Bought some Snow Socks today....

[DickiJ]

I'm not sure how useful having mandatory winter tyres are as the cheap tyres on my Focus are M + S tagged and they're shit in the summer rain - god forbid driving on snow!

[cyclone]

I'm not sure how useful having mandatory winter tyres are as the cheap tyres on my Focus are M + S tagged and they're shit in the summer rain - god forbid driving on snow!

Well that is the problem with an all season M & S tire is that they are a compromise so do not excel at in any weather condition Just good for saving money. Otherwise a summer tire is made specifically for warm diving conditions so bad in the cold and snow. While winter tires are made for cold or snow and they are not so good in warm weather. Have a look around at any comparison test of a true winter tire and summer tire in the cold or snow and you will see the benefits.

[Jimbob]

My DS3 came with steel wheels (99g model) so it was an ideal opportunity to chose the alloys I wanted for the summer and put winter tyres on the steel wheels.
Must confess I do like having an appropriate tyre when the weather is bad. It really does make a difference!

JB

[lfcrule1972]

I might consider winter wheels/tyres if I lived somewhere where the snow was bad every winter, as it is we rent a flat and have no where to store them so it's not on my to do list at present

[cyclone]

I might consider winter wheels/tyres if I lived somewhere where the snow was bad every winter, as it is we rent a flat and have no where to store them so it's not on my to do list at present

That is part of where people get confused about "snow" tires. they are not just for snow but for cold weather also. Under 10C and the performance of a summer tire falls off and that is just about where "snow" tires start to perform . How about that for a strange coincidence.
Snow tire is just such a bad name they should more properly be called cold weather tires. Not all "snow" tires have that rugged tread design designed to dig you through the snow some have a tread that looks no different from a normal all season m & s or a rain tire just the tire compound is designed to work at top efficiency in the cold.
Do not know about the UK but it is very common here for tire shops to store your winter tires for you in the summer and vice versa in the winter. Might be worth checking out if any do this around you.

[lfcrule1972]

I looked into that previously cyclone and the best I found was a fitter who'd pre-order the tyres in for me, I'd then take the car in when the weather turned cold and then take the summer tyres away in the boot with me We really aren't set up for cold weather conditions or the services you get....

[ChrisH:)]

just to ask after reading this do they actaully work in snowy conditions then and ehlp to grip so you can drive as normal

[Chris_Blue]

just to ask after reading this do they actaully work in snowy conditions then and ehlp to grip so you can drive as normal

Will let you know later in the year- they fit over my wheels, so if the material does what its says, they should work
Only for an emergency to be honest- like last year when I was stuck on the M23 for 11 hours
Getting up my road at 6 in the morning, after 11 hours overnight in the car, I failed at the last 200 yards and left the car for the day, so that's when Id try them
Wife had trouble getting stuck at work too- so she may try them also

[lfcrule1972]

Yep they do, (I have a set of the Autosocks) and I live on a hill (private road) and when it snows it quickly turns to ice and makes driving up it impossible. I have used these on my Astra when it snowed and the DS3 last year and was able to drive out with ease

Thing to remember is that when the snow/ice is gone from the road you need to stop immediately and remove them (as with chains) otherwise they'll be ruined.

[ChrisH:)]

how much did you pay there 65 quid on there for mine!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris_Blue]

Paid fiver for a pair me (That's a smart ass smile)
Car bootsale

[lfcrule1972]

Mine were free with a winter service due on the better half's Vauxhall !! lolz As her Corsa is erm non standard and fitting would've been a nightmare they agreed to give me a set that fitted the Astra (and now the DS3)

The autosocks are quite expensive but they have been used several times and come up good as new every time I get them out of the holder/packet

[Chris_Blue]

Mine were free

Cor- beats my smart ass reply eh lfc!

[lfcrule1972]

Free is a relative term I had to clean the Corsa several times in repayment ! Probably was the best deal we ever got on a Vauxhall service

[Chris_Blue]

Ah well- getting mine for a fiver cheered me up
Didn't think theyd fit so happy days