Obraik:On the topic of tyres, I currently have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 on my car. However, I've noticed that these are called a summer tyre with a recommended operating temperature above 7c. Seeing that I live in Christchurch where the temps do drop below that (with the potential for snow in winter), should I instead be looking at a all-season tyre?
No. High performance Summer still better at that temp. All Season is a gimmick. All Weather is the real deal. But you can't buy them here.
I drive up the ski fields in my subaru with all and any tyre and they're fine. Balding Chinese clones couldn't stop my car. Never needed chains up or down.
At high way speeds your tyre will heat up above 7C. I can 100% guarantee that. At slow speeds who cares. It will work enough and if you're dumb enough to drive like crazy then All Season, All Weather ain't gonna help either.
I've also tried snow tyres once when the week was icy. I drove over all the ice on the road in my van weeeeeeeeee. But it nearly killed me going round a tight bend in the wet the tyre just let go and I skidded 4 tyres into the on coming lane. Every other car made that corner fine. Don't. Put. On. Snow. Tyres. Unless you're in deep snow.