I was looking at the Autosock site, having seen them mentioned here - I confess I really had not picked up on them at all. It seems these would have saved me a huge amount of trouble on a trip to the Scottish Highlands last January in my old Golf. They just seem a much more elegant and, perhaps, safer (for the car) solution than chains for getting out of trouble. I will have winter tyres on the Yeti this year but there is the old problem of the spare. I have invested (and it hurt!) in five winter tyres, so I do at least have a replacement if one of these rare beasts gets punctured. But it won't ride on the spare as I am retaining my 17 inch alloys for winter use.

I was thinking, wow, carrying a sock might be a good option to put on the normal spare in the event of a puncture in snowy conditions, just to get out of trouble. I wondered if anyone has much experience with these beasties?

Edited 8 November, 201015 yr by roguebrit

I was looking at the Autosock site, having seen them mentioned here - I confess I really had not picked up on them at all. It seems these would have saved me a huge amount of trouble on a trip to the Scottish Highlands last January in my old Golf. They just seem a much more elegant and, perhaps, safer (for the car) solution than chains for getting out of trouble. I will have winter tyres on the Yeti this year but there is the old problem of the spare. I have invested (and it hurt!) in five winter tyres, so I do at least have a replacement if one of these rare beasts gets punctured. But it won't ride on the spare as I am retaining my 17 inch alloys for winter use.

I was thinking, wow, carrying a sock might be a good option to put on the normal spare in the event of a puncture in snowy conditions, just to get out of trouble. I wondered if anyone has much experience with these beasties?

I've not had any experience of them myself but have heard good things about them from others. I've just bought a Lexus IS300 and am thinking very seriously about getting a pair for myself.

Cheers

Dave.

I was looking at the Autosock site, having seen them mentioned here - I confess I really had not picked up on them at all. It seems these would have saved me a huge amount of trouble on a trip to the Scottish Highlands last January in my old Golf. They just seem a much more elegant and, perhaps, safer (for the car) solution than chains for getting out of trouble. I will have winter tyres on the Yeti this year but there is the old problem of the spare. I have invested (and it hurt!) in five winter tyres, so I do at least have a replacement if one of these rare beasts gets punctured. But it won't ride on the spare as I am retaining my 17 inch alloys for winter use.

I was thinking, wow, carrying a sock might be a good option to put on the normal spare in the event of a puncture in snowy conditions, just to get out of trouble. I wondered if anyone has much experience with these beasties?

Hi

This won't help you at all: once I had bought the Autosocks for my Octavia I never had another a problem in the snow and ice earlier this year. They are still snug in their packet in the back of the car never having been used. Bit like insurance really, just because you buy doesn't mean you will get to use it. And sadly they won't fit the Yeti that's coming.

Fred

P.S. when I ordered my Autosocks I mentioned the problem of kneeling down in the snow to fit them and they sent me a free non-slip mat - which has been very useful.

I was looking at the Autosock site, having seen them mentioned here - I confess I really had not picked up on them at all. It seems these would have saved me a huge amount of trouble on a trip to the Scottish Highlands last January in my old Golf. They just seem a much more elegant and, perhaps, safer (for the car) solution than chains for getting out of trouble. I will have winter tyres on the Yeti this year but there is the old problem of the spare. I have invested (and it hurt!) in five winter tyres, so I do at least have a replacement if one of these rare beasts gets punctured. But it won't ride on the spare as I am retaining my 17 inch alloys for winter use.

I was thinking, wow, carrying a sock might be a good option to put on the normal spare in the event of a puncture in snowy conditions, just to get out of trouble. I wondered if anyone has much experience with these beasties?

Been using them for about 4 years. They work but extended running on tarmac would shred them eventually. A great "get out of jail free" card.

John

Worked well on the MX-5 last winter, certainly wouldn't have taken it over the Alps when I did without them in the boot as reassurance.

Had them for about 6 years, I love to go out on the rare occasion when it snows round here and wave at all the stuck 4x4s on the hilly uncleared lanes around Malvern. They are starting to show signs of wear, but HEY!! 6 years!!!

Dont forget, they work on ice as well as snow, a snow tire wont work on ice, nor will chains.

I bought a set for my Altea and a set for my Fiat 500, they arrived just as everything had thawed here. So mine are untouched and in their packaging.

The Altea ones are just a different size to the Yeti, both 17" wheels, but yeti has 225/50/17 and my Altea had 225/45/17, drat! Have to flog my two sets and get some for the SM.

I would bet the 17" ones will fit the Yeti tyres. There isn't that much difference in size.

You know I did wonder whether they would, I'm not sure how much leeway with fitting you get with these things.

Well on the grounds that they have to be quite "elastic" to fit, I would try them before selling them. The difference in total rolling circumference is only 10mm between the 2 sizes.

Bought a set of snow socks for the wifes Fabia; elasticated and fits a number of tyre sizes as listed on the carry case.

Regards,

TP

As the Plumer says for his Fixandgo's

If you have Auto Socks, they give the various wheel/tyre sizes it will fit on the packaging, one size sock will fit a variety of combinations, but they do say that if the size is not listed, it is not a good idea to use them.

I think the tyre width is the most important one.

I am lucky, my new Mitsi is listed for the same socks as my old Toyota; the wheels are bigger but the tyre profile is lower and the tread width is the same.

Thank you everyone for the most helpful replies. My inclination is to get a pair, on the basis of 'group experience', even though they will just ride in the boot, probably. But it is such a nuisance that, if I get them in the size to fit my 195/60/16 spare (which, with winter tyres on the alloys, is the potential weakness I want to address) they won't even fit the 225/50/17 alloys! What a shame they come in like-size pairs! There's always something to ponder...

Thank you everyone for the most helpful replies. My inclination is to get a pair, on the basis of 'group experience', even though they will just ride in the boot, probably. But it is such a nuisance that, if I get them in the size to fit my 195/60/16 spare (which, with winter tyres on the alloys, is the potential weakness I want to address) they won't even fit the 225/50/17 alloys! What a shame they come in like-size pairs! There's always something to ponder...

list of sizes here, one size fits quite a range

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

list of sizes here, one size fits quite a range

http://www.roofbox.c...ocks/ASsize.php

so from that the 215/60 R16 & the 225/50 R17 share the same size sock.

The 195/60 R16 which is the size of the spare is a different sock size....

Mike

Yup - that's the problem, Mike and Fuzzy. Looks like odd socks would need to be worn, if spare on, and a sock on an alloy. Wouldn't be the first time I have gone out with odd socks though...

Yup - that's the problem, Mike and Fuzzy. Looks like odd socks would need to be worn, if spare on, and a sock on an alloy. Wouldn't be the first time I have gone out with odd socks though...

I suppose then, an new spare wheel & full size tyre. Actually, I have a set of winter tyres, so, just put a summer full size wheel in the boot and take the "skinny" spare out. I know it won't fit properly. Then you could have 1 size of sock.

Mike

I've just bought a single pair of these as I'm currently negotiating with lease company for winter tyres. They cost just over £60 for the pair inc. delivery ...

http://www.autow.co.uk/snow_chains/rud_soft_spike.html

They seem like a quality bit of kit and have the speed fitting benefits of socks but with an additional wire weave for grip on ice and to prolong longevity for occasional tarmac use (tested to over 120 KM on tarmac).

http://www.rud.com/en/unternehmen/aktuelles/presse/schneeketten1/hightech_textil_stahl.html

Question. I'm quite used to driving on snow anyway but I've never had 4WD before so ignoring any owner's handbook advice, does anyone have views on whether these are best fitted to rear wheels or front wheels. Personally I'd prefer the rear wheel approach and accept the compromise on steering control versus the risk of 180'ing if fitted on the front. Will the HALDEX system do odder things if they're fitted to the rear though ?

Great thread Roguebrit. Helped make my mind up about being out and about in London if/when the snow and ice come. I will need to do a hosptial run in January and don't want my baby being delivered on the back seat of the Yeti! Glad I should be able to avoid the expense and hassle of buying 16inch wheels and fitting winter tyres!

Thanks Rossmoffat - now they do look interesting indeed...

Wow, Fenboy - definately worth the investment, methinks, in those circumstances! But they are clearly not a sub for winter tyres - they are insurance to get out of trouble, that's all, of course

Edited 24 November, 201015 yr by roguebrit

LOL! I've just placed an order for some Autosocks, but the company can't give me a delivery date because they're currently snowed in - BRILLIANT!

Bought some autosocks earlier this year as my octy vrs was crap in the snow but by the time they arrived the snow had gone. Changed the Octy for a yeti in March so the socks have been unused until last Friday when my son's Renaultsport Twingo 133 cup got stuck in the snow. The socks weren't the right ones for his tyres (in fact they aren't listed) but put them on anyway and they worked like a dream allowing him to drive through fresh and and compressed snow and uphill without any problems and with plenty of grip. Our neighbour saw the car wearing the socks and informed us that the local ambulance service that she works for carry these socks but had never seen them in use and was quite impressed with the performance.

Wouldn't be without them now, and would certainly use them on the Yeti even though it's a 4x4, as the Haldex system puts about 80% of the drive to the front wheels and then changes the configuration if it senses loss of traction so if you put the socks on the front it shouldn't affect the performance. Although the Yeti has been most impressive these last few days in the snow, we have had about 12" in this part of N Yorks over the last few days and has seen me go to and from work without any problems while people have been abandoning their vehicles on my route to work. I bought the Yeti specifically to keep me mobile if this type of weather repeated it self from last winter and it has lived up to and exceeded my expectations, well done Skoda.

I bought some Autosocks Wednesday last week from the roofbox distributor, was delighted with the delivery time and looking outside this morning it looks like they may get some use if I go to work and it snows again later!

On a 4x4 do you use 2 pairs of Autosocks or just 1 pair on the front?

Mike

On a 4x4 do you use 2 pairs of Autosocks or just 1 pair on the front?

Mike

Hi Mike,

I would suggest the same rules as chains applies so front only would be OK.

Regards,

TP