Latest posts for the topic "Auto socks vs Chains"

Auto socks vs Chains

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:59:28 GMT

right then, im driving to tignes next saturday normally we would be using chains but have been told about a product called AutoSocks. Has any body had experience of using them? how hard/ easy are they to use? and are ther as good as chains?
thanks andy

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:18:39 GMT

They have been around for a number of years. If you take Autosocks instead of chains, then you risk being turned around by the French police when chains are signed as mandatory if the resort approach roads require it. The French police don't recognise them as an alternative to chains.

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:54:26 GMT

autosocks, take them, those French police get really miserable stood around in the cold and will really appreciate a good laugh

They've been reviewed by European motor organisations and they really are a joke. At some point someone pops up and claims they're great and they've got some, the thing is that if you need a tiny bit more traction they might give that and in most situations that is all you need hence some people have some positive experiences with them.

At some point someone quotes some reports that suggest they're approved in some way, what's actually the case is that they're approved for use like a sunroof for example or a tow hook and pretty much the same use for driving on snow and ice.

My hot tip of the day is don't use a Renault Laguana, someone I was with today had one, it couldn't make it up the road and we gave up and used my car

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:45:53 GMT

We are off to Val Thorens on the 22nd!!! Can't wait! We drive to the Alps every year and would say chains.... they can be a bug*er to put on but they defo do the trick.

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:22:20 GMT

laguna... errm megane eeeek haha, have to see how we go! taking the chains thanks guys

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:20:41 GMT

fatcorsa wrote:laguna... errm megane eeeek haha, have to see how we go! taking the chains thanks guys

These folks are good for chains if you need some.... http://www.roofbox.co.uk/

They sell the Autosocks as well

Suggest taking a heavy duty pair of marigold's or gardening gloves with you. Putting on snowchains really messes up my nails

Your Megane will be fine, just as long as you don't leave it too late to be fitting the chains.

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:05:03 GMT

Look in your Owner's Manual - check that your wheels can actually take chains. A lot of English cars get fitted with lower-profile wheels than in mainland Europe, and the extra wheel width is often on the inside of the wheel - i.e. the tyre is closer to the inner wheelarch/mechanicals. Chains that nominally fit your wheel may foul the inner side suspension and/or steering. Press the supplier (like the above) and they'll eventually state that they don't guarantee they'll actually fit! So just check with the manual or your garage - three out of the last four cars (including a Jeep Cherokee 4x4) I've owned have had wheels which wouldn't take chains (with the garage saying that this was because the spec. for English versions had low-profile wheels).

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:53:05 GMT

msej449 wrote:Look in your Owner's Manual - check that your wheels can actually take chains. A lot of English cars get fitted with lower-profile wheels than in mainland Europe, and the extra wheel width is often on the inside of the wheel - i.e. the tyre is closer to the inner wheelarch/mechanicals. Chains that nominally fit your wheel may foul the inner side suspension and/or steering. Press the supplier (like the above) and they'll eventually state that they don't guarantee they'll actually fit! So just check with the manual or your garage - three out of the last four cars (including a Jeep Cherokee 4x4) I've owned have had wheels which wouldn't take chains (with the garage saying that this was because the spec. for English versions had low-profile wheels).

basically yes, you're right.

But, I don't think we have any less low profile wheels in Europe than the UK, I'll bet if you can work out what the catch is though It's that we put winter tyres on and drop the sizes a bit so although I'd struggle to get chains for my summer tyres it's fine for my winter ones.

The Cherokee must have altered, my old English ones took chains as did my grand cherokee.

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:29:04 GMT

Definitely agree: A UK tyre industry survey showed exactly that: the majority of mainland Europeans swap winter and summer tyres, while only a small percentage of British (like me) do so. Brits think winter tyres are 'snow tyres' when in fact they're just as important in cold temperatures (under 8C or so). So here we all are, running on low-profile summer tyres and then we come down to the Alps - The chances are probably 2:1 that our wheels can't even take chains. Even if they can, we're going to need to fit them long before most European winter tyre drivers need to put them on. This explains why a lot of British drivers get into trouble in snow: they're running on summer tyres when the locals are on winter ones. By the time locals start putting on chains, most Brits are in a ditch.
What annoys me is that a lot - if not all - of the UK chain retailers/hirers don't explain this to their customers and are happy to see them drive off with chains that either won't even fit, or which are cutting it very fine in terms of damaging the suspension/steering.

Re:Auto socks vs Chains

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:27:15 GMT

wel the tyre size is 205/550r16 so shouldnt be too much of an issue! had a trial run last night with some, they were abit tight but stayed on when driving and didnt seem to catch whemn turning!