snow preparation

slowburner

It might happen, it mght not.
What will you do to prepare for a significant snow event this winter?

What lessons have we - on this temperate isle - learned from recent winters?

NegativeCreep

I've fallen so many times it's not even funny anymore! I'm thinking of wearing those spike things that go on over your shoe. Only problem is I feel like a spa wearing them I'm also gonna raise the height of my dog's kennel because I shudder at the thought of her getting snowed in

Super-Rush

NegativeCreep wrote: »

I've fallen so many times it's not even funny anymore! I'm thinking of wearing those spike things that go on over your shoe. Only problem is I feel like a spa wearing them I'm also gonna raise the height of my dog's kennel because I shudder at the thought of her getting snowed in

You'd look a bigger spa when you faceplant into the footpath and end up on the news.

NegativeCreep

Super-Rush wrote: »

You'd look a bigger spa when you faceplant into the footpath and end up on the news.

This is very true :pac:

antodeco

I have snow spikes, thermal boots and snow boarding trousers. I'm perfectly prepared for walking in snow!

NIALL D

haha , this guy i would hate to be him !!!

ZX7R

I always keep some old carpet,a shovel,i also have some cold ash from the fire in the boot of the car these a handy when travailing in snow.
Also people should take in to account with winter tires that they are designed to work best in temperatures under 5dg and below,so they will wear quickly in temperatures above this.

duckysauce

NegativeCreep wrote: »

I've fallen so many times it's not even funny anymore! I'm thinking of wearing those spike things that go on over your shoe. Only problem is I feel like a spa wearing them I'm also gonna raise the height of my dog's kennel because I shudder at the thought of her getting snowed in

if there was going to be that much snow would you not let the poor bitch in the house ?

tayto lover

NIALL D wrote: »

haha , this guy i would hate to be him !!!

I could never see a funny side to that at all. Poor chap could have broken his skull.

NegativeCreep

duckysauce wrote: »

if there was going to be that much snow would you not let the poor bitch in the house ?

Yeah but sure you never know how much snow is gonna fall at night when she might be outside already and I asleep. She's got heaps of fur anyway so she won't be cold

Spindle

Socks on the shoes, if you don't have any ice spikes for your shoes works a treat. Of course you are left with a big cold damp sock on your foot after a while but needs must!

My other lesson is once it starts snowing and you are driving, get home as quick as you can, otherwise you will get stuck in a traffic jam (for over an hour!) behind a van where the van (empty van) can't get up small incline. The only way out is to round up random people force them into the van to add weight.

So the short version if you have a van in the ice weigh it down with a few blocks before going up those hills

Other than that take your time, turn off traction control, cat litter in the boot, a shovel, torch, warm blanket and you are sorted.

zenno

The guy falling was not funny but Dobson was funny drunk on air...:pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIE7S6Bxid4

Spindle

tayto lover wrote: »

I could never see a funny side to that at all. Poor chap could have broken his skull.

I am sure he posted on here about it after a while, if memory serves me correct, which a lot of the time it doesn't so could be making that up in my head!

Tactical

For when I am travelling, some of my preperations include the following:-


Ensuring tyres are in good condition and appropriate for expected driving conditions.

Ensuring fluid levels on the vehicle are adequate and appropriate.

Carry an ice scraper and a can of de-icer for gaining entry to vehicle. I let the heater gently defrost the windscreen and windows.

Carry some warm clothing and a blanket or two in case of becoming stranded.

Carry a small quantity of high energy food such as chocolate, cereal bars etc... The likes of Pot Noodle or similar is great comfort food if carrying the below...

Carry a bottle or two of water. Perhaps a method of heating it for a warm drink. Small 1300Watt Camping Gaz burner with small canister takes up very little space. I have a Trangia burner (complete kit with wind guard, two pots, fuel container) which takes up less room than 4 paperback novels. Approx €15 cost.

Folding shovel. One with a metal locking screw rather than the poor quality plastic ones.

An old clean sack or two can prove as useful as a piece or two of carpet as if needed one can dig up some dirt and carry it to the vehicle to lay under the wheels for traction. I've done this on more than one occasion and not just in snow

5ltr container of fuel.

Packet of baby wipes. Useful for ALL occasions

All that lot can easily fit into a plastic storage box that can easily be dropped into the boot of nearly any vehicle.

For when not travelling :-

If people attempt to clear snow outside their property this can help mobility immensely. For anyone not travelling, a gallon of spring water is not expensive, wind up torch etc... Ensuring an adequate supply of fuel and food. All common sense items and ideas. Checking on neighbours can be great for morale too.

Nothing in that list costs a fortune yet can help a person so much if they run into trouble. If you're warm, dry, reasonably well fed and stranded, not in immediate danger, you won't need rescuing thereby reducing the burden on state resources.

I have battery back up for my wireless Internet connection, ensure laptop is charged and for those without a small generator, a simple car inverter can be plugged into a vehicle cigarette lighter socket to enable one to use their mains chargers for laptops, mobile phones etc...

Victor Meldrew

Spindle wrote: »

So the short version if you have a van in the ice weigh it down with a few blocks before going up those hills

Other than that take your time, turn off traction control, cat litter in the boot, a shovel, torch, warm blanket and you are sorted.

actually, only do this if you are in deep snow and are trying to dig your way out with the tyres. Which you only do once you have scooped the snow out from the tyres' paths otherwise it is far better to have traction control on as most of us drive like apes.

Some of the posts go OTT on what you should bring in the car. Funniest comment I read on the subject was to pack dog food, as you will just eat normal food out of boredom but you need to be desperate to eat dog food.

Plus you will have a glossy coat when they dig you out.

leahyl

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

Plus you will have a glossy coat when they dig you out.

LOL:D

gbee

Spindle wrote: »

My other lesson is once it starts snowing and you are driving, get home as quick as you can, otherwise you will get stuck in a traffic jam (for over an hour!) behind a van where the van (empty van) can't get up small incline. The only way out is to round up random people force them into the van to add weight..

Empty Van trick. Once there is room to slide down the hill, turn around and drive backwards up ~ it works a treat.

LOWER Tyre pressure. Let them get almost flat, it's easy to do. Most vans wil drive on their own, so first gear and let it go itself, a tap to stop it stalling is all that is required.

Lower tyre pressure all round is a general tip, a van may have higher pressure than 'normal' to facilitate its payload so it will be even more susceptible to ice and will slide even more readily.

Adding weigh is good, move the cargo or add some, but avoid human cargo, we have one or two tragedies every winter over this.

Tom Cruises Left Nut

My preparation usually involves the following:

1. Go to shop
2. Buy beers
3. Wait for snow
4. Put beers in snow
5. SNOW BEERS !!!!

Emeraldy Pebbles

Spindle wrote: »

Of course you are left with a big cold damp sock on your foot after a while but needs must!

After a while? By "a while" you mean, like, two seconds, right? :pac:

Spindle wrote: »

My other lesson is once it starts snowing and you are driving, get home as quick as you can, otherwise you will get stuck in a traffic jam (for over an hour!) behind a van where the van (empty van) can't get up small incline. The only way out is to round up random people force them into the van to add weight.

Snow AND an abduction? Exciting! :pac:

MrDerp

1. Phone boss to say working from home.
2. Boot work laptop
3. Log into work VPN and instant messenger
4. Turn on home laptop and read about snow, look at pictures, on boards / twitter
5. Turn on liveDrive to hear about people stuck in the snow
6. Periodically move mouse cursor on work laptop to stay available on instant messenger

Victor Meldrew

gbee wrote: »

Lower tyre pressure all round is a general tip, a van may have higher pressure than 'normal' to facilitate its payload so it will be even more susceptible to ice and will slide even more readily.

not for grip on ice though.

Look at snow tyres and, in particular, contrast tyres used on tarmac vs snow in rallying. Snow ones are much narrower as you want more pressure on a smaller area, so you get "bite".

"Bite" is facilitated by thread type, rubber compound and thread depth. Those guys flogging second hand winter tyres? a complete scam. you need a good 4mm on compact snow/ice to have any hope. and more in loose snow.

So don't lower the tyre pressure, you do not want a wider spread of tyre like you do in sand. also, you can dig out snow, (good luck doing that with sand) and you will not want/be able to reinflate the tyres afterwards.

Driving in ice/snow is all about "feel" Soft tyres "numb" this feel.

Tabnabs

Come on, we know there's one more step in that sequence.

t|nt|n wrote: »

My preparation usually involves the following:

1. Go to shop
2. Buy beers
3. Wait for snow
4. Put beers in snow
5. SNOW BEERS !!!!
6. Yellow snow

kenmc

- Winter tyres for car ready to go on- probably this weekend.
- Winter tyres for bike ready to go on - these things got me up tree rock in winter 2010 when cars were struggling

savage yokes. Great for the commute.
- Cameras charged and memory stick emptied
- Weather station (mostly) running
- Bird feed got
- Logs and Bricquettes and firelighters got

.... BRING ON THE SNOW!!!!!!!

edit : Crap. Forgot the most important stuff.... never made my xmas beer yet. Gulp. maybe the snow can wait a week.

Elmer Blooker

I bought a big snow shovel in Lidl recently for €8.99, I'll always have it.
It looks something like this
http://www.outdoorclearance.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=151489&utm_source=S

Tazio

MrDerp wrote: »

1. Phone boss to say working from home.
2. Boot work laptop
3. Log into work VPN and instant messenger
4. Turn on home laptop and read about snow, look at pictures, on boards / twitter
5. Turn on liveDrive to hear about people stuck in the snow
6. Periodically move mouse cursor on work laptop to stay available on instant messenger

I can save you a step there my friend:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/Mouse-Clicker.shtml

ednwireland

slowburner wrote: »

It might happen, it mght not.
What will you do to prepare for a significant snow event this winter?

What lessons have we - on this temperate isle - learned from recent winters?

snow shovel, grit and salt stored in shed, winter tyres, didnt need any of it last winter !

Sparks

Fibre optic internet to the house, working from home policy at work, workstation set aside in the house, and then basicly stay at home unless I've no other choice. And lots of food in the freezer (and dried pulses and flour and the like) to save having to go to the shops until after the worst of it, if it gets really bad.

A folding shovel in the boot of the car since winter, 2010. Never needed to use it, even in 2010, 'cos I didn't go driving anywhere if I didn't have to...

Was thinking winter tyres alright, but haven't managed to get them yet. And I'd prefer to just not drive if that was possible...

And about six different sets of overshoe crampons from the simple little stud type that are grand for most of the time, right up to these lads:



'Cos driving sucks in snow, but walking's a bit of fun especially if you have a nice snow jacket to keep toasty with (TK Max, 50-60 euro) and decent gloves (sealskinz, best gloves I've ever owned).

Iancar29

1. Open up Net Weather Radar
2. Position laptop in comfy spot near window
3. Commence lamppost watch
4. Stare at thermometer hoping it will go down
5. Make tea
6. Check radar
7. Resume lamppost watch.....

Yup sounds about right

Larbre34

House.

1. Top up fuel supply if not mains utility
2. Insulate incoming pipes and attic storage, check roofing insulation and vents.
Carbon monoxide detectors for when the house is mostly sealed up, can
accumulate from any fossil fuel source
3. Bottled water, powdered milk for the kids. Tins and packets

Car.

1. Good all round tyres, winter tyres on a standard car are a false economy - check the car magazine websites for a review of a good all rounder. Carry a 50kg bag of sand in the boot of rear wheel drive cars to aid traction. Throw in some old carpet tiles for use under the wheels in deep ruts
2. Check the battery, oil, lights, fuses, add anti-freeze to coolant. Carry plenty of spare fuses as stressed wipers and heating systems can take out other electrics if they go. Spare coolant, water and winter screen wash
3. De-icers, scrapers, pocket ciggie lighter for heating keys on older cars. I carry a wide dustpan and brush with a rubber edge on the pan, the brush clears heavy snow quickly and the pan works well as a shovel and scraper
4. Throw a bag in the boot with waterproof hiking or snow boots, crampons, a warm coat, high-vis vest or jacket, fleece blanket, bottle of drinking water and a few bars of choccy

Older relatives

Check their fuel and grub, make sure they have nothing urgent to do that will mean they do something daft like try and walk down the hill to the village and break a hip.

Self.
1. Beers
2. Work number moved to number one speed dial in case of snow day

jeltz

ZX7R wrote: »

Also people should take in to account with winter tires that they are designed to work best in temperatures under 5dg and below,so they will wear quickly in temperatures above this.

That is a myth.

They are designed for places like the alps in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy etc where temperatures typically fluctuate between +20C and -5C before settling down to very cold when winter takes hold, and the same again in reverse during spring.

A friend of ours keeps winter tyres on all year round and there has not been any more wear than the old summer tyres. Winter tyres are a waste of money for most people here, the all season tyres are a better choice because they are designed to be left on all year and you can't be caught out if the weather suddenly changes and you forgot to change to winter tyres.

JJJJNR

Elmer Blooker wrote: »

I bought a big snow shovel in Lidl recently for €8.99, I'll always have it.
QUOTE]

Snap!!... picked one up in Aldi today at the same price, also picked two bottles of deicer and some salt for the path, bet we get nothing this year..

ednwireland

Larbre34 wrote: »

H
1. Good all round tyres, winter tyres on a standard car are a false economy -

maybe round dublin, on the backroads of donegal (when the roads are solid packed snow) i beg to differ

gbee

ednwireland wrote: »

maybe round dublin, on the backroads of donegal (when the roads are solid packed snow) i beg to differ

When you need them, winter tyres are more than worth the effort. As mentioned they will wear faster if not actually used in winter conditions.

wexie

ednwireland wrote: »

maybe round dublin, on the backroads of donegal (when the roads are solid packed snow) i beg to differ

I live 4 miles (uphill) from the nearest road that gets any form of treatment, somehow I don't think all-season tires would see me safe home if we get any significant snow.

Normally I carry everything I can think of I might need to walk the last 4 miles, plus a good assortment of recovery equipment in case I come across people stuck in ditch/snowbank etc.

Tabnabs

jeltz wrote: »

That is a myth.

They are designed for places like the alps in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy etc where temperatures typically fluctuate between +20C and -5C before settling down to very cold when winter takes hold, and the same again in reverse during spring.

I must pass on your advice to the Norwegian Automobile Assoc. (NAF). They generally come out in late spring every year reminding/advising motorists to take off winter tyres due to dangers of driving with them in summer conditions.

wexie

Tabnabs wrote: »

I must pass on your advice to the Norwegian Automobile Assoc. (NAF). They generally come out in late spring every year reminding/advising motorists to take off winter tyres due to dangers of driving with them in summer conditions.

Pffft....Norwegians....what could they possibly know about driving in harsh conditions....

Apparently they (Scandinavian auto associations and Roads and Safety Authority) also recently came out with a statement to ignore the new (Nov 1st) EU tire rating with regards to winter tires. Apparently they have nothing to do with safety but environment and the highest rated tires can be near lethal on snow/ice.

I'll try to get a link (heard from friend in Norway) but it may well be in Norwegian

jeltz

Tabnabs wrote: »

I must pass on your advice to the Norwegian Automobile Assoc. (NAF). They generally come out in late spring every year reminding/advising motorists to take off winter tyres due to dangers of driving with them in summer conditions.

They use nordic grade tyres in Scandinavia and they are dangerous above zero and especially when it is wet above zero.

They are NOT designed for the conditions I described in my post, read it again, European winter tyres are specifically designed for wide temperature fluctuations in autumn and spring and the Foen effect during winter, nordic tyres are designed for months of severe intense cold to -50C and cannot be made with a wide enough temperature range compound to tolerate above zero C.

Studded nordic tyres are ideal for Scandinavia as most roads are graded except in towns. A suitable tyre for there is NOT suitable for here or central Europe.

DO NOT EVER use their type of tyre here, they usually have ice, blizzard, arctic, nordic or similar in the tyre name. They are occasionally sold on ebay as part worns and they are dangerous enough here when new let alone when worn with the amount of wet we have here.

jeltz

wexie wrote: »

I live 4 miles (uphill) from the nearest road that gets any form of treatment, somehow I don't think all-season tires would see me safe home if we get any significant snow.

The problem is that there are too many people who stand to gain from recommending winter tyres.


Selling winter tyres, charging for a change over in autumn, charging for a change over in spring, often charging for them to stay in a 'tyre hotel' over summer and doubtless trying to upsell on winter tyres and the latest 'must have' summer tyres.

All of that adds up to a substantial amount of money, several times more than the cost of a set of all season tyres. They know that so they continue to push winter tyres in the hope of getting as much money out of the unaware while they can.

Consider that the all season tyres I use year round Hankook Optimo 4S are sold in Canada as an all year round tyre in competition with a Nokian all year round tyre (Nokian are a world leading manufcturer of winter tyres in Finland). Think about the winter conditions in Canada. Our winter conditions are not in a billion years going to be anything like what Canadian winter conditions are like. So if my tyres are suitable for use all year round in Canada, and they also have hotter summer temperatures than here, then it is quite clear that the tyres are more than good enough by a huge margin in winter here.


Think about it.


No one really needs winter tyres in this country. But enough people make easy money out of peoples lack of knowledge that they are going to keep pushing them as much as they can.


Excellent explanatory video ('all season' tyre in Europe = 'all weather' tyre in North America; 'all season' in North America = normal tyres here, it is easy to get confused) http://www.hankooktire.ca/compmed/News_View.aspx?pageNum=5&subNum=4&ChildNum=1&Seq=364

Brief written explanation (again 'all season' tyre in Europe = 'all weather' tyre in North America; 'all season' in North America = normal tyres here, it is easy to get confused) http://www.ctvnews.ca/pat-foran-is-the-new-winter-tire-right-for-you-1.568328

Reviews by Canadians, remember their winter conditions are many times worse than ours with months of snow and ice http://tires.canadiantire.ca/en/tires/all-weather-tires/product/0041732P/hankook-optimo-4s/


Note the review that says:

"if you want a winter tire then buy a winter tire. The reviews speak for themselves. You can tell the fluffy ones written by the tire manufacturer / store. The internet is great for researching everything. No tread life rating is given? No more lies please."

and recall how much money some people will loose if potential customers realize they can save money and get the same performance. In a Canadian winter, remember, not our pathetic joke of a winter.

wexie

jeltz wrote: »

No one really needs winter tyres in this country.

I'm guessing you don't live in rural Ireland?

I lived in Canada (Northern Quebec) for several years so I'm quite well aware of what the conditions can be like. I think you might have a bit of a point, however you're forgetting to mention that in places like Canada and Norway the local authorities are actually prepared and equipped to keep the roads in reasonable condition. Where I lived as soon as the snow started coming down you'd see the snowplows out and the local councils would pay private individuals with pickups and snowplows a mileage rate to keep the smaller roads open. I guess if people suggested that here there'd be a big hooha about liabillity and insurance, health and safety etc. etc.

If I need to drive uphill on a dodgy (in the best of conditions) road covered in well over a foot of snow with a layer of ice underneath (like happened in 2010) I want to know I'll be able to make it up the hill safely and down again as well.

For what it's worth I don't actually use winter tires, I have BF Goodrich AT's which have been brilliant in the snow. And if things get really bad again I'll drive something with a bit more oomph and mud/snow terrain tires.

I guess you could say that whether or not you need winter tires will largely depend on where you're going to be doing your driving. Live and work in Dublin (city) then you might well be able to get away with decent all season tires.

Live in the back of Ballybeyond where the best you can hope for is the local farmer heading out to spread some dirt (when they feel like it) you better be prepared to either stay in or stick some decent boots on the car.

I prefer to be one of the people that are prepared to look after themselves rather than bitch and moan that the authorities can't keep the roads clear (which they won't be able to if we get a repeat of 2010). I remember seeing some eejit on the news bitching that the roads were a disgrace, there was footage of a Range Rover slipping and sliding along the quays I think. What nobody mentioned that the RR had nice big fancy 22 or 24 inch rims with low profile road tires....

HemlockOption

NegativeCreep wrote: »

I've fallen so many times it's not even funny anymore! I'm thinking of wearing those spike things that go on over your shoe. Only problem is I feel like a spa wearing them I'm also gonna raise the height of my dog's kennel because I shudder at the thought of her getting snowed in

Why don't you just let the poor dog into the house? How can you sleep at night knowing that your dog is outside in the snow and freezing cold? Seriously.....

wexie

HemlockOption wrote: »

Why don't you just let the poor dog into the house? How can you sleep at night knowing that your dog is outside in the snow and freezing cold? Seriously.....

Depends on what kind of dog it is, don't forget some dogs would find freezing cold a lot more comfortable than a balmy 15 degrees.

My dog (Newfoundland) used to refuse to come inside with any kind of snow on the ground and we'd have to drag her indoors nearly when we wanted to go to bed. Give a nice sunny day and 20 degrees though she'd be miserable outside and would find the coldest tiles in the house to lie down on.

Maybe he has a Malamute or a Husky (or St. Bernard, Bernese Mountain dog, Pyrenean mountain dog etc.etc.) , they'd probably much prefer to be out in the cold then in front of what we think is a nice cosy fire.

Tactical

wexie wrote: »

Normally I carry everything I can think of I might need to walk the last 4 miles, plus a good assortment of recovery equipment in case I come across people stuck in ditch/snowbank etc.

Its always nice to help people out.

I generally find people to be really friendly and much more approachable during severe weather.

TURRICAN

Does anybody use snow chains as an alternative to "snow tyres".
Cheaper and more practical in our climate.

gbee

TURRICAN wrote: »

Does anybody use snow chains as an alternative to "snow tyres". Cheaper and more practical in our climate.

For that matter, snow socks might even be handier ~ no idea on price and they will wear out faster than chains but worth a looksee maybe.

jeltz

wexie wrote: »

I'm guessing you don't live in rural Ireland?

I do, that is why I have them. That is why our friends and family in rural areas have them. Down is characterized by rolling small hills (drumlins) and large hills and mountains. The people we know in the city don't have them. People who live in cities can often get away with not having them. If I only drove around cities I most likely wouldn't have got them.

wexie wrote: »

I lived in Canada (Northern Quebec) for several years so I'm quite well aware of what the conditions can be like. I think you might have a bit of a point, however you're forgetting to mention that in places like Canada and Norway the local authorities are actually prepared and equipped to keep the roads in reasonable condition.

It depends entirely where you live. The road networks in Scandinavia and the Alps are far to big to cover, there are way too many twisty country roads. No council could ever afford to clear roads in a timely fashion or they would be bankrupt. You hear no end of complaints in those countries all winter long about the services being slow, areas being missed, where to prioritize over elsewhere, this clinic not done, too slow to clear that hospital, a house on their street burnt down because some cretin had their car parked in the wrong place and the fire engine could not get past the mounds of hard frozen snow etc etc. The same long list of complaints every year.

Exactly the same as here.

wexie wrote: »

Where I lived (in Quebec) as soon as the snow started coming down you'd see the snowplows out and the local councils would pay private individuals with pickups and snowplows a mileage rate to keep the smaller roads open. I guess if people suggested that here there'd be a big hooha about liabillity and insurance, health and safety etc. etc.

They have that scheme in the UK. In UK including NI there are private gritting and ploughing contractors on top of the council and highways agencies ploughing and gritting teams. In UK including NI there are schemes involving farmers paid to clear rural roads around them but is often not fast enough because they have to put their livestock etc first (as they should).

wexie wrote: »

If I need to drive uphill on a dodgy (in the best of conditions) road covered in well over a foot of snow with a layer of ice underneath (like happened in 2010) I want to know I'll be able to make it up the hill safely and down again as well.

I have done exactly that, driven to the limits of clearance with the tyres. Like a snow plough. If you watched the video and looked at the Hankook range of winter tyres you will realize the Hankook Optimo 4S all season tyre with the winter tyre mark it is a winter tyre pattern with winter tyre sipes. It is only the compound that is different.

In the depth of snow up to the limit of clearance it is the tread pattern that is important, to bite into the snow. Once you get to the clearance limit you run a very high risk that your bumper is likely to be embedded in a snow bank formed where there is an invisible dip in the road and then you could be in real danger. With these tyres and a bit of digging you should be able to reverse out as they have enough traction.

They also have great traction on ice, I did three point turns and reverse park on an ice covered slope. I need to get up and reverse down a polished ice covered slope to get to the road from my house anyway.

I have them so I can drive up and down hills and mountains safely when they are snow covered, icy and uncleared. That is why some of our friends have them. They would not get up their hills to their houses at all let alone safely.

I have had no problem driving over hills on uncleared snow covered narrow rural back roads in -15C at night.

That is still nothing like Canadian conditions.

wexie wrote: »

For what it's worth I don't actually use winter tires, I have BF Goodrich AT's which have been brilliant in the snow. And if things get really bad again I'll drive something with a bit more oomph and mud/snow terrain tires.

They are M+S marked tyres and so legal for countries where winter tyres are mandatory with fines and points on your licence if you don't have them. Mytires says they have the winter tyre mark. They have an exceptionally aggressive tread and are intended for considerable off road use in severe conditions. They are not a normal tyre that almost everyone would use on their car.

wexie wrote: »

I guess you could say that whether or not you need winter tires will largely depend on where you're going to be doing your driving. Live and work in Dublin (city) then you might well be able to get away with decent all season tires.

Live in the back of Ballybeyond where the best you can hope for is the local farmer heading out to spread some dirt (when they feel like it) you better be prepared to either stay in or stick some decent boots on the car.

I have them because I drive around 'Ballybeyonds'!

I have driven up and down snow covered steep hill and mountain roads as if they were dry roads. Apart from the bumps caused by hard lumps of refozen snow. I have demonstrated emergency stops on snow covered roads from 50mph and it stopped absolutely straight without any abs kicking in, as if it was an emergency stop on a damp road.

If that is not a decent safety margin what is?!

The farmers schemes in UK and NI are to plough, rather than grit (bar an odd exception)

wexie wrote: »

I prefer to be one of the people that are prepared to look after themselves rather than bitch and moan that the authorities can't keep the roads clear (which they won't be able to if we get a repeat of 2010). I remember seeing some eejit on the news bitching that the roads were a disgrace, there was footage of a Range Rover slipping and sliding along the quays I think. What nobody mentioned that the RR had nice big fancy 22 or 24 inch rims with low profile road tires....

Absolutely. They obviously have no idea how much it costs. The councils would be bankrupt as they would be in Scandinavia and the alps if they listened to every a-hole who wanted the tiniest path with 2cm of snow treated with a snow blower.

RR with such tyres are an accident waiting to happen. They're the last thing I want to see on snow covered roads and you can guarantee the driver thinks they are invincible! :mad:

SnowDrifts

gbee wrote: »

For that matter, snow socks might even be handier ~ no idea on price and they will wear out faster than chains but worth a looksee maybe.

Snow socks are really very good..but...ONLY on roads with a thick covering of snow. If you drive with them on roads that are patchy or on a treated tarmac road, the abrasiveness of tarmac will rip them to shreds.

I saw people driving on the m50 with them on back in 2010 and then they would bitch that they were no good and fall apart to shreds. They really should only be used as a temporary/ emergency solution.

TURRICAN

gbee wrote: »

For that matter, snow socks might even be handier ~ no idea on price and they will wear out faster than chains but worth a looksee maybe

I've no idea myself on price myself.

I've seen chains work on my fathers fiat ritmo work back in the 80s and they did a great job.
Good memories of snow there, I was about 5 or 6 at the time and I was nearly invisible it was so deep:)

Edit

WOOPS

jeltz

TURRICAN wrote: »

For that matter, snow socks might even be handier ~ no idea on price and they will wear out faster than chains but worth a looksee maybe

I've no idea myself on price myself.

I've seen chains work on my fathers fiat ritmo work back in the 80s and they did a great job.
Good memories of snow there, I was about 5 or 6 at the time and I was nearly invisible it was so deep:)

Edit

WOOPS

Chains are way better.

You can drive indefinitely on them. SnowDrifts is right, the snow socks will rip apart after a few miles on bare tarmac. Don't care about the road surface worry more about getting around safely. Make sure the chains clear the wheel arch on full lock or they will make a terrifying sound and put massive scratches in it.

You will need leather palm work gloves or you could rip your hands installing them.

Look at the traction you get with chains:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3isgfI1aGj8

TURRICAN

jeltz wrote: »

Chains are way better.

You can drive indefinitely on them. SnowDrifts is right, the snow socks will rip apart after a few miles on bare tarmac. Don't care about the road surface worry more about getting around safely. Make sure the chains clear the wheel arch on full lock or they will make a terrifying sound and put massive scratches in it.

You will need leather palm work gloves or you could rip your hands installing them.

Look at the traction you get with chains:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3isgfI1aGj8

I think Aldi had them last year for €30 or €40.
Much cheaper than tyres and its all about keeping costs down these days.
It is in my house anyway:(

twistedbrains

dont worry about buying anything the army will drive miles to work in their own cars pick up army nissian and then drive you to work its great they done it 2 years ago

jeltz

TURRICAN wrote: »

I think Aldi had them last year for €30 or €40.
Much cheaper than tyres and its all about keeping costs down these days.
It is in my house anyway

It is worth spending a little extra to get self tensioning ones. They are tough steel and last for decades and you can easily sell them on if you get a new car with a different tyre size. It is a false economy to get the basic ones, unless the ones Aldi have are self tensioning.

Here is an example of what I mean, that even SWMBO could fit. You can see it adjusts itself when you drive off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeezmxfrfTY

I have no idea why anyone would want to fiddle about stopping and readjusting and rechecking the cheap ones. That is annoying on the first use let alone the twentieth. With the self adjusters you just put it on and drive off slowly for a moment to give it a chance to adjust itself.