612 in the snow...
Discussion
I'm now one week into owning a Ferrari 612 (2004 rosso scuderia with crema interior) and am planning a run down to the Alps over xmas. Winter tyres are due to be fitted in a couple of weeks but I'm struggling a bit to find the right chains to fit the car. Snow socks are one option to have but I know not all countries consider these a legitimate alternative to chains... so, i wondered if the collective wisdom of pistonheads' V12 forum had any ideas - has any owner found a set of chains that work with the 612? thanks in advance for any ideas/advice.
thanks for the replies - i take the point that just as the chains fit the tyre they might not fit the car - this indeed is leaning me toward socks... i'm thinking to buy socks in case they're genuinely needed, but toss the chains from my volvo in the boot to wave at the gendarme if i get pulled over... it probably is tempting fate, but in all the many years of driving down to the alps (and several years in new england) i've never actually needed the chains, but have been challenged a couple of times by enthusiastic traffic police to prove i have the required winter kit... that said the winter tyres have year-in-year-out been a godsend! even just in the UK.
cradock said:
thanks for the replies - i take the point that just as the chains fit the tyre they might not fit the car - this indeed is leaning me toward socks... i'm thinking to buy socks in case they're genuinely needed, but toss the chains from my volvo in the boot to wave at the gendarme if i get pulled over... it probably is tempting fate, but in all the many years of driving down to the alps (and several years in new england) i've never actually needed the chains, but have been challenged a couple of times by enthusiastic traffic police to prove i have the required winter kit... that said the winter tyres have year-in-year-out been a godsend! even just in the UK.
Yes makes sense, I'd get the socks and if it makes life easier like you say have the chains ready to please the auths!612's tolerances are that tight anyway that you can't fit wheels from later cars to earlier cars and certain options were only available to later assembly numbers due to catching on the inside.
I used "Autosock" on my 993 turbo and 997 GT3RS in the Alps to go to Courchevel in France - no issues
Snowsocks are legal in Germany, Switzerland I don't know
and if you actually have snow tyres fitted, you don't need anything else really (not even Autosock), snow tyres have amazing grip on snow...ice anything slips really except studs
http://www.autosock.co.uk/faqs/
Q12 Are AutoSock approved for use in the Alps, where "snow chains" are compulsory?
AutoSock have been approved since 2010 for use in France as an alternative to metal snow chains where the B26 snow chain signs require snow chains to be carried. Visitors to France will need to download a sticker to fix to the AutoSock storage bag, and are also advised to download the relevant details, taken from the Gendarmerie website, and AutoSock's press release.
AutoSock can also legally be used when snowchains must be carried or fitted in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovenia.
Snowsocks are legal in Germany, Switzerland I don't know
and if you actually have snow tyres fitted, you don't need anything else really (not even Autosock), snow tyres have amazing grip on snow...ice anything slips really except studs
http://www.autosock.co.uk/faqs/
Q12 Are AutoSock approved for use in the Alps, where "snow chains" are compulsory?
AutoSock have been approved since 2010 for use in France as an alternative to metal snow chains where the B26 snow chain signs require snow chains to be carried. Visitors to France will need to download a sticker to fix to the AutoSock storage bag, and are also advised to download the relevant details, taken from the Gendarmerie website, and AutoSock's press release.
AutoSock can also legally be used when snowchains must be carried or fitted in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovenia.
Thanks for that link and the comments about experience using the snow socks - i think that's the way i'm going. Agree with your point that winter tyres are all normally needed. I've never had to fit snow chains to a car (except during a drunken stag weekend challenge but that's another story). I'm going to be in France for the most part so i'm guessing socks is the way to go. thanks again.
cradock said:
Agree with your point that winter tyres are all normally needed. I've never had to fit snow chains to a car (except during a drunken stag weekend challenge but that's another story).
I meant snow tyres, not winter as not sure all winter tyres cope for snow...I think snow tyres are even more specialised, typically what cars in North America, Canada, Switzerland would be equipped with by lawMichelin Pilot Alpin is what I had, and they worked super good, no point of saving a couple bucks for lesser tyres, it's your safety, your life
Edited by 911Thrasher on Friday 18th November 17:53
911Thrasher said:
I meant snow tyres, not winter as not sure all winter tyres cope for snow...I think snow tyres are even more specialised, typically what cars in North America, Canada, Switzerland would be equipped with by law
Michelin Pilot Alpin is what I had, and they worked super good, no point of saving a couple bucks for lesser tyres, it's your safety, your life
Amen to that view and thanks for the clarification - yes its snow tyres - i've used Pilot Alpin PA4s on my previous maserati. I'm from the school that thinks since the tyres are the only bit holding onto the road I'd rather splash out (no wonder i get xmas cards from my local ATS every year!!)Michelin Pilot Alpin is what I had, and they worked super good, no point of saving a couple bucks for lesser tyres, it's your safety, your life
Edited by 911Thrasher on Friday 18th November 17:53
Yup! My first car was a m635csi back in the mid 90s in Canada....and we did so many miles in it going snowboarding each weekend in the snow! It handled quite well and never I got stranded, except for early mornings in front of the house over a night a heavy snow: learned how to use a shovel ahahahah and a couple of old rags...
actually that's something to have in your trunk, a pair of old towels do the job wonderfully when stranded in deep snow to give traction rather than melting the snow into ice
Nothing beats a good pair of snow tires
actually that's something to have in your trunk, a pair of old towels do the job wonderfully when stranded in deep snow to give traction rather than melting the snow into ice
Nothing beats a good pair of snow tires
Edited by 911Thrasher on Friday 18th November 23:35
cradock said:
I'm now one week into owning a Ferrari 612 (2004 rosso scuderia with crema interior) and am planning a run down to the Alps over xmas. Winter tyres are due to be fitted in a couple of weeks but I'm struggling a bit to find the right chains to fit the car. Snow socks are one option to have but I know not all countries consider these a legitimate alternative to chains... so, i wondered if the collective wisdom of pistonheads' V12 forum had any ideas - has any owner found a set of chains that work with the 612? thanks in advance for any ideas/advice.
Sorry for the late reply to this, but if you fit decent snow tyres (Pirelli Sotto zero, Michelin pilot Alplin) then you'll have adequate traction in all conditions, including snow. I've driven across much of Northern Sweden on varying qualities of snow tyres, and once in really heavy snow, and the tyres coped perfectly. I'm wondering what conditions you think would require chains..?Thanks for that - it's Alpin4s so yes, top end winter tyres... I couldn't get chains in the end but bought some snow socks... I don't expect to need them beyond showing them to over-enthusiastic gendarme who seem to like nothing better than pulling over GB plated cars to check on their "winterisation"...!
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