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Do You Have a Reliable Set of Snow Chains for the Winter?

In many parts of the country, heavy snow during the depths of winter can make driving anywhere very difficult. For those people who may have to commute to work, for example, a layer of ice on the road can make the trip dangerous if the right precautions are not taken. In most cases, this means using good-quality tyre or snow chains.

How to Prepare for Using Snow Chains

Snow chains have been proven to be an effective method of dealing with ice and snow when driving a vehicle. They wrap around car tyres and provide much needed grip and traction when the ice has made it very difficult. In this context, they can be life savers. But how should you prepare to use them?

The thing to remember is that the chains are not always easy to get on. This is especially the case when there is snowy, icy weather and you’re struggling valiantly to install the chains while you’re on the side of the road.

The best way to use snow chains is to be thoroughly prepared. If you have just purchased a new set of snow chains, it’s wise to practice putting them on your car tyres during more pleasant weather. Take some time to unpack and place them on your tyres when the weather is sunny. This means that you’ll be well practised for the winter time.

When Should Snow Chains Be Used?

It’s important to only use snow chains when there are layers of snow and ice on the roads that you intend to travel on. If you know that the roads have been salted or cleared, you should probably remove the snow chains. This is because the chains themselves can do damage to the road and to your tyres if they are not used in the conditions that they were intended for.

Consequently, this may mean that you have to stop your car on the side of the road in a safe space and remove the chains. This is also when it’s useful to have practised taking them on and off during more clement weather beforehand.

Here are some tips for driving with snow chains in the UK:

  • Taking Care: Just because you have snow chains on your tyres doesn’t mean that you can suddenly drive without care. In fact, you will need to be aware that you should not be driving over thirty miles per hour even with the chains installed. The snow chains may help get more grip on the road but they don’t mean that you can drive without fear or care.
  • Where to Install: If you’re driving a two-wheel-drive vehicle, you should always place the snow chains on the wheels attached to the drive axle. In rear-wheel-drive cars, this will be the rear tyres. This is the very least that you should do if you are lacking in time but ideally you would put them on all four wheels. People driving 4WD vehicles should always place chains on all four of the tyres without question.

Snow and ice on the roads can be dangerous if the right precautions are not taken. This is why it’s always good to have a set of snow chains.

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