When snow appears on the roads, many car owners prefer to leave their cars in the garage, not wanting to risk and leave on slippery road surface. In part, they are right, because the snow and sticky mud can score wheel tread grooves. But, on the road you can travel if you know the basic safety rules. In the most difficult cases, it is desirable to apply special anti-slip chains. They are used even in cases where no mechanical and electronic systems for increasing the passability are available on the off-road car. About this further in the article.

Purpose of anti-slip chains. Why do you need chains?

The main reason why the chains are mounted on the wheels are to prevent slipping and improving the clutch with the roadpapers. These devices play the role of the so-called "protector on the contrary". In addition, they are able to significantly increase the passability of the car in deep dirt, loose snow, on ice and so on. If the motorist is not sure that it will be able to overcome the subsequent obstacle, it should be put on these devices, in order to avoid felt in the mud.
Contact area of \u200b\u200banti-slip chains with a road cannol less than the wheel. Also, there are essential gaps between them, due to which they do not collect snow from the road that reduces their effectiveness.

Interestingly, in certain regions of Europe, car owners obliges to wear a chain in winter to reduce accidents. Especially often this requirement can be found in the mountainous regions of France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. In addition, in the Scandinavian countries, it is prescribed to have chains of anti-skid inhabitants of regions with a large level of precipitation in winter - as a rule, this refers to coastal areas. Punishment for the lack of adaptation is rather severe - a fine, a few hundred euros or seizure of a vehicle with a premises to the penalty area, if the violation is repeated repeatedly.

What are the chains to choose the type and size?

Before you go shopping, you should carefully examine the parameters of your vehicle. The problem is based on the fact that some chains are not suitable for all machines - when driving, they can engage the elements of the brake system, suspension and steering, or even the liner and body. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the instruction manual - as a rule, the manufacturer indicates which chains are permissible to apply on a particular car, and what wheel size should be mounted on it. If you cannot find such information, you need to measure the distance between the wheel, silent blocks, shrinking, brake disc and other nearest elements, and with these data go to the store.

It is worth saying that the size of these devices largely depends on the characteristics of the wheel itself - than its width and diameter more, the chains used to create a braid should be longer. Cargo chains are characterized by the use of special reinforcing inserts, which reduce the likelihood of their rupture, as large loads are attached. Such accessories are usually created from steel - carbon, doped, or containing titanium impurities.

What to choose the chains of anti-skid? Classification in drawing.

If you ask car owners of different countries, which they use chain designs, you can hear a lot of different variations depending on certain climatic conditions in a particular region. When purchasing protective accessories, you must first think about which car they will be put on and in what conditions will be used. This will give the opportunity to save a lot of money and get a great result, significantly increase the level of security.
Consultations regarding the use of chains can be obtained from automotive security specialists either in the sale places. But, you should know how their main types are applied:
1. "Lestenka" is the simplest variety, which is a tread braid with strips that are perpendicular to the wheel. These accessories are rather cheap, but they differ in a small area of \u200b\u200bcontact with the road, as a result of which they are ineffective in deep snow, unlike wet grass and dirt.

2. "Diamond" - the wheel of the cross-crossover is torn off by intersecting diagonal lines, between which there are diagonal gaps. They significantly increase the surface area of \u200b\u200bthe contact compared with alternative versions, but limit the possible velocity speed.
3. Zigzag - longitudinal stripes connected to each other side traction that form nodal points. Chains between them are tensioned at an angle, creating so-called zigzag lines. The data of the anti-slip chains are ineffective in the mud, but it is possible to get out of the deepest snow.

4. "Diagonal" - bands pass through the tire, evading the longitudinal axis, but not crossing each other. These chains are effective on ice and snow, as well as perfectly manifest itself in the mud.

Tips Profi, how to use chains?

According to most experienced motorists, a car with chains becomes like a tractor. Patency increases significantly, but the manageability deteriorates, which limits the possible speed of movement.

In European countries, the use of chains is mandatory, since they simply do not exist good alternatives. On the territory of our country, the use of studded tires is allowed, which effectively confront a small layer of snow and ice. Therefore, the chains of anti-slip should be put on only in the most extreme cases or when leaving a very strong off-road.