As their is a lot of talk about forth coming snow / wheels and tyres..

whats peoples reviews on chains / blankets or socks

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALL-NEW-FIX-GO-TEX-SNOW-CHAIN-SOCKS-TOP-QUALITY-VALUE-/190444041262?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c5759742e

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MICHELIN-EASY-GRIP-COMPOISITE-SNOW-CHAINS-SKODA-SUPERB-/190344132557?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c5164f7cd

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SNOW-CHAINS-HEAVY-DUTY-16MM-SKODA-YETI-4X4-NEW-/190368118849?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c52d2f841

whos used...

Whats the laws etc

With the general driving conditions having good spotts (wet roads) then bad spots half a mile down the road.. can you run just on chains for the spirt or do you have to remove.. . what speeds can you safely travel at?

REVIEWS PLEASE

Don't know about UK regulations, but here in Sweden maximum speed is 30 mph for both chains and socks. Chains, at least, should only be used temporarily under extreme conditions and believe me, if there's no snow on the road you don't want to drive with chains on, not even in 5 mph, you'll damage the road (an offence) and probably your car, too.

Unless you live on a very desolated spot with heavy snowfall I can't see any reason for a driver in UK to use snow chains. If you go to the Alps, or Norway, in winter it's another thing, of course.

Edited 15 September, 201015 yr by swedishskoda

Was mainly thinking of getting out my estate ... its a pain when it snows.. if you dont get a clear run on the right lines your going backwards lol

Just get a good shovel or one of these:

Seriously, if your driveway is difficult (steep, curved, and lots of snow) then socks or chains can be the right thing on that very spot. But be prepared for a tiresome mounting/dismounting. And hope for global warming

Edited 15 September, 201015 yr by swedishskoda

The first might be a possiblity as they are fairly easy to get on and off, but the third, proper chains, are a complete pain unless you can guarentee you will have them fitted for the whole journey. They will get you cold, wet and dirty taking them on and off.

To be honest, for the majority of the UK, a set of PROPER winter tyres should be perfectly adequate.

I've used snow chains a few times in the UK, but TBH spent more time putting them on and taking them off than using them.

All my snow chains todate have been the simple chain type. They work, if a pain in the back-side to put on. They are cheap, you can pick them up in any petrol station in France and Switzerland.

Not seen those string-type chains before. Don't look like they would last very long, but recon they might get you out of a hole (so to speak).

The snow-sock type things are supposed OK for snow, but I've heard they don't work well on ice. Not sure they meet the legal requirement some countries have for snow chains.

One useful little tip is to carry a bag of grit/shingle in the boot & a shovel. Very quick and handy to over short steep obstacles like drives etc.

Mud mats can be used in the same way, and are quite cheap. Here are some from ebay (not a good example though - far too short).

Other useful items include a tarp or foam matt and a pair of gloves - as you WILL need to kneel on the ground, grovel round behind the wheel, hit your knuckles, swear, and get very very cold fingers, when fitting snow-chains.

A headtorch is very useful too.

I've never had to use snowchains on winter tyres, even in 2WD vehicles on steep icey hills (has been close though).

ps

With snow chains, you can get away 1 pair, and fit them to the drive wheels

As others have stated, go very slowly with them on.

If (when) they come off, they can wrap themselves round brakes lines and do all kinds of damage.

Edited 15 September, 201015 yr by snow_muncher

I have snow socks and only used them once. Never again. They do work but take too long imo to put on and take off. And who wants to be picking up a dirty and wet nylon sock and then repackaging it and putting it in the boot. I'd rather be able to just set off and not worry about positioning them etc. takes too damn long.

Probably won't snow anyway....

snow tyres and chains are a legal requirememt in certain countries/area, even if you have tyres you still need chains too.

Snow socks are not fully accepted in certain countries like france, and although they may work they do not constitute a replacement for chains in the eyes of the law.

snow tyres and chains are a legal requirememt in certain countries/area, even if you have tyres you still need chains too.

Snow socks are not fully accepted in certain countries like france, and although they may work they do not constitute a replacement for chains in the eyes of the law.

got some Nokian tyres last year, fabulous in the prolonged deep snow we had from December to February

Just sold my 16" winters and matching RUD chains. I used the chains in the Alps a couple of times and a couple of times at home. They're incredibly effective. I did put some deep marks on my driveway with them though. This year I'm going for Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes on my spare 18" Zeniths. I'll get a pair of autosocks for them and see how I get on.