Do snow chains fit the GTI?

[mullermn]

Hi guys,

I'm off to Verbier at the end of next week and need to have some chains in case they're needed.

I've ordered some winter tyres on 17" wheels from wheelbasealloys - they'll be 205/50/17 ET45.

Does anyone know if snow chains will fit (and if so what thickness is OK), please?

One downside I've found to having a brand new model of car - very little information on the internet!

Cheers

[GTI-7-Performance]

I don't have any chains. In 25 years of living and driving in Switzerland, I have only had to use chains 3 times.

They are hard to mount - despite what the manufacturers say. And even harder to get off. Running with chains on is like driving over a continuous cattle grid and will soon loosen your fillings. Your speed is limited to about 20MPH too.

Chains are for emergency use for people on summer tyres. Yes, there are times when they are compulsory, even for 4-wheel drive vehicles, to cross mountain passes. But these times are rare and limited to s few hours during or just after heavy snowfall.

Chains will fit, and there is much more room on the Mk7 Golf than say a BMW....

[Gnasher]

Never used them but how good/bad are those snow 'socks' that you can use (compared to chains)?

Might be another option (or not, as I say, I've never used them)

[kor0]

Get a quality set of socks instead of the chains.

As per the above, the chains are a pain to fit, and the noises the car will make with them fitted (even on snow) will break your heart.

We have pretty rough winters over here, and I was forced by the police to fit chains a couple of times to go over some passes.
While they're fine on an ordinary car with standard ground clearance, I won't get them near my pride and joy.

Here as example of socks you could buy:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silknet-Snow-Socks-Awarded-Universal/dp/B009HQGBA6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389768480&sr=8-3&keywords=snow+socks

[AndyG]

I have a pair of unused snowsocks that I bought for my 18" monza's.I don't need them as now have winter wheels.£20 if anyone's interested.

[Rhyso]

Your winter wheels / tyres should work fine in the snow

During the snow last year I never once got stuck. I appreciate we dont have massive amounts of snow compared to where you are going but in places in was a foot or so deep. At times I was the only car on the road 

The only issue was my front spliter became a snow plough 

[mullermn]

Thanks all..  I'm hoping not to need the chains, but since we're driving to the chalet in the centre of the resort I can't really afford to not have some just in case! My understanding is that the snow socks are not legally recognised as snow chains in Switzerland (though they are in some countries including France) or I would probably go with those instead.

GTI-7-Performance - is there anything else important about driving in Switzerland that I might not know?

[corgi]

Thanks all..  I'm hoping not to need the chains, but since we're driving to the chalet in the centre of the resort I can't really afford to not have some just in case! My understanding is that the snow socks are not legally recognised as snow chains in Switzerland (though they are in some countries including France) or I would probably go with those instead.

GTI-7-Performance - is there anything else important about driving in Switzerland that I might not know?

Chains are fine - we used them on a hire car in France last Feb when we took a trip to watch the Trophee Andros. They're not as bad to fit as stated... but as suggested you'll want them off when there is no, or little, snow - they're noisy and if they break they can make quite a mess.

With them on we didn't get stuck even driving over mountain passes in blizzards... we did stop to help some Frenchies fit their chains halfway up a mountain pass, in a blizzard... they'd got stuck on snow tyres.

Things to know about driving in Switzerland... watch your speed, the police are very severe on this... I've not had a problem but I have friends who have had fairly chastening experiences in that regard....

[GTI-7-Performance]

Thanks all..  I'm hoping not to need the chains, but since we're driving to the chalet in the centre of the resort I can't really afford to not have some just in case! My understanding is that the snow socks are not legally recognised as snow chains in Switzerland (though they are in some countries including France) or I would probably go with those instead.

GTI-7-Performance - is there anything else important about driving in Switzerland that I might not know?

Drive on the right and, as Corgi says, stick to the speed limits. There is radar everywhere and Switzerland has an agreement with the UK about collecting fines. Switzerland hold the world record for the highest speeding fine -  £656,000 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10960230.

Ignore the speeds locals drive at, especially in the Frenchy part where you are going - they know where the radar machines are.

You'll be issues with an Autobahn Vignette to stick on your windscreen as a little souvenir. It may seem steep at CHF40.00 (£27), but compare this to tolls in France or Italy...