Just ordered autosocks for my car, but...

[pbirkett]

I just tried this morning to get my hands into arches and failed, so I'm guessing i wasted my money... anyone tried to use these on cars with low tyre clearance? Did you manage to get them on somehow?

[Balmoral Green]

Don't worry, if it's cold enough, your hands will shrink.

I ordered a set yesterday for Kermit (my new telly ad vRS) having priced up winter tyres and thought, nope, I'll pass on that

[The Riddler]

Ever thought about jacking it up?

I'd be interested to know how you go on with them, or from anyone else who has used them.

Edited by The Riddler on Sunday 5th December 16:03

[jagracer]

I'd be interested to know about the legality of these. If we're supposed to have a minimum of 1mm or 1.6mm of tread (depending on vehicle) how would putting something over the entire tyre affect it legal wise?

[Balmoral Green]

jagracer said:

I'd be interested to know about the legality of these. If we're supposed to have a minimum of 1mm or 1.6mm of tread (depending on vehicle) how would putting something over the entire tyre affect it legal wise?

Now that, is a bloody good question.

[pbirkett]

The Riddler said:

Ever thought about jacking it up?

Pretty dodgy thing to be doing in the snow

I've not got them yet, just contemplating trying to cancel it... my mate suggested getting some carpet to carry on the boot. Can't really afford / justify / have room to store winter tyres..

[Balmoral Green]

pbirkett said:

my mate suggested getting some carpet to carry on the boot.

Yeah, Two lengths, about twenty metres by 500 mill each

[Elroy Blue]

Clearance is very tight on mine, but I got them on in uder 5 minutes with a bit of juggling and pulling.

[motco]

Elroy Blue said:

Clearance is very tight on mine, but I got them on in uder 5 minutes with a bit of juggling and pulling.

[drum roll]

...and the verdict is...?

Edited by motco on Sunday 5th December 16:36

[jonnydrama]

I used snow socks on my 335i M-Sport (not much arch clearance..), impossible to get your hand to the rear of the tyre unless you're jeremy beadle. Buy some wooden round bar from B&Q or similar and cut it into two dowels to feed the sock over the back of the tyre. It worked for me although I'm using Toyo Snowprox tyres now and they are on another level.

[The Riddler]

pbirkett said:

The Riddler said:

Ever thought about jacking it up?

Pretty dodgy thing to be doing in the snow

I've not got them yet, just contemplating trying to cancel it... my mate suggested getting some carpet to carry on the boot. Can't really afford / justify / have room to store winter tyres..

We're the same here, 3 cars, all that get used daily and not enough room to store 12 tyres/wheels.

[pbirkett]

jonnydrama said:

I used snow socks on my 335i M-Sport (not much arch clearance..), impossible to get your hand to the rear of the tyre unless you're jeremy beadle. Buy some wooden round bar from B&Q or similar and cut it into two dowels to feed the sock over the back of the tyre. It worked for me although I'm using Toyo Snowprox tyres now and they are on another level.

Do you reckon something like coat hanger or similar bent to shape would do the trick too?

[Tunku]

I've thought about snow socks, but I wonder about where to put them on and take them off? Most places I've been with snow on the road are single track with ploughed sides, so nowhere to get out the way of other traffic.

[jonnydrama]

Yep that would work but watch out for any sharp edges making holes in the socks!

[Elroy Blue]

motco said:

Elroy Blue said:

Clearance is very tight on mine, but I got them on in uder 5 minutes with a bit of juggling and pulling.

[drum roll]

...and the verdict is...?

Edited by motco on Sunday 5th December 16:36

Errmm..don't know. I just had a trial fitment. We haven't had enough snow to need to use them.

[motco]

Ah, I see EB, thanks anyway.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

They work very very well. Got stuck in some deep snow begging of the year in surrey. Put the socks on and was off in no time at all. Very grippy over heavy/light snow or ice.

It comes with elbow length gloves. Put them on and then stretch over rear section of tyre down to bottom of tyre. Put car in reverse and very lightly lift off clutch and just go from there if you simply cannot fit over the top of the tyre. Once on it will self centre itself.

[60]

Balmoral Green said:

jagracer said:

I'd be interested to know about the legality of these. If we're supposed to have a minimum of 1mm or 1.6mm of tread (depending on vehicle) how would putting something over the entire tyre affect it legal wise?

Now that, is a bloody good question.

They are using them on ambulances so I'd assume they are legal.

[jagracer]

60 said:

Balmoral Green said:

jagracer said:

I'd be interested to know about the legality of these. If we're supposed to have a minimum of 1mm or 1.6mm of tread (depending on vehicle) how would putting something over the entire tyre affect it legal wise?

Now that, is a bloody good question.

They are using them on ambulances so I'd assume they are legal.

I was talking to someone today who has them and he says that the instructions or whatever say that they are legal for use in the UK.

[Tunku]

jagracer said:

60 said:

Balmoral Green said:

jagracer said:

I'd be interested to know about the legality of these. If we're supposed to have a minimum of 1mm or 1.6mm of tread (depending on vehicle) how would putting something over the entire tyre affect it legal wise?

Now that, is a bloody good question.

They are using them on ambulances so I'd assume they are legal.

I was talking to someone today who has them and he says that the instructions or whatever say that they are legal for use in the UK.

A spare wheel and tyre mounted on the back of a Land Rover with a wheel cover over it is legal. Same thing