Snow Chain Considerations

The subject of snow chains creates debate even among the most safety-conscious drivers.

There are different views of their use, depending on location and driving conditions. Some drivers face a workday on icy roads; others live in areas that are snow covered for almost half a year, while many face a few inches only occasionally. Steep northwest terrain is vastly different from flat northeastern roads, plus driving style and experience also play a part in the need for extra precaution. Snow tires or studded tires can aid with traction, but quite often “snow chains” are installed onto regular tires for extra control on slippery or snow packed surfaces.

When considering snow chains, a consumer should be aware of local requirements. In certain parts of the U.S., highway patrol may stop and check to ensure chains are available, even for 4 wheel drive vehicles and jeeps. There are other scenarios where chains are not legal, so a check with local authorities is advisable. A trickier question is whether the drive will change from snow-covered to dry roads; driving with chains on dry pavement damages the road, the chains, and the vehicle itself. There are certain snow chain products that can be activated with a flip of a switch from inside the car or without tools, but actual chain installation requires a trip to a garage or an investment in time and energy (although special ramps may be purchased to make this easier).

A concern could involve the heavy steel in snow chains and cables causing damage to the vehicle’s tires and wheels, and becoming rusty. There are now products constructed of plastic/polyurethane that avoid these problems while being lighter and durable, but their effectiveness for any particular vehicle should be investigated.

It also does not appear that agreement can be reached among snow chain users regarding their optimum position. Some vehicle owners prefer to install chains on their front wheels of a rear wheel drive vehicle, believing this helps in steering, although some argue it does not help the front wheels with sideway gripping. Others put chains in the rear, believing that it’s the wheels with the power that need more traction. Many put them on all 4 wheels, regardless of the type of drive!

Many issues need to be considered, but snow chains may just turn out to be the best safety option for a vehicle, location, and driving conditions.

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