SkiDVD

[kiwi1]

I notice on the news that after the snow in Jan 4x4 sales have increased in this country by approx 20%. wouldn't it be cheaper to put a set of snow tyres on 2WD cars like the rest of europe.

I've got a 4x4 and change the tyres to winter tyres every November and it makes a massive difference but i also know a 2wd car will go further in the snow with winter tyres than a 4x4 with summer tyres.

How many here use winter tyres or would consider them now.

[snowonder]

I've just bought a pair of these for when we go up to aviemore, They're called AutoSock and cheaper than snow tyres or chains http://www.autosock.co.uk/

[kiwi1]

it'll interesting to hear a report on how good the snow socks are snowonder.

As for snowtyres, they're not the same or an alternative to chains or snowsocks and not the same a tyres with M+S writen on the side walls. Winter tyres are indicated but a snowflake in a mountain symble. They normally have a softer rubber compound and more narrow wilts to kick the snow out. the softer compond means they remain soft below 7 degrees where a normal car tyre goes hard thus giving you performance in colder conditions for breaking, cornering and grip and the extra wilts kick the snow out so they have much better grip in the snow.

the idea with winter tyres is to use them all winter as the are safer and then use chains/sock when the snow gets deep.

[Banknote]

We had considered getting a set of snow chains. Being honest though, the chance of getting any use out of them in south Devon is unlikely.
We will definitely be getting some if we are heading anywhere that does get snow

[kiwi1]

yeah i carry a set in my pick up all the time. i've never had to use them as the winter tyres plus 4x4 have always been enoungh but its nice to have them just in case.

[Fraser and Sarah]

part of it is knowing how to drive in snow/ice as well. We found that the snow tyres we used on the espace in BG were brilliant, the only time we got stuck was coming up the back way from Beli Iskar, but soon got over that by getting a bigger run up!!

[Banknote]

part of it is knowing how to drive in snow/ice as well. We found that the snow tyres we used on the espace in BG were brilliant, the only time we got stuck was coming up the back way from Beli Iskar, but soon got over that by getting a bigger run up!!

Very true.
The amount of drivers I saw this year, screaming the engines in first gear, was unbelievable.
There is a time for doing this, but it is when you need to "burn" a small hole in the not very deep snow, to get a very short run up. I've done it in a truck, to burn off about 6 foot, allowing me to back up, and take a small run at a very slight and short slope.
Drivers and drovers for sure.

[kiwi1]

agreed and also experience. it was interesting to watch the muppet drivers around here in the cold snap in jan. having laying snow for 3 weeks you could see the driving improve as people had no choice but to adapt to the conditions.

[nightmuffy]

Snowtyres specific rather than `mud & snow' have a higher silicon content in the rubber mix, this allows for a softer compound as kiwi says, but also stops the tyre freezing so easily thus attracting snow and blocking the tread. These tyres do wear quickly though... better that than sliding all over the place. We would have never got the bus out this morning (25cm new snow) without them... Snowchains are really cheap now, have seen sets for 18lv in metro, and tyres from 55lv

[snowonder]

it'll interesting to hear a report on how good the snow socks are snowonder.

Will post back if I get chance to use them (I'm like a big kid with a new toy)

[Big Rab]

it'll interesting to hear a report on how good the snow socks are snowonder.

Will post back if I get chance to use them (I'm like a big kid with a new toy)

Snowy i doubt you will need them, it only takes them about an hour to clear the road around aviemore, also if there is any snow to speak of they close the roads anyway at the snow gates

[snowonder]

it'll interesting to hear a report on how good the snow socks are snowonder.

Will post back if I get chance to use them (I'm like a big kid with a new toy)

Snowy i doubt you will need them, it only takes them about an hour to clear the road around aviemore, also if there is any snow to speak of they close the roads anyway at the snow gates

ah bugga! Oh well, best to be prepared than stuck Will go hunting for snow to try them on