Snowchains

Everybody planning to go skying or having a longer stay in the mountains, should be well-prepared before the onset of winter by means of snow chains as they are considered the best protection against wheelspinning and unintentional sliding.

However be aware that snow chains do not replace winter tyres! Snow chains are only mounted over the driving axles. These axles, however do not provide sufficient grip for cars to keep the track (e.g. in curves or downhill).

Rope chains:

Rope chains are a particularly favourable alternative for snow chains, but they are only recommended for true DIY people (do-it-yourself). Rope chains are available from 50 EUR onwards, but are complicated to mount.

Steel ring chains:

Steel ring chains cost at least 70 EUR, but are much more comfortable than rope chains. Mounting is very easy. Simply put the steel ring chains over the tyre and fasten them by means of a hook closure. Tests have shown that most models are highly adherent to the tyre.

Quick mounting systems:

Even though so-called quick mounting systems are quite expensive (+/200 EUR), they are easiest to mount. Beforehand a special mounting nut has to be screwed on each drive wheel. Also the length of the chain links need to be adapted according to the tyre size.

If these things are settled beforehand, then mounting is quite easy. Fasten the snow chains on the wheel nut, mount them on the tyres and you are ready to go! Chains will fix automatically when driving.

Whatever system you choose, according to experts the most important is to practice mounting before leaving on winter vacation. After all, mounting can be rather stressful and often takes place in unpleasant conditions.

When using snow chains make sure you handle your tyres carefully. For example, when tightening: Make sure you retighten the snow chains after having mounted them but be carefull not too fasten them too tight since the effect of snow chains is based on the fact that they touch the ground before the tyres do.

Experts also point out that the chains should move around the tyres. If they remain on the same tyre section, they gradually damage the rubber. Therefore it is completely wrong to use the car jack to get air out of the tyres, tightening the chains and afterwards re-inflating the tyre pressure.