Autosocks Rock

[Mesquite]

Well, mine and the wifes arrived this afternoon.

Very impressed that I ordered them late on Sunday and 48 hrs they were in my hands. Doubly impressed they were in stock as well

 

[Paullyfuzz]

Nothing fir 205/55/16 in any shops

 

[Rebel]

Interesting about the socks. Is there any advantage over chains? The price seems about the same but I guess they are lighter. Maybe they are easier to fit.

I mentioned in another post that I bought some chains on Thursday (17th) wondering if I'd ever really need them and low and behold two days later we had a huge snow storm and they were my salvation. I bought them after my memories of getting stuck last year.

The chains were quite easy to fit but it seems there are a variety of styles. With mine there's no need to drive over them or jack up the wheels, you just put them on where you are and tighten them up. Then drive a metre or so and tighten any slack and then you're off. I was impressed with how well they work but they socks look like they might be easier to use and store.

 

[robin wood]

I looked at these a couple of years ago but went for winter tyres instead. A front wheel drive with winter tyres is better than most 4WD on summer tyres.
here is my van pulling out a stuck 4X4 a few weeks ago.

They also work under braking giving grip down a steep hill like this that is not much less than on tarmack.

Winter tyres are a different compound so where a normal tyre gets all hard and looses its rubbery grippyness below 7 degrees the winter tyres work well on greasy part icy part tarmac roads, just what we normally drive on all winter.
Snow socks are perfect if you have a short hop on packed snow then a well gritted road but that is not what we get round here. The drawback with winter tyres is they wear faster in the summer so it makes sense to take em off in the spring.

 

[forestwalker]

Is this when I point out that here we can -- and do -- use studded tyres, such as these ones http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=12091290&group=1.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+7 ?

As Robin points out you do not use them in summer (the softer rubber wears fast, and it is also illegal).

 

[robin wood]

In Germany and many other European countries it is illegal to drive in winter on summer tyres. Once you have driven on proper winter tyres it is difficult to put up with the greatly increased risk of skidding at low temperature. They only cost a few pounds more, they are not big treaded noisy things they look and drive like normal tyres except when it gets cold they still grip.
PS I am not on commission for a tyre company.

 

[Toddy]

It's our constantly changing weather that's the issue for most of us. That, and the fact that the majority of the population is urbanised.

So far, days I have actually had to drive in icy conditions this year, I can count on the fingers of one hand.

I'm not buying an entire set of Winter wheels/tyres for a couple of days use.

Only our side roads and carparks are not cleared in timely fashion, so chains are out. Too much faffing about on and off for a tiny distance.

The socks though, those I could see getting used when needed.

If I lived where the ice is a constant for weeks on end, where the snow fell *every* year, where Winter was always more than dreich cold and damp, then yes, I'd do more about the wheels/tyres to make them suitably safe. Round here, it's just not needed.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[FGYT]

Volvo 4WD estate not had a problem at all round here tho is relativly flat its no fun to drive tho its hard work to get the back end to skid round corners and the electric hand brake is no fun at all

 

[Mesquite]

Volvo 4WD estate not had a problem at all round here tho is relativly flat its no fun to drive tho its hard work to get the back end to skid round corners and the electric hand brake is no fun at all

The things they put on cars now. I'm sure it's not for safety... they just don't want us to have fun any more

 

[forestwalker]

It's our constantly changing weather that's the issue for most of us. That, and the fact that the majority of the population is urbanised.

So far, days I have actually had to drive in icy conditions this year, I can count on the fingers of one hand.

I'm not buying an entire set of Winter wheels/tyres for a couple of days use.

The claims I've seen is that once the temps go below 5 C or so the winter tyres work better (summer tye rubber is rock hard when cold). The actual net long term extra cost (remember, you are only putting wear one one set at a time) is negliable, and the ability to drive safely all the time would outweight the bother.

This does not apply if one can say that one won't drive if the temps go down near 5 C or lower. Works in town with the buss handy, but outside of those areas?

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Thanks, seen some one with them on today. good to here a fair review from someone I know to be fair and unbiased.

 

[Toddy]

The claims I've seen is that once the temps go below 5 C or so the winter tyres work better (summer tye rubber is rock hard when cold). The actual net long term extra cost (remember, you are only putting wear one one set at a time) is negliable, and the ability to drive safely all the time would outweight the bother.

This does not apply if one can say that one won't drive if the temps go down near 5 C or lower. Works in town with the buss handy, but outside of those areas?

This Winter and last have been exceptionally cold for us. Normally we get less than a fortnight in total when the temperature are at or below freezing. Central Scotland is wet and cold, not ice and snow bound.
Winter tyres would be on and off too often to make it in anyway an option.

Something like the socks though, that can be slipped on for those short times, those I can see being useful.
Chains if the weather stays cold and icy for days or distance though.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[robin wood]

Winter tyres would be on and off too often to make it in anyway an option.

Winter tyres don't come on and off, they go on in November and come off in March. For much of that period the temp is below 5 C so if you are not on winter tyres your braking and steering is less good than it could be. Most folk just get used to the fact and leave extra braking distance and go slowly round corners but then when you need to jump on the brakes it is reassuring to know you have the tyres that will grip. I only put them on the first time last winter but will never drive in winter without them again.

 

[Toddy]

Where I stay, we are rarely below 5degC. Cold weather is not constant, even in the depths of Winter. We do not live in cold area.
We are within Strathclyde, the big river valley of the Clyde. It's damp but it's not cold. Our average Winter low temperature is 6.1degC. There's a reason most Scots live within the central belt
Winter tyres are not suitable for most of the year here even if there are occasional days when they might be a good idea.

Toddy

 

[naefearjustbeer]

I have just shelled out for a set of winter tyres and I have to say I am absolutely delighted with increase in grip it is most noticeable with the braking distances. My mate has used winter tyres for years he puts them on at the end of October every year and runs them until April. We went to visit our friend today who lives at the bottom of a hill in a cul de sac and has been unable to get her car out for several days now. With the winter tyres on I drove in did a 3 point turn and parked. Then drove away afterwards without so much as a slip or spin of the tyres. She has been unable to get her car moved never mind a 3 point turn.

I did consider a set of socks for going over normal tyres but I am afraid all that taking them off and on every time you get to a bit where patches of road are showing would put me off. Even in milder winters where we have not had prolonged periods of snow or freezing weather the temperatures we experience warrant fitting winter tyres. I just wish I had spend the cash years ago. I know several folk who use them and swear by them.

 

[rancid badger]

manufacturer's/sellers blurb is great but I think most people ( particularly me) take sales hype for what it usually is
In this case, they really do work, as advertised.

Early Saturday morning (05:45 & -10c); I went out to work,I fitted them just to get me onto the main road but the estate road is lethal, driving on wet/black ice, down hill and round bends and it felt like driving on dry tarmac. I just slipped them off and dropped them in the passenger foot well, once I was on a clear road.

I went out yesterday morning and didn't bother with the socks and had a very different drive out! sliding, slipping and poor steering.

So, they are indeed, good on ice

I thought I'd just do an update on my experiences so far, as this morning at 06:30, I had a pretty hairy, 8 mile drive home in blizzard conditions!

I set off from work, after a night of frequent, though apparently light snow showers. There was 4 inches of fresh snow on the car and the roads were pretty poor into the bargain.

I didn't use the socks, as I expected the road to be okay from the point where Northumberland's bit ends and Gateshead's bit begins.

Mistake!

There was little or no difference and the main road was really treacherous for the next three miles, till I left it and began the second half of my journey on the more rural roads home.

I managed to get up the first 200 yds of steep hill okay but decided that if the village was as bad as the road up, I'd stop and fit the socks, before continuing home.

As expected the roads were still terrible so bearing in mind I have to drop into a steep valley, then climb out the other side, just to get to my own village, I stopped and shoved the socks on.

I still had about 4 miles to do, and the there was no tarmac visible, so took my time but after a very short time realised that although the car was bouncing around on the deep rutted snow and slush, it wasn't sliding or losing grip much.

There was nothing else on the road at this point and my speed crept up gradually, till I realised I was tearing along doing just over 30! ( 30 being the MAX speed for the socks)

I backed off and dropped to 20-25 and the car felt great. I eased off a bit more and tried the brakes and the car slowed as normal, though a bit "lumpy" due to the depth of snow and slush. I stopped, perfectly safely and under control, got out, checked the socks and finding them looking fine, I got back in and set off again.

Down the dip, around the corner and up the last long drag into the village with never a dodgy moment, except when a clown came the other way, in the middle of the road.

Any way, the bad conditions remained for the rest of the journey up hill and down dale but the front tyres never lost grip to any marked degree.

So 4 miles, is the most I've used them for so far but as long as you keep your speed sensible( below 30mph), I see no problem driving 40, 80 or 120 miles on them in truly bad conditions.

The bug bear; is having to fit them for the bad stuff then remove them for clear tarmac sections. It's cold and wet, as well as a bit dodgey if some one comes past you when your fitting /removing them!

I've taken a few photo's this afternoon, as We've been out for the shopping and the socks paid for themselves yet again.

This a view down the estate this afternoon,

They look okay, for what it's worth!

Very well made.

The curious thing; is how they actually work, the tread pattern shows up through the sock in the tyre marks, so it's a bit odd how they grip so much better than the tyres themselves

anyway, I've no connection with anyone selling these things, I just think they are good kit, within their "scope" and can honestly recommend them.

atb

Steve

 

[Mesquite]

[The curious thing; is how they actually work, the tread pattern shows up through the sock in the tyre marks, so it's a bit odd how they grip so much better than the tyres themselves

Sounds like you gave them a good workout Steve. Mine are in the back of the car just awaiting the opportune moment to use them

As for how they work, taken from the makers website

Q1: How do they work?
A1: Basically it's to do with friction. Dry snow and ice sticks to fabric, especially 'woolly' fabric as those of us who remember snowballing in woollen mitts will remember. AutoSock are made from a hairy fabric which sticks to the snow. The fibres, which become hairier with use, are arranged at right angles to the direction of travel to optimise grip. Very importantly, the specially developed textile also "wicks away" any water that's found between the ground and the tyre, (generated e.g. by the warmth of the sun, or wheel spin), thereby maximising the friction grip.

 

[Tetley]

Whats really scary in the UK is that now some insurance companies have decided that Winter tyres are a "modification" to your vehicle and therefore if you dont pay an increased premium your insurance is invalidated , how crazy is that , the RAC and AA where on national Radio naming and shaming the companies , penalising people for making their vehicles safer to drive in winter :yikes:

I thought it was a wind up at first , how do some people sleep at night ?

 

[rancid badger]

Whats really scary in the UK is that now some insurance companies have decided that Winter tyres are a "modification" to your vehicle and therefore if you dont pay an increased premium your insurance is invalidated , how crazy is that , the RAC and AA where on national Radio naming and shaming the companies , penalising people for making their vehicles safer to drive in winter :yikes:

I thought it was a wind up at first , how do some people sleep at night ?

Last I heard; it is a wind up, at least the company in question, had withdrawn the statement anyway.
It would be good to straighten this one out, once and for all.

 

[Toddy]

Y'know, I never gave it a thought.
I had a bump with the car about a month ago; smashed in the drivers door, back door and rear panel; and the insurance assessor asked me if I had Winter tyres. I said no, that the roads had been clear of ice and snow, and never gave it another thought.


cheers,
Toddy