AUTOSOCK 697 Size-697 Tire Chain Alternative

Product Information

I have two pairs, but found one pair on the driving wheels was sufficient to get me home, when I got stuck some miles from home a couple of years ago. A dark country lane in the middle of winter, changing from sleet to snow an hour away from home, now its' getting hilly and progress difficult and dangerous. Cars were spinning off the road and drivers couldn’t keep control of their vehicles driving down the hill. In France, the new “Mountain Law” (“Loi Montagne”) requires that winter equipment must be carried on special road sections in mountainous areas between 1st November and 31st March.

AutoSock are super-strong textile socks which you pull over the driving wheels to provide the grip you need on ice and snow. In summary, yes, and for safety reasons you will need to use them on tarmac - it is obvious that you should not and must not just stop in the middle of a road, just because you have moved off the snow and onto tarmac. In France, the new “Mountain Law” (“Loi Montagne”) requires that winter equipment must be carried on special road sections in mountainous areas between November 1st and March 31st. We work with some of the best couriers in the business, and overall they provide an outstanding service.

There are reinforced bands running across the AutoSocks; these provide overall strength, help to prevent the socks from splitting after misuse, and help prevent holes from spreading. The videos looked convincing, so we bought them on the basis that if they worked, great: if not, it was always worth a try. I found autosocks a little fiddly to get on, but once they were on, it was like the snow wasn't there at all. From its beginning, the AutoSock product has been developed in close collaboration with car manufacturers and the german TÜV Süd.

But I still keep a set in the boot, I cannot rate this product high enough, I hate getting stuck in the snow, and now I have the reassurance, that I won't be. Its drop forged hooks make it quick, clean and easy to use - there's no need to grovel around under the car looking for places to tie on or loop through. The arranged fibres facilitate the textile to absorb any water between the ground and the tire, thereby maximizing the dry friction grip.AutoSock's unique fabric was developed in Germany by KoSa and DuPont Textiles, both subsequently part of Koch Industries' INVISTA business, now the world's largest manufacturer of polyester products. Used on my BMW320, on the short drive from the village and notably in April 13 when it was too snowy to get out. We drove home on narrow, snow covered roads, up and down steep inclines, only passable by tractor, 4 x 4's and cars fitted with Autosocks.

Full instructions are shown on each bag which, being fully waterproof, is also designed for easy and clean carrying of dirty AutoSock once you've taken them off the wheels (pull them off with the orange straps). You must follow the makers guidelines on use particularly on steep hills and avoid if possible heavy braking. The socks provide stability in difficult driving conditions, and are easy to take off when the weather improves. Most people are not only surprised but astonished at the difference they make to general traction, cornering, and braking. This is no big deal and will not affect their performance until it becomes obvious that they are looking ragged and well worn – then they need replacing.AutoSock are approved as an alternative to snowchains, even where snowchains must be carried by law, with effect from 1st December 2020. As it turned out, they worked extremely well: we got up the hill on the snow with no problem at all.

During the same year, the AutoSock for Truck product range gained approval as a traction device by the CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) / USA.Chains are expensive, a nightmare to fit, and wreck your tyres if the snow cover thins - not helpful. The only problem I had was that my car has lowered sports suspension and not much room to get my hands over the top of the wheel to fit the socks.