Tyre Socks?

[Exeowner]

My employer has offered to pay for a pair, he wants to be ahead of the game this winter and buy some soon before they sell out like last time once it snows.

So, did anyone use these last winter? Any good? Any downsides like damage to the wheel?

The model I'd need for the Exeo 18" wheel would be the same as my wife's Altea 17", so I'm interested, but not if it means damaging my wheels or stuffing it in a ditch just so I get to work more!

I hear that they are better than chains as regards damage, but any advice welcomed from the real world.

Sorry to mention winter when it's still August....!

Thanks.

 

[CupraDaft]

One of my neighbours got them for his taxi and the family car and said they were great. He only needed them for the short stretches of hills around us which was after the initial big dumps, but seemed very impressed.

 

[Philwowo]

Yes I'm looking for some socks too anyone got any idea?

 

[Leodis]

Google is your friend, search for Autosock

 

[jammymark]

I've just bought the "Fix n go tex" one's, very good quality indeed. Made from what looks like Kevlar material. Cost £42 from Amazon + postage. Autosock are the best but they also cost £60 to £80 depending on size. My mate bought some for his transit van last year and never got stuck once. He said if you have front wheel drive (and abviously thats where you fit them!) and have ESP and ABS then providing you drive sensibly don't go above 30mph and take them off when the snow has cleared and your back on tarmac then you will never get stuck.
His final tip is keep moving and try not to stop and you'll be fine.
The only downside to them, the people who don't have them getting stuck and therefore getting in your way!

 

[Seatmann]

Where's the challenge in that? I love having to get my shovel out and dig myself free lol (NOT)

 

[Larfinboy]

sno sox

lots of choice - price dependant on size for 225 40 18
- Autosocks £65ish
- Bottari Grip Sock Evolution £67ish
- Weiss Sock £67ish
- Michelin Easy Grip Composite snow "chain" (its not a metal chain its like a 5mm nylon rope and links) £50ish from Costco but dont do 18" wheels

I like the look of the Michelin offering over a material sheet as the rope net and metal links make sense.....

Yet to find a price as good as Costco and supplier for my size tyre any recommendations out there

 

[Exeowner]

So, before buying a set of Autosocks I thought I'd check out the SEAT website - there is no mention of them being approved for use.

Not discouraged, I thought I'd have a look around the front wheel/tyre and was surprised to see that the 18" tyre only has less than an inch clearance between the inside side wall and the upper suspension arm.

I'm now just a bit concerned that a flappy piece of tyre sock might do some harm - better that than a set of loose chains of course, but I wonder if that is why SEAT haven't approved them?

Can someone with an SE give a gap measurement for the 17" wheels to the upper arm? That would be the wheel size I'd go for if I decided winter tyres were worth the expense. Am I right in saying the SE has 225 width as well as the Sport but a different profile? If so the gap might be the same anyway?

I could just get some anyway and see how tight they grip the tyre on the inside wall I suppose....

 

[julianat57]

Hi, just measured my SE 17 inch wheel clearance to upper suspension arm, and it is 0.75 inch. Hope this helps....Julian

 

[Exeowner]

Thanks Julian, that's about the same gap I've estimated from looking at my 18" wheels with Bridgestone S001s.

I think the easiest way to do this is to go ahead and buy a set and see how they look on the car. I've thought about contacting SEAT UK, I'll update on anything I find out as I'm curious as to why they haven't endorsed the product.

They do mention winter tyres online, but if the sensible wheel/tyre combo to change to is 225/45/17, we've got the same gap to the suspension anyway for the tyre socks to go on. I might expect a slightly narrower profile on the winter tyre but not that much difference surely.

If nothing else, after spending money on tyre socks and a snow shovel it's bound to be a mild winter so it has to be worth it!!

 

[loonymoon]

I bought a pair of autosocks last year for my ibiza. I did drive in the snow but never actually used them as the beeza is actually not bad in snow (not powerful enough to be a problem I suppose!!).

I'm changing my car soon (hopefully next week) for a Sportrider with 17" alloys.... the old car has 15" alloys. Annoyingly Autosock have changed the sizes (reduced from 13 to 8 sizes) and the new size would have fitted both of the cars, but the size I've got won't fit the 17" wheels.. so I'm going to have to buy another pair and sell the ones I have. It's nice to have the peace of mind that if I did get into a sticky situation they'd help me out. I reckon the new car won't be as good in snow as the old one... :-(