Does anybody know about, or have experience of, the Michelin 'easy fit' snow chains? These are not a conventional chain, but rather a nylon mesh, dotted with metal studs. The advantages claimed are that they are easy to fit, and can be fitted to wheels/tyres where there might not be sufficient space for a conventional chain.

Looked at chains for the 225/50-17 wheels/tyres on the Yeti last year but saw that Skoda do not recommend fitting any. All very well, but if I get halfway up the mountain road to Val D'Isere (as happened a few years back) to find it chucking down with snow and the gendarmes pulling everybody over into a layby and insisting on chains being fitted or banning them from going any further (even if 4x4 and winter tyres fitted) ... :( Wondering whether these would do the job?

On a related note ... Obviously with a 2wd car chains are fitted to the driven wheels. I think I read somewhere that with a 4x4 it's normal to fit them to the rears only. Can anybody confirm this, and explain the reasoning?

I've seen these, described as composite snow chains I think. I've seen them for similar price to the "Autosock" snow socks and would prefer the 'chains' as they look more robust than a sock.

Are they really rated to perform as well as a proper chain?

On a related note ... Obviously with a 2wd car chains are fitted to the driven wheels. I think I read somewhere that with a 4x4 it's normal to fit them to the rears only. Can anybody confirm this, and explain the reasoning?

Would you believe that the Yeti owner's manual (p221) is worded a little confusingly on this point?

It begins reasonably well:

Snow chains can be used on the front wheels as on vehicles with front-wheel drive.
→ page 220, “Valid for vehicles with front-wheel driveâ€.

In order to increase the traction (start-up properties), the use of snow chains is also
technically permissible on the rear axle (this means on the front and rear axle at the
same time) for the following wheel/tyre combinations...

But it falls apart a bit after that:

The use of snow chains is only technically permissible on the rear axle for the following
standard wheel/tyre combinations...

When fitting snow chains on the front and rear axle at the same time, the maximum
speed is limited to 50 km/h.

My reading is: chains on front wheels only, or front and rear together. I don't think they are in favour of rear wheels only but it's hard to tell.

Personally, I'd prefer to have steering control as well as motive traction. Just call me Mr Picky.

I've seen these, described as composite snow chains I think. I've seen them for similar price to the "Autosock" snow socks and would prefer the 'chains' as they look more robust than a sock.

Are they really rated to perform as well as a proper chain?

The brief reports I've been able to find suggest they perform well on snow, less so on ice. They also wear out quickly if driven on tarmac; but only a numpty would do that, as soon as you're clear of the snow you always want to get chains off asap. I was hoping to find someone with more direct experience though.

Chains can't be fitted to a so-equipped Yeti because there is insufficient clearance between the wheel/tyre and suspension units. I would want to check the clearance with these items first.

Would M Gendarme accept them as a replacement?

On most 4x4's, such as the old LR's, and much of the Jap stuff, the normal wheels driven are the rear wheels, with the front ones being "switched-in" (manually or automatically) when required, so that is the reason they were put on the back. On the Freelander LR stated that they had to be on the front because they were front wheel drive predominantly, like the Yeti.

Chains can't be fitted to a so-equipped Yeti because there is insufficient clearance between the wheel/tyre and suspension units. I would want to check the clearance with these items first.

Would M Gendarme accept them as a replacement?

On most 4x4's, such as the old LR's, and much of the Jap stuff, the normal wheels driven are the rear wheels, with the front ones being "switched-in" (manually or automatically) when required, so that is the reason they were put on the back. On the Freelander LR stated that they had to be on the front because they were front wheel drive predominantly, like the Yeti.

Thanks Graham, especially for that last paragraph which makes sense of what I'd half remembered reading ... so they need to go on the front, if at all.

The whole point of these things seems to be that they're much less bulky and can be used on cars where conventional chains won't go ... but obviously I need to do some more research about the Yeti fit first; they're not cheap (c£100).

The Michelin blurb says they're road legal in Europe and approved for use in ski resorts so ...

The whole point of these things seems to be that they're much less bulky and can be used on cars where conventional chains won't go ... but obviously I need to do some more research about the Yeti fit first; they're not cheap (c£100).

50 quid + VAT at costco if they still have stock

50 quid + VAT at costco if they still have stock

I was just about to say that. They had them in Edinburgh last week

I was just about to say that. They had them in Edinburgh last week

I've made no effort at winter-proofing myself for the past two years but this winter my wife is due in mid-January so I might have to make the effort of getting some emergency measures like these. I had a good look at them and I think they will last better than the socks and at 60quid, reasonable value.

Kitten and I have a set of these http://www.snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/Weissenfels+SUV+Clack+and+Go/

Watch the video, it's got some nice funky music too

They are designed for vehicles with minimal clearance, so they are fine for the Yeti.

They are also 'self-tightening' so you don't have to get out after the first few yards only to find they have 'shifted'

it's the shifting thats more likely to damage the vehicle.

We also have invested in 2 snow shovels, and a sack of rock salt from Travis Perkins. (I have a trade account with them)

Rock Salt was useless here in January and February. We just didn't have enough traffic to make it work, plus it was too cold, hard apparently it stops working below minus 10 or something

The thing is with rocksalt, you have to get it down BEFORE the freeze as it just sits on top otherwise and will be useless.

Kitten and I have a set of these http://www.snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/Weissenfels+SUV+Clack+and+Go/

Watch the video, it's got some nice funky music too

They are designed for vehicles with minimal clearance, so they are fine for the Yeti.

They are also 'self-tightening' so you don't have to get out after the first few yards only to find they have 'shifted'

it's the shifting thats more likely to damage the vehicle.

We also have invested in 2 snow shovels, and a sack of rock salt from Travis Perkins. (I have a trade account with them)

I had these a few years ago when I had a BMW 316 Touring. I now use Clack and Go Quattros which have become quite expensive but are just great.

John

I had these a few years ago when I had a BMW 316 Touring. I now use Clack and Go Quattros which have become quite expensive but are just great.

John

£200!!! I've just looked them up. I've got five sets of chains in my garage. Every time I've changed my car in the last 20 years I've ended up having to buy different chains because of different wheel sizes (and I know each set fit multiple sizes, but never the right ones!) Only one set has ever been used in anger in nearly 40 trips to the Alps in that period. You can bet that the year I don't take any will be the year it buckets down and the gendarmes stop me.

Snow socks anyone?

The thing is with rocksalt, you have to get it down BEFORE the freeze as it just sits on top otherwise and will be useless.

erm, yeah but the big freeze lasted something like 4 weeks and we had snow up to our waists

erm, yeah but the big freeze lasted something like 4 weeks and we had snow up to our waists

Then you need about 250 tonnes of rocksalt

Then you need about 250 tonnes of rocksalt

ROFL. council gave up as it was too cold for salt and eventually spot hired a load of JCBs to come round and clear the smaller streets as the ploughs were too busy with the main routes

We had one day last winter on the A1 north of Newcastle where the gritters had been out at night to put the salt down but no one was out driving, you need cars to drive on it to grind it in. By the time the morning came the salt had lost it potency, the A1 was a skid patch and it became gridlocked with accidents. Luckily I could take a country lane route which was lethal but for a select few with 4wd who smugly drove to work, waving happily at other 4wd owners who were pleased with themselves (no waving to normal drivers as that would make you an unpleasant git). The moral of the story is that salt is not the great saviour in winter that people expect it to be.

The moral of the story is that salt is not the great saviour in winter that people expect it to be.

nor is 4WD when it comes to stopping or cornering

In Norway they are sold as "Michelin Easy Grip" (not Easy Fit).

I found a (sort of) review by one of the largest norwegian newspapers, where they got 2 of 6 points; http://www.vg.no/bil-og-motor/artikkel.php?artid=10022128 (scroll down to Michelin Easy Grip)

I don't really know what to say about the quality of the review, but if you use "Google Translate" this is what the review says:

Name: Michelin Easy Grip

Type of product: A kind of "autosock" with mesh covers for the tread of the composite material. Pulled over the deck and held in place by a rubber band on the back of the wheel.

Ease of use: It looks easy, the rubber band is tight and net sucks somehow fixed to the deck.

It needed more raw power than practice. It was hard to get on. Test team woman was about to give up for lack of muscle power. One was placed slightly askew on. The reviewer wanted to cry (give up?). In the dark with a little space between the fender and tyre, it would be almost impossible.

Time: 7 minutes 42 seconds on the first reel. Test's most time-consuming to apply.

Accessibility: Here you get something back for the investment of money, muscle power, time, and maybe a little anger. Composite mesh pieces stuck in the ground and get us up the hill from a standstill. Even with a heavy trottle it bites in the mix of snow and harsh winter ice. Both mesh sliding half of the tire on the way back down.

Conclusion: Very good (and expensive) as chains, but what use is it if you can not put them on.

NB!

I asume the test was performed on new snow tyres.

The chains might be easier to put on ordinary (half worn out) "summer" tyres.

Especially on a car like the Yeti, where there is more than average space between the tyres and the fenders.

As for me, I use studded snow tyres between end of october and end of april!

Pardon my less than perfect english(american).

Thanks Uncia.

Seems the choice is between Snow Socks at around £50/60, these Michelin things - which come in around the £100 mark at Halfrauds, or high end snow chains (clicky clack or similar) at £200/300. I've never paid more than £80 for conventional chains before.

Extremely reluctant to pay lots of money for something I'll just carry in the car for my trip to the Alps and probably never use ... but then on that 1 in 50 or so chance that I will need them ... mmmm, what to do ... :S :S

Now here's interesting. I found a snow chain specialists website that had an enquiries section. I e-mailed them, and received the following reply (obviously this refers to the 225/50x17 wheels/tyres specifically):

"Thanks for your enquiry. I can confirm that if you have a 4x4 Yeti you can use chains on the rear wheels only but if it’s a 2WD version then I believe that AutoSocks will be your only option. They are approved for use in the French Alps and we can provide you with a sticker which you put on the product packaging and this shows that they are approved should you get stopped. They are more widely used these days and most police forces are aware of them and recognise that they are a suitable alternative to chains."

AutoSocks ordered. Stick them in the boot and hope I never have to actually use them.

I recently got autosocks for our Yaris really just as an insurance - Roofbox were quick in sending them. My intention is that if it snows then that car just goes into the garage and we'll only use the Yeti unless there's some unexpected need to use both cars. The Yeti is a 4x4 and I'm getting winter tyres fitted on Friday. I've no experience of using winter tyres and as I'm not going to drive abroad so I'm wondering if there would be any benefit in buying a 2nd set of autosocks for the Yeti?

I recently got autosocks for our Yaris really just as an insurance - Roofbox were quick in sending them. My intention is that if it snows then that car just goes into the garage and we'll only use the Yeti unless there's some unexpected need to use both cars. The Yeti is a 4x4 and I'm getting winter tyres fitted on Friday. I've no experience of using winter tyres and as I'm not going to drive abroad so I'm wondering if there would be any benefit in buying a 2nd set of autosocks for the Yeti?

Unlikely if you are fitting winter tyres.

Please remember that having a 4x4 is NOT the greatest cure for snow ever invented. It may get you up the hill, but no matter what is on the wheels gravity and momentum are a far greater force downhill.