KurtVerbose wrote:

Whether you get winter tyres by getting another set of wheels or just change the tyres, it doesn't help when the legal requirement is for chains.

The snow sock idea seems a good one as I've never needed chains.

Heres the answer, France is Chains but others Winter Tyres OK...

Click image to enlarge

as we have seen recently in france when they had the snow storm, if all those cars had chains maybe not so many would have been stuck... ... - .- -.




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Gazellio @ Prestige Cars wrote:

Heres the answer, France is Chains but others Winter Tyres OK...

Unnecessary quote removed

Gaz, would you mind sharing a link as to where that info came from please? Cheers

James

^ james , from the AA site,

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overs...tyres.html ... - .- -.




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As Kurt says, in France chains are obligatory when there is a sign indicating their requirement. A panel carrying the sign "B26".

Would normally only expect to see the sign in mountainous areas - Alps, Pyrenées, Massif Central.

Winter tyres do not cover the requirement on these sections of road..

"Seules les chaines sont autorisées sur les tronçons de routes signalés avec le panneau B26 « chaines à neige obligatoires », sur au moins 2 roues motrices. Les chaussettes et pneus à neige ne sont pas vus comme des équipements de sécurité permettant de circuler sur ces tronçons, et vous encourez 135 euros d’amende et une immobilisation de votre voiture. "

"Only chains are authorised on sections of roads signalled with the panel B26 (snow cchains obligatory), on at least two driven wheels. Socks and snow tyres and not considered as safety equipment which allow travel on these sections, and you will incur a fine of 135 euros and the immobilisation of your vehicle."

Often, when the requirement is there, one can find the Gendarmes stopping anyone without snow chains from proceeding into the restricted sections.

Otherwise it's up to you.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
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2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

I thought snow socks were now accepted in lieu of chains? I suppose they can wear out a hell of a lot quicker and don't offer the same traction as chains.

Here's a question, if you had studs but no chains would you be able to continue? FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Studs are banned on motorways in Switzerland.

First I should have added that sometimes the B26 has a supplementary sign saying " pneus neige admis " "snow tyres allowed".

As I understand it snow socks are now tolerated although the requirement for chains is quite specific. If you ask a retailer who supplies socks he will no doubt assure you that they are OK.

Can't really say about studded tyres ("pneus cloutés"). I had a look but it is a bit ambiguous. All I can see is that they can only be used between the beginning of November and the end of March and a sign must be displayed in the rear window that the vehicle is equipped with them.

They are a no no if there is no snow on the road, which seems pretty obvious but, as I understand it, they are rare in France as the fag of having to change wheels is a lot worse than removing chains if you are on roads without snow. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Just thinking for folks that live in them there hills they may be advantageous  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Gazellio @ Prestige Cars wrote:

Why not buy a set of quality 20" Winter tyres and just fit them for the winter/trips its only £60 at most tyre shops?

Read the original post

GenevaRR wrote:

I have a RR L322 Westminster TDV8, 2012. 20 inch wheels 255/55 R20's. I have winter tyres fitted.

^ thats what i have got, but with regular M+S tyres, which would seem to fulfil the regs in france, which is where i Ski mostly....

If needed i can simply chuck them on and off I go. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
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Regular M & S tyres don't conform. Proper winter tyres have the mountain and snowflake symbol on them but if you've got chains anyway you just need to put them on. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Yes that being my point.

Was reading the same page as Gaz posted the regs from, apparently all weather tyres withe the M+S symbol on do conform (in Germany at least) but they have to be proper all weather not summers stamped with m+s. My michelins for example are M and S but are only summer tyres, and have the rubber properties to go with that, the wranglers on my 19" wheels are all weather m and s tyres and the rubber compound is good down to around freezing as opposed to 6/7 deg. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6