Snow chains: which to choose? A guide to help you select the right one.

What points should you consider before buying snow chains? Between the size of your car tires, the thickness of the links, and the chain designs (whether they are ladder, Y-shaped, or cross-link), the differences in performance on snow are significant.

• Chain with reinforced cross links, designed for better road holding.

The choice of pattern is important; it determines the price but also the road holding.

Good car chains guarantee starting and braking.
Only cross-link chains allow you to drive on icy roads.

Should you buy cheap chains for occasional use?

Avoid at all costs cheap ladder-pattern snow chains or those prohibited in some European countries. Theprice difference

The choice will depend on two factors: firstly, the chain’s resistance to bitumen and corrosion, and secondly, its ease of installation and its grip on snow-covered surfaces.

An important element is the mounting system. On inexpensive chains, this is often simple but complex to install. Unless you’re handy, avoid the cheapest options. A car equipped with cross-link chains can easily drive on icy surfaces without too much difficulty, provided you remain cautious and a good driver. How to keep your snow chains in good condition? Maintaining snow chains is an important step in keeping them in good condition. To prevent any damage, they must be properly attached to the tires and tightened after a few wheel rotations. Other precautions should be taken, which you will find in our advice section. To avoid wearing out and damaging your snow chains, the first piece of advice is to know how to install them correctly. After purchasing them, familiarize yourself with the installation process. Don’t wait until the last minute to fit them. Improperly fitted snow chains can quickly damage your vehicle and, above all, accelerate its deterioration. Before each trip, check the condition of your chains: Check the fastening system. Check if your chains are rusty. Check the thickness of the links and their condition.

After each winter season, maintain your chains:

Clean them with hot water to remove salt.

Let your chains dry before storing them.

Lightly rub the chains with a cloth dampened with engine oil.
To rinse snow chains, it is recommended to soak them in hot water for two hours. Then rinse them with clean water to remove the salt, which will accelerate rust.

It’s normal for your snow chains to have some minor rust spots. Corrosion is a natural process. The friction of the snow chain on the road removes the protective coating applied at the factory to prevent corrosion.

• Tips for keeping your snow chains in good condition:
• Like your tires, snow chains are subject to wear and tear. To slow their natural deterioration, it’s advisable to keep a few rules in mind. Follow these tips and your driving on snowy roads will be more pleasant.
• After fitting your chains, it’s recommended to drive a few hundred meters and then tighten them. This allows you to check that the grips are secure and to reposition them correctly. Some high-quality snow chains are self-tightening.
• Avoid driving on asphalt, as this causes faster deterioration than normal. If you must drive on a clear road without snow, then drive at a low speed.
• The maximum recommended speed on snow with snow chains is 50 km/h. For your safety, avoid reaching these speeds, and for proper chain maintenance, do not exceed 30 km/h.
• Snow chains, snow tires, or snow socks: Which to choose?

Before heading off on a ski vacation and driving on snowy mountain roads, it’s wise to consider the equipment investment:

snow chains, snow tires, or snow socks.

• These three pieces of equipment are equally useful in the mountains or on snowy roads. How do you choose and how do you install them?
• We’ll answer these questions with some helpful tips.
• Snow socks

are an alternative for driving on snowy roads. Much less expensive than chains and snow tires, they can be very useful during these challenging winter periods that we’re not used to.

Snow tiresSnow chains are often used by motorists forced to drive in mountainous regions. Nevertheless, more and more motorists caught off guard by the heavy snowfall of recent years are equipping themselves with them. Their cost requires some consideration, not to mention the cost of mounting and dismounting the tires each winter.

Snow chains, on the other hand, are used if you are certain that snow will cover the roads for some time. Fitting and removing them requires patience and technical skill, to the point that they are only fitted to vehicles when absolutely necessary.

Mountain regulations. Some mountain passes require special equipment to cross. It is common to encounter the gendarmerie in the mountains checking for proper equipment. Many testimonials and user reviews on discussion forums report that law enforcement officers prevent drivers from passing if they are not equipped with snow chains.

The highway code requires drivers to equip their vehicles with mountain chains or winter tires. When you see one of these signs on the road indicating the use of snow chains or snow tires, you are required to comply. Can snow chains be replaced with tire socks?

It is possible to equip your vehicle with snow socks, but when the signage requires you to use chains, you may be forced to turn back. Under no circumstances can tire socks replace the obligation to use chains.

However, some websites claim the opposite, explaining that if the packaging indicates they comply with the road sign, then your snow socks replace your car chains.

The different types of snow tires, winter tires, and studded tires

Winter tires differ from summer tires in their structure and rubber compound. The principle is to maintain a flexible rubber compound, increasing grip on slippery surfaces. Their structure is very different from other tires. With grooves for better traction, winter tires provide the driver with improved handling in curves and when starting, as well as good grip when braking.

Winter tires should not be confused with studded tires, also known as Nordic tires. The latter are regulated and cannot be used as you please. Winter Tires / Snow TiresStudded Tires

A winter tire is also called a winter tire; its soft rubber compound does not harden in the cold, unlike other tires. Furthermore, it is characterized by a structure made of small sipes that allow for better grip on the road. When the road is snowy or icy, if you are equipped with winter tires, you are safe on French roads. Snow tire or winter tire?

In reality, there is no difference. Professionals now prefer to call them “winter tires.” Technological advancements have allowed manufacturers like Michelin to offer more comfortable and quieter tires. Until the 1990s, winter tires provided a very poor driving experience, and the noise they made when in contact with the road was unpleasant. Those days are over.

How can you recognize a winter tire? Don’t worry about making a mistake. Firstly, their price is different, and secondly, you can recognize them by their tread pattern. However, the

are indicated on the sidewall of the tire. For non-English speakers,Mud and Snow means mud and snow.

Some also use a
logo

consisting of three peaks and a snowflake as an indicator. This information indicates that the tires’ effectiveness in winter conditions has been verified by tests.

Are winter tires necessary? If you’re looking for an answer to this question, it’s because you don’t live in eastern France or in the Alps and Pyrenees. If you go to the mountains for a week each year and think you can avoid using snow chains, you’ll be disappointed to learn that snow tires don’t replace car chains or snow socks. If you’re interested in this topic, see our article “Snow Chains, Snow Tires, or Snow Socks: Which to Choose?”When should you put on snow tires? Snow tires are used these days as soon as the temperature drops below 7°C (45°F). Whether it’s snowing or not, you can consider buying snow tires. Manufacturers claim that the rubber of your all-season tires hardens in the cold, resulting in a loss of grip. Winter tires, on the other hand, are made of a softer, more pliable rubber compound.

Furthermore, those who claim they will soon be mandatory are mistaken. The Ministry of Transport made this clear in its response:

(http://www.senat.fr/questions/base/2011/qSEQ110116816.html)

published last August in the Official Journal: “The highly varied climatic conditions encountered in our country do not justify establishing a general requirement for winter tires… Furthermore, this equipment is relatively expensive, requiring specific mounting and dismounting by a professional, and it is not useful to impose this on all our citizens given the limited expected benefits in terms of road safety.” Why buy winter tires?

That’s up to you. If your vehicle handles relatively well, it may not be necessary to buy them. If you live in an area with poor road access or are hesitant to drive, then this might be a solution to avoid getting stuck in traffic and being stranded on the side of the road.
In recent years, there has been more snow than usual. If you have had difficulty getting to work, then consider winter tires or snow socks. Textile snow chains: reliability and advantagesMade of polyester fibers, quick and easy to install on car wheels, they prevent skidding and slipping on ice, snow, and frozen surfaces. Less expensive than car chains,

the snow sock

also called a
textile chain
is reliable and compatible with winter tires. Before buying this type of equipment, it is best to know the advantages and disadvantages.

Made of polyester, this textile covering the front wheels provides excellent road grip on slippery surfaces. Snow socks are primarily used on snow-covered roads. They are approved by the French authorities, meaning you can use them on any type of vehicle and on any road surface in France.

Polyester is a synthetic textile fiber, the best-known examples being Tergal and Dacron. It is the most widely produced synthetic fiber in the world. How do snow socks work and how do you install them? This type of equipment is positioned on the vehicle’s drive wheels in the same way as snow chains, but it’s incredibly easy to install. Very simple to fit, it slips onto the tire using elastic bands, allowing you to put it on in less than 2 minutes. Simply place the elastic band behind the wheel and adjust it so that the polyester band is level with the tire tread. Once fitted, it resembles a cover. The friction of this cover on the snow creates static electricity, providing better traction.

Why buy textile snow chains?
Some websites, particularly online stores selling automotive equipment, claim that you can replace your car chains with snow socks. Be wary of these claims if you plan on climbing mountain passes in 40 cm of powder snow.

Advantages and disadvantages of snow socks.

We recommend this type of equipment for its ease of installation. Those who commute to work in the morning on roads only partially cleared by road maintenance crews will find them quite comfortable.

Quick to install

Usable on ice, fresh snow, and slush

Compatible with standard all-season tires

Approved and usable on all road surfaces

• Can be driven at 50 km/h without risk of damage
• Very competitive price
• Lifespan of 200 km
• Very lightweight, they fit in a bag
• Adjustable to all tire sizes
• Quiet
• Textile snow chains are not without their drawbacks: you cannot drive on dry pavement without risking rapid damage. Car snow chains, on the other hand, can withstand this. Their lifespan is approximately 200 km, which may seem short for daily use. There are two major brands of snow socks: AUTOSOCK and POLAIRE.
• How to choose your winter tires?
• Before choosing winter tires for this winter, you must first determine your needs, your budget, and know the tire size.
• Changing your tires before winter can be done by a mechanic or you can mount them yourself, provided they are already mounted on rims. This is precisely what many people do when buying their winter tires.

Knowing the tire size:

You should, as far as possible, keep the same tire size as those already fitted to your car. To know how to “read a tire,” look at its sidewall. The size is marked on the sidewall. For example: 205 55 R16, which means it is 205 mm wide and 55 cm high. The letter “R” on the sidewall indicates that it is a radial tire. “16” indicates the tire’s inner diameter in inches (used to determine the rim diameter). The other letters indicate the tire’s hardness and maximum speed rating. Different size, change tire size.

You can change your tire size if you follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations. Another condition is that you must change all four tires. If all four tires are identical, then you are authorized to drive on the road.

Why change the size?

Wide tires increase your contact patch with the road. This gives you better grip on snow and ice. You also get superior handling on wet surfaces. However, this increased contact patch also increases fuel consumption. Winter tires aren’t a magic bullet.

Just because you have tires designed for snow and ice doesn’t mean you’re immune to going off the road. You’re in control, and you’re driving more like a driver than a racer. Don’t forget that!

Tips for driving safely on snow, rain, and ice.

Check your tire pressure.
Check their wear; a winter tire doesn’t tolerate the same wear threshold as an all-season tire.
Control your speed.

• Anticipate braking distances.
• Michelin Easy Grip composite snow chain.
• Easy Grip is the name given to the composite snow chain developed by Michelin
• in collaboration with Impex for distribution and Joubert Productions, a specialist in the manufacture of straps and nets. Unlike other metal chains, these are made of a composite material. Approved, Easy Grip chains are permitted when the B26 sign is present.

The technology is relatively recent, launched on the market and recognized in 2007, approved in 2009, and named product of the year in 2010. Joubert Productions and Michelin have developed an innovative product that is far superior to traditional metal snow chains.

How Michelin composite chains work.

They look remarkably like other snow chains, except they’re made of composite fabric. Quick and easy to install on car wheels, Easy Grip is designed to increase tire grip on snow and ice.

Durable and B26 approved.

After its market launch, Michelin obtained homologation. Tests proved that the Easy Grip snow chains meet the distance and durability requirements for snow chains. Some customer testimonials and reviews found on discussion forums indicate “good grip on snow and no unwanted vibrations.”
Customer and consumer reviews: In 2019, shortly after the product’s release, many motorists reported a lack of strength and tears in the cord. Many negative reviews highlighted installation difficulties. Based on these consumer reviews of the Easy Grip snow chains, it appears that minivan owners are the ones experiencing difficulties. Michelin had to ask Joubert Productions to address this problem.

Adaptability to all vehicles: Specially designed for cars with limited wheel arch clearance, such as those with low-profile tires, these composite chains are now compatible with all types of vehicles that can be fitted with snow chains. Refer to your car’s owner’s manual to find out if your vehicle can be fitted with snow chains. For vehicles declared unsuitable due to interior space limitations, you can consider TRAK chains from Polaire MAGGI Group. These chains are now available for use on sedans, 4x4s, motorhomes, and vans. Easy Grip is now available to cover more than 80% of the European vehicle fleet. Michelin Easy Grip snow chains must be fitted to the drive wheels of the vehicle.

Example of fitting Michelin Easy Grip composite snow chains
Easy Grip is a new generation of composite snow chains from Joubert Productions
on

Vimeo How much does it cost? Price of Michelin composite chains Cheaper than steel snow chains from the same brand. For example, Michelin Easy Grip chains in size 195/55/16 cost €99, while MICHELIN 4X4 EXTREM GRIP AUTOMATIC – 68 snow chains in the same size cost €121.79. TRAK Chains by Polaire MAGGI GroupTRAK snow chains are an innovation from the Polaire brand. Specifically designed to address the problem of limited clearance between the wheel and the vehicle body, Polaire has developed a simple and easy fitting system. TRAK chains are hookless and offer automatic fitting. Furthermore, this chaining system is suitable for vehicles declared unsuitable for traditional chains due to interior space limitations.

With their extremely compact size, these snow chains are innovative in every respect. Sports cars also have their own chains with the TRAK Sport range, while owners of passenger vehicles will opt for the TRAK Tourisme range. Why buy TRAK MAGGI Group snow chains?

Their unique feature is that they are suitable and adaptable to vehicles that cannot be fitted with chains due to interior space limitations.

The automatic fastening system is impressive. Simply position the Trak chain on the tire, attach the traction block to one of the nuts, and tighten it. The chain then automatically mounts, positions, and tightens itself onto the tire.

For strength and reliability, they are equipped with 4mm high-strength welded and galvanized steel links. The chain track itself consists of 16mm welded and galvanized steel chain under a studded rubber plate for grip on ice.

How do you fit a Polar TRAK chain?

Instead of explaining this here, we offer several installation videos provided by Polar that show you how to fit their snow chains to a vehicle.

For more videos, visit this page.

https://www.youtube.com/user/polaireautomotive