GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: AGB on 19 December 2010, 11:33
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Morning Everyone
I was out before the snow hit yesterday and got to enjoy a couple of 'hooligan corners' while there was still some grip much to the consternation of my wife and the appreciative applause of a bunch of tourists on Barclay Square. Anyway, I digress... :smiley:
I know there has been a lot of debate here about snow tyres and snow socks but I've found that driving sensibly, I've been alright without winter tyres. However, I've got an icy hill to tackle on Christmas day when I visit the in-laws. It's one of those undulating 40 degree hills that goes on for almost a mile and passage due to parked cars is 1.5 car widths across so not much room to correct if I get it wrong. I thought it couldn't hurt to look at some snow socks as I think chains would be overkill and most of the trip there is on gritted main roads. Does anyone have any recommendations for a brand or supplier?
My research has shown these to be good: http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/weisssock.htm but I thought it couldn't hurt to tap the collective wisdom of the group.
Anyone with any other recommendations given the occasional use I'll have of these being in London?
As a parting gift, this is what most of London looked like yesterday. I realise the guys in the Scottish highlands will scoff at this 'light dusting'... :grin:
(http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5140/screenshot20101218at212.png)
Thanks
Alex
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That's just a wet road :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
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http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/Rhyso/Audi%20A3/DSC00487.jpg)
Tried them out for the first time yesterday. About 8 inches of fresh snow on the road, no wheelspin, no TC light (left it on as a test) no real drama.
You move about a bit but it happens so slowly you're always in control :smiley: They are not a winter tyre replacement but to get you out of trouble I think they are ideal
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That's just a wet road :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
I was thinking the same. :grin:
You can see tarmac so its fine, weres the snow. :tongue:
I have heard very good reports on the snow socks from friends and family who reused to pay the huge price increases for snow tyres.
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I have THESE (http://towequipe.co.uk/products/mgrip81-pair-multi-grip-snow-ice-sock-chains-type-81.html)
It's hard to believe where they get the grip from but have been great so far..
(http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/170/p1010042e.jpg)
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Well as per my post my cars stuck on a hill at the moment. The trouble is the snow immediately froze and compact to a smooth ice so there is zero traction.
I saw a couple of people get up the hill with snow chain with no bother.
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The snow socks look great for snow but don't they wear rapidly once out on the gritted roads?
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The snow socks look great for snow but don't they wear rapidly once out on the gritted roads?
Very salient point p3 as usual.
They look like the badly fitting condoms of my youth.
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The snow socks look great for snow but don't they wear rapidly once out on the gritted roads?
Hence why I stated they are ideal to 'get you out of trouble' :smiley:
You are meant to remove them once you reach gritted roads. Only problem I can envisage is to remove them you'll have to pull over into a layby or similar which will most likely still be covered in the white stuff so you might get stuck once you remove them :undecided:
They look like the badly fitting condoms of my youth.
They fit very tightly and there's no danger of them slipping off
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They fit very tightly and there's no danger of them slipping off
Thanks.
Would you fit these to the front or rear axle of a FWD car?
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They fit very tightly and there's no danger of them slipping off
Thanks.
Would you fit these to the front or rear axle of a FWD car?
As per the instructions you fit them to the driven wheels
And don't start the same tired debate again........
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They fit very tightly and there's no danger of them slipping off
Thanks.
Would you fit these to the front or rear axle of a FWD car?
As per the instructions you fit them to the driven wheels
And don't start the same tired debate again........
What debate?
I am surprised at your tone to an innocent question. :shocked:
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The snow socks look great for snow but don't they wear rapidly once out on the gritted roads?
Very salient point p3 as usual.
They look like the badly fitting condoms of my youth.
Didn't you try them on for size in the chemist first?
Thanks.
Would you fit these to the front or rear axle of a FWD car?
LOL :grin:
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They fit very tightly and there's no danger of them slipping off
Thanks.
Would you fit these to the front or rear axle of a FWD car?
As per the instructions you fit them to the driven wheels
And don't start the same tired debate again........
What debate?
I am surprised at your tone to an innocent question. :shocked:
You think I don't notice the half dozen or so threads kicking around in this section alone about which axle you fit winter tyres to on a FWD car :rolleyes:
Anyway I've now removed my Autosocks as the road in and out of where I live has been gritted. Took less than a minute to remove. Tip for those fitting / removing them; turn the wheel from one opposite lock to the other to enable greater access :afro:
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They fit very tightly and there's no danger of them slipping off
Thanks.
Would you fit these to the front or rear axle of a FWD car?
As per the instructions you fit them to the driven wheels
And don't start the same tired debate again........
What debate?
I am surprised at your tone to an innocent question. :shocked:
You think I don't notice the half dozen or so threads kicking around in this section alone about which axle you fit winter tyres to on a FWD car :rolleyes:
Anyway I've now removed my Autosocks as the road in and out of where I live has been gritted. Took less than a minute to remove. Tip for those fitting / removing them; turn the wheel from one opposite lock to the other to enable greater access :afro:
Heaven forbid. :wink:
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The snow socks look great for snow but don't they wear rapidly once out on the gritted roads?
Hence why I stated they are ideal to 'get you out of trouble' :smiley:
You are meant to remove them once you reach gritted roads. Only problem I can envisage is to remove them you'll have to pull over into a layby or similar which will most likely still be covered in the white stuff so you might get stuck once you remove them :undecided:
That was my point really. Great on snow but wear on tarmac. Which would mean if I was using them around my area they could in theory be on and off about 5 times a journey.
I've often thought of getting a set to get out of trouble but can imagine it would be more hassle than its worth.
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The snow socks look great for snow but don't they wear rapidly once out on the gritted roads?
Hence why I stated they are ideal to 'get you out of trouble' :smiley:
You are meant to remove them once you reach gritted roads. Only problem I can envisage is to remove them you'll have to pull over into a layby or similar which will most likely still be covered in the white stuff so you might get stuck once you remove them :undecided:
That was my point really. Great on snow but wear on tarmac. Which would mean if I was using them around my area they could in theory be on and off about 5 times a journey.
I've often thought of getting a set to get out of trouble but can imagine it would be more hassle than its worth.
I got mine for instances which occurred on Friday. Snow was falling thick and fast and there was no sign of gritters or snow ploughs so I stuck these on and made my way home. Also the road into my village is very seldom gritted so they are useful to get me out. Once out I would remove them and carry on as normal :smiley:
I'll most likely get a full set of winter tyres next year but my lack of funds this year meant I wasn't able to buy some :sad: As a stop gap these are more than adequate :smiley:
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Sounds very much like my village with some roads gritted / cleared and others not.
Like you I'm going to wait till next year probably April / May and get myself a set when the price is cheaper.
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I think the autosocks are a great idea to get you going... and they're pretty reasonable at about £50 a pair.
Its just a shame you have to stop and take them off... then stick some manky wet socks in your boot!
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I think the autosocks are a great idea to get you going... and they're pretty reasonable at about £50 a pair.
Its just a shame you have to stop and take them off... then stick some manky wet socks in your boot!
I paid about £65. Price is dependant on size :nerd:
Got a bin liner in the boot for when that does happen :afro:
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I think the autosocks are a great idea to get you going... and they're pretty reasonable at about £50 a pair.
Its just a shame you have to stop and take them off... then stick some manky wet socks in your boot!
If you don't want to do this, get a set of cheap winter tyres for the driven wheels or better still for all four wheels.
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Loads of independent videos on youtube about auto socks, they look very impressive imo. well worth the £50-£70 if you can't really justify winter tyres for your situation. :smiley:
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If you read all the bumph, you'll see that you can drive on the AutoSocks on dry tarmac for short stretches between snow, just keep under 30mph. I'd hate to have to put mine back on after taking them off, because they come off soaked and filthy with road salt if you've used them to get as far as a gritted road.
I ran mine through the washing machine once I got to work, and they dried on my office radiator during the afternoon. But what do yo do if you don't have a washing machine at work and need them again on the way home?
They're great for getting you out of trouble or facing a severe, unexpected snowfall when you absolutely have to get somewhere. They're not a replacement for winter tyres though. They're really a replacement for snow chains.
I haven't needed them this year because the winter tyres on the front wheels have surpassed all my expectations. However, I still carry them just in case.
Rolfe.
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Just read up on the Autosocks website..... they look very impresive for getting you out of trouble.
Of course with my car being stuck up an icy hill for the last three days I could do with a set of these pretty damn quick.... I've just checked online and there now out of stock for my wheels size. Which is bloody typical but not suprising really with the current weather situation. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.... I'll put some socks on the xmas list for next year and have another go at getting my car home later. I'll give it a go with the ESP off.
p.s. looking at the autosocks Q & A's its says.....
Q1: How do they work?
A1: Basically it's to do with friction. Dry snow and ice sticks to fabric, especially 'woolly' fabric as those of us who remember snowballing in woollen mitts will remember. AutoSock are made from a hairy fabric which sticks to the snow.
If that's the case, I may have to resort to gluing some pubic hair to my tyres as a last resort :grin:
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LOL! :laugh:
Martin, you rude man, but ever so practical.
I thought you had gone all Brazillian? Or was it the missus?
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If that's the case, I may have to resort to gluing some pubic hair to my tyres as a last resort :grin:
that just makes me think of the scene in Jackass the Movie where they shaved off all the pubic hair of the guys and then pranked one of them into having it as a beard, and it turns out some of the guys had crabs. uurrrgghhh!!!