Snow chains

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:40 pm

Some of the chains are 7mm Nik; no way your tyres are that close surely?

Dan, I can't drive a wet stick up a dogs arse, hence my unofficial retirement from anything remotely competitive

shendy · Post by **shendy** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:53 pm

Has the snow got to be a certain depth or anything for the snow chains to work?

Fast Eddy · Post by **Fast Eddy** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:48 pm

I have been bombarded with info on winter products over the last few months from some of my suppliers.
I have no first hand experience of the spray on stuff. I am sceptical, but it must work to a point in some conditions. It obviously softens the surface of the tyre to make the compound similar to a proper winter tyre. Only an emergency product if you get stuck on ice/light snow.
Chains are only really useful in long term proper snow. As you say, not practical with our sporadic snowy weather. Not sure about the snow socks you can get either, sceptical about these too, but again, they must work to a point and easier to implement/store than chains.
The only real answer though mate is a proper set of winter tyres.

Eddy

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:03 pm

Without wishing to be awkward, I don't accept that. You haven't tried chains or socks or even the spray, all by your own admission. The most recent styles of chains are tested and rated to be good enough to use on patchy ice and forgiving enough to use on a short trip, if you were to start in one place with snow and then arrive 10 miles further on with no snow.

The very first thing I posted was
"Any got any, getting any, tried any?"
So far no one on this thread has, apart from Maff who ain't had a chance to test them

More research required I think

Fast Eddy · Post by **Fast Eddy** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:11 pm

Agreed, i have not tried them. Just trying to help with a professional opinion mate and do not want you to waste money on some of the stuff out there that i am sceptical about.

Yes, let's see what Maff has to say if we get some serious cold weather.

I will not comment again lol.

Eddy

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:20 pm

Or put your hand in your own pocket and post the results. You may have a captive audience of potential buyers, all eager to buy essential products

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:22 pm

I have winter tyres on the Polo and the previous years they have been a godsend. Really impressed when there is thick snow (well, thick for Norfolk!) and slush. They are Avon Ice Touring tyres also. Very predictable handling and really noticed it driving down a backroad near ours where before I knew it was doing 40 mph in slush but no slipping or sliding. It does make you a bit too cocky though.

As for chains, I've not tried them but dad used to use them when we lived in Scotland.

Surely though if a set of snow chains helps even slightly more than normal and gives you more confidence then they are worth it.
My opinion this is winter tyres and can vouch for these working (however on a car with FWD, a lot less torque and bhp than yours!!)

Or you could just man up and get drifting

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:36 pm

Man up, man up, man up..............yeah, yeah. Or I just use some of my holiday and sit in front of this

Post by **Ben** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:42 am

From my experience in france, chains are only good if you've got old snow with an ice base, socks are good for fresh snow, however if it's just ice you can't use chains - as you're basically driving on the tarmac.

Post by **maff** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:47 am

RX7 wrote:I have winter tyres on the Polo and the previous years they have been a godsend. Really impressed when there is thick snow (well, thick for Norfolk!) and slush. They are Avon Ice Touring tyres also. Very predictable handling and really noticed it driving down a backroad near ours where before I knew it was doing 40 mph in slush but no slipping or sliding. It does make you a bit too cocky though.)

Good to know.

Bloody insurance company want