Heyup,

Given the godawful winter we had up here on the North East coast last year, and the fact that every time i pick up a newspaper i seem to read that -20C is on the way, im considering how best to look after the car.

I've never had any issues in the snow in the past, however the vRS is much more powerful than any of my previous drives and this will be my first winter driving it.

I see that having a spare set of wheels with winter tyres on them is a popular option around here, however i simply cant afford to lay out the £400+ for that option.

As such, i was wondering if anyone had any experience with snow socks which they could share? They seem to be about £60 which is obviously much more affordable, but still a lot if they turn out to be useless at what they are meant to do.

Cheers

Asda had them in for £35 week before last. They seem to be good. I had a set of michelin easy grip's for my Octavia before I got winter tyres. They are very good. I got sick of putting them on - freezing cold, cut hands and then you have to take them off if you go on un-snowed roads.

Winter tyres all the way!

I had an 03 Octavia vrs while I lived up in Thurso (top of Scotland). We had some bad weather while I was there but never had a real problem with the car. To me it is more about how you drive. Yes thinner tyres with tread designed for snow or even studs for the ice (not sure they are legal in the UK) will perform better but the only times I have had a problem is when the road gets blocked by other people. I have seen idiots in big 4x4s get stuffed in virtually nothing because they think they are invincible.

Last year in Glasgow was bad when the temp kept hovering around zero, melt/freeze/melt/freeze and the buses stopping was the final nail in the coffin. The real issue was when the road was blocked by other people getting stuck and no matter how much tread you have is going to get you round that. I have never bothered with snow tyres but have considered the in the past, just an issue of insurance modification and cost really. Now expecting to get my new Fabia vrs around Christmas I have been reading the forums on winter tyres but think I will be sticking to just driving to the conditions rather than redesigning to them.

Back to the actual question (sorry for drifting off) i have looked at the chains option and they are a pain to fit, must take them off when there is no snow so decided against them for now, maybe a useful item to have in the boot if you do get stuck but the chances are there will be others stuck around you blocking the way or the local council and police will panic and shut everything down for safety reasons!

Useless!......Was in the Cairngorm ski carpark last December and this woman in a Renault got stuck...so she decieded to try to put her snow socks on the car....which ment moving forward..into my car!!! I had to try to stop her hitting my car as she then gave up and people pushed her car into the car park space....get winter tyres!

Used some on my car last year in the really deep snow, about 8 inches, and they were a life saver!!!!

Pain to put on if you drive into the snow but on the whole very impressed

I have seen idiots in big 4x4s get stuffed in virtually nothing because they think they are invincible.

For me, this is the worst part of this weather!

Driver training will help more than tyres, or a four wheel drive system.

Well as someone with a 4x4 and having had the proper training.............

Snosocks are excellent as an emergency measure. They will get you out of snow and ice, but as best removed as soon as you reach tarmac.

but as best removed as soon as you reach tarmac.

+1

But up here (or everywhere in the UK the last two winters)....you could on off on off with the damn things on a 15mile drive!......whats the max speed on them 20mph?......this is why in the long run it is best to fit winter tyres!....then you won't get stuck in the first place....and you won't be in the middle of the road spending 15mins trying to fit your snowsocks because you've suddenly hit a big patch of snow/ice or the weather has closed in on you!!!

Bought "FIX&GOTEX" anti skid textile covers. Cheaper on eBay than your actual snowsocks. Worked fine getting me out of a car park and on to clear tarmac after the big snows- so recommended. But obvious signs of wear after a few minutes usage.

During the heavy snow we had some time back, my flatmate was unable to get to work in his rear wheel drive car. He bought some snow socks online at the time which ironically didn't arrive til after the snow lol, but the next time we had snow (8 inches) he was able to get into work with no trouble at all! Highly recommend :-D

They've saved me for the last three winters over here in Scarborough. I won't bore you with the all details, but they are worth the money. There are a couple of things to note though.

One is that you have to fit them before you get really stuck. You have to roll forward/backwards a bit to fit them and if this isn't possible then they might as well stay in the boot.

Secondly you will get dirty fitting them, especially on something like the vRS as there ain't much room to get your arms into the wheel arches.

Next, as someone mentioned, if you hit tarmac, they need to be removed as it'll chew them up pretty quickly.

Having said this though, I'd recommend them to anyone as an option to not getting stranded. I've passed 4x4 vehicles up quite steep inclines with them on (Whitwell on the Hill on the A64 for example) and been amazed at how stable the car was. They helped descend some steep inclines too and again they got me home when others had to leave their cars where they became stuck.

I also have a shovel, boots and spare clothes in the case at all times due to where I work. I've got winter tyres and steelies this year, but I'll have the Autosocks in the boot too - just in case.

Hope this helps.

I've got winter tyres and steelies this year, but I'll have the Autosocks in the boot too - just in case.

If you can't move with your winters on......forget it....I really doubght the socks will make a difference......chains maybe.....or how about this instead?

http://www.mattracks.com/html/products.htm

Caterpillar track conversions!!!!