Quick Facts on Snow Chains

It can be a nightmare to drive in winter conditions with icy roads, heavy snowfalls, or slipping surfaces that pose serious dangers. Snow chains or tire chains have been shown to be an invaluable tool and for enhancing vehicle traction when mountainous areas or remote regions of snowy cities are navigated with certainty.

While most people know what these chains are, there are many more unknown facts about them that could help us to better understand the winter driving essentials. This article looks at tire chains from various angles, such as their types, proper usage, and lesser-known aspects that can make a big difference while driving in the snow.

Table of Contents

What are Snow Chains?

A snow chain, also known as a tire chain or snow tire chain, refers to an interlocking device made up of metal links that goes around the tire of a car. Chains allow the tires to get a good grip on such slippery roads and conditions as snowy or icy; hence one remains safe on a snowy road by not slipping. They achieve this by digging into the ice or snow for friction, enhancing control over the vehicle.

Snow chains provide increased traction when driving through snow and ice. — Snow chains, or tire chains, are devices fitted to the car tires to provide increased traction when driving through snow and ice.

How Do Tire Chains Work?

Tire chains enhance traction through additional grip over icy surfaces. If a tire begins to spin, it often can’t gain much traction in the snow or ice, resulting in skidding. Snow chains help by actually digging into the ice and snow under the tire to distribute weight across the surface for less slippage. The chains themselves act like a “set of teeth,” biting into the surface, giving some stability and also control.