snow/winter tyres for rwd lexus

Inactive

wr1ght wrote: »

I also have a Lexus and had to abandon my car in the heavy snow, got some of these http://www.autosock.co.uk/ in the boot so at least next time ill be able to get home. you will need two sets tho with it being rear wheel drive

Why? they only need to be fitted to the rear wheels surely?

They are only designed to aid traction.

bargainbasement

many thanks for your responses. I had looked at snow socks but you have to keep putting them on and taking them off. My drive to work is 40 miles so the weather changes on my drive. I think i will ring around about some winter tyres my guess is the bad weather is not over yet i don't want to get rid of my car but as our other car is a merc (again rwd) I do need to have a car that can manage a bit better in the snow. (yes I know not the best decision to buy another rwd!) How much would i be looking at for a set of nokian or Vredesteins winter tyres? I have heard that Kwik Fit are offering storage does anyone know the cost of this?

many thanks for your advice!

A_Doonhamer

Hammyman wrote: »

If its like most of the UK, you'd only be able to legally use them on side-streets and then you'd have to take them off, put them back on again etc etc etc.

I was under the impression they could be used any time, any where in the uk apart from when they are causing damage or excess wear on the road? ie once you get to a cleared road you would have to remove them. Much the same as things like studded winter tyres.

sunshinetours

They have transformed my RWD auto box car into something that drives in several inches of snow and can start and stop on hills - amazing! Plnety of info on here already on the Winter tyre thread from people who have actually tried them (in snow/ice/slush/cold and wet)

If you have no option but to use your car they make every sense to get them rather than changing your car! Downside is that getting them now (if you even can) means you will pay top dollar. May be worth swapping directly for same as your summer tyres and then buying second hand wheels next year when they may be cheaper and easier to get

If you can manage with a set of autososcks and plenty of weight in the boot for this winter you will pay a lot less if you order next September/October time or even look for some after this winter on ebay. you could then go for smaller and narrower wheels and tyres which would also be cheaper

Don't forget you will save money on your not using summer tyres in the winter aswell so its just the cost of the second set of wheels.
I took my 5 series upto a very snowy Yorkshire moors just before Xmas this year and even the locals at the place we stayed were impressed that I was just driving up snow covered hills and parking in deep snow and just driving out (they admitted they were chuckling when I drove in and were expecting to be offering a push during the week!)

Don't fall for the "all RWD cars are bad in the snow" drivel - you just need the correct tyres for the season on them

wr1ght

Inactive wrote: »

Why? they only need to be fitted to the rear wheels surely?

They are only designed to aid traction.

you dont drive a rear wheel drive then?

rear wheels are the drive wheels and the front wheels are steering and braking

http://cars.about.com/od/adviceforowners/a/snowtires.htm

Inactive

wr1ght wrote: »

you dont drive a rear wheel drive then?

rear wheels are the drive wheels and the front wheels are steering and braking

http://cars.about.com/od/adviceforowners/a/snowtires.htm

That link is for winter tyres, we are discussing autosocks that are designed purely to get a driver moving until they reach a good clear surface.

Only required on the driving wheels.

I am well aware that the rear wheels are the drive wheels on a RWD car.

Shimrod

Inactive wrote: »

That link is for winter tyres, we are discussing autosocks that are designed purely to get a driver moving until they reach a good clear surface.

Only required on the driving wheels.

From http://www.autosock.co.uk/autosock-faq.php

"it's recommended that users of rear wheel drive cars should also fit a set to the front wheels to provide better directional stability, especially under braking."

So you don't need them, but it's recommended. I have a pair on order, and have a rear wheel drive car. Next lot of snow we get, I'll let you know if I should have bought two pairs!

Inactive

Shimrod wrote: »

From http://www.autosock.co.uk/autosock-faq.php

"it's recommended that users of rear wheel drive cars should also fit a set to the front wheels to provide better directional stability, especially under braking."

So you don't need them, but it's recommended. I have a pair on order, and have a rear wheel drive car. Next lot of snow we get, I'll let you know if I should have bought two pairs!

Well they would say that, that would double their profit margins.

If somebody needs to go to the trouble of fitting and then removing two sets of these things, each time they are required, it casts doubt on their benefit.