Snow Chains/Snow Socks/Michelin Easy Grip or just plain old winters!

**TopherGeorge** · 27-09-2011,09:03 PM

Hi all,

Just wondered what people's experience with snow socks or micheline easy grip chains compared with regular winter tyres or snow chains. I have a 2011 Audi a6 with front wheel drive. Thinking of heading down to Germany in nov/dec. Not only that I remember what the last few winters have been like in the UK.

How do snow socks and Easy Grips compare with the more traditional winter measures and what experiences have you had. If possible trying to avoid shelling out 900 quid for new tyres.

Bratty · 28-09-2011,11:03 AM

If you are travelling to Germany then just be aware that the rules regarding winter tyres changed last year. The bottom line now is that if you are driving in snow/ice etc. then you have to have tyres that have an "M+S" marking on them (Fine 40 Euros if stopped), really that is not strictly enforced but everyone abides by it cause if they have a crash the first Q that the insurance want to know is did you have appropriate tyres on!! More importantly, If you HINDER! traffic because you have innappropriate tyres fitted then the Polizei get a bit more serious with 80 Euros and a point on your licence. And it goes on!
http://bussgeldkatalog.kfz-auskunft.de/bereifung.html Sorry its in German but you might be able to get the jist

.

Winter tyres may seem like a lot of money but they make a BIG!! difference! Not just in Snow but more imortantly in inclement weather under 6-7 degrees where the tyres properties can (if you have bought decent ones!!) dramatically increase your ability to stop! And you can always recoup some money back in the future by selling them on!

Dunk

**RickT** · 22-10-2011,09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Bratty

If you are travelling to Germany then just be aware that the rules regarding winter tyres changed last year. The bottom line now is that if you are driving in snow/ice etc. then you have to have tyres that have an "M+S" marking on them (Fine 40 Euros if stopped), really that is not strictly enforced but everyone abides by it cause if they have a crash the first Q that the insurance want to know is did you have appropriate tyres on!! More importantly, If you HINDER! traffic because you have innappropriate tyres fitted then the Polizei get a bit more serious with 80 Euros and a point on your licence. And it goes on!
http://bussgeldkatalog.kfz-auskunft.de/bereifung.html Sorry its in German but you might be able to get the jist

.

Winter tyres may seem like a lot of money but they make a BIG!! difference! Not just in Snow but more imortantly in inclement weather under 6-7 degrees where the tyres properties can (if you have bought decent ones!!) dramatically increase your ability to stop! And you can always recoup some money back in the future by selling them on!

Dunk

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