Hi All,

Our '66 plate Yeti has unfortunately been written off in an accident (No injuries thankfully) and once the paperwork is all done, I am looking to replace it with a Karoq (Most likely a manual, 1.6 TDI SE-L).

Now there were a couple of occasions where we got stuck on snow covered roads in our 2wd Yeti (Yorkshire dales & moors), not often enough to make 4x4 worth the money for us, but I was thinking of adding a set of snow chains to my winter emergency equipment in the boot.

 

Has anyone any experience or recommendations to make around snow chains suitable for the Karoq for short term emergency use? Particularly, are the Skoda listed items any good, or are the numerous Thule branded etc items better? I'm also happy to consider any alternative too, like these snow socks etc if they are worth it.

 

I have considered winter tyres on steel wheels, but the cost of these for the amount of time we spend on snowy / slippery roads would make them expensive compared to a set of £150 - £200 chains.

 

Cheers,

Steve

 

If you just need traction to drive over snow or maybe get off ice with the OEM tyres Snow Socks are easy to fit. Last Ok on snow,  are easy to remove and might suit much better than put on and taking off chains.  You can not use them on black top anyway.

I’m a big fan of snow socks work used to give us chains and they were a pain to get on and of now we have socks and there brilliant easy to fit and work well even on sheet ice the ones we get come with gloves and a water proof bag to keep them in made by Sumex

Edited 14 November, 20187 yr by patrolman

2 hours ago, SteveH0773 said:

I have considered winter tyres on steel wheels, but the cost of these for the amount of time we spend on snowy / slippery roads would make them expensive compared to a set of £150 - £200 chains.

I think that's quite short sighted Steve as you could easily get a half decent set of wheels with snow tyres from the Classified section and the cost would be offset by the non usage of your 'summer tyres'.

After all, it's nearly time for the <7°C temperatures where they'll benefit you all the time!

 

I love this time of year as I get to post this picture again.

 

Spot the obvious mistake...

 

36 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

 Spot the obvious mistake...

 

It could be an xDrive! 

It could have been if that pic had not been going as long as it has and they never came as an X-drive then.

40 minutes ago, john999boy said:

It could be an xDrive! 

 

Not quite, xDrive didn't make the first generation (E87) 1 Series (2004 - 2011), it appeared on the second generation (F20).

 

They even make a front wheel drive only now!  

www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/x1

 

What about a set of all season tyres with the tpmss on them.

 

Thanks AG Falco

Edited 14 November, 20187 yr by AGFalco
added all season

Thanks for the replies and great ideas everyone! I will look into all of the suggestions - It is also likely that by the time the insurance gets sorted, plus any build time that I'll be taking delivery after the worst of the weather! 

I used to admire BMW's, until one day I got stuck behind one of these. Shortly afterwards I fell asleep...

 

 

Come back Chris Bangle, all is forgiven.

 

In a vague attempt to keep this thread on topic, what size alloy wheels does the Karoq SE L get?

 

Isn't there a maximum size wheel that a snow chain can be fit to? 

 

 

Edited 14 November, 20187 yr by silver1011

18 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

I used to admire BMW's, until one day I got stuck behind one of these. Shortly afterwards I fell asleep...

 

 

Come back Chris Bangle, all is forgiven.

 

In a vague attempt to keep this thread on topic, what size alloy wheels does the Karoq SE L get?

 

Isn't there a maximum size wheel that a snow chain can be fit to? 

 

 

From what I have seen, the chains are adjustable to various sizes, so may fit 16"-17" wheels - That's the other advantage of them - If you change car for the latest model or a different spec, there is a good chance they will still fit.

 

And yeah, that Beemer is the drabbest thing I've ever seen!!

Edited 14 November, 20187 yr by SteveH0773

From the Karoq manual...

 

18" alloys on the SE L...

 

42 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

18" alloys on the SE L...

 

Great info, thank you! Weird only have chains for 16" wheels, but there we go!

You can use e.g. Pewag Brenta 9, size 75 or original Skoda chains. Don't recommend using cheap supermarket brands due to low quality. They would brake after while and would damage the car.

Edited 19 November, 20187 yr by Swordfish76CZ

28 minutes ago, Swordfish76CZ said:

You can use e.g. Pewag Brenta 9, size 75 or original Skoda chains. Don't recommend using cheap supermarket brands due to low quality. They would brake after while and would damage the car.

 

Cheers, I'll have a shop around and see what is available

Honest, I wouldn't ever consider chains in the UK.  They're for longish term use on packed snow. Think Ice Road Truckers. You can't run on tarmac without serious consequences. And you can't just pop them on and off every few yards.

 

Winter or maybe All Season tyres are your friend.

 

Your big decision is between a 2nd set of wheels or swapping 2 sets of tyres on your current rims. 

 

The temps are certainly dropping now so my winters will soon be going on.

 

Each to their own of course.

Anybody tried these:-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0794RSZBT

 

I use All season tyres with the TPMSS symbol on them myself.

 

Thanks AG Falco

Edited 20 November, 20187 yr by AGFalco
Typo n not m on them

We got some snow socks in the end - And tested them fully this weekend! These were £39.99 from Amazon, and I can highly recommend them!

Glad to hear they work well - certainly looks like you got a chance to test them out

 

I didn't see your original question but would have recommended all season tyres. When mine need to be replaced I'll put some on. After seeing some recent youtube reviews they seem almost as competent as winter tyres nowadays without giving up too much grip in the summer.