Last time I was at my local Skoda dealer I noticed an advert for these "snow socks" which are fitted over tyres to give better grip etc. in winter conditions.

Has anyone tried them or a similar product? ( I know winter tyres do work well, but they would cost a bomb even if I could fit them to my Fabia's alloys! )

Martin

Winter tyres are not expensive, and in the long run work out no more expensive at all, as while you're using them, you're not wearing out your others.

Snow socks are only really useful in snow. As soon as it becomes tarmac they'll get ripped to shreds.

Bought a pair of these Weissenfels snow socks a couple of years ago. Got me out of a situation or two, but not as good as my winters IMO. As mentioned once you to the tarmac, or even jagged ice after a thaw-freeze, take 'em off. They are a temp 'get you out the ****' fix. Mine'll still be going in the boot though when the white stuff gets close, even with the winter shoes on.

Winter tyres are not expensive, and in the long run work out no more expensive at all, as while you're using them, you're not wearing out your others.

Snow socks are only really useful in snow. As soon as it becomes tarmac they'll get ripped to shreds.

Thanks for the useful advice! Our Fabia SE plus has alloys, so I would have to buy a set of steelies and also the tyres, so not really that economical. Got the Continentals on the Citigo swapped last week for winter tyres, easy cos they are 14" steelies.

Thanks for the useful advice! Our Fabia SE plus has alloys, so I would have to buy a set of steelies and also the tyres, so not really that economical. Got the Continentals on the Citigo swapped last week for winter tyres, easy cos they are 14" steelies.

Who says you can't fit winters to alloy wheels?

Who says you can't fit winters to alloy wheels?

Well I never knew you could, several people have told me that you can't.

Any idea what a set would cost to fit my 195/55/R15s?

Thanks

Martin

They're just tyres, you can fit them to whatever type of wheel you like.

Generally people fit them to steels as if you do hit a kerb etc, you're not going to ruin your nice alloys.

Fitting cost will be the same as any other tyre.

+1. My winters went onto my alloys last year. Had hoped to source some steels purely for the point made by Sam, but never got round to it!

The'll be going back on the alloys in the next week or so and the summers will be in a cupboard.

Loads of people fit winters to their alloys. There may be some issues with sizes, but people have pretty much sorted out in the various threads what fits.

I prefer having a set of steelies for mine, purely as it is within my control to change them and I'm not paying a garage to change them over twice a year, which will mount up.

I always just swop over my tyres..... always use the OE alloys

I've found (by watching e-bay) that you get more money back for selling your part worn summers than you may think.... I have my winters on now, and have my summers on e-bay, and I will buy a nice new set of summers in the spring this (rather convoluted admittadly) method is making the best of my resources , and letting me have new summer tyres each year

Snow socks are great but they are as already mentioned a tempory mesure to get you off a particulay bad road then you have to take them off again or they will get wrecked very fast.

There is nothing stopping you from fitting winter tires onto your alloys though personally I think its well worth the extra money to get smaller steel wheels for winter and have winter tires fitted to them, main reason is the thinner tires work better in the snow, but also most likely thing to get damaged if you do lose control a little and clip a curb is the alloys.

There is other cheaper ways, like sourcing the wheels at a salvage yard then getting tyres fitted. But there is also companies like this one which offer a full set ready to go for around £340 for set of budget winter tyres and set of steel wheels.

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/Steel_wheels.html

Edited 15 November, 201213 yr by John Eva

I've got a pair of Auto Socks and have used them a couple of times in really bad conditions and they really do make a difference. As has been said though they are only really for use on snow and ice not on tarmac.

Bought a pair of these Weissenfels snow socks a couple of years ago. Got me out of a situation or two, but not as good as my winters IMO. As mentioned once you to the tarmac, or even jagged ice after a thaw-freeze, take 'em off. They are a temp 'get you out the ****' fix. Mine'll still be going in the boot though when the white stuff gets close, even with the winter shoes on.

Does the weather get that bad in Southampton??I can understand those in Scotland fitting winter tyres or areas like Derbyshire or perhaps more rural areas , but here in the South East if the roads are so bad that you need snow tyres everywhere is closed !! I've only ever been stuck at home once and everyone ended up in the pub!!

Does the weather get that bad in Southampton??I can understand those in Scotland fitting winter tyres or areas like Derbyshire or perhaps more rural areas , but here in the South East if the roads are so bad that you need snow tyres everywhere is closed !! I've only ever been stuck at home once and everyone ended up in the pub!!

It did the other year! I also travel 'oop north' so it's handy to have them in the winter kit in the boot . My tyres aren't 'snow tyres', they are winter tyres. They have a different compound to summers and work better when temps get to ~7C or less.

1. Winter tyres on alloy rims are OK - IF the rims are rated for winter use.

2. I see snow socks as an alternative to snow chains - not to winter tyres. They are only any use on fresh snow, not ice.

I have a set I've never used - but then again, I've never used snow chains, and there's only been one occassion where I wish I had them.

I would always pick up a set of used alloys from ebay and then fit some winter tyres to them, then every winter just swap them over and back again in spring. I did this with my previous car (a BMW) and it was a doddle, no going to and from to the tyre places to have them all swapped over and balanced twice a year, a PITA and expensive. It also gave me an opportunity to give the wheel arches and alloys and suspension a good clean.

I bought some snow socks last year and they had an amazing effect - it didn't snow where I live all winter! I might buy another set this year hoping it has the same affect.

They are in the car for an emergency but have never been out of he bag so can't seriously say if they are any good. I'm too tight o buy extra wheels or tyres. If the now is that bad ill just stay at home

Try spocks, those ears really dig in for grip, the downside is the constant whining and moaning!

Edited 24 November, 201213 yr by lebel

They worked well on our BMW the other year when I couldn't get the car up the drive (steep slope)

although I watched a guy struggle fitting them to his BMW that couldn't get out of a car park after he'd all but told me to shove my offer of a tow (4x4) quite rudely, so I sat back and enjoyed my coffee in the comfort of my big 4x4 and watched him fit them to the FRONT wheels just didn't have the heart to tell him and after watching him slide back down the hill for the 3rd time I just pottered on up and out giggling away to my little self.

So do you put four winter tyres on or just the drive wheels?

I have seen some quite cheap winter tyres and as our car only does about 3000 miles per year, would these be ok, or just leave the Fabia on the drive and use the Yeti?

It is recommended that you put winters on all 4 wheels as if you just fit them on the drive wheels, the rears are still providing a lower grip level so you car will be more prone to oversteering.

Ian