Was at the local dealers a while back and noticed an advert for "Snocks" for putting on tyres to give better grip in winter conditions. Just wondered if anyone here has ever used them or a similar product?

Martin

Waste of money and not as easy to fit as they look, especially when it's wet, mucky and freezing cold. Only useable on snow and have to be removed when you are back on Tarmac again. Winter tires more expensive but best option. P

Waste of money and not as easy to fit as they look, especially when it's wet, mucky and freezing cold. Only useable on snow and have to be removed when you are back on Tarmac again. Winter tires more expensive but best option. P

Thanks,Crista! You've saved me time and money!

Martin

If you can get a set of winters on steel wheels and then use them every winter for 3 or 4 years then the real cost is actually very little as if you only do average mileage you should avoid buying a second set of normal tires and you can sell the steels when you sell the car. In addition your alloys can avoid salt so should stay in good nick. Also if you didn't get a spare wheel with your car you will then have four.

I was under the impression that winter tyres have a shelf life

Something to do with the outer compound

I could be wrong (usually am )

All tyres have a shelf life (usually around 4 or 5 years I believe), but this is influenced by the conditions they are exposed to.

If winter tyres are kept out of the sun they should degrade more slowly and last a long time.

Even if you do 4k miles per year on them they'll probably only last four or five years anyway... and your regular tyres will probably not last much longer, even if fitted for half of each year, so aging should not be a problem unless you do very little milage.

I have kept winter tires for 3 years on steel wheels - done about 12000 miles in total and then sold them, still in good condition when I parted with the car. Many of the modern premium grades can be kept in year round and don't wear much differently to ordinary tires. Their performance won't be as good as an equivalent summer tire but it will still be good as most of us don't drive anywhere near the limit of the tire. All tires have got max life limits but not that short.