The temperature dropped and snow point the tip of his nose?
It is time to adapt your car to these changes in the weather to be sure you can
drive it to the end of winter. But between snow tires, the studded chains and
socks, what should we choose? Here are some answers...
The winter tire / snow versatility on all types of road
The winter tire is effective when the temperature regularly
falls below 7 ° C. It adapts to all weather snowing, raining or freezing. In
fact, winter tires are made of a softer rubber compound that does not harden,
even at very low temperatures. Unlike tires summer, winter ones improve the
elasticity of their rubber below 7 ° C.
This flexible permanent rubber increases grip on snow and
ice tires. Moreover, the sculpture of this type of tire is much notched. The
design of the tread is composed of a multitude of grooves and many slats V.
These differences from the summer tire improve traction, or grip the snow
evacuation.
Advantages:
These tires easily adapt to changes in winter weather.
They have good traction, grip and good braking.
These tires also reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
Disadvantages: Above 7 ° C, winter tires wear out much more quickly and lose
their benefits. For reasons of safety and conduct, it is advisable to mount
them by 4, (your life is worth two extra tires!).
Another downside is the cost of assembly / dis-assembly,
which are held twice a year if you alternate with summer tires.
Maintenance: After each winter, it is imperative to properly
clean and store the tires in order to increase their longevity and their
performance. There is a technique that avoids lot of damage. When tires remain
outside for several weeks, their gum hardens. This harmful effect can also be
accompanied by cracking. First, it is advisable to rinse and dry the tires to
remove any corrosion. Then you have to remove stones and other debris stuck in
the grooves. Once the tires clean, they must be removed from the vehicle to be
stored vertically. If they are mounted on wheels, they lie flat. In all cases,
the tires should be placed in a dark, ventilated, dry and free of toxic
chemicals that may degrade the rubber. For those who n have no garage,
specialized dealer networks have proposed storing tires. This service provides
care for your winter tires and summer until next season that is to say six
months.
The studded tire: a secure grip
Studded tires are mainly used in cold climates where snow is
present. They are optimized for zero temperatures and icy surfaces. Equipped
with metal spikes, it is thanks to them that these extreme snow tires have good
traction on snowy or icy.
Advantages: Studded tires are ideal if you live in mounting
where snow is abundant. With nails, your car behaves very well on ice and snow.
Disadvantages: The nails are not conducive to driving on the
open road or wet. Under these conditions and beyond the noise they make, erase
these wear out quickly and hang worst road in the rain because of the metal.
Snow Socks: effective when light snow
The snow socks are used in case of light snow. They do not
replace the chains that are essential for a certain amount of snow. They are
made of polyester fibers. This fabric absorbs water that comes between the
snow and the tire and then optimizes road holding. The use of snow socks is
simple. Once the car parked on a flat road and the handbrake should be put on
gloves to avoid getting dirty. Then, on the two front wheels, install the socks
from the top down on the tire stretching the elastic beyond the tread of the
tire.
Then just pull the orange strips in order to adjust properly
until the face is centered. Finally, move the car so that the sock is put in
place properly.
Advantages: The socks have a practical advantage; they are
easy to put on. Editing is simpler than the chains, there are no hooks, but a
cover and it is possible to drive faster than 50 km / h. They coexist well with
the majority of electronic aids such as ABS, the ESP or AWD. The sizes of socks
suitable for many vehicles (14R13 to 235/45R18)
Disadvantages: They are less effective than snow chains in
case of snow especially on winding roads and mountain (ineffective on slopes
greater than 5% ). The snow socks are also quite fragile and wear out quickly
(lifetime of 20 km on average). Maintenance: After each use, it is advisable to
wash the socks to rinse the salt that attacks the tissues.
Snow chains: a mandatory accessory several times
Unlike other products, snow chains may become mandatory
during heavy snowfall or when the road was not plowed. There are several types
of snow chains and according to their design; they do not have the same
influences on the handling of the vehicle. However, the basis remains the same
for all channels: it is a wire bent and welded links. Some brands justify a
higher price using broader links. Sometimes they add a corrosion protection
improves the life of all. The cost difference is also compared to the proposed
closures. It is more automatic, more expensive chains. Note in this regard the
initiative of neither proposing nor auto chains under its brand-erecting
efficient enough.
Advantages: In case of heavy snow, they are the ones that
offer the best grip of the vehicle. Unlike snow tires, chains are generally ridden
on the two driving wheels (except for cars powered 4x4 or where it is advisable
to mount them on all four wheels).
Strings can be. If this is the case, the panel is installed
and B26 indicates that vehicles traveling on the road at the entrance, to which
it is placed, must not move with snow chains on at least two drive wheels. The
obligation ends at the sight of panel B44 obligation to end the use of snow
chains. Disadvantages: Some chains, including the least expensive, are more
difficult to mount and rust easily, which limits their useful lives. Snow
chains required also not exceed a speed of 50 km / h. It is recommended to
tighten chains after traveling a few kilometers. Interview: Chains wear out, so
they should be clean and dry after each use, and then put them in their
packaging. Besides traditional metal chains, other chains are more atypical
available at select retailers or online:
Alternative channels: little known but very useful
- The polyester chains like Michelin Easy Grip (approved)
are composed of very resistant materials and 150 steel rings. They offer a good
grip performance on snow and ice and provide a quick and easy installation.
Just put the top of the wheel of the mesh fabric, and then focus all on the
wheel, the elastic attachment of the rest. Caution however, the top speed of 40
km/h.
- Born in Switzerland,
Spider-Spike chains are valued for their life and their speed of assembly. They
come in the form of an octopus made of spikes and claws that maximize grip
during braking and acceleration on the ice and snow. With its pivoting
bearings, chain fits many sizes of tires. But its advantage is that the
assembly is done in thirty seconds.... if you took care to mount the disk
before winter adaptation. In case of snow, it only remains to put the chain
over the wheel cover and lock.