with the exception of black ice.
You'd be amazed at the difference winter tyres make.
A front or rear wheel drive car with winter tyres outperforms a 4WD with summer tyres in heavy snow. Winter tyres are not just for snow either, they give better grip and braking in colder temperatures and far superior wet road grip.
Yes its an expensive gamble but if you believe manufacturer blurb they should be OK. My main concern is longevity as no real info on tyre wear:
Summer tyre with three-peak mountain snowflake accreditationTop performance in summer and winter conditionsThe MICHELIN CrossClimate is made with a new rubber compound - to maximise traction.
High levels of silica are used in the tyre's compound, as with a winter tyre. This ensures low rolling resistance and consistant performance in winter conditions.
The CrossClimate’s innovative tread design is made with two layers - one as the outer tread and another is found underneath the surface to minimise heat transferred through the tyre.
V-shaped blocks and self-blocking 3D Sipes are used in the tread pattern to further optimise the level of traction that is provided in both winter and summer conditions.
On standard tyres, Quattro may get you going better than a two-wheel drive car in snow, I'll give you that.
But Quattro doesn't make your braking or cornering any better.
So in those respects, you're in the same boat as the driver of a two-wheel drive car.
Agree. It's all about limits and driving to the conditions. Good tyres, correct pressure and depth of tread. Some people are under the illusion that a 4x4 will brake better in snow and heavy rain, some of the worse tailgaters on a wet motorway are 4x4s.
I hoping with the Q3 and summers that in the event of being caught out at the start of a snow fall it may, just may, get me up the hill to my house where it will be parked up until the snow disappears. If these new all season tyres get a good write up and review after a winter of real world driving then I may very well give them to go next time I have to replace the whole set.
I'm not a fan of driving in snow, even though I've done skid pan instruction, it's people coming the other way totally out of control than made my bum go thrupenny piece/dustbin lid on a few occasions.data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
We'll soon have some more test results data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
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Results are in.....
http://www.evo.co.uk/features/15600/michelin-cross-climate-vs-winter-and-all-season-tyres
Sounds good enough to me but I would say that - had 4 fitted on Monday data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I'll wait until I see the comparisons with summer tyres.
As things stand, they lag behind winter tyres.
If they also lag behind summer tyres, then too much of a compromise for me and I'll dismiss them.
What's the real world difference though driving on normal roads? Then factor in hassle & cost of running two separate sets of tyres in a year. I live near Aviemore (Cairngorm National Park) so no doubt will be testing in colder conditions very soon. I expect them to perform adequately well for my needs. That style of tread pattern I've had on previous snow tyres and its always gripped well.
Had Crossclimates fitted on Monday...instantly noticed less road noise compared to the Bridgestone Turanza they replaced. That alone is a big plus, I hate excessive road noise. No rain this week but 'A' rated in wet so should be fine too. Grip in snow and tyre wear is the unknown