Autosock - alternative to chains?

[John E Davies]

This seems pretty cool, Unfortunately it is not DOT approved so it would not be a legal option for mountain travel. Cost for a standard passenger size is about US$80. Comments?

Originally Posted by Autosock

Hot news

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is releasing SNOWCAP as a genuine accessory to its new cars in Japan. SNOWCAP is based on AutoSock, is a traction aid for cars made of high technology fibers, to be put on wheels when driving on difficult winter conditions.

http://www.autosock.us/default.asp

Here's another article:
http://maintenance.autoblog.com/2006...mproving-auto/

[SeriousBlack]

so if you have a V6 and floor it, will it blow your socks off ??? :P

[mkperceptions]

you have 4wd you dont need anything other than a tire chain to break the ice.

[karrock]

Wow, that's kinda freaky... I can see the socks aiding in keeping snow and ice out of your wheels, but I don't really see how it helps with traction... I'm not sure I like that they say it's only better than winter tires and snow chains "in certain situations".

Also that "asphalt & concrete driving is not recommended as it increases fabric wear considerably" -- they even tell you to take your socks off when you get back on cleared or dry pavement. So where are you supposed to be able to use the socks? Only on unplowed snow or ice pack?

I'd have to see the suckers actually installed and working to believe it -- and I doubt the socks would last more than a season at a time being made out of fabric. Kind of like those disposable Tyvek shoe covers.

One snow/tire chain alternative I'd really like to try are Flex-Trax GoClaws -- they can actually drive on clear pavement (though not recommended, of course)

[Ravving69]

I think the sock thing is just a gimmick that won't work. Now those flex claws look like something that will work, on snow. I can't imagine them working well on ice since they are only rubber, just like your tires. Just stick with studded tires.

[RAVPHO]

I've looked into both options (autosock / flextrax), and I'm leaning more towards the autosock. I feel that if Toyota Japan is endorsing it, then it's good enough for my use.

Originally Posted by John E Davies

This seems pretty cool, Unfortunately it is not DOT approved so it would not be a legal option for mountain travel. Cost for a standard passenger size is about US$80. Comments?

In regards to DOT approval for use on roads where snowchains are mandatory - it wouldn't affect me since Caltrans lifts the snowchain requirement for 4wd vehicles w/ "snow tires" (though they've waived my OEM Dueller H/T's through countless times). So ultimately I would just be using them in some very hairy situations as an extra precaution.

At $110 shipped, it seems more cost-effective for me to go this route, rather than getting a new set of winter tires. I've confirmed through this seller on ebay that our OEM sport rim/tire combo (235/55/R18) is compatible with the autosock - size 765.

[mkperceptions]

your dueler stocks are the same as mine and they have the M+S on the side and that means mud and snow so you are good to go in cali. I live in cali too and they dont take the time to check. I have also said " its AWD" when I was in my 2wd van so i didn't have to chain up. They never check and sure are not going to check the sidewall of your tire.

[jaos07]

i want this one but too pricey

http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

[karrock]

I went to Toyota.jp to see if the AutoSock / Snow Cap was mentioned and indeed, Toyota Japan offers it as a "Toyota Original Accessory" and has a web page devoted to the product. The bottom of the site has a boilerplate "3-year, 60,000Km warranty", but it clearly say up above to exchange for new Snow Caps after 150Km of driving in the snow. A little bit of a marketing writeup and videos follows:

Filtered through Babelfish (except for the non-text text)
http://tinyurl.com/39cahq

Original Japanese
http://toyota.jp/dop/recommend/snowcap/

You won't understand what they're saying, but the "action" scenes from the videos speak for themselves.

Actually helped me understand how it works and I'm now in less disbelief of its capabilities now! :D

[John E Davies]

Originally Posted by karrock

I went to Toyota.jp to see if the AutoSock / Snow Cap was mentioned and indeed, Toyota Japan offers it as a "Toyota Original Accessory" and has a web page devoted to the product. The bottom of the site has a boilerplate "3-year, 60,000Km warranty", but it clearly say up above to exchange for new Snow Caps after 150Km of driving in the snow.

Thanks very much for the link. From the video it looks as if Toyota is aiming this product at clueless owners who can't figure out how to install a set of cables

If the AutoSock truly came with a three year/ 60K mile warranty, with free exchanges when they were worn out, that would be dandy IMHO.

If not, then figure that they are shot in 100 miles and cost, say, US$90 with shipping.... that is a pretty nasty cost/ miles ratio.

Add in the "free return if you don't use them" policy of many auto parts stores for cables, and cables become a no -brainer, if you need emergency traction. Just trade them in each spring if unused, and get a new set the next winter. That way you won't end up with extra cables lying around the garage when you trade the car or change tire size.

Maybe we will see some magazine articles about the AutoSock now that it is starting to be sold in North America.