Customer Reviews

AutoSock HP 735 Winter Traction Aid, For High Performance Tires

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought Autosocks for my BMW because the wheel clearance was too tight to use chains. I can attest that they do indeed work as described, and that they really give amazing traction! Plus, it's pretty awesome getting looks from people who are jealous and confused at how your are able to drive on such a slippery road without chains. However, I am not sure I would recommend them overall...

My experience was that the Autosocks were very difficult to install. I'm sure it would have been easier to install them if my car had more clearance between the tire and the fender, but if that were the case I could have just used traditional chains anyway. I had to move my car probably 5-10 times as I scooted the autosock into place inch by inch before they were fully seated. This was about a 20 minute process, all of which was cold and filthy (in retrospect, I should have used my jack to lift the car to make installation easier). Then, although they did work well traction-wise, they did not stay in place well. They very quickly started to fall off, even though I bought the size that supposedly fits my tires... I had to limit my speed to 20 mph in order to not have them fly off my wheels.

Bottom line, they got me home through a 25 mile city commute, so I'm glad I had them, but they were a huge pain in the ass to use. I had to stop my car about 5 times on the way home to readjust the autosocks so they wouldn't fall off. Their claim that they center themselves on the tire automatically was not true for me... Also, after 25 miles of city driving, with some streets plowed and some not, they are pretty torn up. I'd say these are pretty close to a single-use product unless you are in a rare situation where they are driving only on clean fresh snow (never the case in the city). They are so filthy after the one use that I don't really want to keep them anyway.

Maybe you'll have a better experience than me if you get a better fit somehow? Who knows... As I said, mine were *supposed* to fit, and stay in place, but they didn't.

It works very well. It might be harder to install than it looks on the promotional video. However, it is still easier and faster than traditional tire chains. Removing is even simpler. Great design.

Here is the catch. It won't last especially if you drive on non-icy/snowy road. Like if the road has been sanded on the ice/snow. It's made with cloth and will tear. Be sure to follow the instructions.

It is a must have if you can't put normal tire chain. $100 to buy a insurance or safety from being stuck in the snow or slip on the icy road. It is total worth it.

I am considering other brand like RUDmatic Soft Spike (claim the cloth contain wire) and Snobootz (rubber thing) but they are not available anywhere for my tires.

Thule, Spikes Spiders and Centrax are more expensive but extremely easy to install. I personally vote for Thule but can't find any either for my tires.

This thing is great! For Mammoth Mountain chain required areas, this thing does the trick. It grips well even in a snow storm. I have 17inch 50 series tires and I had no problems! Easy on, Easy off! I don't need a 4wd car, I save gas, and it only costs me an additional 5 min to put on and 5 min to take off. A no brainer!

I bought a pair after recently purchasing a home in the North Carolina mountains. I drive a front wheel drive Acura CL and was worried about my ability to make it back up the mountain when the inevitable snow storm hit. No sooner than just a few weeks after purchasing, that snow storm indeed hit.

The good news is that the improvement they provide is unmistakeable. We had several inches of snow, it partially melted during the day, and froze that night leaving a nasty snow/ice mix on the ground. It then snowed all the next day. I literally couldn't get out of the driveway which inclines at about a 15% grade - my wheel just spun. I put the Autosocks on, and the car climbed up the drive as if there were no snow or ice on the ground at all.

Same for the climb back up our neighborhood road the next day. It was a complete ice rink with a similar 15-20% grade as well. The car started sliding backwards without the socks. I turned around, put them on, and climbed back up with no problem. For traction when you need, these work very, very well.

Now the bad news. After 2 uses, never driving more than 25 miles/hour, and taking them off once on "solid ground", the socks are already showing numerous holes. I figure if I'm lucky, I might have 3-4 more uses out of them.

Secondly, yes they're easy to put on, but not if they're already wet/frozen. If you use them, don't just throw them in your trunk like I did if you might need them again soon. I tried to put a pair back on same day on the way home from work, but they were frozen and I couldn't get them on. Just carry a garbage bag with you, throw them in there, and brink them inside to thaw out. Also, you really need good clearance between the tire and wheel well or you find it a little tough to apply them, but that goes for tire chains as well.

So now, I'm having to do the math. At 5-6 uses before these things get shredded, I will need at least a few more pairs to make it through the winter. Snow tires will run $500+ to put on my car. When it comes down to it, look at where you live and consider how often you'll realistically need help with traction. If it's just a handful of times for short distances, go for the AutoSock. If it's any more than that (which is my concern for where I'm at), then good snow tires are likely a better investment in the long run.

The AutoSock is fantastic. I ordered a set for a snow and freezing rain storm here in Oregon. 4 mins to put on and 1 min to take off. The autosock performed perfectly. Stops and starts are no issue with this product. I placed the AutoSock on my 2WD car and was able to drive without killing myself. Steep grades are no challange for AutoSock. No damage to the AutoSock on my first trip today. Get rid of those chains!

I purchased the autosock because I just moved into a new house in the mountains and my driveway is on a steep slope. when we get ice storms it is impossible to get up the driveway without some extra traction.

the autosock worked beautifully. my 2 wheel drive honda accord went up the driveway coated with 1/2 inch of ice and never slipped! the autosock is very easy to put on (maybe 2 minutes per tire) and very easy to take off (30 seconds per tire). i now have them for all of my vehicles.

Background: I was very excited to find these as an alternative to chains. My AWD car has stock low profile tires and the manufacturer advised against chains - so autosock sounds like a great solution.

Short version: I am in Breckenridge CO (lots of snow) and the autosocks lasted 6 trips and 65 miles. Pretty expensive for $80.

The autosock will get you home in a pinch, but this is NOT a substitute for cables or chains.

The dirty: After 90%+ of my 65 mile autosock life, the orange and white stripes stitching has caused punched a hole in the white tire sock, the meshing to self-center is separating, and the fabric (stitched together in panels as the tire goes around) is 40% separated on all stitches. There are additional tears along the treadlines of the tire.

My drivign style: 20 mph on the autosock with 62 of 65 miles snow, very slow acceleration/deceleration. Autosock was dried out after each use.

In case you are wondering, there is no warranty on this product from Autosock. Additional the CO DOT approval is for the tractor trailer tires, not passenger vehicles.

Conclusion: Great concept, poor execution. Do cables or chains if you can. Autosock is only good for 3-6 uses given my very conservative drivign style.

Used it in West Virginia to drive up the hill after the friends of ours unsuccessfully tried the very same thing on their minivan. Installation took about 30 seconds and was as simple as promised. And what was even better - it worked like a charm. My Honda Odyssey minivan climbed the hill covered with packed snow and partial ice as if it was a flat surface. Highly recommend.

Lightweight and small to store, these traction aids are a great addition to the spare tire hold for emergencies.
They are very easy to install and remove, so be sure to take them off before you get to dry pavement.

I live in Sweden and thought that this product would be of interest in the US. I started checking. As I come from California I checked the requirements there. The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Internet site has pages on tire chains. Included are references to applicable regulations. One California Vehicle Code Regulation states that CalTrans must approve any device that is used like a tire chain for driving on ice and snow. I contacted the person who handles the approval of devices to be used instead of tire chains. He was very helpful and informative; he has over a decade of experience on the topic of ice and snow driving - we're not talking a mindless bureaucrat! I learned that AutoSock submitted an application so that it could be approved for use when driving on ice and snow in California. AutoSock was not approved. The product was carefully tested by a group of persons assembled by CalTrans who are familiar with ice and snow driving conditions in California. They found that the product was not suitable for the kinds of conditions typically encountered in California; Auto Sock was not approved for use in California. The primary concern was that in California chains are required before ice and snow is encountered - AutoSock doesn't hold up in that environment (Note that other Amazon reviews describe how AutoSock quickly wears out when used on asphalt/tarmac.). AutoSock submitted data which covered other issues; that info didn't help or make a difference. In sum, AUTOSOCK IS NOT LEGAL FOR USE IN CALIFORNIA. At best, you'll be stopped by the CalTrans staff manning a chain control site and be told that you can't use your AutoSock. At worst, you'll get past chain control, have an accident and discover that your auto insurance won't cover your damages because you weren't using a legal product. I hate being so negative; the AutoSock developers have obviously put out a lot of effort. But... Residents of other states may want to check with their state agency that approves tire devices before using AutoSock.