[Closed] Anybody used 'Auto sock' things for in the snow on car tyres?

Ah, I see it was done already... http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/autosocks-a-review

Tried and tested on my Saab and other cars in the family (couple of Ford Focusssssss)

Big thumbs up from me - made a huge improvement to grip last winter, especially one very snowy night in the Peaks. I stuck them on at the bottom of one hill which had a line of cars / trucks waiting at the bottom and a few people going sideways/backwards a lot. I pottered up the hill with no problem and even stopped half way to avoid somebody getting pushed.

My G/F's Sister used them quite a bit around Sheffield last winter and was very happy with them as well.

nice to hear as I ordered a pair this morning

They do work well, but on our RWD car they aren't so good, as when you try to turn a corner the car just goes straight on, I guess another set on the front would help.
The other problem is if you have a RWD car with low suspension and wide tyres (255's in my case), they are a nightmare to get on as they are a really tight fit, I ended up carrying a trolley jack around last winter so I could jack the car up to fit them.
The other thing is do not exceed the maximum rated speed, as I did and they fell to bits.
Apart from that they work exceedingly well.

I had a flyer for them when I bought some roof bars, and it said exactly that for RWD cars - 2 sets.

hmmm I may need a set or 4, do they do them to fit the skinny wheels of a morris?

Aye, IIRC, the max speed on the packet is 50km/h. I was glad to make it up the hills and keep moving though, so have no problem with chugging along. Once clear of the snow, I did stop to remove them.

Quite easy to fit on my 225/45/17 wheels, even in the dark for the first time.

It would make sense for the wheels that do the steering and braking to have maximised grip really.

Judging by the number of socks that I see on the side of the roads in the winter I guess lots of people bought them, so they must be good.

If I remember correctly, my old MK2 Escort RWD with snow tyres was the only car to get out of our valley with heavy snow, but I did have 2X25litre drums filled with water in the boot to help with traction. 💡

Last winter I was driving a little Honda Jazz that was just about as effective as a 4x4 in the snow and pretty much unstoppable. This winter I'm in a rear-wheel drive coupe with 245/40ZR17's on the back so am not expecting to have it quite so good!

I've been considering getting some steel wheels and winter tyres but that'll be £500+ so quite like the sound of these autosock things.

I did have 2X25litre drums filled with water in the boot to help with traction

fun at the first corner?

fun at the first corner?

Why?

Greetings Mr Sparkle,

+1 here - we would never have got home last year without them.

Remember though - they are only for use on the snow/ice. As soon as you
are back on tarmac take them off or they will shred in minutes.

And for a bit of history. My mother in law said that they used to tie sack cloth on the ponies feet so that it could grip in the snow/ice, just the same technology.

I've got some. They're brilliant, I'm very happy to recommend them to people. Best fifty quid I spent last winter, pretty much.

I live at the end of a farm track on the edge of The Peak, and I didn't get stuck at all last year despite the track being snow-and-ice-bound for a good three weeks, all told. You don't get quite so much grip in deep snow as you do with chains, which I used to have to use, but they're better on ice and slush, and much, much less faff. It's also very satisfying sailing past all those stranded 4x4s and ridiculous pick-ups in a boring old hatchback with Autosocks on...

what's the best bet for mixed tarmac/snow patches type of terrain, I've been looking at the autosocks for a while but down here its never consistent

More snow than tarmac = chains.
More tarmac than snow = wuinter/snow tyres

thanks don simon, that makes sense.

Just ordered a couple of sets of the Autosocks so here's hoping the snow stays away until they arrive!

Hmm tempted but thesurfbus' reply puts me off, I'd need two sets (RWD) and my rears are 255's as well and I'm not jacking my car up all the time :p

I've orded two sets as my car is also RWD - it has 225's on the front and 245's on the back. Once I get them I'll let you know how they are to fit.

My commute is quite short but on hilly back-roads so keeping to 50km max shouldn't be an issue.

I bought a pair for 'emergency get me home' situations last year and they were great - they got me home in some pretty treacherous conditions

My commute is 40 miles so having something like these can mean the difference between abandoning your car along with everyone else or getting home.

Downside is you have to keep taking them off if your journey involves both cleared and un-cleared roads. can be a bit of a soggy wet pain after a few repeats.

This year I've got snow tyres! 🙂

So you got some to sell digby 😉

So you got some to sell digby

sorry - they've already been given to a mate who has similar sized tyres.

Worth a shot lol

Its worth trial fitting them on a nice dry sunny day, as its not fun doing it for the first time in the dark, with wind and sleet in your face.
They should come with some plastic to kneel on and some of those big long gloves that you use to artificially inseminate cows, however its worth carrying around an old piece of carpet to kneel on, and a torch.

The other problem with RWD cars is that you can't turn the driving wheels (left and right) like you can with a FWD car to fit them on, which makes fitting a lot easier.

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I thought I was going to have to leave my car at the office and walk home today but the postie finally arrived with the autosocks I'd ordered from the Roofbox Company a week or so back. With them fitted getting home was no problem at all, despite front wheel cars in front of me getting stuck and needing a push.

Very tight to fit to my car though, as there is very little clearance between the tyres and bodywork.

autosocks are fantastic. Made a massive difference (the difference between being stuck on the side of the road and being warm at home). I cannot recommend them more highly.

That is all.