Henry, in case you don't know, winter tyres are something like 3 times better than summer tyres in snow, and you get this in traction, braking and cornering. I was very ignorant about the benefits before I came to Switzerland, but the locals are incredulous of people driving in the Alps on summer tyres.

many many thanks for the advice,

if you don't mind, I have a very stupid question regarding snow socks.
it can be easily see why snow chain will work, it provided grip. but with snow sock, it cover all over the tyre, how does that provide grip in snow? if I have snow sock, as it cover all the tyre, is that means the tyre doesn't matter anymore with snow socks?

regards
Henry.

snow socks,

http://www.which.co.uk/cars/driving/car-ty...explained/ ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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The textile they're made of is designed to provide traction and grip on snow (and ice) - I'd say they were more an alternative to proper snow tyres than old-school metal chains. Tyres are completely covered by socks so not really an issue.

a bit confused now. so the cheapest option will be my existing summer tyre with snow socks??? as the tyre underneath the socks doenst matter? and how does this combination compare to proper winter tyres?

I've got 20" Vreds and very happy with them.

As already said, you were lucky - this time of year it's mandatory to carry chains in the Alps.

Use the search function on this site, there's some good info on there.

Snow socks are OK for occasional use & will get a summer tyre somewhere similar to a winter one. Chains are better for more extreme conditions.

Winter tyres are better on ice & on cold roads too - not just on the occasions when you would have fitted socks - do a search on here or google

Sorry but this is hilarious. These exaggerations of the capability of a RR or LR and 4x4 in general. Snow depth has very little to do with ability to drive, I've been in situations with a RR where it got stuck on 5 mm of snow! Yes, it can get stuck on even 0 mm, just a sheet ice can be enough sometimes, all four wheels spinning but no movement. But I've also been in situations with 50 cm of fresh snow where the RR could plow it's way through very easily.

As said by some, it's all down to grip. And grip has very little to do with 4x4. But most importantly there are some rules or common sense about this. Never go laning by your own, especially not in a unfamiliar place far from home where you don't know you can walk back or know who to call for assistance. Secondly, use proper equipment for the situation, as described above snow chains would be a requirement. Included in the mandatory winter equipment is to have a good shovel! I assume you had warm clothing and proper boots with you already.

And it's very true that any old rear wheel drive with proper winter tyres would beat any RR with summers on a icy or snowy road, even just a few milimeter of snow or ice is enough. One thing most go wrong about is the importance of the tread pattern, yes it's important and capability decreases rapidly under 5 mm but the big difference is the proper winter's better for cold conditions rubber compound, this is the big difference. Next comes tread, studs and chains.

Well said Edfors In Norway a couple of years ago and all the cars (front, rear or 4x4) all had studded tyres driving on sheet ice. No issues. SDV8 AB MY 2019
SDV8 VSE MY 2015 - Gone
5.0 S/C AB MY 2010 - Gone
4.2 S/C VSE MY 2006 - Gone

its all depends on tyre, so if all fitted with winter tyre, whats the advantage a 4X4 over a rear/front wheel only drive car?

You have four wheels looking for traction with a 4 x 4 rather than two which makes quite a difference in keeping going.

When it comes to stopping though it doesn't matter whether it is two or four. Either will slide quite happily.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

I had a run out in mine in the blizzard of march 2013 ,I had 5 people in the motor and rear tyres barely legal,it bashed through 3ft drifts and some constant depths nearly 2feet.The fact is when driving in snow it is all about what type of snow it is.Very similar to mud ,have you not seen RR stuck in a field in an inch of mud.Generally speaking in snow you need NARROW tyres and good tread yet most modern vehicles have ridiculuous wide tyres that is why your M5's and Q7 are rubbish in snow too.Have got some chains on an old dispach van that would put most 4x4's to shame and am concidering getting some for the rr.I guess this guy just got the wrong type of snow,if you do get stuck let down your tyres and get out of low range,get your foot down and do not stop!!