Snow Chains

You will see snow chains advertised in specialist media and some people do carry them in the winter to get them out of trouble - or perhaps further into trouble.

There are various types of what are referred to as snow chains. Without going into details, the aim is to give extra grip on ice and snow and allow the vehicle to maintain forward movement. In the UK there is virtually no real need for snow chains, and if you do use them you should be aware that you must only use them on snow or ice covered roads - it is an offence to use snow chains on tarmac - and anyway, they would damage your tyres. So, given the UK norm there is either, no real need for snow chains, or you would be in and out of your car mounting and demounting them every couple of hundred yards.

In Europe there are some roads, particularly in Austria and Switzerland where you cannot drive without either four wheel drive or snow chains in winter. There can also be extended stretches of roadway throughout Europe with snow covering, in which case it might be worthwhile using snow chains. However, in most cases, winter tyres will do the job.

For advice on buying snow chains for use in snow, this is what Michelin say "Make sure when you buy ones that are suitable for the bodywork of your vehicle and the size of your tyres. For preference, choose chains that have the maximum number of elements (links) in the contact patch (a chain with a diamond or straight pattern, having at least twelve bars for a medium tyre). Once you have bought them, practise putting them on and taking them off. It's always easier in daylight than during night. And consider putting them in your boot in an easily accessible place, together with a pair of gloves and a torch, just in case."

If we step up a grade from cars there are some commercial operations that make regular use of chains, sometimes to give grip, sometimes to protect their tyres. These quarrying and forestry operations use some heavy duty equipment that allows them to work in extreme conditions. The quarrying operations use a tight chain that protects against tyre penetration by sharp objects, the forestry chains are more open and are there to give grip in slippery soil, permafrost and can grab tree roots and stumps and give vehicles with high floatation tyres grip in slow moving low traction situations.

That latter option is one that is also available to the commercial 4x4 user operating in extreme circumstances. Chains on 4x4 vehicles can give added traction in the snow, but also in deep mud and certain types of sand. However, they are not really an acceptable option for the average farm track or green lane.