Coming out of Sainsbury's this morning I was behind a BMW, thought there was something odd with the rear wheel (passenger side) as it seemed to be wobbling. Was going to signal the guy but the realised he had snow sock on. Ended up following him for a while as going the same way and he didn't seem to have any intention of stopping and taking them off, even though the main roads were fine, to be hnoest the supermarket car park it completely level and wasn't bad at all so got to wonder how long he had been driving with them on. And I suppose how long they would last!

Did make me giggle though, as I have winter tyres on and had no issues at all. Especially after have fun in another carpark which was fairly clear of cars but had a nice wet snow covering so couldn't resist the temptation of excess throttle and steering.

what a bell end! Once he's on the tarmac they'll be useless and fit only for the bin in under 5 miles.

He'll probably try and get a refund on them when he gets home to find them shredded

At least he had them on the correct wheels, last winter I saw a woman with them on the FRONT of a 1 series BM

At least he had them on the correct wheels, last winter I saw a woman with them on the FRONT of a 1 series BM

maybe she was reversing and thought they needed swapping around

Ignorance in it's purest form, I can't imagine this will have done anything on a clear road other than decreased the vehicles handling, braking and general stability. If I was a Police Officer I would have them for it one way or the other.

On Tuesday I saw someone in a 3 series on a completely clear if snow dual carriageway with chains on the rear wheels. WTF! I Meant to post up here about it at the time but it slipped my mind.

At least he had them on the correct wheels, last winter I saw a woman with them on the FRONT of a 1 series BM

I remember last year reading an article that a 80% of 1 series owners thought there car's was FWD

Here's the article http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/1-series-owners-think-its-fwd

What's the betting the other 20% were the ones with the 135i/1M?

I guess you could argue that being able to stop and turn is more important than getting going, hence putting them up front. I reckon it's just ignorance though!

When I bought my 118 a few years ago the dealer didn't volunteer the fact that it was FWD until I brought it up. When I voiced my concerns about winter driving he said that it wouldn't make any difference!!!

When I bought my 118 a few years ago the dealer didn't volunteer the fact that it was FWD until I brought it up. When I voiced my concerns about winter driving he said that it wouldn't make any difference!!!

But its not lol

I had a chuckle yesterday when I saw a 1series driving down a mostly clear road on snowsocks (on the rear at least), or rather the tattered remains of them

On a RWD you should have socks on BOTH sets of wheels, rears for traction and front for steering and braking.

Last winter several people saw a local woman driving her BMW 118 with socks on for about a WEEK after the snow vanished (it was only about 1" at its worst!!!)

I didnt bother putting mine on last winter, nor this winter - the snow was only 7" deep, so hardly worth it.

Edited 27 January, 201313 yr by GentleGiant

But its not lol

Hahahahahahahahaaahahahhahahahhahha magic moments

On a RWD you should have socks on BOTH sets of wheels, rears for traction and front for steering and braking.

Last winter several people saw a local woman driving her BMW 118 with socks on for about a WEEK after the snow vanished (it was only about 1" at its worst!!!)

I didnt bother putting mine on last winter, nor this winter - the snow was only 7" deep, so hardly worth it.

Reallly? Nothing in the instructions on my set about that, nor on the Weissenfells website, nor in any of the reviews I've found. Makes you wonder why they're sold in pairs really if that's the case. The only time it mentions needing two pairs is if you have a four wheel drive. Still, perhaps you know better as you've probably had more experience using them than I?

You only need them on the rear on a RWD vehicle those are the driving wheels but it obviously makes sense to fit AutoSock to the steering wheels as well as to the driving wheels, because the car will then travel in the direction you intend! Because the weight moves towards the front of the car under braking - brake gently on snow! - this is all the more important.

Edited 27 January, 201313 yr by seboni121

I have not used them but I assumed like chains they are only really to get you moving when stuck then take straight off?

the instruction that came with mine clearly state you need two sets for rwd or 4x4.

it is only sensible after all, there is no point being able to drive at 30 mph if you cannot stop or steer.

they also say to avoid wheel slipping or hard braking - i drive my car exactly the same way on socks as i do on a wet road with no problems

they sell them in pairs because the vast majority of cars these days are fwd.

you can keep them on for as long as you like, however the instruction point out that they will wear out quickly if driven on a cleared surface

owned mine since 2006 - bought for skiing in the alps

sorry for the lack of capitals - currently trying to burp my 6 day old daughter

Edited 28 January, 201313 yr by GentleGiant

One has to ask the question, 'would some people be better suited to joining 'Mumsnet', rather than posting inane, unbelievable drivel on a car forum' :think:

One has to ask the question, 'would some people be better suited to joining 'Mumsnet', rather than posting inane, unbelievable drivel on a car forum' :think:

And your point is?

Oh yeah forgot, nobody is allowed to have a different opinion to you.

One has to ask the question, 'would some people be better suited to joining 'Mumsnet', rather than posting inane, unbelievable drivel on a car forum' :think:

Need me to burp you

snow socks,

on the drive wheels to get you moving on the ice/compacted snow, then stop and remove.

To think that someone thinks that they are for driving at 30mph someplace where you had no traction to move just a few moments before ,

and you had best fit to the RWD wheels which brake and also to the steering braking front wheels,

sums up just why i try to stay well clear the minute i see some mumpty driving around with snow Socks on.

Some are not happy to stay below 30, and many seem to not even know that they have them on,

maybe someone put them on for them to get away from the house to work, and they just have no idea.

Plenty of BMW's around my way driving black top through the town with them fitted.

'Mumsnet' should maybe be running articles, or maybe they already are.

"Snow Socks, leave them on", saving time is more important than wasting money.

george

Used a set on my last beemer. Total pain the bum to install due to m-sport lowered springs but when on the socks were superb. When i used them the snow and ice was patchy so it meant driving on tarmac sometimes. They didnt last long.

I have a new set for the VRS but i only ever intend using them now if i am totally stuck and therefore will remove them once im past the icy patch.

Even if i got another RWD car i would still only buy a set for the rear as typically if i need the socks on i will be driving so slowly that braking and cornering wonrt be a major issue.

I was kinda hoping they would last a bit longer on patchy snow but they dont. They may well last quite long if its all snow and ice with no tarmac visible but how often do we get this in our Country? Dont think ive ever seen this. Even 2 and 3 years ago the main roads were reasonably clear after a day or so despite there being consistent heavy snow for weeks on end.

At least socks are better than chains. Chains are a total pain to install and they still break if the wheels are spun up too much. Bought a pair of these in France once at a ski resort. They enabled me to get out of the resort but they broke in the process.

Would be interesting to see the performance diferences between, socks, chains and winter tyres. I wonder how far a winter tyre will go before socks or chains would be needed.

Google that then, no shortage of Vids.

george

Google that then, no shortage of Vids.

george

Cant get videos on works laptop. Locked down. They are determined to force me to work. Trying, but failing.