AutoSock for cars and vans
Worried about driving on ice or snow?
AutoSock are super-strong textile socks which you slip over the driving wheels to provide the grip you need on ice and snow. They’re reusable, take up minimal storage space, and in many circumstances work better than winter tyres or snow chains.
Worried about driving on ice or snow?
AutoSock are super-strong textile socks which you slip over the driving wheels to provide the grip you need on ice and snow. They’re reusable, take up minimal storage space, and in many circumstances work better than winter tyres or snow chains.
Worried about driving on ice or snow? AutoSock are super-strong textile socks which you slip over the driving wheels to provide the grip you need on ice and snow. They’re reusable, take up minimal storage space, and in many circumstances work better than winter tyres or snow chains.
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AutoSock were launched in Norway in 2002 after a long period of testing, evaluation and improvement. Sales have grown exponentially, with over 330,000 pairs sold around Europe last winter, mostly on recommendation. When you've had the opportunity to test them for real you'll soon realise why. Most people are not only surprised but astonished at the difference they make to general traction, cornering, and braking. "This cheap alternative to snowchains or to winter tyres is staggeringly easy to fit... I used them while driving in the French Alps last week and can confirm they are absolutely superb." (Nat Barnes, AA Motoring Writer of the Year) They're also now approved by many car manufacturers, including BMW, Fiat, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and VW. The bottom line is that AutoSock will provide a massive boost in all round confidence when driving on ice and snow, and hopefully "Get you home" or to wherever you're going, but don't overcook it, i.e. you should always drive with particular care in wintry conditions. Each set contains:
Full instructions are shown on each bag which 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). There's only one possible way to fit AutoSock, and no practice is required. Please note that AutoSock will wear out with use, and that worn out AutoSock is not a guarantee issue! They'll get you moving and keep you moving - see the "Driving with AutoSock" page (one of the tabs above) for more information. Please test them at the first good opportunity, and then pass the word! |
Charles F -
Vehicle type: Hatchback
Amazing! My wife found herself stuck in snow and ice in the Pennines hills high above Holmfirth. Cars were spinning off the road and drivers couldn’t keep control of their vehicles driving down the hill. Several accidents occurred as cars slid into each other. We drove to my wife’s car in a Land Rover Discovery, working our way through the chaos. 5 minutes later, once the Autosocks were fitted to her car, we reversed, did a 3 point turn and drove steadily away up the hill. 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. I can’t believe how good the socks are.
Alison W -
Vehicle type: Estate
Bought these a couple of years ago but hadn't needed them until
last week. We were caught up in the chaos in France on 27th / 28th December. Stopped to put snow socks on as soon as the road became covered in snow . Took 5 minutes to put on and they were brilliant. Great grip on snow covered mountain road full of hair pin bends. Drove at 20 mph for 10 miles with no problems. Easy to remove & dry out once we reached our destination.
James A -
Vehicle type: Hatchback
Couldn't get up the road to my house - completely stuck. Fitted AutoSock and drove off instantly, no drama. I was boggled at how well they worked. My car has quite a tight gap between the arch and the tyre so they were a bit fiddly to get round the back of the wheel. But they worked wonderfully.
William F -
Vehicle type: Saloon
Regards AutoSock snow socks on my 2nd pair first set lasted 9 years one of the best winter aids you can have. At winters end pop in washer till next year.
About our reviews: We test, and often use personally, almost all the products we sell, and we stand behind our comments and recommendations unless customers convince us they need changing. Our Customer Services and Workshop staff also have input into our recommendations. But it's because we've learned a lot over many years that customer feedback is so important. Fresh, first time out opinions are the most useful ones, and in any event we certainly don't have access to the full range of vehicles that our customers have between them. Product feedback from existing customers helps our new customers make choices, and also helps our suppliers with their product development. We e-mail our customers a week or so after their order arrives and invite them to send in a review. Some reviews are suitable for multiple products. Where appropriate we may, for example, use the same review for a number of different roof bar products where the only difference is the length of the roof bar. |
AutoSock: Customer feedbackAutoSock are a product that really make a difference every time you use them. Here's some recent feedback:
"I LIVE IN A VERY REMOTE LOCATION AND BOTH MY CAR AND VAN WOULD NOT CLIMB THE SNOW AND ICE COVERED TRACK..........UNTIL I FITTED SNOW SOCKS ! TOTALLY BRILLIANT THANK YOU." - Keith "I've had my AutoSocks a week now and they’ve got me out of trouble 3 times. I live in Nth Northumberland and work in Aberdeen, travelling weekly. Last week’s snow in Edinburgh stranded many motorists overnight, but my AutoSocks got me through without any problem. Last night and this morning, Aberdeen was almost gridlocked, but once again my Auto Socks got me through. Thanks." - Marti "Had to go to the butchers for the Christmas turkey. It's down a country lane, so I put on the AutoSocks. Fantastic! No slipping at all, even when going from 0-30mph in a straight line, thanks." - Chris Thought others may benefit from my experience, should there be any doubts about purchasing Autosocks. There I was on a steep un-classifed road in deepest Wales, sliding backwards towards the drop off and stream below...imagine the panic. So the car does stop just before the plunge, but how to get out of this very precarious position? Enter the autosocks from the boot. 5 minutes of slipping on the road, struggling to stand up, whilst putting them on was the worst part. Set off, no spin, full grip, effortless. Just like magic. If you don't get some of these for the just in case factor then you will be stuck at the side of the road looking very glum.... I would just like to say that I purchased a pair of autosocks for my Skoda Fabia in anticipation of the winter to come. Low and behold, today was the day of reckoning! I found myself caught in unexpected snow fall which left the roads barely passable even with 4x4's. I was actually on a steep hill amongst other failing traffic. I lost all traction and decided to fit the 'socks. Fitting was as easy as described and demonstrated by yourselves, so far so good. I proceeded to pull off, no wheel spin just forward movement. I drove for a further 7 miles home in bad conditions in and out of struggling vehicles whose drivers must think Skoda's are the winter car. Whilst stopped, some curious looks were thrown towards my front wheels. I have been driving for over 30 years and can honestly say they are the best motoring purchase I have made. I would recommend them to anyone as an emergency get you home aid, and in my opinion, they should be made compulsory carrying during the winter months. Please forward this mail to whoever you see fit. > Click here to see a message sent by a Gleaner Oils tanker driver earlier this winter. |
AutoSock videos
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Tips for safe fitting, use and removalFitting is very easy on most vehicles, more difficult on a few. The most difficult vehicles to fit are – no surprise – rear wheel drive cars with limited clearance. If you can’t get your forearms into the space between the wheel and the wheel arch, fitting will be difficult. But blame the car, not the AutoSock! If they are a very tight fit, too tight, please let us know because there is obviously a size issue that we need to learn about. FITTING: It could hardly be simpler. Stop the vehicle and apply the handbrake. Fit AutoSock to the driving wheels of the car, starting at the top of the tyre and working downwards. Move the vehicle approximately 1 metre and put the remainder of each 'Sock' into position - see the "movie" sequence above. The AutoSock will automatically self-centre when you start driving. A useful video is shown below. USE: There's NO need to turn off any electronic traction and stability devices, e.g. ETS, ASR, ESP, DSC. Drive off gently, avoiding wheel spin. Extreme acceleration and braking could damage the product. REMOVAL: Take AutoSock off the wheels, shake off any snow, and put them back in their storage pouch pending washing or further use. Our thanks to The Auto Channel for the use of this video (5.55MB): |
AutoSock: A snow chain equivalent in France and more
In 2008, AutoSock passed the requirements of the new ÖNorm V5121 and is approved as a snow chain equivalent. AutoSock can be used whenever snow chains must be fitted in Czech Republic, Slovenia and New Zealand. Since 2010 AutoSock is certified to comply with the French winter equipment regulations and can be used in France where the snowchain sign (B26) is in place. See below. AutoSock are the only snow socks that have been tested and approved to be used in France as an equivalent snow chain product. You will need to make sure you have the correct sticker if you are going to be using AutoSock in France. Please click here for details.
Les chaussettes:
Les pneus cloutés ou à crampons:
La vitesse maximum de déplacement est limitée à 90km/h pour les voitures particulières équipées de pneus cloutés ou crampons, mais également pour les transports de marchandises d'un PTAC inférieur ou égal à 3,5 tonnes et pour les transports en commun de personnes. Les chaînes:
Les « pneus contact » ou « pneus neige »:
Sources: Sirpa Gendarmerie |
AutoSock created and developed the "car snow sock" concept, and is the registered holder of all relevant patents. Their main European Patent is EP 1165329 which is operational in all European countries. They have similar patent protection in North America and Japan. After the last two UK and Irish winters there are unprecedented numbers of copies in these markets; legal activity for patent infringement is either in progress or may be taken against many of these distributors and resellers, some of whom are household names and must have been very badly advised. Some of the copies and counterfeits are relatively very cheap - as products can be if there are no research and development costs, and if materials and manufacture are of poor quality. We hope that our potential fleet customers in particular will wish to be confident that the products they use have proper product liability insurance, as AutoSock has. Some of the distributors of copy products seem to be taking leave of their senses and are making increasingly extravagant claims. These might include
Recent EU court decisions include:
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AutoSock snow sock fleet enquiriesFleet buyers may wish to contact our Business Development Manager on 015396 22413, or e-mail [email protected] with the following information:
We have a useful tool that allows you to identify which AutoSock you need for your fleet, and to store this information for as long as you want. Follow this link to get started:
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Delivery charges and arrangements:We charge a contribution towards delivery costs, depending on what you order, where you live, and how quickly you want the goods. These are our standard charges; there are usually surcharges for all offshore destinations and some remote postcodes - for details please see our delivery information page.
Delivery of other items
Delivery timesDelivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday, excluding Bank holidays). Cut-off times for Express Delivery orders
Delivery FAQsWhen will my order arrive? What about Next Working Day delivery? Is my delivery day guaranteed? Do I need to be at home? Payment options:We take the following cards, and also PayPal. Please note that the entry on your card statement will be from "The Roof Box Company". Secure paymentsOur website is secured by Sectigo (formerly Comodo CA), the largest commercial Certificate Authority in the world. |