I have identified a set of 15-inch steel wheels fitted with Avon Ice Touring tyres which will be ideal for winter use on my Mother's Nissan Note. I hadn't reckoned on the vagaries of the insurance industry, however. My helpful Nissan garage stressed that it was essential to clear this proposed "modification" with my Mother's insurers. On phoning the insurers I was told in no uncertain terms that fitting these wheels and tyres (or indeed fitting tyres of this type to the Nissan's existing alloys) would invalidate the insurance as these tyres are considered to be "performance enhancing" and are not therefore allowed. I was sufficiently taken aback to phone a number of other insurers with whom I do business, who confirmed what I had originally been told. The world in which we live is indeed a strange place seemingly devoid of any logic or common sense at all.