Snow chains

Snow chains help to improve wheel gripping with low-quality road surface. They are put on vehicle wheels, for example, on snow-covered road areas, ice-covered climbs, dirt-covered route sections.

What are the types of snow chains

Manufacturers’ catalogues include accessories for passenger, cargo and commercial vehicles, and also for off-roaders. They differ by maximum permissible load value. Often these accessories are sold in kits of 2 or 4.

They are made of different materials. In most cases they are steel, rubber, nylon, plastics. Metal devices perfectly cope with off-road areas but require moving at low speed. At the same time they are characterized by a significant weight which makes their mounting and storing more difficult. The elastic materials are less effective in conditions of sticky and loose surfaces but they are easier in use.

Snow chains also differ by size. In case if you choose unsuitable ones, you can damage elements of suspension, steering mechanism and braking system.

Snow chaincharacteristics depend on its pattern. For example, it can be:

• Straight links located perpendicularly to edges of tyre ends (ladder pattern). They are perfectly suitable for mudding areas, but not very effective on the snow-covered road.
• Crossed diagonal elements (rhombus pattern). They are characterized by good contact with the road surface, can be used only at car low speed.
• Diagonal links that form a broken line (triangle pattern). They are optimal on the snow-covered road but cope with dirt worse.
• Parallel to each other diagonal elements. They are good on different off-road types.

Features of snow chains use

1. Carefully study the instruction. Installed incorrectly accessories can damage tyres.
2. To install them lift every wheel one-by-one with the help of the screw jack.
3. After accessories are installed, perform test-drive at low speed: make several metres on the hard surface. Then stop driving, examine them and correct their position if necessary.
4. Stick to speed limits specified by the manufacturer when using snow chains.
5. Demount them after passing a problem road area. They are not made for long use on asphalt.
6. If the accessories get out of order you should stop the car and remove them. Otherwise you can damage car parts located near the wheel unit.

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