What are winter tires and what are they used for compared to chains?
Driving in the winter on public roads can be pretty risk-free as long as you don’t go off-roading through a snowy mountain or drive across a frozen lake.
To make it secure, all that is required is for us to be aware of the available resources.
As a result of the fact that most motorists are not accustomed to driving in such conditions, our two most reliable allies are not well known to us.
They are as follows: Tires for the winter or chains? Which is better? Let’s not lose our cool.
Because both options have positive and negative aspects, the question of which one is superior cannot be answered.
It will be determined by the style of driving you are accustomed to and the kinds of roads that you typically travel on.
Therefore, in this article, we will analyze the conditions under which one is valid and then compare those conditions to those under which the other is valid.
Snow chains must be carried in the vehicle at all times in certain countries like Spain.
Despite this, a lot of people who drive don’t even have them in their homes; therefore, it is not a bad idea to keep in mind that they are required.
Authorities in charge of traffic control have particular regulations for snow tires.
Andorra, which has a predominantly mountainous terrain, is one of the countries that has already passed legislation making it mandatory to wear them during certain times of the day.
Your experience will be essential to observe a progression in the laws governing traffic worldwide.
Before we get started, we have to ensure that the driver understands that regardless of which course of action he decides to take, he is responsible for ensuring that the tire quality and chain quality are at their highest possible levels.
This is because a low-quality product could result in a disastrous situation.
What exactly are winter tires, though?
There is a widespread lack of knowledge on this topic, and as a result, some common misconceptions are inaccurate.
Some motorists have the misconception that winter tires can only be used when driving on roads that are covered in snow, but this is not the case.
You can equip them at the start of the winter season and keep them supplied throughout its conclusion.
Installing winter tires on your vehicle will give you added peace of mind if you live in or plan to visit colder climates.
The tread design of winter tires makes it easier for water to escape, and their compound, which is primarily composed of silica, responds to a drop in temperature in a much more favorable manner than regular tires do because the rubber does not become as brittle as it does in common tires.
In addition, the lugs have been laminated to make them more grippy in the snow, and the sidewalls have been made more elastic so that there is a greater surface area in contact with the ground.
When we consider their benefits, we can see that winter tires are beneficial throughout the entire cold season. This is something that stands out when we think about it.
After doing so, you will have completed all of the necessary steps, and you will not need to worry about putting on snow chains.
That’s not all: driving in cold weather becomes very comfortable, and the issue of braking, one of the most significant concerns of drivers, is resolved thanks to the tire, which generates a great deal of braking efficiency.
At a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius, for instance, a winter tire can cut the stopping distance by up to 22 percent. Additionally, it does not disrupt the operation of the ABS or ESP systems.
The level of protection they offer us is pretty high.
What exactly are the issues? The most significant drawback of utilizing this technology is that it is noticeably more expensive than snow chains.
Simply put, the price of a winter tire is already 10 percent higher than the price of a regular tire.
In addition, it is essential to remember that not all winter tires enable driving without using chains.
This is because winter tires are not to be confused with M+S (Mud & Snow) or mud and snow tires, which are mounted as standard on many SUVs.
M+S tires are designed to handle a wide variety of terrain, both in the winter and summer, thanks to their tread pattern and composition.
Their deeper tread provides more excellent grip than conventional tires, but to legally replace chains in snowy or icy conditions, they must also carry the winter tire symbol.
That is to say, they are required to distinguish themselves from the other companies by incorporating a logo that depicts a mountain with three peaks and a snowflake within it.
The issues of space and upkeep are also critical factors to consider.
They are only advised to be used between October and March.
Higher, they become less effective and experience more signify when temperatures increase cant wear. In addition to this, their useful life is significantly reduced.
The minimum amount of tread depth that a wheel should have is 4 millimeters.
When not in use, these wheels will take up a significant amount of space, and over time, they may become dried out and lose some or all of their original properties.
If we do not have room to store the tires, we can leave them with the mechanic in case that is the case.
This service, commonly known as “tire storage,” is not yet very well known; however, it is more widespread than it may appear, and we can be confident that our reliable workshop will inform us without any issues.
What exactly are snow chains?
It is the alternative that will save you the most money. There is an ever-increasing variety of makes and models available, but fundamentally speaking, they are all the same thing.
And we reiterate that this is the most cost-effective choice because some individuals would instead put the least amount of money toward their safety.
In addition, they deteriorate slowly, which means that their useful life is very long, regardless of whether or not they are used frequently. In addition, they don’t take up much room in the trunk.
These qualities are very appealing, but we need to be clear about when to use them appropriately.
Chains are only used in particular circumstances, specifically when there is significant ice or snow on the road.
It’s fun to brag that you have chains and make jokes about when you’ll have to start wearing them.
Chains are great for this. Because herein lies the catch: the process of putting on the chains.
Putting them on is not as straightforward as it might first appear. It is necessary to stop the vehicle and check that they are being put on correctly. All of this typically occurs during unfavorable weather conditions, such as when it is freezing or when there is heavy snowfall. It’s also possible that a law enforcement official is grinning as they look at you.
When attaching chains to your vehicle, there is no room for anxiety. If you do it incorrectly, you could end up with a broken-down car and a difficult time behind the wheel.
Because not all vehicles can mount them, you will need to check the manual that came with your car.
Another issue that is not any less significant is that the braking performance of summer tires is inferior to that of winter tires, and summer tires can interfere excessively with ABS systems.
Should I get snow tires or chain attachments for my tires?
It is recommended that you equip your vehicle with winter tires if your plans for the upcoming winter season include frequent travel through cold areas.
This could be because you live in a cold room or want to spend some time in a hard place.
They are indeed more expensive, and it is also true that you won’t know where to store them for the remaining months of the year.
Yes, you will regret buying them during the summer because you used the money you would have spent on ice cream to purchase tires instead.
However, throughout the winter, your perspective will undergo a dramatic shift.
On the road, you will experience more comfort and safety. Just consider that operating a vehicle with these tires rather than chains is a much more natural experience.
When traveling 50 kilometers per hour through the snow at a temperature of 7 degrees Celsius, the stopping distance with these tires is only 32 meters, whereas it is 63 meters with conventional tires.
Incredible, wouldn’t you say so? Applying new technology is profitable, but that’s not all.
When traveling 80 kilometers per hour on a wet road at a temperature of 7 degrees Celsius, the braking distance is 34 meters instead of 40 meters for conventional ones.
Because of this, having winter tires on our vehicles will provide a high level of safety for us in challenging conditions in which we have not attached the chains.
On specific stretches of highway in certain countries, the use of chains is prohibited (indicated by a red traffic level), and the only type of tires that can be driven on is a set designated as winter tires.
Most cases, information regarding these occurrences can be found on display panels.
When we plan a route, it is essential to be proactive and determine in advance whether or not the official bodies in the areas we must travel through prohibit the use of chains.
If you live in a place where it is warm even in the winter, such as a city on the coast, and you only want to go to the mountains occasionally, you don’t necessarily need to buy tires or carry chains in your car.
You can get away with just moving chains. As is the case with everything else in this life, prevention is preferable.
Some industry experts advise transporting both technologies at all times—one fully operational and the other stashed away in the trunk.
Even so, we also recommend taking driving courses on snow or ice because the value of any tool is diminished if the person using it does not know how to utilize it properly.
If you drive poorly, replacing your tires or chains won’t make much difference.
And above all else, never do something as reckless as getting on the road or continuing a trip when the road conditions are so bad that it is physically impossible to do so.
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