Snow socks

[Waka]

When I saw the thread title and author I assumed we were talking about these...


You'd' look very fetching driving in your X5 in these Penny

[AW8]

I really shouldn't laugh but that is quite amusing

[Rusty]

+1 Made me smile...

[slieverue]

Hi Penny

Prior to guying the X5, I had an A6 with standard road tyres and like you couldn't really afford to buy a set of winter shoes so I bought a set of snow socks for the fronts.

In short they work really, really well, but they have been designed as an emergency solution to get you out of difficult situations. In fact I think in scandanavian countries, Audi issue them as part of the emergency breakdown kit - can't remember where I heard that, so it might just be a urban

Someone else has already said, that they tear up once you get onto non-snow covered roads - this is also true, so you have to remove them once you've reached "dry land"! But I have to say, I was driving on roads that ordinarily I would not have been able to move, especially with the Conti Sport Contacts tyres that Audi put on all their cars!! You got some funny looks from people as you drove past with bright orange things on your wheels!!

They are also very difficult and awkward to put on, so prepare to get numb fingers!

I had considered this option (http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/quattro.htm), but never got round to purchasing - bit more expensive, but looks easier to put on and remove.

To summarise, would I buy Snow Socks - probably yes, they're relatively inexpensive so the security they provide, but very fiddly to use.

Don't know if that helps you make your decision any easier, but if you have other questions, just ask.....

Cheers

Tony

[ITBarbie]

Hi Tony

thanks for that. They have been ordered and I realise that if it's slushy it's probably a no no as they will tear but as you say great for emergency.

Not happy about the bit where it says they are a pain to fit though


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[bullethead]

Just thought i'd join in the melee. Not taking the piss about my front wheels on the back now are you You know who you are.....Just got 4 to fit my skinny 20's

[x555]

[ITBarbie]

Hi peoples

Just a little update. The snow this morning was blizzard like conditions so I thought it was a perfect day to try the Auto Socks.

I pulled over the top section on of the sock then got in the car to move it slightly and pulled the rest of the elastic autosock on the front wheels then took it for an outing.

I'm well impressed with the grip. I can't begin to tell you the difference. You may be aware I'm running Toyo Proxys on the front and Diamaris on the back and with the last bout of snow I just couldn't move it without practically slipping all over the place. I know they are no comparison to winter tyres but for £60 odd quid they will do me until I get my winter tyres.

Just wanted to share


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[millerman1ac]

nice one!.. it feels good to have conifdence in yer X, makes journeys fun...

[StewartG]

I have 2005 X5 with 255/50 19" & 285/45 19" on Diamaris tyres. Great going up hills in snow or ice but the problem is stopping, especially going downhill. Had very, very close call last year so looked into winter tyres and alternatives. So after major panic, last January I bought Multigrips from Towequipe.co.uk. These are same as Autosocks but have a wider range of sizes and can fit both my front and rear tyres - product ref MGRIP93. Can't say how well they work as have not needed them this year but have them for all 4 wheels and reports and You Tube videos suggest they are the biz in an emergency.

Emergency is the word because these products are no use off snow or ice as they destroy themselves on tarmac. Also should not be driven over 30mph. So this year looked into winter tyres ( Note not snow tyres!). The 7degC breakpoint in summer tyre performance was deciding factor. There were two options.

1) Go for BMW Winter Programme with wheel and tyre change ie 235/65 17" type 57 wheels at £1250 inc two wheel changes per year from BMW dealer. Good deal I think.
2) Go for winter tyres for existing wheels and use Multigrips when going needs snow tyres.

I decided on 1) and was about to place an order. Then checked with insurers. This would be regarded as a modification! I would not be insurered! They would only allow winter tyres on existing wheels of same size and speed rating. I have appealed in writing and am still awaiting a definite decision (in writing) from them. I wonder just how many cars are out there uninsured because they didn't check with insurers.

So while waiting for insurers to change their minds I checked out winter tyres for my wheels. I could only find 3 manufacturers - Continental (CrossContactWinter), Pirelli (Scorpion Ice & Snow or Zero Asimmetrico) and Vredestein (Wintrac 4 Extreme). Checked out the reviews and have decided on the Vredestein - performance, price AND they can be used in UK all year round (according to several forums, suppliers and even the manufacturers). So no need for me to change tyres over for the summer and can use my Multigrips if hit heavy snow.

Obviously this suits me as I live in Lakes where we seldom see hot summer weather and I only drive 10k miles a year. I am not suggesting this will suit everyone especially in south or for continental trips as the tyres may not last or have the performance of summer tyres. Only downside - can't buy these tyres for love or money. Suppliers are sold out! Just won't have to drive downhill in snow or ice - not an easy option in Lakes!!!

[Jalf]

I've been trying to get a set of 255/50 285/45 19" Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extremes and it's a no go from local dealers I'm going to have to try the net and get them fitted myself.

[warsi]

I decided on 1) and was about to place an order. Then checked with insurers. This would be regarded as a modification! I would not be insurered! They would only allow winter tyres on existing wheels of same size and speed rating. I have appealed in writing and am still awaiting a definite decision (in writing) from them. I wonder just how many cars are out there uninsured because they didn't check with insurers.

I'm considering winter typres option so phoned my insurance broker yesterday and the chap over the phone confirmed that changing from OEM 20" to 18" winter tyres on my 4.8iS will not invalidate my insurance. After looking at your post I think It's safe to get that in writing!!

--

[ITBarbie]

I just called mine Zurich connect and they said if I had winter tyres I would be covered as well. They did have to check with the underwriters though.


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[Jalf]

There is a big thing on Adrian Flux about the invalidity of insurance if using winter tyres, they say its "ok with our policies"
I'm with Barbie @ Zurich (they've dropped connect now apparently)

I've just swapped out my silly summer wheels to the tiny winter ones (will be winter when I get some winter tyres for them) it looks all wrong now

[CondorX5]

The whole insurance thing is just lunatic fringe - as I've said before, it means that 99% of cars on UK roads have been "modified" as very few people buy OEM tyres once they renew their tyres anyway. And most aftermarket tyre manufacturers would be out of business - Vredestein, for instance, do not supply OEM to any manufacturer I'm aware of, yet make one of the best winter tyres in the world! So vehicles using tyres not supplied as OEM when the car is new are "modified" and not insured......

So using Vredestein tyres would then mean you have "modified" your car. Somehow I don't think so......but I think call centre drones who really have no "common" (in reality, very RARE) sense or discretion or use of more than one brain cell, have decreed this to be the case and some companies have jumped on a rather doom-laden bandwagon to extort yet more money from the motor owners out there, ie US!!!

BMW have clearly stated the size of tyres suitable for winter use for all their models of car in the Winter Brochure, and that the wheel size appropriate should be the smaller diameter, so provided that specific size of tyre is used on OEM BMW rims and the tyres are EU approved, I cannot see how an insurer can weasel out of that one.......... Of course, if you are using non-BMW rims that will change the whole picture, as non-OEM rims of any kind are viewed as a "modification". But when BMW themselves list the size of tyre and BMW rim that is appropriate for the car, it cannot be classed as a modification and I agree with pvr that any insurer who tries to squirm out of insurance using such an illogical and inappropriate argument, deserves to end up with loads of problems and media publicity, let alone legal action. I am sure there are motoring organisations who will support legal action against an insurer who refuses cover, in winter, for a car on winter tyres and rims within BMWs own guidelines. Oh, and winter tyres do not carry the same speed rating as summers generally as you would normally not be driving at 100mph on snowy, icy roads...and the compound used to make the tyres is different to summer tyres (obviously).

Its just as loony as the idiot Transport Minister who announced recently that winter tyres "damage the roads"!!!!