In view of the bad weather that arrives with snowfall even in Attica, chains are mandatory in every car. However, beyond their existence in the trunk, drivers must know how to choose the right ones for their car, but, of course, also how to install them.
Why chains?
Chains are the necessary accessory that will “dress up” the wheel and give it the opportunity to stop sliding and spin, regaining traction.
That is, the car’s tire does not succeed in such conditions if it is a summer tire, i.e. the usual one that is placed on the majority of cars.
Yes, but which chains?
The main condition is that they fit the car and not to proceed with “chain yes and whatever” solutions. We choose the number that corresponds to the wheel – tire dimensions and the corresponding quality (value and manufacturer) that our pocket allows.
If the use is one off, i.e. logically they are unnecessary, the cheap solution makes sense, but the frequent presence in winter terrain makes the investment in something branded imperative. Another important factor is the ease of installation.
Usually the high cost is also accompanied by convenience without being taken for granted, but it goes without saying that the more expensive is definitely better quality in materials and application.
Blanket-sock type solutions are not chains and we find them abusively in the category. Clearly, they are anti-slip and certainly easier to install, even by untrained hands. They are flexible and very light, have the advantage of space and are a good reason to always have them stored in the car.
The disadvantage is that if they are not of good quality they will quickly overflow and will not touch the wheel, while in any case even if they are of first quality, their use on icy and wild surfaces is prohibited because they will simply tear.
This is also the reason why mainstream anti-skid chains prevail in efficiency and range of use. They require a little more study and practice in their application, but they do not ask you to have specialized knowledge.
By removing one of the clean floor mats that you will find inside the car, you ensure your knee is dry, while a preparation training before the cold phenomenon will limit despair and irritation. Remember that it is best for conditions where there is snow or mostly ice between the wheel and the asphalt, but not when there is no cold snow product.
Yes, understandable! It’s boring, but the chain heats up when it comes into contact with the asphalt, and as it gets stressed, it stresses and destroys vital mechanical parts of the car. Categorization also exists in anti-slip chains where depending on the investment you gain quality and degree of convenience.
Those with 12 mm rings are clearly more effective in snow and mainly ice and are used in most cars. For special cases of cars with low profile tires and short ground clearance we find 10mm and 9mm chains.
Installation of anti-slip chains
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Lay the chain out in front of you for a visual, then run the plastic-coated wire rope behind the wheel.
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Join the two ends of the inside of the wheel at its upper edge and spread the chain across the tread of the tire and in front of you.
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Since the inner tire cheeks are touching the now joined circular wire rope, join the ends of the chain and forcefully pull the free section of the smaller diameter chain (usually colored red) through the built-in roller.
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We grab where there is a slot for it to stretch and the end of it that ends in a hook we make sure it is stretched as much as possible.
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As a conclusion we move the car to see if the chain maintains a correct fit. We stretch again if necessary and we are ready for use.
For the use of anti-skid chains, drivers should bear in mind that:
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The more wheel tread area covered by the traction chain, the better the traction, as its bumps are what do the work on snow or ice.
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Anti-skid chains are placed on the drive wheels. Even if someone doesn’t know where they are in their car, they’ll know it the moment they turn.
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In a four-wheel drive car, they are ideally placed on all wheels, since you are looking for maximum traction. On the other hand, it is not necessary to have two pairs of anti-skid chains and their use depends on the type of four-wheel drive.
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A 4WD with front-wheel drive (most SUVs) is good to accept the front chains, while a traditional 4×4, the rear. In any case, the manufacturer’s manual has the answer for the correct placement of the chains in the car you drive.
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The driver’s handling must be smooth and not sharp to ensure the most traction from the drive wheels, which also applies to the steering wheels (as long as it is not front-wheel drive).
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The recommended speed for a vehicle when wearing anti-skid chains should not exceed 30 to 40 km/h.
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For the installation and maintenance of the anti-skid chains, drivers should consult the installation and maintenance instructions provided. For example, a wash after each use will remove the salt used on the roads and revitalize their functionality in the next use.
Watch the video:
Source: TopGear.gr
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