User Tag List

Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21

Thread: snow chains??

  1. #1
    Regular Member wullie-t27's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    largs
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats





    Default snow chains??

    whats your thoughts?? worth spending money on?

  2. #2
    Regular Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Oxfordshire
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    13 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : Vauxhall Astra-J

    Trim : Elite

    Engine : 2.0 CDTi

    Year : 2013

    Default

    Not unless you're knee deep in the white stuff.

    To quote from the Vx handbook

    "Tyre chains may only be used at speeds up to 30 mph (50 km/h).
    When driving on roads that are free of snow, they may only be used for brief periods since they are subject to rapid wear on hard roads and could snap."

    I don't know if you've ever seen Ice Road Truckers? Most of the lorry drivers loath snow chains because of the time and effort putting them on and taking them off again.

    Providing you're gentle with the throttle, progressively smooth with it and that includes the steering and brakes, then you should be able to drive on snow without needing chains.

  3. #3
    Regular Member 06sri's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    northumberland
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats





    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Big Dave View Post
    Providing you're gentle with the throttle, progressively smooth with it and that includes the steering and brakes, then you should be able to drive on snow without needing chains.
    unless of ocurse your by urself in a big open space off the road, i say boot and and enjoy the joy of the hand break and the steering wheel lol.

  4. #4
    Ex-Staff Full Member John LE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Forfar, Scotland
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : Facelift Insignia/Corsa D

    Trim : LE/VXR

    Engine : 2.0 cdti/1.6 Turbo

    Year : 13/07

    Default

    It's probably worth buying a set of snow socks to keep in your boot incase you get stuck. Then when your free take them off again.

    At least you won't do any damage to your car with them if they come off

  5. #5
    Regular Member 06sri's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    northumberland
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats





    Default

    yes belive the aa and rac use these socks for the vans and for members (only to be used when you are stuck i belive)

  6. #6
    Regular Member Critch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    wirral
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    61 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : vauxhall vivaro

    Trim : Basic

    Engine : 1.9

    Year : 2004

    Default

    Snow chains are an absolute ball ache to fit.

    on a winter tour of afghan we had some of best snow I've seen in my life and we only actually fitted the chains to practise.

  7. #7
    Regular Member Ziggy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Leeds
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : Saab

    Trim : 9-3 Vert

    Engine : 2.0

    Year : 2000

    Default

    Snow socks or winter tyres FTW, or both. I would recommend winter tyres to everyone that has storage space. Especially given I think you are based in Scotland.

    But to answer your question avoid snow chains and get snow socks.

  8. #8
    Regular Member keith1983's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Sheffield / Spalding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : Vectra 1.8 SRi

    Trim : SRi

    Engine : Z18XE

    Year : 2004

    Default

    Aldi are flogging some little orange ramp looking things for £7 that you are meant to use if you get stuck? They look like they'd be neat and tidy to store in the car?

  9. #9
    Regular Member Ziggy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Leeds
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : Saab

    Trim : 9-3 Vert

    Engine : 2.0

    Year : 2000

    Default

    There is also the spray on tyre grip stuff. I know this was also handed out to RAC etc last year, so for a few quid might be worth a try

  10. #10
    Regular Member rich r's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Selby
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats





    Default

    Generally if you get stuck on ice or snow it's just the small area where the wheels are. If the wheels keep rolling, you're fine. Get hold of a couple of carpet tiles. Look in skips outside offices being refurbished. If you get stuck, push the car back slightly if you can, then put the carpet tiles in front of the tyres, fluffy side down. Stick it in 2nd gear, drive forward slowly. Once you're on less slippery ground, stop and retrieve your carpet tiles. The pressure of the wheels causes the ice to melt slightly and soak into the carpet, causing it to grip. Snow socks work on the same principle.

    The problem with chains and socks in the UK is that we grit the roads. If you drive on tarmac that's not covered in snow, you'll either damage the socks/chains or damage the road surface, so you're constantly taking them off and putting them on. If you live in an area where roads aren't gritted then they are worthwhile though.

    As for me- when it gets too much for the Vectra (which isn't much), I just switch to using my Pajero, which has no trouble even in 50cm deep fresh snow

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. tyre chains for snow and ice
    By lakis123 in forum Vectra C / Signum Car Chat
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 2nd December 2010, 23:41
  2. Anyone fitted Snow Chains this winter.
    By oldgit21 in forum Vectra C / Signum Car Chat
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 22nd April 2010, 17:43
  3. Anyone been considering Snow Chains
    By 67688c in forum Vectra C / Signum Car Chat
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 14th January 2010, 10:26
  4. Snow chains on 17" wheels? (Help please!)
    By stevedee3 in forum Vectra C / Signum Car Chat
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 26th October 2009, 12:34
  5. Snow Chains / springs
    By stripey in forum Vectra C / Signum Car Chat
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 27th August 2009, 20:45

Visitors found this page by searching for:

Nobody landed on this page from a search engine, yet!

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •