GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: mr magoo on 20 September 2011, 13:23
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Hi All
Long time no speak - still enjoying every mile ...
So, as a self-employed bod, if I don't go in to work, I don't get paid, quite an incentive really :laugh:
Last year it was touch and go for a few weeks whether I would make it during the winter. Thankfully I did but you never know...
While I save up my pennies for an Audi RS3 ( :drool:) is it worth buying some snow chains? Are they safe / okay to use on cleared or treated roads, at least for a short period?
Cheers
Martin
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Get some snow socks instead :afro:
http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/
Used them a couple of times last year and they were impressive :smiley: Bit fiddly to get on but a worthwhile addition should you get caught out
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Get some snow socks instead :afro:
http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/
Used them a couple of times last year and they were impressive :smiley: Bit fiddly to get on but a worthwhile addition should you get caught out
i've got some and work a treat if you're off the beaten track - slush ruins them.
oh and wheel spins
chains are illegal on UK roads - private is different
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Snow socks win the race!
Easier to fit than chains (you dont really want to be fiddling with cold chains during a snow storm in the morning!)
Just as good traction as chains
Less chance of damage if they rip
Keep an eye on our website, as we still have stock of both the chains, Budget Snow Socks and later this month we'll get our first shipment of Auto Socks!
http://www.eurocarparts.com/snow-chains-snow-socks
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chains are illegal on UK roads - private is different
There are no regulations preventing snow chain use in the uk if roads are covered in snow. I spent 12 years teaching skiing in Scotland and everyone including the police routinely uses chains.
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Whilst snow chains my not be illegal you could quiet easily get yourself in a spot of bother if you end up coming to a road that has been cleared as you will be doing damage to the road. Unless you live in the deepest, darkest depths of Scotland I cant see any real need for chains, these socks will do the job.
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my advice ...if the snow is bad enough to require chains DONT DRIVE IN IT!! seriously not worth the aggro with a car worth 12K+
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I'm the same Dan. Its not me losing control but others losing it and crashing into me that worries me. I'm fortunate to have decent bus and train links near me (although the London bus network grounded to a halt last year for the first time in its history). However as this guy said if he doesn't go in, he doesn't get paid :(
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i know what your saying dude but in my humble opinion and with seeing so many accidents in the winter (part of my job) is your car or even more importantly your life worth a day or 2 off work in the grand scheme of things.
in wiltshire we do all the gritting and repond to rtc's with the police etc, over christmas im on call and whilst last year the roads were clear if there was a severe weather warning i am told not to travel in, even being on call!! its not simply down the road from me in fairness and even with the use of a 4x4 this advice still stands. :smiley:
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I'm a college lecturer and regularly teach in the community around Sheffield all year.
The first month I had the golf (Jan 09) I had an absolute nightmare with the snow and ice we had that year (only had the stock summer conti sports at the time) - one of my trips involved trying to teach up in the hills above Sheffield, going up extremely steep and narrow terraced streets with cars double parked on both sides of the roads. I manage finally to get up after an hour of sliding back down several steep and iced over roads.
The big problem (and one of the most gut wrenching moments of my life) was getting back down - no traction at all. I literally had to reach the crest of the hill, aim the car down the centre (only a car width of space due to the double parked cars) and just let the thing slide all the way to the bottom - I got to about 20mph with my brakes fully locked on and performed a little sideways slide when I somehow managed to reach the t junction at the bottom to avoid going through a terrace's living room window.
Would snow socks help prevent this if it happens again (not that I'll do it if I can avoid it - the gf's battered old fiesta seems to be the car of choice for getting through lousy weather)? Also, how durable are they on regular roads? Is it literally a case of remove them the moment you hit cleared roads to prevent ripping them?
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I could negotiate are least 12-18 inches of fresh snow on them
Sadly when you hit gritted roads you will have to remove them. I drove for a brief period on gritted roads and one or twos holes did appear in the material
I'll be fitting winter tyres this year although up until I do I'll be keeping the snow socks in the boot just in case we get hit by a freak storm
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It's alright someone in London saying not to bother but there is a lot of the country where you may need to drive on snow. If you take the car skiing there are rounds where it is illegal to travel without chains.
The socks have had a really good review so for most folks this might well be the best option.
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Yeah but he is talking about going skiing is he. Just because I live in London doesn't mean I don't appreciate that there are plenty of roads that would require some form of traction assistance to get through.
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I have 2 words for you WINTER TYRES :cool:
You don't need to stop and mess about with socs, chains etc... especially in mixed conditions but the downside is the cost.
My tyres were £550 for 4 if memory serves and I also picked up a 2nd set of alloys but they are an asset which could be sold on later if need be.
I got a set of Vredstein Wintrac Extreme for my golf GT last year. I was about the only non 4x4 that got down the country road near where I stay succesfully with about a foot of snow on it :evil: passing all the Audi's and BM's abandoned at the side.
Over the course of last winter the fronts went down 1mm the back 0.5mm. This year they will be rotated round so I reckon they will give me about 5 years of winter driving and while they are on my normal tyres are not wearing out so they will last longer too.
Just got a set of Toyo Snowprox for the missus's MK3 Golf GTI for this year. That's how impressed I was with the difference in traction.