[Closed] Snowsocks - user experiences ?

When it snowed just after Christmas I took my 320d out for a play in the snow. Like any car on normal tyres it was fine once you got going, and could go up and down hills around corners, all with the added fun of rwd switching the traction off. The only time it struggled was on getting going, and steep hills without much momentum.

Snowsocks enabled it to get up some pretty steep hills to the point I was more than happy for my £50 spent. I now know at least I can get home with no issues.

Ive only got them on the rears and there was no problem with steering. IMO you shouldnt be going that fast that it becomes a problem. Taken them off is very easy, just pull one of the cords, role the car forward and thats it

The first time takes a bit longer to get used to taking them on and off, but now it is really easy. Careful though BMW's dont have much arch clearance. Ive got them in the boot in a bin liner as obviously they come off wet and the supplied bag isnt big enough.

Make sure you have something to kneel on, gloves and a top you dont mind getting a bit dirty.

As I have said on other threads, I can see why winter tyres can be good, but in Yorkshire there just are not enough days when the temperature is below 7 deg to make it worth while. Proportionally I am convinced people who have winter tyres will spend more time driving around at > 7 deg than below.

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Mine the other week

FunkyDunc - Member

Proportionally I am convinced people who have winter tyres will spend more time driving around at > 7 deg than below.

Probably. But the thing is,it's when things are cold and wet that extra grip's most useful. So it can still be a good tradeoff to have a little less grip in good conditions, even if that's most of the time, in order to get a bit more grip in bad conditions. I

Cheers for the replies, might have a look into what a full set of winter tyres would cost.

[quote=FunkyDunc ] Proportionally I am convinced people who have winter tyres will spend more time driving around at > 7 deg than below.True. But the downsides of driving >7C on winter tyres are minimal, whereas the opposite is not true.

Just drove across eaglesham moor on the M77 back into Glasgow. Jesus. If it stays like this tomorrow is going to be a nightmare for a lot of people

It's a bit much to expect the whole of Glasgow to change overnight.

Been out in what is now a proper blizzard for a play 😀 even on the steepest bit of nearby road, which is about 1 in 5, hill starts are routine with no slippage. Don't think I'll bother with front ones as steering is fine sub 20mph, which is fast enough given braking conditions...

[i] They are only supposed to be used at low speed, you can't just chuck the car around with impunity, and once you get onto clear tarmac you should take them straight off.[/i]

But this is the problem, as you could need them back on in a couple of miles and off, then on etc.

The pair I borrowed weren't particularly easy to get on - especially when not dressed for it 🙂

Live in Scotland now, so run winter tyres - in fact just driven 120 miles back home on wintery roads, which without them would've be a whole lot slower and certainly not as 'comfortable'.

[i]Cheers for the replies, might have a look into what a full set of winter tyres would cost. [/i]

Cheaper than you realise; as 5 months of use means that my summer (ie far more expensive set) last 5 months longer.

The pair I borrowed weren't particularly easy to get on

[i]Gary - did you have them on all 4 tyres ? I went up the A77 that day at about 3pm in a slithering mess, probs a few hrs before you, and then got properly stuck in EK (3 series tourer at that stage)[/i]

Front wheel drive car Iain so just the front

M77 was carnage tonight heading north. There were cars all over the road just at the section at eaglesham road end. Heading South was slow but okay. Unfortunately I had to take the car today so had to sit in traffic, I'd much rather have been riding on the a77.

[i]I just carry a shovel. You only need to clear 2 metres and yer away.[/i]

Don't think I'd fancy that approach on a motorway

What time were you on the M77 Gary? I got back (from Kilmarnock) at about 9 and it was not pleasant at all. Noticed a long line of cars slowly following a plough on the other carriageway, but didn't see anything on my side.

Was (not very) surprised to see two minis tanking past me at about 70 in the overtaking lane! Can't get my head round whether people are really stupid or just don't care

We were on it about 6:30 to 7pm. The only bad bit northbound was at the section above eaglesham road end, the rest was fine. There were a couple of lorries and cars spinning out and it was causing mayhem.

Was (not very) surprised to see two minis tanking past me at about 70 in the overtaking lane! Can't get my head round whether people are really stupid or just don't care

Noob. They've got ESP so that takes care of everything - obvs!

Limped the car into the garage in the snow today to get a spring replaced. Slight lack of ground clearance on nearside leading to impromptu snowplowing, every ripple in the packed snow felt like the end of the world. Got to the garage, one of the mechanics had just parked his car in the wall in the icy driveway 😆 Towed him out, discount on labour due I think! Yay snowproxes. Boo springs.

Noob. They've got ESP so that takes care of everything - obvs!

Combined with flashing hazard lights what can possibly go wrong.

I have an auto Merc estate with low profile tyres etc and just drove through the centre of Liverpool in quite dodgy conditions given a sudden snow fall. The number of people who simply cant drive is staggering, getting very close, cornering too quickly, losing momentum before a slight hill etc.
I learned to drive in a 1.1 ltr Mk 1 Escort van and spent my yoof driving underpowered fords/Vauxhalls etc and when you have driven a car with drums all round and with about 20BHP you have to become a bit more "involved" 😯

my 1 inch of snow pic 🙂

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clever bits of kit, dead easy to fit

You don't need socks on in that much snow!

[i]You don't need socks on in that much snow! [/i]

Except if driving a RWD BMW (I had a 535i and with even the slightest gradient you were stuffed).

^^^^ indeed, these fine pieces of German engineering, when shod with regular tyres, can lose the ability to pull away in a mere dusting of snow. They are fine as long as momentum is kept up, which pretty much impossible for much of where I drive.

Anyway, after the blizzard later it was a good 3 inches deep and much more fun 🙂

Snow socks got me out of bother this morning after optimisically trying to get up an untreated 10% hill to the train station in a few inches of snow. As a long term winter tyre user, they are surprisingly good but prefer the fit and forget tyre option.

[i]my 1 inch of snow pic[/i]

Think you must have looked at the wrong side of your ruler Iain 🙂

^^^^ 🙂