Yup a mat helps for coming out of the snow bog. But when it's already that far you need a mat to get out you most probably wont get far in your car without chains. So simply putting a set of chains in your car is your best bet for the worst situations
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.JPG) what Zuma says my chains were £25 and I've used them a fair bit the last 2 winters - every day for a week before last Christmas I couldn't warrant the cost of winter tyres -as they wear fairly quickly compared to normal tyres unless actually on snow all the time - and how long does that happen for in most of the UK?
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 Wear rate on winter tyres off snow is comparable with normal tyres, as is cost if they are bought at the right time of year.
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I'm with Ross. Rate of wear is more related to temperature than the surface - the winter tyre compound stays softer than summer compound at low temperatures so when I have used them, I have had two sets (summer set and winter set) - got the steel wheels (complete with summer set) from a scrap yard for not much money and just did a swop over twice a year. Main reason for the change - the winter set were mud and snow tyres, so quite an aggressive tread and therefore a bit noisy at times.
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Aye Gof - I think the wear would be quicker if they were left on year round. I do the 2 sets of wheels shuffle too (cheap 2nd hand alloys of ebay)
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 I'm still wondering why there's a discussion about cars on snow during the mildest Christmas period for donkey's years!
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I'll just have one p please, bob.
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 Never had snow tires. Or snow socks. Despite only having owned a succesion of cheap cars, i can't really remember having to turn back.
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Been turned back a couple of times - usually in heavy cars on regular tyres but have found alternative routes. Had plenty of difficulty. Where we live it's getting in & out of the village in a bad winter that's a problem or out of the street which isn't gritted or ploughed. Plus my work area can get snow quite bad & I'd hate not getting home.
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I should have said 'been turned back when others have got through'. Yes. i've had to get the shovel out, and have put stuff under the wheels to get traction. A gorse bush works quite well.
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wear rate is related to temperature, but winter tyre compound does wear slightly faster than summer tyre compound even at the temperatures they are designed for (<7*C). Round here, (E Devon) I know folks who have put winter tyres on a month ago in preparation but, no snow here and, it's hardly gone below 10*C most of the time..... Re Cost, Of course it costs more! (even if the summer ones are from a scrapper) 2(or 4 if you are really 'keen') extra tyres and rims cost more than no extra tyres and rims (or even plenty more than £25 for a set of chains) - let alone the time it takes to change them. Some people pay for that aswell....
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The extra wheels are optional & can be had very cheap - the cost of the tyres averages out as they aren't on all year & therefore both sets last longer. If you just have the one set of wheels you just need to cultivate a relationship with your local independent tyre supplier to swap the tyres for cheap or free. My supplier is even storing my regular wheels/tyres foc. Sure - there is the initial outlay but as I say it should even out if done properly. However my comment a few posts up re cost was for the price of winter tyres v regular tyres. Shop around & buy in the summer & they shouldn't cost any more than regular tyre. (I say regular tyres as I don't believe there is such as tyre as a summer tyre?)
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winter tyres do not wear quicker than normal tyres as long as the temp is below 7 C degrees. And there is the real problem nowadays, when do you put them under your car and when do you change them again for the summer tyres
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Interesting discussion - just had 4 winter tyres fitted to my car, Klebers. They have the 3 peaks symbol (so designed for the worst conditions) but usable year round. No difference in noise or fuel consumption - and got free rims, too. The 'wheel hotel' costs just £1/month. The standard energy savers/my car are crap in the snow, partly as they are fairly wide. I have chains, too, used them for years and they are great, but a pain to keep putting on and taking off when you get to main roads. Two (or three?) winters ago we were involved with major snow problems on a main road and had to turn round many cars stuck in snow. Those with wide, low profile tyres were dreadful for traction, whereas little hatchbacks like 206s were fine. A BMW estate, rear wheel drive, and a Passat estate stick in my mind as being the very worst on snow - hopeless.
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