Spider Spikes

[Guest blatters]

Anyone used spider spikes for their Galaxy in snow?

 

Also, who did you hire them from / buy them (please state).

 

Going to the Austrian Tyrol for Xmas / New Year break and need to know.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Blatters

[BrummyGit]

I work for a company that has an Austrian wing, and having travelled out there last winter I can tell you that petrol stations will sell snow chains for around

[greg_68]

Only a brummie would take a photo at 40mph instead of pulling over and stopping to do it. :D

[johnb80]

He probably had pulled over and stopped, that was the wheel spin due to lack of grip on summer tyres :lol:

[BrummyGit]

Who says I'm a brummie? There's some irony in my user name :lol:

 

Anyway I didn't take the picture, my passenger reached over with the camera as we were not able to pull over there due to snow at the sides of the roads, but I did take this one when we did manage to stop - it was cold getting out for a quick walk :o

 

http://www.pattingham.com/pics/cold4.jpg

[tim-spam]

Your Audi probably has a glow plug system in the cooling system to warm the engine up in cold weather - our cars require the booster heater due to the bigger cabin space and larger heater matrices.

[BrummyGit]

I was scared to stop it however as I travelled out there on UK diesel and was terrified it would wax up. Once I got there my first stop was a petrol station for a full tank of local diesel which is treated to lower temperatures.

 

I was also a little concerned that leaving it parked outside overnight might find any weakness in my battery, but I was pleasantly surprised that it started first time after the pre-heater lamp had gone out.

[malcolm.dobell]

Dear Blatter

 

I have a set of Sport Spiders since normal chains wouldnt even fit the 215/60x15 tyres on my last Alhambra, let alone the 225/45x17's on the new one. There's not enough clearance between the tyre and the suspension strut for a normal chain. Have a look at this link: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/ for hire or look at the Autosock for "something completely different".

 

I bought my Sport Spiders from http://www.spikesspider.com/.

 

Have used them only twice, and theyre great - fitted in about three minutes.

[Guest blatters]

Hi Malcolm,

 

Thanks for your post.

 

That fits with what I've been told about the clearance problem on the Galaxy. When I was out in the Austrian Tyrol this Summer I asked the local Ford dealer for some advice. They confirmed the problem and then showed me some chains that would work because of their special construction - but the cost was high, about

[malcolm.dobell]

Dear Blatter

 

We've had the increadibly fgood fortune never to need chains or Spiders for more than about 5 miles at a time. We have only been to France or Northern Italy in the winter and have been blessed with clear roads until in or just before the resort. Clearly it's different in Austria

 

Regards

 

Malcolm

[BrummyGit]

I sent an email to a colleague who lives in Austria, travels regularly by car and drives an Alhambra. Here is his reply:

 

My winter tyres are a little smaller than the summer ones; the summers are 215/55 R16 and the winter tyres are 2 cm less in width, they are 195/60 R16.

 

I never thought of having any issues with the chains / clearance.

 

The largest manufacturer of chains in Austria can be found at http://www.pewag.at

 

There is an American flag in the top left to switch to English (sic!!) and you can select according to Vehicle, size, colour :-), ...

 

They also have the spider spikes on display. Forget them, they are crap. Whenever it is mandatory to use chains they don't count, and chains with a ring on the inside are much easier to fix and remove than these "items".

 

I have looked up the prices of these chains at various shops; they are between 70 and 100 Euros per pair. Make sure you get chains that can be used on both side; not left/right, but rather inside/outside so you can wear down both sides of the chain links :-)

[malcolm.dobell]

Confirm that 195/65X15 tyres accept normal chains - have used them

[Guest blatters]

Malcolm / Brummie,

 

Thanks guys, this is really helpful.

 

But a little more?

 

Brummie, is your Austro friend saying that Spiders are not accepted by the Austrian alpine police as acceptable on alpine high altitude roads (I feel a possible 'snow sock' embarassment coming on here).

 

Both of you - are you certain that mounting tyres that are slightly narrower (in my case on my 15" steel wheels) is the best way forward?

 

Brummie, the chains, if that's what I run with, appear good value on price - do you have the web links for the on-line suppliers you visited at euro100 approx?

 

Sorry to bother you again but just this last bit of info much appreciated.

 

Blatters

[BrummyGit]

Blatters

 

I'll ask my contact - give me a day or two.

 

Cheers

 

BG

[BrummyGit]

OK some answers:

 

Brummie, is your Austro friend saying that Spiders are not accepted by the Austrian alpine police as acceptable on alpine high altitude roads (I feel a possible 'snow sock' embarassment coming on here).Yes he believes that if it says chains are mandatory, then chains it must be - he is not sure about the Sport Spiders as they do have a chain arrangement.

 

Both of you - are you certain that mounting tyres that are slightly narrower (in my case on my 15" steel wheels) is the best way forward?I'm told this is normal - it gives a little more clearance for the snow accumulation, but more importantly increases the pressure on your contact area which has been reduced slightly for the same weight.

 

Brummie, the chains, if that's what I run with, appear good value on price - do you have the web links for the on-line suppliers you visited at euro100 approx?I failed to get a straight answer on this on - he simply said to get over there and visit a good shop where you can see them and make sure they fit correctly. Then make a choice based on informed knowledge. He did recommend the chains with a metal ring on the inside and a chain ring on the outside as being the best/easiest to use. But bear in mind he drives on snow for many months a year and often uses snow chains - unlike myself.

 

I hope this info helps.

[Guest blatters]

An update on the winter tyres.

 

Decided to get the Vredestein Snowtrac 2 - 195/65 R15.

 

Good report from the German ADAC website where they tested 37 different tyres for winter! Two were complete dogs.

 

Here's the link: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...6lr%3D%26sa%3DG

 

Google have translated it for us.

 

Blatters