We are confused!

I have been searching and asking about winter tyres. I know cars are supposed to have them fitted, but we have a 4x4 Nissan X-trail, and this is where I am confused. Some people/on-line information says you don't have to have winter tyres on a 4x4, others say you do. Asking in the village we just get "
we never have, you don't need to bother"
, neighbours don't drive so they don't know. Anyone know for definite...in simple terms? We like to be within the law, something that doesn't seem to bother a lot of ex-pats around here.

Also snow chains, I believe there is no law to say you should have them, but does anyone have them and are they easy to use?

Thanks, Sara

Sorry, I'm not sure on the winter tyre question..I have them for the Cherokee, but I have all season tyres on the Nissan and I've never had any problems. Snow chains have to be carried in a 2 wheel drive vehicle when travelling on certain roads eg mountain passes etc, but are not generally required for a 4wd..in any case, the handbook for both mine states that chains on all wheels is not a good idea because of possible transmission damage.

To answer your other question, they are fiddly beggars to put on and something I ever tried once..on the Peugeot!

Both my 4wds handle knee deep snow, minus chains without any problems..Your X-Trail should be the same. IMHO.

Equinus wrote:

I have been searching and asking about winter tyres.

This still seems to be a very grey area, with no apparent legislation documented.

Equinus wrote:

I know cars are supposed to have them fitted, but we have a 4x4 Nissan X-trail, and this is where I am confused. Some people/on-line information says you don't have to have winter tyres on a 4x4

I've driven a Pajero for 6 years in Bulgaria and never used winter tyres (and never been asked for proof I have summer and winter tyres).

As far as I can tell, winter tyres are 'recommended' but not compulsory by law (so long as the tyres have legal 'depth' on the tread).

Equinus wrote:

Also snow chains, I believe there is no law to say you should have them, but does anyone have them and are they easy to use?

They are an absolute pig to use! Once they're on, they slip off again. However, I always carry a set in the boot (November to March - the legal requirement) just in case of being stopped (the price for a set is worth paying, just to have them with you).

Sorry I can't give you a definitive 'legal' answer, this is just my own experiences!

I'll phone my friend in Sofia later this afternoon (a lawyer) and ask if he can clarify and get back to you.

Just spoken to my lawyer friend in Sofia, his comment:

No, winter tyres are NOT required by the law in Bulgaria. The tires must have a certain grapple, I think 1,6 mm

I assume by 'grapple' he's talking about tread depth.

However, don't take this as 'cast-in-stone' Bulgarian law, it's just a friend giving his opinion!

Chris wrote:

Just spoken to my lawyer friend in Sofia, his comment:

No, winter tyres are NOT required by the law in Bulgaria. The tires must have a certain grapple, I think 1,6 mm

I assume by 'grapple' he's talking about tread depth.

However, don't take this as 'cast-in-stone' Bulgarian law, it's just a friend giving his opinion!

Thanks Chris.

Well, we put winter tyres on our X-Trail because we thought it was the law!
We got them from Point S in Samovodene our first year here, and also get them to change them twice yearly.
Not sure whether to bother now!

I use the same tyres all year round and never had any problems, I did once try snow chains and they are a complete pain in the rear

davshaz wrote:

I use the same tyres all year round and never had any problems, I did once try snow chains and they are a complete pain in the rear

I suppose it's worth carrying the chains, but only using them in an emergency, from looking at the question of fitting them it looks as though three hands are needed. Perhaps two hands and grip the torch in your teeth!!

:: ::

I have only used snow chains once here in the UK, many years ago.

And yes, ideally it wants 2 people to fit them, basically because you have to lay them out and then run half-way over them before you can start to tie each end together, but it can be done alone, just a big pain.
But the main thing is buying the correct chains for the size of tyres they will be used on, 'otherwise they come off'.

As you say, the law states you have to carry them but does not state you have to use them, but at least if needs be you will have them with you.

Also as said earlier, snow chains are not recommended to be used on a 4x4 when 4 wheel drive is engaged.
And not forgetting chains have to be fitted on the driving wheels only.

I reckon that if I was thinking of going somewhere where the chains might be needed..I'd just stay home!!

bgbazz wrote:

I reckon that if I was thinking of going somewhere where the chains might be needed..I'd just stay home!!

I think the point is you would use them if it was necessary to get back to where you wanted to, getting back being the objective here.

I have used snow chains whilst skiing in France, we had to dig the car out as it had almost disappeared, so drove very carefully to the first garage and bought the chains, it took 2 of us to fit them first time but it got a little easier when we used them again.
When Tanya was in Bulgaria the winter before last she had winter tyres fitted to the front of our Picasso, which are still on even through the summer when we are there (basically forgot they were on), they don,t seem to have worn much (then again we only use the car for a month at a time in the summer) but I have noticed if i am a bit heavy on the gas when pulling away, they do screech a bit. And when she goes over to her parents every winter she does at time need them, even though we are in a mild part of the country.

but I have noticed if i am a bit heavy on the gas when pulling away, they do screech a bit.

Thanks I think you've also just answered and cleared up something for me also.

A few years ago I had some part-worn tyres fitted and at the time I thought the tread on them was very good, and like yourself I either forgot or didn't know they were snow tyres.

But since I had the tyres replaced my screeching even though pulling away normally has disappeared, although I will admit I never noticed until your post just reminded me, so it was a very good chance that the snow tyres were the cause of that for me also.
At least it now stops PC Plod from giving me funny looks as if I was going to burn rubber and leave them standing at traffic lights.

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I have used snow chains whilst skiing in FranceDidn't you find they slowed you down? sorry

I have used snow chains whilst skiing in FranceDidn't you find they slowed you down? sorry[/quote]

Well done Phil. I was just about to to go into a lengthy explaination about feeling like driving on squire wheels, when the penny dropped. Obviously I have been out of engineering far too long.

Im just planning a drive over, Ive never bothered with winter tyres before, I just assumed that mine were ok....as they were good ones!

So...looking at my tyres they say ` M+S .... (and I didn't get them from Marks &
Spencer) , I did a search and it says it means Mud and snow.....but It doesn't have the other little triangle symbol that they also use on some tyres

So....does anyone know if they count as winter tyres? , what do police look for on the tyres?

Or does my car even need them....being a 4x4 , it says 4x4 on it so its easy to see?

The manual said never to fit snow chains, but the manual was stolen 10 years ago so I have no idea about tyres for it