AUTONEWS

What type of tire chain is best

Although the winter tire set must be installed below 7 degrees, there may be situations where this is not sufficient for safe driving. Due to the increasingly extreme weather, more snow can fall at any time when only the snow chain can help us, especially when driving out of town. In many European countries, this winter is a mandatory car, so it is especially important to pay attention to this when planning a trip or a ski trip abroad. LeasePlan, the market leader in fleet management, has collected the most important information about the various snow chains and gives advice on when, where and how to use them.

In Hungary, the snow chain is not a mandatory accessory in winter, but depending on the weather and road conditions it can happen that “The use of snow chains is ​​mandatory” We see a sign on a stretch of road, which indicates that the tires must be equipped with snow chains on at least one driving axle of the vehicle (car, agricultural tractor, slow moving vehicle), so it is highly recommended to put them on the boot. Pay special attention to traffic rules when crossing the border. Requirements vary across Europe, but in most places it is mandatory to bring a snow chain with you and in other countries it is recommended. The strictest regulations require a winter tire between November 1st and April 30th, and the car must be equipped with an amount and size of snow chains suitable for the number of wheels driven. What kind of snow chains are there?

The basic function of the snow chain is to ​​improve the traction of the car's wheels on snow and icy roads. There are many solutions on the market to solve this problem, so the choice is not an easy one. The equipment can cost up to 150 thousand forints (Hungary currency), but it is not worth saving as it is used in an emergency. Let's see what you need to know about snow chain and what tools there are in addition to that:

Traditional snow chain...The most common type and compatible tool is the classic snow chain made of metal with longitudinal and transverse chain links. We can get this for only 3,000 forints, but with this cheap type we don't want too much due to the poor quality, it's good to show it to the police if you ask. The best varieties, which really help the problem, start at around 8,000 forints.

Snow chain is sold in pairs and in various sizes, so we need to know the size of the winter tire when buying, as only the right chain can be used safely. The smaller one cannot be mounted and the larger one cannot be attached to the wheel. The loop on the chains is also different, so it is also important to pay attention to the shape of the tire when installed. For passenger cars, it is recommended to choose a version that combines the longitudinal and transverse orientation of the trapezoid or diamond-shaped chain, for example, which has a lateral orientation and good heading. It is best to avoid the snow chain with a ladder pattern , as the wheel may stop so that the chain does not touch the ground.

There are automatic and manual voltage currents for equipment difficulty. The latest version is cheaper, but requires more physical strength to tighten the chains. As the snow chain is held in place by tension springs and buckles, the car wheel must be rotated for loading and unloading, which is not always an easy task, especially if snow has already blocked half of the cycle path. moreover, the chain with ice is more difficult to remove than to put it on. Snow wire chain helps make assembly and disassembly easier and faster. For example, a device called an Ice Man instead of a Cape Bowdenl chain is made and does not require turning the wheel to charge. Also, it has a smaller diameter than regular snow chains, so it fits better in the wheel drum and doesn't damage the plastic insert of the drum.

How to install a snow chain?...By no means do we want to get rid of snow chains in a sharp position, frozen in snow, but after purchase, consult the user manual and try the process a few times in a dry, warm place. It is advisable to remember and try again with each fall for safety. It is not possible to use a snow chain on certain models of certain tire sizes or car brands, so please check our private label service website.

When it snows, it's a good idea to pack an extra coat or thick blanket in the car, which you can kneel on during installation, and wear gloves so you don't stiffen your hands.

Installation steps:

-Prepare everything correctly according to TRAFFIC: step away, apply the parking brake, display the jam indicator, put on the visibility vest and remove the snow chain from the trunk.

-Place the snow chain in front of the motorized wheel according to the instructions on the box.

-Thread the snow chain around the wheel and secure the cable to the wheel, being careful not to twist the chain.

-Thread the chain to the front wheel rim (also per the instructions for that snow chain).

-Distribute the current evenly across the floor.

-Connect the two ends of the chain using the tensioner.