Snow Socks (Autosock) actually work
Discussion
The snow has been relentless this evening ... absolutely f
king relentless. I had to go somewhere by car this evening, and that meant negotiating a 1-in-10 gradient, which never gets gritted. I attempted the gradient unaided, in 2nd gear and even 3rd gear ... no joy. I then fitted my snow socks by Autosock. They took about three minutes to fit, and the result was brilliant! I got up the hill without ANY wheelspin ... 
.
For those who are sceptical about snow socks .... give them a try! They worked for me. This is not an advert .... just a recommendation
king relentless. I had to go somewhere by car this evening, and that meant negotiating a 1-in-10 gradient, which never gets gritted. I attempted the gradient unaided, in 2nd gear and even 3rd gear ... no joy. I then fitted my snow socks by Autosock. They took about three minutes to fit, and the result was brilliant! I got up the hill without ANY wheelspin ... .For those who are sceptical about snow socks .... give them a try! They worked for me. This is not an advert .... just a recommendation
Edited by RedAlfa on Wednesday 1st December 21:45
RedAlfa said:
The snow has been relentless this evening ... absolutely fking relentless. I had to go somewhere by car this evening, and that meant negotiating a 1-in-10 gradient, which never gets gritted. I attempted the gradient unaided, in 2nd gear and even 3rd gear ... no joy. I then fitted my snow socks by Autosock. They took about three minutes to fit, and the result was brilliant! I got up the hill without ANY wheelspin ... .
For those who are sceptical about snow socks .... give them a try! They worked for me. This is not an advert .... just a recommendation
Good to hear, mine arrived the other day, not needed them yet.king relentless. I had to go somewhere by car this evening, and that meant negotiating a 1-in-10 gradient, which never gets gritted. I attempted the gradient unaided, in 2nd gear and even 3rd gear ... no joy. I then fitted my snow socks by Autosock. They took about three minutes to fit, and the result was brilliant! I got up the hill without ANY wheelspin ... .For those who are sceptical about snow socks .... give them a try! They worked for me. This is not an advert .... just a recommendation
Edited by RedAlfa on Wednesday 1st December 21:45
M
I've used snow socks in a ski resort and driving on packed snow felt like driving on dry tarmac, the difference is amazing.
The only problem is you need to take them off again as soon as you get to a clear bit of road and for me that would mean less than a 5 minute drive from home. It wouldn't be worth the time putting them on and taking them off.
The only problem is you need to take them off again as soon as you get to a clear bit of road and for me that would mean less than a 5 minute drive from home. It wouldn't be worth the time putting them on and taking them off.
Just came on here to see what the GG crowd were saying, I bought my pair today. My road turned into an ice rink for the better part of a fortnight last year and I ended up with the Sprinter almost jackknifing itself diagnally across the road. Chuffed to see that you think they work.we have them for both our cars...they are bloody superb
I would not have got up or down the hill to my village without them
edit to ad some info from the website--------------
http://www.autosock.co.uk/product.html
The AutoSock is tailored for situations where the duration of icy & snowy roads is normally short and does not justify special tyres or snow chains. It is suitable and permitted as temporary winter aid for vehicles, and is easy to mount and dismount. The AutoSock is machine washable and easy to store.
Extensive research has brought the sock through a series of stages - from the first simple ones with a short life span which are beneficial just for specific conditions, to a robust sock suitable for most conditions.
Traction tests with and without AutoSocks were performed along a straight 50 meter test course with a 7% uphill gradient. On ice/slush these tests showed a reduction in elapsed time for AutoSocks between 18 and 21% relative to summer tyres, 8% relative to unstudded winter tyres and 6% relative to studded tyres. On snow the reduction in elapsed time for AutoSocks was between 23 and 33% relative to summer tyres and 4% relative to studded and unstudded winter tyres.
Research & Development
AutoSock AS has engaged leading research institutes in order to carry out various prototype tests using adequate industry standard measurement methods and equipment. Initial field tests on snow and indoor tests on ice showed that the ice friction properties needed to be improved.
Statistics show that during the winter more accidents occur on icy rather than on snowy surfaces. These included tests at the VTI Tyre testing facility in Sweden. VTI is the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute. AutoSock AS made use of special test machinery for ice that also eliminates human errors which affect braking efficiency on ice. Several tyre and car manufacturers have also used the same facility.
Subsequent to these tests the following tasks needed to be focused on:
1. Improve ice friction without compromising the snow friction properties.
2. Make use of 'state of the art' knowledge about ski base sliding friction theory and ski base structures.
3. Exploit ways of objectively and scientifically describe the surface texture of different AutoSock prototypes in order to increase understanding about the prevailing friction.
The frictional surface of an AutoSock combines the following sets of characteristics:
1. A surface pattern with a sufficiently high degree of courseness to make the total contact area exposed to dry friction as large as possible under dry, wet, hard and soft snowy or icy conditions.
2. A combination of surface pattern, strength and elasticity that make the contact points sufficiently sticky under hard snow or icy conditions.
The TUV graph below compares the handling of a car using AutoSock, snow chains and normal winter tyres on snow. The results shows that:
1. AutoSock has easily got the best general traction, uphill and downhill course holding and brake behavior.
2. AutoSock is only slightly behind snow chains when it comes to hill start traction and ground leel starts.
3. AutoSock is a great improvement over winter tyres in every area, except hill starts where it is a match
I would not have got up or down the hill to my village without them
edit to ad some info from the website--------------
http://www.autosock.co.uk/product.html
The AutoSock is tailored for situations where the duration of icy & snowy roads is normally short and does not justify special tyres or snow chains. It is suitable and permitted as temporary winter aid for vehicles, and is easy to mount and dismount. The AutoSock is machine washable and easy to store.
Extensive research has brought the sock through a series of stages - from the first simple ones with a short life span which are beneficial just for specific conditions, to a robust sock suitable for most conditions.
Traction tests with and without AutoSocks were performed along a straight 50 meter test course with a 7% uphill gradient. On ice/slush these tests showed a reduction in elapsed time for AutoSocks between 18 and 21% relative to summer tyres, 8% relative to unstudded winter tyres and 6% relative to studded tyres. On snow the reduction in elapsed time for AutoSocks was between 23 and 33% relative to summer tyres and 4% relative to studded and unstudded winter tyres.
Research & Development
AutoSock AS has engaged leading research institutes in order to carry out various prototype tests using adequate industry standard measurement methods and equipment. Initial field tests on snow and indoor tests on ice showed that the ice friction properties needed to be improved.
Statistics show that during the winter more accidents occur on icy rather than on snowy surfaces. These included tests at the VTI Tyre testing facility in Sweden. VTI is the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute. AutoSock AS made use of special test machinery for ice that also eliminates human errors which affect braking efficiency on ice. Several tyre and car manufacturers have also used the same facility.
Subsequent to these tests the following tasks needed to be focused on:
1. Improve ice friction without compromising the snow friction properties.
2. Make use of 'state of the art' knowledge about ski base sliding friction theory and ski base structures.
3. Exploit ways of objectively and scientifically describe the surface texture of different AutoSock prototypes in order to increase understanding about the prevailing friction.
The frictional surface of an AutoSock combines the following sets of characteristics:
1. A surface pattern with a sufficiently high degree of courseness to make the total contact area exposed to dry friction as large as possible under dry, wet, hard and soft snowy or icy conditions.
2. A combination of surface pattern, strength and elasticity that make the contact points sufficiently sticky under hard snow or icy conditions.
The TUV graph below compares the handling of a car using AutoSock, snow chains and normal winter tyres on snow. The results shows that:
1. AutoSock has easily got the best general traction, uphill and downhill course holding and brake behavior.
2. AutoSock is only slightly behind snow chains when it comes to hill start traction and ground leel starts.
3. AutoSock is a great improvement over winter tyres in every area, except hill starts where it is a match
Edited by y2blade on Thursday 2nd December 09:54
I'm sure I heard an ad on the radio the other day that Vauxhall dealers are selling these.
ahhh... perhaps easier and quicker than through the post? Although getting to a dealer in this weather might be a problem for some.
http://www.autosock.co.uk/
"
Internet sales are managed by the UK importer, The Roof Box Company and also by Brindley Chains.
AutoSock are also distributed by most Vauxhall dealers. Check the Vauxhall web site to find your nearest dealer."
ahhh... perhaps easier and quicker than through the post? Although getting to a dealer in this weather might be a problem for some.
http://www.autosock.co.uk/
"
Internet sales are managed by the UK importer, The Roof Box Company and also by Brindley Chains.
AutoSock are also distributed by most Vauxhall dealers. Check the Vauxhall web site to find your nearest dealer."
Edited by Fastra on Thursday 2nd December 10:41
Dam! Looked at these a few months ago when I bought my E46 and decided against buying any. I think they were £45.
My car is now stuck at my Aunties in Sheffield where I work, I live in Lincolnshire and I've been staying at my Aunties since Monday. Looks like it will be Friday until I can rescue my car, if it will start.
My car is now stuck at my Aunties in Sheffield where I work, I live in Lincolnshire and I've been staying at my Aunties since Monday. Looks like it will be Friday until I can rescue my car, if it will start.
Personally (and it obviosuly depends on your budget) I would go for winter tyres. The winter tyres will performa all round better whilst temps are 7 degrees or below - that includes braking in the wet as well as the snow.
Also, the snow socks are a bit of a hassle if your journey encompasses side roads and motorway. Probably OK for trips around town I guess.
Also, the snow socks are a bit of a hassle if your journey encompasses side roads and motorway. Probably OK for trips around town I guess.
Isn't the problem with these (and chains) finding somewhere safe to take them off?
I used my chains for the first time last year and they were great.
But you then you have to take them off - so do just stop on the nice clear main road and do it, or pull into a side street that's all snowed/iced up and be back to square one again!
I opted for the main road thing, and nipping in and out of traffic to take them off.
I used my chains for the first time last year and they were great.
But you then you have to take them off - so do just stop on the nice clear main road and do it, or pull into a side street that's all snowed/iced up and be back to square one again!
I opted for the main road thing, and nipping in and out of traffic to take them off.
DJFish said:
I have some that I bought last winter after getting stuck on a steep incline, haven't used them yet, opted for just staying in today!
However removal is supposed to be the work of seconds, you just yank it orf.
Yep ... you just pull (carefully) on the orange straps ... and then prize them off gently.However removal is supposed to be the work of seconds, you just yank it orf.
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