I am about to pick up my new Octavia VRS Estate 2.0 TDI with 18 inch Gemini Wheels and have already purchased some M&S tyres (225 40 R18). I have found a German PDF which states that Snow chains bigger than 1.5 mm depth of chain should not be fitted but since the price of another set of wheels quite expensive I have also purchased some Snow Socks.

 

I am aware that the snow socks will wear out very quickly if I go from snow to normal road conditions but I intend to take the car to the Alps in December for a bit of skiing.

 

My question is has anyone tried this fitting snow chains to these type of tyres/wheels and if so what are the issues if any that people have had?

 

Many thanks in advance.

No 18" rim/tyre combination is approved for any size of chain, so your only option is socks IMHO.

 

TP

Thanks TP, I would like to know the reason though, if this is because there is not enough distance between the wheel arch then i wont fit them but I have snow chains which will fit 18" wheels so if there is enough room then they will be going on if needed.

Believe its clearance between the inside of the tyre/rim and shock strut for chains to pass freely and maybe the wheel well structure on lock.

 

TP

Cheers, I will put one on in the dry and have a look in the workshop to see if there is any fouling. 

would these be TuV approved?

http://www.flextrax.com/

 

or something like these http://www.gasgoo.com/showroom/roolkom/auto-products/1186773.html

Still think its about clearance between the wheel and the Suspension or the wheel arch that may be the issue so these may still have the same problem

I am about to pick up my new Octavia VRS Estate 2.0 TDI with 18 inch Gemini Wheels and have already purchased some M&S tyres (225 40 R18). I have found a German PDF which states that Snow chains bigger than 1.5 mm depth of chain should not be fitted but since the price of another set of wheels quite expensive I have also purchased some Snow Socks.

 

I am aware that the snow socks will wear out very quickly if I go from snow to normal road conditions but I intend to take the car to the Alps in December for a bit of skiing.

 

My question is has anyone tried this fitting snow chains to these type of tyres/wheels and if so what are the issues if any that people have had?

 

Many thanks in advance.

I got a pair of snow socks that i keep in the back of my car, in case of heavy snow fall there great..my Astra wheels are 225/45/17 quick to fit on and off

Cheers Baz, I have some of those already, although I have never used them. They are there as a back up!

You might want to read THIS thread and Google snow chains & France.  Although I have no direct personal experience to rely on, I believe that the French Police can be very bloody minded about snow chains in the Alps :(

No worries Tramell I wont be visiting France, Germany and Austria only

I have experience of snow chains, go skiing twice a year in Austria. Most years and most places you do not need them. My last 2 sets I have given away unused as next car had different sized wheels.  I intend to give snow socks a try on my new car, my thinking is that I have them for peace of mind and/or that they  may be compulsary. If there is a sign up that you need them you can be pretty sure that you do.

Maggi trak for my 18" hoops if i need to join the snow parade.. They appear to be both user and rim friendly.

I'd just be careful being misled by the 'dry run'. Centrifugal forces means everything will be pushed towards the outside once the wheel starts rotating at speed. So while it might fit snuggly in the dry, you could damage the wheel well structure later on when driving.

Edited 13 December, 201312 yr by bichti

Can't remember the exact name of the Michelin ones (from Costco in the UK), but they're composite and should last longer than socks whilst being very low profile. Less than £50 a set from memory, although to put it in context, Lidl was selling chains for £20 a set.

 

Mine (both types) remain unused thanks to some useful tyres (even without Snowflake in Mountain symbol).

 

In Austria you can get some really cheap Yesss! SIMs from Hofer (ALDI) that give you loads of data and some minutes for about 10 Euros (starter paket). I last went a couple of years ago so don't know if it still applies, but check the website for the current offers as it saves roaming (unless you are with 3).

Maggi trak for my 18" hoops if i need to join the snow parade.. They appear to be both user and rim friendly.

 

+1

 

They are however about the same cost as a set of true winter tyres

 

A traditional snowchain on a low profile rim will result in damage [to the rim]

You say snow socks wear out quickly ? Cumbria ambulance service use them, so I can't see them wearing away whilst you are on holiday. Apart from that you would have to keep removing chains when there is no snow,or thick ice so why can't you remove socks in same circumstances,after all they are easier to fit and remove than chains. But the most important point is you won't wreck your wheels.

If it is the law were you are going to ski, I would get some steel wheels used ones even better.

You need to follow manufacturers advice or you may find you are not insured. 18" rims are NOT approved by Skoda for chains.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

Just a quick note to say I came back from the Alps yesterday where i've been in my vRS.

I bought these snow socks from Halfords - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_832077_langId_-1_categoryId_202001 - (when they were on a deal at £40) and actually had to use them!

A bit of a pain to put on in a blizzard but still easier than chains based on my past experience! Most importantly, they fitted well and performed admirably on a snowy mountain pass. I've not washed them and got them back in the supplied bag yet (could be tricky) but overall very impressed. They also have the appropriate mark indicating they comply with the rules for snow equipment in France (i.e. you can use them instead of chains).

P

Edited 7 January, 201412 yr by paulobrien