I cannot agree with you enough about the value of fitting winter tyres. Combine them with sensible driving and who needs a 4x4 for road driving in snow? I drive a Jaguar S-Type Diesel and last winter spent some time in Germany where winter tyres are the norm. I fitted Hankook Ice Bear tyres to the car and the results were just incredible. Safe handling in the snow and the wet meant that driving was still a pleasure and gave a feeling of security that was just not possible with normal summer tyres fitted. Obviously you cannot drive in either snow or the wet as though you are on a dry road and driving in icy conditions requires as much care as ever, but there is no doubt that fitting winter tyres provided added safety to my driving.

Even though I live in the south of England I fitted the winter tyres again in November and will keep them on the car until the end of March, and I feel confident about dealing with any conditions winter might throw. Ideally I would have the winter tyres on steel wheels, but I have not yet been able to source any that will fit the Jaguar. Any suggestions?