Snow chains?

[mr magoo]

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 

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 ( ) 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

[Rhyso]

Get some snow socks instead

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/

Used them a couple of times last year and they were impressive    Bit fiddly to get on but a worthwhile addition should you get caught out

[sprout99]

Get some snow socks instead

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks/

Used them a couple of times last year and they were impressive    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

[EuroCarParts]

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

[Chris MKV]

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.

[AlanD]

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.

[dan_apps]

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+

[AlanD]

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

[dan_apps]

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.

[Marlowe]

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?