I really don't want to spend several hundred quid for a second set of winter wheels + tyres for a few days bad weather, so am thinking of getting some chains or socks. I'm sure I have read somewhere that you can't fit chains to the 18" wheels? Has anyone tried the socks?

There were people posting about them in here before with pics so should come up on search thats the snow socks/shoes. I trust you are aware they are only to get you moving when more or less stuck and not to be driven with on just when its a snowy day. Winter tyres all seasons M&S etc are all better in these conditions in general. But will by no means illuminate the need for chains or socks if its at its worst!

Were mentioned very recently in this thread with links to a shop selling some named auto socks ive never used them but id give them a go over chains as chains are heavier and can become tangled if they break a lot more annoyingly than socks.

Linky

Yes, I wanted some to be able to get up / down the hill to my house when it's impossible with normal tyres. I know winter tyres make sense full stop, but like I said the cost is prohibitive. The alternative is to walk and take the train.

Yes, I wanted some to be able to get up / down the hill to my house when it's impossible with normal tyres. I know winter tyres make sense full stop, but like I said the cost is prohibitive. The alternative is to walk and take the train.

Or park car at bottom of hill then instead of walking down the hill and then to train station and back after and up the hill you just walk to car

You will know how bad it gets yourself then if its for a specific problematic bit of road id be more tempted for the socks if you have any experience of putting chains on and off they are just a hassle with the socks saying that any snow or dampness on them will steam up inside of car be good to keep them in a plastic bag thats air tight and dry out at night

I've just bought a pair of Auto Socks from my local Skoda dealer, they fit 175 80 14 - 245 35 18 and have a 50 km/h max speed rating.

I really don't want to spend several hundred quid for a second set of winter wheels + tyres for a few days bad weather, so am thinking of getting some chains or socks. I'm sure I have read somewhere that you can't fit chains to the 18" wheels? Has anyone tried the socks?

I have a pair which got quite a lot of use over the last 2 winters and they are very good, as has been said, at getting you through the very tricky stuff. I live down an unmade lane with quite a gradient, and without them I would not have been able to get in or out. Down side is they are a bit of a pain to get on and off, and you have to take them off as soon as you hit clear road, but they worked for me and were worth every penny of the 40 quid I paid for them. There's still a bit of life left in them so I will stick them back in the boot this year, but now have winter tyres so hoping they will stay there.

Chains: I've used them on my old Passat and you need to have snow deep enough for the links not to touch tarmac. If they do touch, both steering and braking becomes an issue, (even doing the max permitted speed of just 30mph), and the vibration coming up through the steering wheel will be enough to loosen any fillings in your teeth.

In saying that, in the stuff deep enough for the links to remain off the tarmac you felt as though you could drive up walls they were so grippy.

Another down side is trying to get the things off. They're ok going on, but once the cable and links are packed up with snow and ice it can be tricky locating the break in the cable, on the inner side of the wheel that you're blind to, in order to uncouple the cable and get them off. Especially in the dark and with freezing fingers. (I'm surprised my language at the time didn't melt all the snow within a 10 foot radius).

There is a parallel thread (Will snow chains fit?) where there is a link to the Michelin product which seems to be a fusion of socks/chains. Suspect they are nowhere near as hard wearing as chains since the "chain" part is thick elastic with metal strengtheners.

In terms of snowsocks, bought some last year for my previous car (which arrived after the snow) so never got the chance to try. Note, the new Autosocks have a greater range of sizes each version will fit, but the actual socks haven't changed. So the nice thing is that the 645 size that fits the vRS 224/40/18 standard wheels is now considered ok to also use on the winter wheels 205/55/16 (as the 620 size is no more).

Edited 14 November, 201114 yr by gsp

Winter tyres arnt just for Snow

Don't bother with ether as we're not going to get as bad a winter as last year,people think cause we had lots last year that this year will be the same,I follow weather and it seems were in for a mild winter this year.

This is not good advice

There will be days of very cold weather inbetween milder air

There is a parallel thread (Will snow chains fit?) where there is a link to the Michelin product which seems to be a fusion of socks/chains. Suspect they are nowhere near as hard wearing as chains since the "chain" part is thick elastic with metal strengtheners.

I bought some of the Michelin easy-grips in size L12 which from memory are for 235/45 17s amongst other sizes. I don't have this size tyre fitted, but given the range of sizes they covered, reckon that they should also fit 235/40 18s which I have on another car. Let's face it, you're only looking to move forward a short distance from an otherwise stuck position.

I haven't tried them yet (£50+VAT from Costco), but see them as a last resort as I advocate CWTs or 4 season tyres (depending on mileage and application). They might be a solution in your case though.