Just driven from the Dorset coast back home to north east Hampshire, and had to use the snow socks for the first couple of miles and then the last half a mile. I have to admit getting the socks on the vRS wheel is a pain in the butt, took me ages and I ended up with filthy hands and forearms, and a cut thumb. However once they were on and I drove off I was astonished at the effect, the grip was excellent. I live at the bottom of an unmade lane which has a fair uphill gradient at the start, and then over the brow and down hill. It was covered with around 8 inches of snow and the car barged along like a snow plough, the low front valence scooping up the snow as I went. Not even a hint of wheel spin. Very impressed. I took the following pics just after I pulled onto my drive.

Bob.

Wow - very impressive. Looks like a good option for essential journeys. I wonder what can be done to make them easier to get on.

Wow - very impressive. Looks like a good option for essential journeys. I wonder what can be done to make them easier to get on.

Yes I certainly would not be home right now if I hadn't had them in the boot. I think the only way to make it easier would be jack up the car to increase the access around the wheel, but unless you're starting out on your drive that wouldn't really be feasible. I imagine it's easier on non-vRS models where there's a bit more fresh air between the tyre and the wheel arch.

I've been using them & my vRS is lowered......PITA until someone on here pointed out you can put the wheels on full lock to assist fitting!

Work really well though.

I've been using them & my vRS is lowered......PITA until someone on here pointed out you can put the wheels on full lock to assist fitting!

Work really well though.

Yes I tried that but didn't make it much easier - technique I suppose. Another couple of weeks of snow and I'll be an expert I expect!

My Auto Socks arrived in the post today, I currently have close to 25" of snow surrounding my car so it's unlikely I will get to test them anytime soon.

After digging my access route out over 2 days, I fitted my Tex Socks (?) Tricky to fit and the access was little better on lock, probably around 15 minutes in total. Extra traction is very impressive and I turned the car around on an icy/snowy slope with little difficulty. Bare tarmack is only 150m away but leaving them on until my escape tomorrow.

I don't know guys what autosocks are you using, but the ones i have for wifes car takes less then a minute for each tire, then drive the car a little and finish off in a few seconds.

I've put them on her car a few times and they have performed very nice on clean ice and deep snow. A nice emergency kit!

are these just for the driving wheels? where can i get more info + prices? these seem like a good quick fix until i can get some winter tyres

I don't know guys what autosocks are you using, but the ones i have for wifes car takes less then a minute for each tire, then drive the car a little and finish off in a few seconds.

I've put them on her car a few times and they have performed very nice on clean ice and deep snow. A nice emergency kit!

Mine are the Fix n Go Tex ones, made by Dunlop I believe. 45 quid off eBay. The fabric's quite thick and a bit stiff and starchy when cold, which made them a bit awkward to fit. They seem very good quality.

are these just for the driving wheels? where can i get more info + prices? these seem like a good quick fix until i can get some winter tyres

I think just fitting them on the driving wheels is sufficient. As long as you're sensible the back wheels will just follow the front - just take good care when cornering - that's the only time the back end slid out a little.

Just search for snow socks on eBay and all will be revealed. You can get them for about £47 a pair.

I bought mine from AutoSock http://www.autosock.co.uk/ but they have http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/ as their dealer. Starting from 49.95.

I've got them, but I cannot be damned bothered to go out, the freezers & larder is well stocked, so sod it!

I'm long weekend off so, no need to go out either, mind you that's if I can find the car! There are some humps in the road where the cars were!

I've ordered some from the same place, ordered them last weekend but naturally they are now out of stock and they haven't arrived, they have a message on their site pretty much telling you to jog on until more come in stock.

Very impressed with mine today as well. Great buy, glad I got them now. £67 well spent, as they got me home today.

I've got them, but I cannot be damned bothered to go out, the freezers & larder is well stocked, so sod it!

I'm long weekend off so, no need to go out either, mind you that's if I can find the car! There are some humps in the road where the cars were!

Well like you now I'm home I'm going to sit in front of an open fire and roast my chestnuts

I bought mine from AutoSock http://www.autosock.co.uk/ but they have http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/ as their dealer. Starting from 49.95.

Same place I ordered from on Sunday night and received them in the post today. Will maybe test them over the weekend after I buy a shovel to get my car out of the snow cocoon it is currently hiding inside of.

What Snow!!!!!

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by DLW

I bought some Autosocks. The day after I first used them I bought a set of steel wheels and winter tyres.

Why?

They do work, but they are very inconvenient. The main problem for me was that they are limited to 30mph (?) and you have to take them off when you reach cleared road, or they will shred. I could not find a safe place to stop and put them on/off other than my driveway. The snow means that all roads are effectively single track round here, until I reach the motorway. That meant I had to stop with a queue of traffic behind me while I removed/fitted them. You also need to have some long gloves with you, as your hands and arms will get covered in crud. Then you get on the main road, and your summer tyres are still rubbish.

So, yes, they do work, but they are not as good as winter tyres, and have major convenience issues.

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by pixor

@ VRs Bob - great write up - thanks.

@ Pixor - yep, have to agree if you really want the car to be fully winter sorted you need proper winter tyres. If i lived where you do i'd probably go that route. For many of us (esp down south) they are just there for those emergency situations. If you're stuck, they'll get you out - that's all i need. If the weather is really bad my plan is as always - just stay at home :yes:

Just lost one of mine....B****r!! & my steels & winters are a week away at least.... :S

Oh, & yep-got BIG oversteer this am. with them on the front only. With no handbrake!! :p

Edited 3 December, 201015 yr by veryRedSkoda

Used mine twice now, car got completely stuck outside my parents' house, tried digging it out, then i remembered they were in the boot and off we went. Mine are more painful to take off than put on (I think they're multi-grip ones but not 100% certain), ended up pulling into a bus-stop to take them off. Using the steering lock-to-lock means probably 2-3 minutes to get them on, then about 5 mins to get them off...

1st post here, so I will give my my experience of snow socks.

I too bought Multi Grip snow socks a couple of months back for £50 off Amazon after some interesting experiences last winter . Here in South London its been generally unusual to get enough snow to cause a major problem but the last 2 years has changed that. So after it snowed all day Tuesday I decided it was time to put the socks on. After spending nearly 30 minutes trying to get them on I decided the only way was to jack up each wheel and do it that way. 10minutes later they were on, but what a tight fit.

Do they work? Well yes they do, and surprisingly well,easily negotiating steep,snow covered roads which would have otherwise left me at a stand still not long after the road went upwards But the major problem is getting them on and off. So much so that I left them on and just kept the speed down on clear roads. Unfortunately that was not enough, and after just 3 days use they are knackered. One actually tore apart on the elasticated inside edge and wrapped itself around the wheel hub. Had to remove the wheel to get if off. The other took over 10 minutes to pry/pull off.

So to sum up. They do work very,very well, but they are a P.I.T.A. to put on/take off (at least on a VRS with 18inch wheels) and will self destruct if driven on clear tarmac roads.

I wont buy another pair and will just take my chances if there is more snow.

@rob_e yep, I don't think I would have bothered with winter tyres if I still lived down south, although I remember a lot of really snowy winters when I grew up in Oxfordshire.