Snow chains for Octavia Scout

**shayne** · 25-07-2010, 09:01 PM

Roof Carrier Systems were the ones who quoted me $795 (the Centrax retail for less than half of that in the US). There is very little clearance with the 17in tyres on the Scout hence the RUD Centrax (which doesn't go on the back of the wheel). Thanks for the suggestion Re wheels section of main forum.

**shayne** · 25-07-2010, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by spaz74

Buy a set of second hand tires and rims from ebay

Wouldn't that cost more than the snow chains themselves?

**IBN** · 26-07-2010, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by shayne

Thanks for your response. Apparently no chains are approved by Skoda for the 17inch tyre, so what impact does using an "unapproved" chain have on your warranty?

We don't have may options really. Of the last 4 VAG cars, none of them were "apporoved" to run chains on the "summer" rim/tyre combinations. Somehow, I managed to find workable chain solutions for all cars. Warranty problems? Dunno. We only need to run chains on the front wheels unlike some of the more grand SUVs which require traction aids on all 4 wheels to avoid screwing up the all wheel drive systems that are used.
Options?
A second set of winter tyres and rims? Pricey. Awkward
Buy an Audi

The dealers offer, or at least did offer a temporary exchange service to get people up to the snow on winter tyres. Don't see our Skoda dealers offering this service
Auto socks? Seems like an excellent option, except, they are not understood here in Victoria.
Other traction aids? Have hunted for them. More choice OS, but might be a bugger to get them here.
Chains? The problem that we have is clearance b/w the tyre and the suspension strut. You just have to get something that fits in there without fouling. For the Scout at least, fouling on the guard does not seem to be a risk as the car sits pretty high. Damage to alloys? This one you will have to check yourself. For me, I do not see it as a problem.
At the end of the day you have to carry something. The K7s were the only option available at the time. They fit. They work, but because of the small link size, they are horribly fiddly and probably would not work in deep snow. Hopefully you will never need whatever you get - you are driving an AWD after all. I made it up and down Hotham last winter in blizzard conditions with no problems. Impressive really, seeing as the Scout comes equipped only with road tyres.
Good luck in your quest,
Ivars

**monkeysrus** · 27-07-2010, 09:01 PM

What about these? K-Summit K12 - Thule - Thule RV Accessories - Tire Chains

**K1W1** · 27-07-2010, 09:59 PM

With this being Australia the land of ADR and unnecessary vehicle regulation there is probably a design standard or compliance requirement for snow chains. I'd think twice before I imported something that was not sold here by the local distributor. There could be insurance implications if you had an "issue" while they were fitted.
It may be worth contacting Thule Australia or their agent to see what the story is about them locally.

**4thchicken** · 28-07-2010, 04:39 PM

found out the hard way a couple of weeks ago when off to buller that I couldnt hire chains for my RS from the ski shop. Somewhat surprised and annoyed at that fact as had assumed all 'standard' wheels (ie comes with car as standard spec) would be chainable. Meant that the next time I went to the snow (last weekend) and in any future trips, I cant actually take my RS and need to borrow someone else's car.

Dont suppose skoda australia would have chains that they sell/would work?

**K1W1** · 28-07-2010, 07:02 PM

There are plenty of places in Melbourne who hire chains try one of those.

I had the same problem with my Land Rover a couple of years ago. One size oversize tyres and no chains of the correct size at the hire place in Bright or somewhere that way. As the sun was shining and the forecast was great I just hired the standard size chains knowing that they would not fit, that nobody ever checks that you have the correct sized chains and that I (hopefully) wouldn't need them. I didn't need them so it worked out well. I wouldn't do that with a 2WD car and I certainly aren't recommending that anybody else does it.

**shayne** · 10-08-2010, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the info and tips. And nice to here that the Scout handled the blizzard conditions up and down Hotham.

Originally Posted by IBN

We don't have may options really. Of the last 4 VAG cars, none of them were "apporoved" to run chains on the "summer" rim/tyre combinations. Somehow, I managed to find workable chain solutions for all cars. Warranty problems? Dunno. We only need to run chains on the front wheels unlike some of the more grand SUVs which require traction aids on all 4 wheels to avoid screwing up the all wheel drive systems that are used.
Options?
A second set of winter tyres and rims? Pricey. Awkward
Buy an Audi

The dealers offer, or at least did offer a temporary exchange service to get people up to the snow on winter tyres. Don't see our Skoda dealers offering this service
Auto socks? Seems like an excellent option, except, they are not understood here in Victoria.
Other traction aids? Have hunted for them. More choice OS, but might be a bugger to get them here.
Chains? The problem that we have is clearance b/w the tyre and the suspension strut. You just have to get something that fits in there without fouling. For the Scout at least, fouling on the guard does not seem to be a risk as the car sits pretty high. Damage to alloys? This one you will have to check yourself. For me, I do not see it as a problem.
At the end of the day you have to carry something. The K7s were the only option available at the time. They fit. They work, but because of the small link size, they are horribly fiddly and probably would not work in deep snow. Hopefully you will never need whatever you get - you are driving an AWD after all. I made it up and down Hotham last winter in blizzard conditions with no problems. Impressive really, seeing as the Scout comes equipped only with road tyres.
Good luck in your quest,
Ivars

**shayne** · 10-08-2010, 12:15 PM

Heath at Bayford Skoda has promised an answer to this one......but that was several weeks ago and nothing yet......but have faith in Heath letting me know when he knows.