Snow cars are a staple in the winter driving experience, but they have a lot more going for them than just being able to go snow-capped pretty quick. While they do help to keep our roads from becoming impassable within an hour of falling, their real magic comes from how they work. If you’ve ever had to drive your car or a heavy truck on icy roads, you know how tricky it can be. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that most of this article is about what snow chains do and don’t do. You see, if you drive a standard car with no special equipment like anti-lock brakes or traction control, then the chances of getting stuck, getting the heck out of there, and not having any serious damage are pretty high. That’s why using snow chains is important; they help keep your wheels turning while also giving you an advantage over other drivers and road conditions. Let’s take a look at exactly what they are and how they work – and stay safe while doing it!
How Do Snow Chains Work
1. They dig their way through snowy and icy roads
When you’re driving on snow or ice, your tires aren’t really touching the ground. The reason for this is because of how slick they are. That’s why it’s so easy to get stuck in the first place. When your tires aren’t touching the ground, they can spin all day long, but you won’t be going anywhere! That’s where snow chains come into play. They act as a shovel; they dig their way through the icy or snowy road and get your tires in contact with something that will actually move you forward!
2. They increase traction with a simple design
Snow chains help keep your wheels moving by offering more traction than just plain old winter tires could ever hope to offer. It accomplishes this by using a simple design – it has spikes on it! These spikes dig into the road and give you more traction than if they weren’t there at all! Now here’s where things get tricky: the spikes dig into only one tire at a time, so you need to make sure that you put them on correctly, or else you could end up doing more harm than good! To make sure that this doesn’t happen, there are instructions included with every set of snow chains that explain exactly how to put them on properly. You also have to make sure that you’re putting them on the right tires. Snow chains are only meant to be used on the back tires of your car or truck. If you put them on the front, then you could end up with a very bad accident!
3. They use friction to get you moving again
Snow chains also use friction to help get your wheels moving again. The spikes dig into the road, and that allows for more friction between your tires and the road. This is what helps you move forward when other cars aren’t going anywhere! Now here’s where things get tricky: if there isn’t any snow or ice on the road for some reason, then snow chains won’t work! That’s because they won’t dig in and give you all that extra traction that we talked about earlier in this article. So if it’s just a little bit icy, then snow chains probably aren’t going to do all that much for you. but if it’s really icy and slippery, then they’ll make all the difference in getting you out of a sticky situation!
4. They can be used in any weather
As we’ve already mentioned, snow chains can be used in any weather. They’re not just for winter! Sure, they’re great for winter because that’s when it’s the most slippery and icy, but you don’t have to wait until then to use them. If you live somewhere where it snows a lot or if you like to go skiing every year, then you might want to invest in some snow chains just in case! You never know when the road is going to get icy or if there will be snow on the ground and it will just make your drive so much easier. But remember that snow chains aren’t meant for summertime! It doesn’t matter how hot it gets outside; they are only meant to be used during the winter months because of how cold they get inside your car and on your tires!
5. They can be used for all different sizes of tires
Snow chains can be used for all different sizes of tires. When you buy them, they’ll come with instructions that tell you exactly how to put them on your tires. But in a nutshell, they’re meant to fit around your tire like a belt, and when you use the tensioning device on the side to tighten them down so that they don’t fall off when you’re driving! The best thing is that no matter how big or small your tire is, snow chains will fit it! And if you have a lot of people in your car or truck who might not be able to fit in their seats because the snow chains are too tight, don’t worry! There are instructions included with every set of snow chains explaining how to use them on larger vehicles. It’s easy and it’s safe – just follow the instructions carefully!
What Are the Different Types of Snow Chains?
1. S-shaped snow chains
S-shaped snow chains are the most common type of snow chains you’ll find. They’re made out of a strong, durable, and flexible material that’s meant to fit around your tires like a belt and grip onto the surface of your tire so that you won’t slip or slide when you’re driving on the snowy roads! The S-shape design is great because it can be used for any size tire, so no matter how big or small your tires are, snow chains will fit them. They’re also great because they can be used in any weather condition. It doesn’t matter if it’s hot outside or cold outside – these snow chains will work just fine!
2. V-shaped snow chains
V-shaped snow chains are another type of common chain that people use for their cars. The difference between S and V is that this type is meant to wrap around your tire like an actual belt rather than just an S shape! So if you have a very large SUV or truck with really big tires, this might be the best option for you! The V shape is not only useful for larger vehicles with bigger tires but it also gives more traction than an S chain. It’s really easy to put on and take off, too! You don’t have to worry about messing up the tensioning device because there isn’t one; they’re all separate pieces that snap together on either side so they’ll stay in place no matter what. And like S chains, they’re meant to be used in any kind of weather, so you won’t have to worry about the snow melting and making them useless!
3. Barrel chains
Barrel snow chains are another really popular type of chain that people use for their cars and trucks. The main difference between these and the previous two options is that this one has a tensioning device attached to it! So if you have a big truck or SUV with really big tires, this might be the perfect option for you! These chains are not only great for large vehicles but also for larger tires. It’s easy to use because all you have to do is pull on the side of your tire until it’s tight enough to fit your vehicle, then put on the chain and go! You don’t have to worry about buying extra parts or instructions because they come with everything you need right out of the box! And like barrel chains, they’re great in any weather condition – hot or cold – so no matter what season it is outside, these will work just fine!
4. Multi-purpose snow chains
Multi-purpose snow chains are very unique in that they can be used for any kind of vehicle: cars, trucks, SUVs…anything! This makes them very convenient because you don’t have to buy an entire set if you only need something for one vehicle. They’re also really easy to use because all you have to do is tighten down a few pieces on either side of your tire and you’re good to go! You’ll never have to worry about them breaking or falling off either because they’re made of very high-quality material. And no matter what the weather is like outside, you can use these chains without any problems! You don’t have to worry about them melting in the summer heat or freezing in the winter cold. They’re just perfect all-around!
Why Is Using Snow Chaining Important?
Snow chains can help you drive on snowy roads
It’s no secret that snow and ice can be very slippery. When you’re driving on a slippery road, it’s really easy to lose control of your vehicle, which is why it’s so important to have snow chains with you in the wintertime. Because they help grip the road and keep your tires from slipping and sliding, they can make your drive much safer and more secure. They’ll also reduce the chances of skidding or losing control because they’ll give you much better traction than you would have otherwise!
They won’t damage your tires
Snow chains are not heavy or cumbersome like other tire chains that people use during the winter season. These are made out of very lightweight material so they won’t put pressure on your tires or damage them in any way. Even if you use these for a long period of time, there is no way that they will cause any kind of tire damage!
You don’t need an expensive car to use them
Some people think that snow chains are only for those who own an expensive car or truck because they’re too expensive to buy otherwise, but this is not true at all! In fact, most snow chains cost less than $100! This price range makes them accessible to anyone who owns a vehicle – whether it’s new or old – as long as it has at least four wheels and two axles you know the basics!
The Bottom Line
The benefits of snow chains are pretty much unlimited; they keep your wheels from turning in the snow and cold, they keep your car from sliding, and they can even be used as a tool for avalanche rescue. While it is a good idea to use them, it is also important to stay safe while doing it. Enforcement of traffic laws is key, as is wearing the correct equipment. Avoid using an olive branch when dealing with the law. Use a chain for everything and a chain for everything.