For those of you who will be playing in the snow !

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SNOW-CHAINS-9MM-SKODA-YETI-2WD-FABIA-FELICIA-SUPERB-NEW_W0QQitemZ190327021334QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2c505fdf16

They are very cheap!. Unfortunately the ones listed are for the 2 wheel drive versions only.

"TUV AND GS approved snow chains for

SKODA FABIA, FELICIA, OCTAVIA (NOT 4X4), ROOMSTER, SUPERB YETI (NOT 4WD)"

"IF YOU HAVE A 4X4 VEHICLE THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT SET FOR YOU. SEE OUR EBAY SHOP FOR 4X4 LISTINGS"

This is supposedly the chains for the four wheel drive version???

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SNOW-CHAINS-HEAVY-DUTY-16MM-SKODA-YETI-4X4-NEW_W0QQitemZ200371185900QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2ea70da8ec#ht_2785wt_804

They advise only fitting one axle set on both 2 wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles. I do not hold with that! They should be fitted to all 4 wheels because it is not just about traction but staying on the road. If fitted to one axle only the car can pivot around that axle. Also surely their will be a bigger over all diameter, this will make the center differential work overtime or so I would have thought.

Has anyone considered "AutoSocks" ?? I use them on my Toyota MPV; any depth of snow, or ice, can do 30mph and take only a few minutes to fit over your normal road tyres.

I have great fun winding up 4x4 drivers who get stuck; I drive past them, wave, then go around and drive past them and wave again!!!

GentleGiant, can you post a link, I think that I have seen them somewhere before. For the amount of snow received below the Scottish border they might be a good compromise for most!

Available here

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/

Did you say you are a subscriber to AutoExpress ?

Thought so - don't forget your 5% discount -

go in via this link first....

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/autoexpress/

Thank you for the links, I will have a peruse later. the thing that i saw years ago was more aggressive but I can not think what it was called. I think it was bolted on to the wheel nuts and just self fitted when the wheels turned. Like a sort of plastic cage, though that is an oversimplification. Any way thank you for that.

"Spider" seems to ring a bell with that one ?

Yes thats the one Spider I had a look at the spider earlier before the forum went down. Spikes Spider, they do different versions one with small tungsten spikes and others with chains. Evidently they will fit the Yeti with original tyre of 225/50/17. they are a lot more expensive than the sock but i think might proof more robust and offer better performance. I have found no proof that however so far.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel3.php?emulate=snowchains&query=7756&Sub_Model=&Tyre=225%2F50-17

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?emulate=snowchains&query=7756&vptype=&prodid=16660&Tyre=225/50-17

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?emulate=snowchains&query=7756&vptype=&prodid=18017&Tyre=225/50-17

Their other variations available they are sold world wide, some websites show more versions or better images. They are easy to fit one just bolts on the hub using replacement wheel bolts and the rest snaps in I think. On takes them oof and puts them back on when ever very quickly.

I first saw these being discussed on a German specialist off road site a few years back. they were very impressed with them.

The problem with the SpikesSpiders is, that they stay huge. Not as a chain that can be put back in a small box and stowed in the car. They will take quite a lot of room in your trunk if unused.

Now theirs American Terminology for you "Trunk" ! i agree they will take up more room but should be easy to take on and off and be a bit more robust and the top versions Alpine etc mimic real chains.

The problem with the SpikesSpiders is, that they stay huge. Not as a chain that can be put back in a small box and stowed in the car. They will take quite a lot of room in your trunk if unused.

Trunk or boot, whatever. We call it kofferraum

You dont need chains that much, so they will be lying around in the car most of the time. Didnt use any chains the last 10 or more years going to Switzerland of Austia to ski. But have to say that I always use wintertyres.

So for me the chains are in the car because of the rules in the wintersport areas and off course in case of heavy snow conditions.

And for the eventuallity I will have to put them on more complex as the SpikesSpiders. (but you will have to take all wheel nuts off and put the adapter ring on, before you start your journey).

Handy in the Mud also or on wet grass. They are expensive, I am not sure if the price was for 4 wheels or two.

Prices should be for one axle only.

Ouch

The advantages of the autosocks are

They go over your road tyres.

You only need to fit them when you need them; they take a few minutes, tops!

They fold up into a very small package that takes up little room; I have mine stuffed under the back seat.

They can be used on any depth of snow, or ice, or even for short runs of tarmac if there is a cleared gap or you are crossing a cleared road from one snow covered road to another.

Compared to the alternatives, they are very cheap.

I bought mine about 6 years ago for a skiing trip, but never needed them in the Alps. I have used them several times here in the UK; one time I seemed to be the only vehicle able to move, there were 4x4 tw@ts and Police Range Rovers sliding off the road on all sides!!

I bought them from the same place linked above; the best £160 I have ever spent on car accessories ( rear wheel drive Toyota, so I needed 2 sets).

the autosocks do appear to be good value for money.

Are the autosocks any use for muddy stuff?

Having had a look at the site it's the affinity for snow and ice that the textile has that makes them so effective. My assumption would be that they are not particularly good with mud/grass.

Never tried them on mud, and I doubt they would work; as you say, the material is supposed to stick to snow and ice, not mud. (Sorry )

Years ago some people would pull old socks over their boots to get grip on the ice. I seem to recall a story of mountaineers doing the same too.

I have a feeling that they wont be so affective in mud, I can say that snow chains are however and are a very effective method of pulling through stuff like wet clay, mud grass etc. So the Spike Spider would work also in these conditions.

They can be hired for an Alpine Holiday if something like that is required so for a one off their would be no need to buy.

They can be hired for an Alpine Holiday if something like that is required so for a one off their would be no need to buy.

Ye Gods!! Have you seen how much they want to hire them for a 2 week holiday!! It is cheaper to buy them!!

A review I read talks about putting a pair on his RWD Yank Tank, but surely you would need 2 pairs? What good is drive traction if you cannot steer!!

(Of course, being a Yank Tank, it cannot steer anyway!! )

It looks as if they are about twice the price of autosocks, but if you need to move on wet grass or mud they would seem to be a better bet.

GentleGiant,

I did not look up the price of hiring! The initial purchase price was frightening just for a pair! For me the Spike Spider would be perfect (except the price). I would just bolt on the hubs at that right time of year or when going somewhere were they may be needed and then just use them when required or if I became stuck in one of my or a neighbors fields I could just slide them on.. Then take of the hubs at the end of a season or holiday. The Socks are probably all most might need their cheep to buy so if their just lying around for along time without use, its not to bad.

I still feel that overall Winter Tyres would be more beneficial throughout the winter months. They have softer compounds that retain a higher coefficient of traction to well below freezing, clear rain better, grip on snow and ice. Being on throughout the winter they are ready to cope with what the winter throws at us. Then for those especial bad times up in the mountains or up in Scotland or whatever the socks or spiders could be used. I am surprised that the EU has not made more binding legislation to ensure that winter tyres are compulsory during the winter months throughout most of Europe, just like it is in some regions already.

Some of us live at sea level in areas warmed by the gulf stream...

Last time I saw snow of any significance was around 5 years ago.

This didn't stop my mum buying me a snow shovel fro Xmas one year though....

shovels can be very useful.

Winter tyres are not just about driving in snow, it is not just about not getting stuck, it is to do with increased grip on normal roads and reducing accidents. Normal tyres begin to lose adhesion from +4 C. They have a reduced coefficient of friction from then on down. Winter tyres have a higher coefficient of friction and are formulated to remain sticky at low sub zero temperatures. They are better at clearing water and are more resistant to aquaplaning. They will work better on snow and on ice with less likelihood of skidding and their is a far less likelihood of becoming stuck. It is not just about what the conditions are in ones home town but in the country that one lives and the possibility of traveling in low temperatures. In any case much of Britain is subject to freezing every now and then regardless of living on the coast. I only live a few miles from the West coast yet we get plenty of ice here. The gulf stream is more affective o the West coast than the East.

As far as getting stuck is concerned I am not worried about individual vehicles getting caught out at the side of the road. I am more concerned with vehicles becoming stuck due to wearing inappropriate tyres. It has become fashionable for ever wider tyres with minimal tread and sipeing with large areas of lands. We have all seen huge traffic jams of stationary vehicles on motor-ways and other roads when we have only the thinest dusting of snow on the ground. The country practically comes to a halt. This would not have happened yesteryear unless their was blizzard conditions. It costs the country £ billions and causes massive inconvenience to the public and emergency services. It is not only pathetic, potentially dangerous to those who are stranded but it is entirely avoidable. If all were using winter tyres all of this would be a thing of the past. Their also would be less accident.

Some of us live at sea level in areas warmed by the gulf stream...

Last time I saw snow of any significance was around 5 years ago.

This didn't stop my mum buying me a snow shovel fro Xmas one year though....