 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there,
Apologies if it's already been covered but Lidl have their snow chains back back in stock as of Monday 26th November. £19.99...
Seems like a good deal just for me (mainly London - Glasgow driving with trips up to Scottish resorts occasionally)
Just a heads up anyway  !
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Gartcoshyy Cheers!
I need some for trips to Weardale ski club (in the Pennines). Anybody tried them? Seems ridiculously cheap.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Gartcoshyy, cheers for the heads up. Lidl stuff is normally fairly good (well at least that's their reputation in Germany as far as I understand it) so hopefully they'll be up to the job.
There must be some European standard they have to meet i'm sure? Anyone know?
Cheers
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Kersh, There is a TUV symbol on box in the image.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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TUV is the main vehicle inspection body in Germany. They also oversee all major works (engineering, building, worker health, etc). GS means they are consumer goods, fit for purpose and have been tested.
So the chains will be fit for purpose but must be fitted correctly and not used above 30mph (lower on clear roads, such as galleries, tunnels etc.).
New chains will stretch slightly, requiring frequent re-tensioning. It is also very important that the inner solid ring is concentric. If it moves off-center it can foul brake calipers and will work loose very quickly.
Another tip is keep a piece of carpet to kneel on and a pair of old ski gloves to fit them. A torch is also a useful item. A warm car will mean that the wheel arches will be dripping dirty, cold water. A trial fitting at home is worthwhile rather than wait until they are actually needed when often it is dark and snowing. If the spare is the same size as the other 4, that will do for a first trial fit.
BTW I hate driving on chains but unfortunately they are necessary and often a legal requirement.
Happy driving.
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Well I bought a set of the Lidl chains today.
They look the business. All the normal (german) labelling. But I've not yet opened the pack and tried them on.
But I don't expect to have to use them much. Last winter there were two occasions when I regretted only having winter tyres and not chains: both on the same day! The first was coming over the Bernina pass in an incredible snowstorm and whilst traction wasn't the main problem (visibility was - I could hardly see beyond the bonnet) I was seriously worried about the lack of chains. And then later the same day when driving up from Worgl to Niederau and I had to stop for a bus coming down: took a while and a lot of wheel-spin to get going again.
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On an earlier thread a member was disappointed in the limited range of sizes in the Lidl range.
The link below shows the new size codes and the tyre sizes that they will fit.
http://www.mtironauto.co.nz/snowchainsizechart.htm
ATM Lidl have size codes 70, 80, 90 and 100 which is pretty comprehensive.
Another thing to look out for is that some cars cannot accept chains on their standard rims and tyres due to limited clearance in the arches especially when cornering. BMW for one used to have a problem. Europeans get over it by having a second set of smaller width, steel rims with snow tyres pre-fitted.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I've an Alfa and have read I need 9mm chains, the Lidl chains look fairly slim, but can't see any info on link height? Anyone know?
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| Peter Ross wrote: |
| I've an Alfa and have read I need 9mm chains, the Lidl chains look fairly slim, but can't see any info on link height? Anyone know? |
Which model of Alfa? I know the 147 cannot accept normal chains and it needs to be something like either AutoSocks or SpikesSpider which attaches onto the wheel studs/nuts and doesn't go behind the wheel There's just not enough clearance between the suspension arm and the tyre
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just a note to check actual wheel sizes against the selected chains, as I had a look at 100's (usual size for my wheel/tyre) and they were too small. 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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*********************
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New year but same price. Noticed that snowchains were available in my local store. Still £19.99
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You know it makes sense.
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I've got a set from last year, used them a couple of times to get out up the small road near home. Work fine, and a no-brainer really for £20.
@Ken Dolman, yes very good points.
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