snow chains or snow socks ??

[OFI]

Canada is not cold year round mate. In the Summer it's a damn sight hotter than the UK, even in the northern bits.

Substitute the countries he mentioned for the US and you might get the point. Gener ally speaking they cant drive for toffee over there but in the winter they all do just fine.

Hmm I failed geography..

 

[Fl@pper]

my f1's couldn't get me up a simple hill in the ice! the LCR just gave up and then slid backwards towards traffic!!!

i need something for my car

patience ? and momentum ?

 

[EmDee]

hear hear flapper, momentum is key.
It's also a lot to do with being gentle with the throttle - or all of the inputs actually. I tend to start off in second half the time so as not to spin the wheels, clutch control is important. Automatic cars are much better in the snow.

 

[EmDee]

No, there is no reason for them to be. They make the road a safer place. So long as you're uising them in the snow/ice I dont see how you could get a ticket for that.

 

[m0rk]

I'm not so sure on the legality of socks... after all you've blocked up your tyres 'tread' by covering them in this material.

You minimum tread depth is totally passed.

Best thing you can do with snow & ice if your area is lumpy is to stay home - wide tyres are never going to be any good.

 

[EmDee]

I'm not so sure on the legality of socks... after all you've blocked up your tyres 'tread' by covering them in this material.

You minimum tread depth is totally passed.

Best thing you can do with snow & ice if your area is lumpy is to stay home - wide tyres are never going to be any good.

thats interesting...

The thing is, the tread depth is still there under the sock. I would presume that the material would get pressed up into the treads by the snow. Not only that, but on ice you would actually have more surface contact.

I agree that you shouldnt go out unless you have to

 

[m0rk]

Common sense has nothing to do with the law

 

[Fl@pper]

haha
after 3 different hills, my patience ran out and i left the car at the bottom. it's definitely the tyres! i've never had any trouble with these hills in ice before.

are the snow socks actually illegal then?

must admit you wouldn't be the first or the last to do so, been there myself.

thankfully im blessed with my area all being close enough and flat enough to not get so much grief this time of year i guess. If i did i would just stay home anyway, i know my limits thanks.

Just a shame there seems to be so many idiots about in this weather, seen so many cars piled up the last few days

 

[stevo72]

Guys , what can i say, the snow socks are great, unknown to me until last night a neighbour has some for his ford focus , we live on a housing estate with a hill to get out, always untreated for days and with the snow we had last night, i saw them in action,

OK i could get out but doesnt take much to spin with low profile tyres etc even starting in 2nd or even 3rd gear and several other cars didnt make it, but with the socks, no problems.

Basically the socks gave much more grip/traction and control and you have more confidence and always helps you avoid those plums who drive to fast etc and for those situations where you have to stop on a hill etc....it does happen.

For £40 for something that gives you much more control worth it in my book. probably wont snow for the rest of winter now....well they will always be there for the future years.

 

[DaveP]

the problem with socks is that if you try to use them in a ski resort when there are chain controls in place unless they acknowledge them then you may find them insisting on chains.

 

[Willie]

What is up with British people and winter tyres???
There not just for snow.
My insurance excess is £400 you can buy winter tyres for this.

 

[OFI]

Plus an extra set of wheels ;-)

Something like these could be interesting:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=M/R1756514ALA

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=M/R1556513ALA4

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=M/R1856014ALA2

Is there a list of suitable wheels anywhere which fit from other cars? These snow tyres are quite cheap but only come in smaller sizes.

 

[stevo72]

the problem with socks is that if you try to use them in a ski resort when there are chain controls in place unless they acknowledge them then you may find them insisting on chains.

Indeed, however i am only referring to using socks for the UK! they work and they are cheap, alot cheaper than winter tyres !

 

[EmDee]

the problem with socks is that if you try to use them in a ski resort when there are chain controls in place unless they acknowledge them then you may find them insisting on chains.

I've never heard of this and I have skied for 24 years. If you have studded tyres I'm sure they would let you through - no? My old studded tyres (I've had three sets) were awesome, I could go ANYWHERE!

Socks, studs or chains I'm sure they would acknowledge that you aren't going to slide all over the place and let you through.

 

[Feel]

Stumbled on this:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333629

Basically, he say good, but awkward to fit on 18"/Low Profile/Sports suspension.

 

[DPJ]

Stumbled on this:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333629

Basically, he say good, but awkward to fit on 18"/Low Profile/Sports suspension.

Interesting post Phil. I was being drawn to these as I live at the bottom of a hill which is virtually impassable a couple of days a year. I think the only way I'd manage fit them on the Leon is by jacking the car up...........

 

[mjt]

I've never heard of this and I have skied for 24 years. If you have studded tyres I'm sure they would let you through - no? My old studded tyres (I've had three sets) were awesome, I could go ANYWHERE!

Socks, studs or chains I'm sure they would acknowledge that you aren't going to slide all over the place and let you through.

studded tyres are illegal in the UK afaik, and they're pointless as there's never enough snow, let alone for long enough, to justify them

winter tyres are a good bet. they're a softer compound so give more grip in cold temperatures, not just in snow. problem is if you have an LCR, then you might have problems fitting 16" or 17" wheels. 18" winter tyres are expensive!

 

[Joe K]

Problem is tho guys rather than tyres i got a old astra desiel 2.0 . It took me 4.5 hrs to get 5 miles last night and i never made it home ..
Even if you had socks chains or a none stop astra (aka the tracktor) but their not moving in front of you its all no good

 

[Cbeal]

I had a mixture of both last night. No traction on my new Exeo ST, so I wasn't going anywhere till people helped me out (thanks the guy in the A3 behind me). Then I got nearer home and the roads were stopped. Took 8 hours to do a 17 mile route, and I ended up abandoning my car in a carpark 3 miles from home as I hadn't moved for over an hour

Still, I may well think about some chains or socks for the "next time" we have light snow showers in the south east

 

[Willie]

Was also thinking how are you going to fit the socks?
So your stuck ice/compacted snow in a very narrow two lane road
Your seariously risking your life to fit £40 socks when you could fit winter tyres that will do you 5 years.

I picked up a spare set of alloys for £100 and bought the best winter tyres there was available for £750.
This will do me 5 years so for £200 a year I can drive my car in ANYTHING, no risking life fitting socks no damaging alloys and tyres fitting chains.