Snow tires or chains? How to deal with snow and ice with the right shoes.

on Monday 21 January 2008
by Francesco Macchi

Below 7 degrees Celsius of the normal tire tread compounds tend to crystallize and then to harden, resulting in increased braking distances and reduce cornering grip on the asphalt.
E 'for this reason that a prudent driver rushes from the first cold tire to replace the summer tires with winter tires.
There are still people who call them snow tires, in fact, the term is more suitable winter tires because the research and the technologies that have affected this area were so many to have caused a small revolution.

Magic of silica, which combined with other special polymers, makes these tires can heat up before the normal summer tires when temperatures reach levels close to zero.
Moreover, the particular configuration uses blades, in fact, the property "binder" of snow crystals.
The rubber slides on the snow, while snow of more snow tends to cling to, hence the idea of â€‹â€‹shaping the tread with appropriate blades, which are filled with snow "clinging" literally to the road, where the smooth tire "summer" be delayed.
But the real revolution of winter tires is in their comfort level and their performance on dry. A time to mount the tires down to heavy snow meant compromise. The top speed went down drastically (often there were severe limitations of approval) and the rolling noise invading the cabin penalizing the comfort of a trip.
From the legal point of view it must be remembered that according to the Highway Code (art.122 paragraph 8) the signal "for snow chains mandatory" must be used to indicate an obligation to move from the point of installation of the signal with snow chains or snow tires .
Therefore the Highway Code in effect equates the use of chains on snow tires, winter tires, also known as or thermal.
How can you tell a winter tire? Appears on the sidewall marking M + S or MS, M / S, MS, M & S: This acronym indicates the words Mud (mud) and snow (snow). Moreover, according to current regulations, winter tires must bear the approval mark on the side of Europe, represented by an "E" uppercase enclosed in a circle or an "e" at the center of a rectangle.
Winter tires, instructions for use

The alternative to winter tires is always represented by the snow chains , which many remember as a nightmare because they require the motorist to get their hands dirty, and to impose limitations on the cruising speed and comfort on board. New types of chains have evolved technologically, however, making the installation quite easy. Some models are fixed only on the outside of the drive wheels, the new models are almost always manages to avoid putting on an arm between the wheel and bodywork for the final coupling.
When the layer of snow is particularly high if you have to stop falling or when you should start on an icy hill are unmatched. They are made of high strength steel, with an average thickness of between 12 and 7 mm. Versions are easy to assemble with the rigid coupling to one or more of the wheel bolts. Can be mounted even on sports cars that otherwise would not have chains because of limited space between the tire and the car.
Snow chains

The chains have a strong competitor not only in winter tires , but traction control devices that go by the name of "sock-chains". It is composed of canvas covers and wires special, very resistant, which extend over the entire surface of the tire to provide traction especially on frozen sections where it is difficult to stand even for a pedestrian. Are not suitable to deal with slopes taken over 10%. These devices, not being approved, not a substitute for chains where it is no obligation.
Socks snow tires and spray: alternatives to chains and tires

Stampa